Sounds of Jerusalem

I have quickly come to discover that the people of Jerusalem use any type of festivity as an excuse to set off giant fireworks. These explosives create well . . sounds of just that: explosions. Why a city who has experienced so much war and violence since it’s very existence would allow or choose to fill it’s night sky with sounds similar to those devastating days is beyond me.

My first night was welcomed in by such. Having traveled a LONG distance and time, my arrival to the BEAUTIFUL Jerusalem Center on the Mount of Olives was greeted by the sounds of explosives set off in the not-so-far distance. Being a little hesitant in my new surroundings this was not a welcoming sound. I went to our balcony overlooking the city and made a video for my mom which showed a view from the city at night having carefully failed to show the portions with the visions of the pyrotechnics but being sure to record the violent sound. I never did send it home for fear of her immediate demand that I return home! As tired as I was, however, it was not difficult to fall asleep until . . . 4:00 a.m. the call to prayer. Prayer?! Who is praying at 4:00 a.m.? The Muslims. From various minarets throughout the city a man prays over the speaker as the faithful Muslims turn towards Mecca and pray. Five times a day this is repeated, and we get to hear it. It is actually quite beautiful . . . unless it is 4:00 a.m.

My favorite sound of the Old City could quite possibly be the venders who somehow (sarcasm) recognize us as BYU students and call out “hello BYU” and of course, “A special price for you BYU” ☺ One vendor, Shabaan loves our business, err I mean us, so much that he provides cold juice when we stop by and proudly displays he picture with him and Steve Young in front of his shop. I wonder if Steve has any idea that he is part of a promotion ad for this merchant.