Last day in the middle east!

Tonight marks the last day of my time in the middle east. To make travelling easier tomorrow me and Stephen have come back to Jerusalem. It was fairly easy to get to Jerusalem from Nablus. We took various services and taxis and then crossed the border by foot. That was a new experience for me but it was pain free :D Once the other side of the checkpoint we got on a bus to Damascus Gate.

Damascus gate at about 1pm

After photographing the gate we walked to the hostel as the tram was not free anymore :(. It was a lovely walk very hot though! I did have to stop a few times as I was carrying everything in my hiking bag which was not easy in the heat!
After checking into the hostel we went for a walk around the Old City. Due to it being the Sabbath after sundown today we did the Western Wall/Wailing Wall first. I walked to the women's side of the wall and wrote out a prayer and stuck it in the wall.

Women's side of the wall

We walked through the different quarters, the Jewish Quarter, the Armenian Quarter, the Christian Quarter and the Muslim Quarter. We walked around the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

The tower of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre

I got to see the stone where Jesus' body was annointed before burial, where Jesus was crucified and where he was buried. As we walked around, we got to see the different chapels of the different denominations, including Catholic, Ethiopian Orthodox and Greek.

I also saw Helen's Cistern, a large well next to the church. I had to duck and crawl through arches and corridors to get there.

A blurry picture of Helen's Cistern

Afterwards, we carried on walking through the Old City, and left it through Damascus Gate just as dusk was falling and the call to prayer started.

Jerusalem at night

We then went to dinner and came back to update my blog. A very exciting week was had!

Palestine Day 4!

Last night I had an invite to Stephen's Boss' house for dinner. All the internationals at the University who work in the LRC (language resource centre). It was really lovely food, all traditional and there was plenty of it. There was so much food left over that all the internationals took home goody bags. The walk back to Stephen's apartment was fun with a stomach full of food whilst walking up and down hills!

Today, Stephen got called into work so I decided that I will spend the morning exploring the old city and doing my Mother's shopping for her! The things I do for her. I managed to find the old town by walking there (all downhill!). I found the shop I was looking for, although I walked past it 3 times but that happens when you can't read Arabic. I asked another shop keeper he didn't understand the English but Stephen wrote it out for me in Arabic before I left. Turns out the shop was diagonally opposite the shop I was at asking! I had a tour then did my shopping. I carried on looking around the old city and took photos.

One of the streets in the Old City

A ruin building in the Old City

Once I finished in the Old City I walked around the Modern part of Nablus, including the Mall for a drink. It was weird being in a Shopping Mall that didn't have any Christmas decorations up, but there again this is an Islamic State so they wont be celebrating Christmas here.

After I finished looking around Nablus, I walked back to the Old campus of the university and stopped briefly outside the cemetery. Afterwards I found Stephen at the New Campus of the University after I managed to work out the Services on my own....yay go me!!! I spent some time in the LRC and then one of the students who kidnapped me Tuesday, took me on another tour of the campus this time to the medical school and then to the mosque. I got to go into the Mosque and they didn't require me to cover my head. I got shown the prayer books and then the student convinced the female worker there to give me a copy of the quran, so somehow I have now have a copy of the quran which I have to get back through the airport in Israel!!!

As this is my last night in Palestine, I can say I have thoroughly enjoyed myself and will come back here again. The country is lovely and the people are really friendly. There are still places to see and visit which I haven't done yet so I will be back some day!

Palestine Day 3!

After Stephen woke up yesterday we went to get something to eat. We went to a restaurant which overlooked Nablus. I had kebab in tray which was meat in a sauce which I put into pitta bread along with salady things. It was really nice and was something else I tried that is Palestinian!

Today we went to Mount Gerizim to visit the Samaritan village there. This is only one of two in the world, the other is in Tel Aviv. Before we got to the village, we took a service to the checkpoint at which the point the driver had to stop and turn around. Me and Stephen at this point got out. The reason why the driver couldn't go any further was because Israel see the Samaritans as Jews so the village is an area C so Palestinians are not allowed to go through the checkpoint. Has we got to the checkpoint the Soldier asked to see our passports and then asked where we were after which he said "have a nice day". So the soldiers area friendly too!! At the village we followed the signs to the Museum to find it was close. A local woman gave us directions to what we would call "tourist information". We each bought a guide book for 10NIS and then got directions to the summit of Mount Gerizim. We followed what we thought we were the right signs and a local man stopped us and told us we were heading to the Army base and it was the next left. Has we were reaching the summit the same guy headed up the same path to take us around. The site has a lock on it and he is incharge of the key and gives tours. We had a tour which we then found out was 25NIS each...good marketing trick. It seems expensive but when £1= 5.5NIS it was around £5 so not too bad.

