September 5 2007

Allie Braby

We left for Jerusalem on Tuesday, departing from the Salt Lake International Airport at 1:42 pm and with a three hour layover in Atlanta before continuing our journey to Tel Aviv. After a relatively quiet flight and many BYU heads popping out amongst the seats, we made it for a three hour layover in Atlanta, which must be one of the longest airports known to man. We were able to entertain ourselves, with some of us playing Phase 10 or listening to the guy playing the guitar at our gate. We also made a magnificent discovery of a giant flying cornstalk and a giant carrot with a spinning lima bean on top. After a final security check and our first chat with native Jerusalem dwellers, we boarded the plane for a twelve hour flight. Although it was long, not many of us slept for more than a few hours, if we were able to sleep at all. Besides the occassional chat next to the lavatory, the ride was relatively quiet. After what seemed like months, the plane finally descended to the Tel Aviv airport. As the plane lowered, I noticed how the buildings were all grouped together, all made from the same kind of stone. What was more peculiar was that all of these little towns were all on the tops of hills. It brought to life the scripture that says a city set on a hill cannot be hid. We, as BYU students studying in the Holy Land will not be hid either. We unloaded the plane and headed off through the airport, getting our passports stamped and reloading onto buses set for Jerusalem. Most of us set off across the different regions of Isreal while a small group waited at the airport, searching for their missing luggage. The wait was fruitful as one exploded bag was found and only one suitcase was lost for the night. The ride to Jerusalem seemed long as jet-lag was finally starting to kick in. But as we started up Mount Scopus and arrived at the front gate of the Jerusalem Center, it was all worth it. As I walked into the gates and looked at the arches and trees lining the pathway, I started to get more and more excited. We were finally here. We’ve been working and waiting for months to be able to get here, and we finally were it. The place itself, and the feeling when we walked inside the grounds, was one of awe. I couldn’t stop smiling as we were greeted and let to the Oasis for the first time. For the first time in many hours, we had a real meal, with its kick of spices, but a real meal that wasn’t plane food. The group that was stuck at the airport joined us and we met in the Upper Assembly room for our first orienation. The view overlooked the whole city, with the Dome of the Rock glowing against the dark sky. It was amazing to be able to see the walls of the Old City, to actually be here, in the Holy Land. Our meeting began with an opening hymn and again, I was amazed at the power and strength of our voices as our small number sang together. We were introduced to quite a few people, then were led on tours throughout the building. Fortunately, the guys carried our bags downstairs for us and we were all off to bed after that.