How Time Passes
By now I’ve been in Jerusalem for about a week, although it feels like I’ve already been here for a month. It’s so strange how time passes on trips like these—every day we’re doing something new: seeing a new part of the city, learning a new topic in class, or hearing from a new speaker. There’s so much to take in and so much to learn. This is my first experience on a Dialogue of Civilizations, and I’m beginning to understand just how enriching these experiences are. While the itinerary is demanding and even draining, the cultural immersion and wealth of knowledge we are gaining is absolutely unparalleled.
For this Dialogue of Civilizations, classes take place twice a week—on Wednesday and Friday. Luckily for us, the building where classes are held is just a short walk from our hostel. Called the Notre Dame Center, it is a beautiful 19th century building owned by the Vatican that currently serves as a guest house. The building is located in a convenient area—in close proximity to several local food joints where my classmates and I can grab a falafel sandwich or Sabich—an Iraqi sandwich made with eggplant and boiled egg—on the way to class in the afternoon.
Public transit inside Jerusalem is very simple, although we don’t use it often. They have both a bus system and a light rail, not all that different from the MBTA we all know and love (or love to hate…), and I would say that the light rail is even nicer than the infamous T. My classmates, professors, and I used it together on one occasion, when we took a group trip to Mahaneh Yehuda market. Known by locals as the shuk—which is Hebrew for market—Mahaneh Yehuda is a bustling open-air market filled with local venders selling anything you can imagine—clothing, food, spices, coffee, fresh juice, fruit, and so much more. In the evening, the shuk evolves from a bustling marketplace into a lively strip of bars, restaurants, and hookah joints. There is a light rail stop a two-minute walk from our hostel and Mahaneh Yehuda is just three stops away from there, making it a very convenient place to grab groceries or try some local cuisine.
