Our field trip on Tuesday was to the Herodian and Bethlehem! What a wonderful way to start out the Christmas season on Novemeber 1. It also made me so excited for Christmas!
We started out at the Herodian which was a fortress built by King Herod. He was a very paranoid man. He built so many fortresses to protect himself from being overthrown. But the cool thing was that they found his tomb there (although the area is still being excavated so we didn't see it...) but it was basically a giant fortress that people used to protect themselves and also a place where King Herod would hang out.
We walked around the site for a little bit, got some good pictures (as always) and then we headed over to Bethlehem and Manger Square. The exciting thing about this field trip was that since it's the start of New Testament, we switched teachers! So now we are with the Hunt! It was a fun little adventure.
Joe (Ludlow), Charlotte, me, Josh (Ludlow), Desiree at the Herodian.
We first went to Bethlehem University which I was a little hesitant about because I didn't think it would be that interesting or relevant but it was one of the best things we've done on a field trip. We got a little mini tour of the campus and then we watched a video about the school and then we had a little Q&A with some students. It was so interesting to hear about their struggles to get to school, especially those who live in Jerusalem and have to go through the Separation Wall EVERYDAY for class. Sometimes it takes them 2 hours, one way. I can't even fathom that. It definitely made me appreciate the education that I have access to and it reminds me not to take it for granted. After that, we got to hang out with some of the same students. They took us around and we saw their friends and such and it was really fun.
A whole group of us with some Bethlehem University students at Bethlehem University. And notice how I'm surrounded by the Ludlow boys. I'm such a wannabe Ludlow.
I let some other people use my camera so I got some sweet stalker pics... mostly of me and Josh. Like this one. haha which is my favorite of all of them. And that is Joe's eye/ear/cheek.
After Bethlehem University, we headed over to the Tent Restaurant for lunch. Remember that one time when we were in Bethlehem in August and we went to the same exact restaurant? hahaha yeah, it was pretty funny to go their again. But it was delicious just like it was the first time.
We then headed to Manger Square and the Church of the Nativity. This was another field trip where I'd basically done everything (which might be why it was so unique to go to Bethlehem University). We walked around the "Old City"? of Bethlehem on the way to Manger Square and then we went inside the Church. That was pretty exciting and fun, I suppose. Just like last time, there was a freakishly long line to get into the grotto, which is "the exact location where Christ was born". Because obviously 2000+ later, we know stuff like that. So we had the choice to wait in line and go see it or to go to another cave under the Church and just explore more of it.
Nicole, AnnaLeah, Me, & Charlotte outside the Church of the Nativity.
We opted for that (because we've been under to the other spot) and it was way more spiritually uplifting. We sang a whole bunch of Christmas songs and it was just good times had by all. Definitely a good decision we made.
Me, Nicole and Sarah in the under-church cave.
We also got a little bit of time to shop for things in Manger Square. Nicole and I found little nativities that we both really liked and we got a goodish deal on them both. We probably could've done better but what we were supposed to get for $122.5 plus 2 shekels, we got for $100. Not too shabby I guess. Maybe I'll take a picture of one and post that... we'll see.
Following that, we headed to a shepherd's field. But it isn't THE shepherd's field. It was one of the best parts of any field trip. We sat on a little hill overlooking Bethlehem and it was dusk so it was beautiful watching the city light up and then we read scriptures and sang a whole bunch of Christmas songs. And we seriously were in the middle of a shepherd's field because twice while we were having our little devotional, a flock of sheep with it's shepherd walked by. It couldn't have been any more perfect. :)
Overlooking Bethlehem at the field. AnnaLeah, Charlotte, Me and Josh. :) Hands down my favorite picture of the day (and maybe trip. and maybe of me and Josh). I like the lighting. Photo cred: Joe.
We then came home to a delicious meal and hot chocolate. :)
Oh, and did I mention that I spent almost the entire day with my husband? We definitely needed that bonding time. haha
Good fieldtrip and amazing way to start off the Christmas season. :)
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