Israel Museum

In honor of our friend Linda's ordination and since the kids are still reeling that everything is so "different", we are claiming today as "America Day!"  We have promised the kids McDonald's for lunch - it will be a kosher version of course, so no Quarter Pounder with cheese.  We are also tracking down a swimming pool to go jump into and believe there is a public one in the German Colony.  

This comes after a small revolt yesterday led by the kids after going to yet another museum and attempting to eat more unrecognizable food.  We went to the Israel Museum.  You could spend a good week there truly.  Much to see, read and learn about including the Dead Sea Scrolls.  They have a kids wing also which included a play room that helped the kids get some energy out mid-day.  But then came lunch in their small cafe.  I ordered an alvocado sandwich - the most recognizable food on display.  It has a guacamole like spread for the dressing, then layers of goat cheese and I believe grilled sweet potato.  I enjoyed it but kids just looked at me like I was crazy.  In the end, they all shared a wheat roll, a bag of peanut-butter flavored cheetoe-like chips, and some cookies.  Oh well.

I was blown away at the Shrine of the Rock where they house the Dead Sea Scrolls.  These are scrolls with different books of scriptures that now make up part of the Old Testamant.  They were discovered in this century - written on parchment around the 1st century.  How amazing that God allowed us to find them and attempt to further preserve them for future generations.  

This map shows out section of Jerusalem.  The Old City is to your right about a mile and a half.  Nahloat is our neighborhood - top right on map.  Bezalel is the main street off of ours where it it is intersected by Shiloh.  Pronounced Sheet-loh.  We are in the tiny square little nich in very top right.  Sacher Park is a huge public park where people are continuously playing sports, exercising, enjoying the green grass and flowers.   The Israel Museum is at the southern end of park on western side where you see it reads Shrine of the Rock/Israel Museum.  We are in such an amazing part of the city.  The Shuk - shopping area, 5 minutes walk to the north.  Old City about 30 minute walk to the East.

Boys with our neighbor Viggy at another nearby park.  He loves us and runs up and knocks on the door all the time to play.  I've nicknamed him Tigger.  He never quits bouncing - all fun, all the time.