The site has a church which was built 1000years ago and a mosque 900 years ago and houses around them. However they are now ruins.

View of the ruins, Mosque in the top corner and the church is the circular feature in the centre

Outside the church and mosque area is a circular area (which we didn't go to) which is used by the Samaritans for prayers when they all gather for a pilgrimage. After the tour we walked back down through the village and went back through the checkpoint with no problems. As there were no services around we decided to walk down until we took the wrong path which was a dead end (near the city of Nablus) so when we next saw a service we took one!

View of Nablus on the walk down

Once back we headed to the New campus where we had falafel which I now have a liking too! Once Stephen had finish some work we went to the English lesson I was invited too. It was good fun and the girls that invited me were very happy to see me. We played "Consequences" which tested my spellings as I had to get them right as what I wrote someone in the class would have to read. We then played "Werewolf" and "Charades". All the games were to encourage the students to speak English.

Whilst Stephen was working I sent some electronic postcards and then we got the service back to the old campus. Whilst Stephen was teaching an admin lesson I decided to head on back to his flat, stopped off for some chocolate on route and then finished my postcards and update this.

Currently Stephen is having a snooze whilst his clothes are being washed. The washing machine is rather strange. It is attached to a tap which leaks so a bucket has to be put underneath to catch the drips. The pipe which lets the water out has to be put into the bath as it has no where else to go. When the tap is switched on if the pressure is too great then the pipe can come off the bath and cause a flood in the bathroom. Also he has to make sure the drum is closed properly so his clothes don't fall out!

I will stop rambling now! More tomorrow

Palestine Day 2!

Yesterday I left my blog with waiting for Stephen to finish teaching. Well once I finished this blog I decided to read up more on the area but fell asleep. I woke up with Stephen text me to ask if I can meet him at the lift has I had the key so I can freely walk around the area. When Stephen got back, we went down to the old city of Nablus (Al-Qasaba). We were looking for a cafe which did good Kenafah! We didn't find it but we found another one and I have to say that I like Kenafah. Nablus is well known in Palestine for Kenafah so if you ever come here you should try it!!! The old city was great to walk around. Really narrow streets in a maze with shops either side with carts being pushed as well.

The Clock tower in the old city

Today we got up at 8am so nice lie in compared to yesterday, so we could do some of the sights before Stephen had work! First stop was Jacobs Well. We looked around the outside of the church and looked inside the church. It is a Greek Orthodox church and there were many Pilgrims inside having a service. This meant we could not get to the tower where the well is.

Inside the church

After visiting the church we went up to Joseph's Tomb. We had to walk through Balata, the largest UN refugee camp on the west bank. Walking through here was eerie and but I got to see how the refugees lived. They were helpful when we asked for directions to the Tomb and welcomed us. At the Tomb we were asked by the Police what religion we were and where we were from. They then opened the Tomb for us to see. We followed around to make sure we didn't cause any trouble (we were the only ones in there), didn't take photos. The officer who was following us around made sure we saw the whole thing as we walked past one part and he pointed us in the right direction. After the Tomb we went to Tell Balata Archaeological Park. We had to walk through more of the refugee camp and got more directions but we eventually got there. We walked around, it was amazing being so close to the archaeological features and lots we could still identify has buildings etc.

The East Gate in Tell Balata

Afterwards we had a drink in the city and then went back to get Stephens teachings and went over to the new campus. We went to a presentation on Indigenous people and how other societies treat them with the main focus on "White" Australians and the Aborigines. Afterwards 2 of Stephens students came to talk to him and then started to talk to me. As Stephen had a class they kidnapped me, showed me around the University (New campus).We compared their university to the one I went too and they told me all about life in Palestine. It was a really interesting afternoon and I learnt a lot. I did also learn that one skipped her class with Stephen, but he forgive her as she turns up the rest of the time and she was speaking English to me which is better than learning out of a boring text book (apparently).

Any way Stephen has woken up and we are now discussing where we are going to eat. More tomorrow!

Arrival

Yesterday I left England for my first trip outside of Europe eeek! I left on a plane from Luton airport and landed at Ben Gurion airport Tel Aviv. Stephen met me at the airport only arriving an hour late due to missing connections, in all it was quicker for me to fly from London to Tel Aviv than for Stephen to travel more or less 30 miles. With going through security and collecting my baggage I was waiting about 30mins. Security wasn't as bad as I thought I was asked a few questions and was let into the country yiphee!! Next was the fun bit...

