Monday, July 5, 2010

Birthday Party

I had an utterly wonderful birthday. Woke up bright and early but without an alarm, feeling rested and ready for a glorious day. The sun glowed off the Dome of the Rock, which I can see from my window. Took a shower and Lauren braided my hair very cutely.
Lauren bought some pink roses and they were on the living room table. We put a candle in my breakfast mango and Lauren sang to me. Blew it out facing Jerusalem with my wish.
I wrote a homework assignment (yay! It was fun; I’ll post it on the blog) in the morning, did a bit of reading for pleasure, and then went to the Old City. The Aronoff family met me and Lauren at the Jaffa Gate at 1:30 and off we went. Mike charmed our way to the Ramparts Walk, even though we technically shouldn’t have been able to purchase tickets on Shabbat. So we walked on top of the Old City walls and got some great views.
Went into the Austrian Hostel and had my first Iced Coffee (much like a Jamocha shake). Sat in a lovely, peaceful garden and had a nice chat.
Went shopping in the Old City. I love seeing the variety and the shop owners. And I bought a lovely dress that also serves as a skirt and some awesome Turkish pants.
And – the best part of any day – dinner was at an adorable Armenian joint. Had wonderful mixed grills (veggies and chicken) that tasted heavenly in pita. Dessert was baklava and an awesome Armenian dessert of grape leather (for lack of a better description) and nuts.
‘Twas a wonderful day. My thanks to Lauren and the Aronoffs for making it so. : )

2 comments:

  1. When next in the Old City you might like to stop by the Benevolent Arts Work Shop on the Via DelaRosa. It is operated by a wonderful lady by the name of Farida. It is/was affiliated with a church school that taught girls the art of embroidery. I still have some items that I bought there. I believe it is across from the 5th or 8th station of the cross. There was an Armenian ceramics shop one or two doors away. If you do get to the shop please say hello to Farida for me and tell her I think of her often. She is, by the way, a Christian Arab. You might even pick up a dress or some such while you are there. Enjoy!! B.

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  2. I think I must have been close...because we went to a beautiful ceramics shop near there! I'm not sure whether or not I'll make it into the Old City again, but if I do, I will definitely try to stop by! Thanks. : )

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