In Which We Spend 24 Hours in Jerusalem

I skipped work Thursday and went with some good friends over to Jerusalem. Our missions for the trip were as follows: 1. Walk around the Dome of the Rock; and 2. Eat delicious, delicious french toast.

We arrived in Jerusalem and, after a quick stop for schwarma, headed into the Old City towards the Temple Mount aka Haram Ash-Sharif. Much to my embarrassment, I got us lost trying to take a shortcut through the Jewish Quarter. After a short, very hot, wait in line (punctuated by a Magnum Bar break), we finally got onto the complex.

gonna miss this lady

and these urchins

who have posing down to an art

With our first mission accomplished, we were able to focus on the important things. Shopping and eating! We had delicious pizza for dinner and spent way too much money on Ben Yehuda Street. 

After a sleepover that involved a pillow fight and watching VH1 music videos (they actually still show them here!), we got up Friday morning and accomplished mission number two. We were too busy eating delicious french toast to take any pictures. Priorities, people.

I am currently experiencing the sad part of Embassy summers - when everyone leaves and moves on to new posts and you're left behind. I will dearly miss these friends...