Had to get a bus to a junction somewhere near the airport, then get on a coach (public bus) to the coach station of Jerusalem. At the coach station, I had to take my bag off, empty my pockets and then walk through a scanner, then put my bag through an xray machine! After using the tram (new and the ticket machines are still not working so free tram!) Stephen and I arrived at the Abraham Hostel. We went off to find food as there was a party (to celebrate 1 year of the hostel being open) we ended up at McDonalds due to it being the cheapest place there was and open! One thing I learnt of my one night in Jerusalem is that compared to Palestine its really expensive.

To the present day...after waking up at 7am we went to Dome of the Rock. I got a photograph of the outside but as I am not Muslim I was not able to go in. Afterwards was breakfast and then head across the border so Stephen could go to work. This journey was fine on the (free) tram and then got on a Sherut (a shared taxi) to Ramallah. This bit was fine and we went straight through the checkpoint. Whilst travelling in this Sherut Stephen was pointing out the Israeli settlements which are illegal and then we arrived in Ramallah. This meant a change to a service taxi (pronounced ser-vees) which is the same as a Sherut just in Palestine! This was more hair raising. Horns were being used all the time (which is common around here so Stephen has told me and I am beginning to notice) and they seem to drive fast around corners and when overtaking. Eventually I fell asleep which was probably a good thing as woke up not far from Nablus. Once in Nablus we picked up another service which took to the outside of the University where Stephen is teaching and then we walked up the steps (lots of them which made me realised how unfit I am). Now you are caught up, just waiting for Stephen to finish teaching and then off to get food! Pictures to follow

Red runs + kids!

Today was a successful day! No major injuries and the kids enjoyed themselves. However, I do have sore legs and a bad back! Today we skiied Nargens to Scansinas which is a nice easy blue run. We were practiced side slipping which the kids could not do and then the next time we did the run we parallel across the transerve and snow plough turn. We then went to play on the slope ready for tomorrow's race so the kids can practice the button lift and get to know the slope a bit more. After lunch we skiied stretch which was a red run. There were tears from 2 of the boys but they managed the run no problem and had big smiles on their faces at the end of it. We all fell over including me and seb (ski instructor). They loved it when seb fell over!
This evening was yeti video night and we watched madacasger 2 and the kids found it funny and one of the girls who happens to be in my ski group was tired so cuddled up during the film.
Any way early night for me, TTFN

Black Run

Today was my day off :D Well everyone's day off! We all went off in groups (tended to be our job roles so yetis went off together and the guides went off together). The group I was with skiied all over the mountain which was nice as I have been confined to kinderland and the 1 blue run. The mountain was cold but nice powder thanks to all the snow we had! Before lunch we went to La Siala which is 2810m and the only way down was a black run! So the team I was with got me down a black and they didn't tell me! I worked it out from the sign and the poles but it was fine. They encouraged me and gave me tips and they waited as I took my time but I did it. I did not fall over and I'm still alive now :D We went to Crap Sogn Gion for lunch and we all had 12chf lunch (13chf if had a big drink). It was nice to sit and talk to people about our day. In the afternoon we did a few more runs then headed down to have a drink before those like me had work this evening! Up the mountain it was rather windy but lovely sunshine and blue skys, still not got my goggle marks though grrr! Back to snow tomorrow I think.
As you have probably worked out I am currently babysitting so I am back in my bathroom. After babysitting I will grap something to eat on way back and then shall head out to join the others at a local bar. Whilst babysitting I checked my e-mails and I have an interview for a role for London 2012 in Weymouth :D Hopefully I will get it!
Any way not long left on my internet credit, TTFN

First day down the Mountain

Today the weather was still snowy so we took the kids up the mountain. We skiied a nice easy blue run but the kids being them made it harder than it was. They took skiis off and refused to ski when it got steep becasue one of the boys went down it on their back. Because I could not get their skiis on they went down on their bums. Myself and the instructor told them they had to listen to us because we know what we are talking about. We made it to the bottom after 1hr 45 mins of skiing so we got on the chair lift and made it to lunch. After lunch we skiied the run again quicker and they all kept their skiis on! This time we did have a white out though.
This evening I didn't babysit as no-one answered their door or phone! It has meant I have had a nice evening off though.
Any way beddy bye times ttfn

