I Got a Herod Bobble-Head at Herod Place!

Katrina and I woke up at the smae time again and had some quiet time to ourselves to blog and read, which is always quite nice. Breakfast was passable, but there wasn't any hummus. The breakfast log that is made with sesame seeds and honey is really growing on me. Yum!

Now a comment about the peddlers on the street. I swear, they just look for a bus and then flock and wait for you to come out of the place your visiting or the restaurant you're eating at. It's so annoying! And they don't stop when you say no; they keep asking and asking! I know that's how they make their money, but I get so irritated that I want to scream at them!

This morning we visited the various facilities which are run by the Christmas Lutheran Church, including the International Center, the college, the school, and the health and wellness center. We got talked to a lot, which seems to be a theme here in Bethlehem. I get so tired at these lectures! They're intersting and I value all of their programs, but I cannot for the life of me stay awake! Katrina suggested that she needs a combination of touring and lecturing as we tour and I agree. That's better than just sitting for a long time listening to someone talk to us. I once again felt quite uncomfortable at the school. The principal took us around and showed us classes in session and people stood around and took pictures. I couldn't bring myself to do so, like I couldn't in the refugee camp, b/c I felt like we were intruding on their lives. I hate how we objectify them. I can't do it.

After those various stops, we went to lunch. It was actually quite good, Brandie claims it was her favorite so far, and they even had some vegetarian food. Dessert, however, was once again fruit, which makes me wonder is chocolate is hard to come by around here. Let me say that myself and some other people are really starting to crave it now!!! But I'm too cheap to buy any. I find it odd that in America, poor people have easy access to chocolate and all kinds of other crap, but not to fresh food, while here the opposite is true. Fresh fruits and vegetables seem to be in abundance on the streets!

At lunch, the table diagnosed me with either ADD or ADHD, b/c every time someone says something, it puts a song in my head. I don't really care if I am or not, b/c it hasn't ever affected my day to day life, nor my studies, and it usually amuses people. K gives me a hard time, but I think she's joking. I hope! I love how I barely knew her or Brandie, or even Yohan and Eugene, and now I feel very comfortable around them. We're having a great time and definitely doing some bonding. For instance, us three girls decided to use the restroom at the lunch place, so of course we went together, and talked while we were on the toilet. (I know, it's a female thing!) I guess there was a lull in the conversation b/f I said, "Katrina, guess what's next?" I meant that next is a bus ride, during which K could nap, which she had been missing, but she responded with, "Flushing?" and apparently Brandie said, "Wiping?" Hahahaha!

The bus ride took us to Herod Land, otherwise known as Herodion or Herodium. (Both spellings are right Brandie!) I really wanted a Herod bobble-head at Herod Land, but they didn't have any. I think that we need to make some! We had to hike up the hill to see the ruins of the fortress/palace there, but it was worth it just for the climb. It was great to have some exercise after eating! Yay! The ruins were similar to what we've been seeing, but there were a couple of Israeli soldiers at the site, apparently just checking it out. They came and walked by us a couple of times. The one was kind of creepy b/c he just stood there as we walked by, not smiling. We also went down in this tunnel to get to a tomb, which could possibly be Herod's tomb. It was only discovered a year ago, so this was actually the first time Iyad, our new tour guide, had even seen it. I went last in the tunnel b/c I get slightly claustraphobic when in a tight space with a ton of people, so if I'm last I can hang back at times and let some space grow b/t me and everyone else. Unfortunately, that gave Brandie time to scare the shit out of me near the end, jumping out from behind an outcropping. I shrieked. Thanks Brandie!

Some of us were hoping that we were then done for the day and we'd get back to the hotel early, but no, we took a vote and people voted to go see Shepherd's Hill and some gift shop. The hill had a cave and a church on it, nothing too exciting for me. I didn't even want to go in the store, but Taleb wasn't on the bus yet, so K and I toured briefly and then waited to get on the bus. What irritates me is that we've had all these shopping breaks when this was not supposed to be a shopping trip, and people take FOREVER during these breaks. I mentioned that to Trisha, and luckily, she agreed and said that this was our last shopping break. Let's hope so!!!

Iyad has yet to impress me. He knows his stuff, sure, but he makes comments which oftentimes comes off as rude. Or like today, on our way to Shepherd's Hill, he made a joke that the shepherds who first heard the news of Jesus' birth must have been women b/c that's the only way the news would spread. Really? B/c all us women are such gossips? Unbelieveable. On the other hand, I think I've made a friend here at the hotel in Amir. He said that he got chocolate for dessert for me tonight, so we'll see if that pans out! Hehehe! I'll probably blog later with the rest of the evenings activities, but for now, Jerusalem tomorrow!!!!! Woot!