Movie Night

Well....I'm not sat on the toilet updating this like what seems to be the norm at the moment. I am currently in bed after an early finish and shower :D.
Today I broke out of Kinderland with my group. When it got too busy we went up the mountain to the nursery slope at nargens. The snow was fantastic there although a tad sticky however, it was poor visibility. We skiied down and then got the kids onto the button lift, there were 3 instructors and 3 yeti assistants but it took 45mins to get all 3 groups up! The kids would either lean forward, sit down or generally fall off. One kid fell into the powder which came up to his mid-thigh (he is only 5 or 6). Lunch was a success and then we did a couple more runs on the nursery slope and managed the button lift successfuly. We went back down to kinderland due to poor visibility and sticky snow. When on kinderland the magic carpet kept breaking down which was annoying.
Tonight was movie and we watched surfs up. It was funny and had some great one liners. The kids loved it. Afterwards we played splat until all kids were picked up or got a van back to their hotel. I finished at 9pm which is early for me :D
Weather now still snowing :D

Sat in my favourite room!

Today I got my new Yeti group :D they are brilliant fun and have a big age range from 5-11 years although we only have one 11 year old. The rest are about 5,6,7 years old. They can all make pizzas and turn so hopefully we will be off kinderland soon as we are already on the steepest part of the slope! Today it has been snowing and in fact its still snowing now :D There has not been any snow in flims for about a month which is not good. The guys on the piste have done a really good job in keeping the mountain open considering the lack of snow, hopefully we will have enough snow so more runs can be reopened.
Well I'm back babysitting on the toilet, the kids are asleep that were worn out from skiing...hehe us yeti assistants do that to the yetis!
Fingers crossed for more snow tomorrow
TTFN

Babysitting sat on a toilet!

Yesterday was my last day with my 4yr olds. They had a yeti race and all did very well, the weaker ones skied down between someones legs and in the morning practice that was mine. I also learnt to turn whilst skiing backwards too helping one of the weaker ones out.
Today was transfrer day and I had to help with a departure. There were 6 families on the coach, one was my babysitting family and another was one of my 4 yr olds. I got a huge hug from my 4yr old as she loved being in my yeti club and I got a tip from her father! All tips have gone into a pot to be split :). There were problems on the motorways so my departure was brought forward by 45mins. After we got to the airport I helped clear up, got in the car came back to Flims helped out in ski hire then went back to the Muh (pronounced Moo).
This week I am babysitting another family all week apart from 2 days. They only have one room and as the kids are 4 they are in bed which means I am sat on a toilet! The things I do!!! The family seem nice so should be a nice easy week with them. Tomorrow I have got a new ski group and they can ski abit which means I wont be on kinderland all week yiphee :D
Any way better go...this toilet is rather comfortable! TTFN

Proper skiing :D

Yesterday I finally went skiing up the mountain. It was family day for our clients which meant day off for us :D I spent the morning with George and Frankie and as I have spent soo much time on kinderland they showed me around and they waited for me. I went down steep reds and I think a black run too. We skiied towards Flara and half way to Laax and went in loads of bubbles and a cable car. For lunch we went to Crap Sogn Gion (Crap is the Romansh word for Rock). In the afternoon we skiied to a bar and then into Laax and got the bus back to Flims for Pizza to meet the newbies.
Today I was on Kinderland again but I was on skiis and learnt to ski backwards. The rest of my day is much the same as before but with another group as one assistant was off ill and so I was split between my group and the other beginners group.

Weather: We have had snow which was nice to ski on yesterday with loads more predicted

TTFN

More Skiing :D

Well it was still lovely and warm today which is bad because we really need snow! My group were out today and they are progressing well. We are still making pizzas but now we are turning too which is brilliant. One lad is too good for our group and the group above is at the same stage as us (but older) and the one above them are too advaced which is ashame but he is loving it with us! Tonight was yeti supper again so I got free food :D Afterwards the yetis went down to watch a video and I went back to where I am living had a 30min break to chill and then was off to babysit. I am currently still babysitting but she is in bed :D

TTFN

Switzerland!

I have been in Flims for 5 days now and loving it! The people I am working with are great and really friendly. The first 3 days were training and orientation. Wednesday night we went out for group pizza which was great way for us to meet the full season staff and the peak week guys. Thursday and Friday we had to fend for ourselves for evening meal. Saturday was transfer day. Its the busiest day of the week and went smoothly and was great fun. I was down in the ski hire place making sure our clients were happy and help the guys out by sticking on labels and talking to the families.
Today was the day we went out onto the slopes! My group are aged 4 and so its hard work as they keep falling over, get tired and don't know how to stand still! Its still a good laugh as we play games, throw snowballs. This evening I helped out with Yeti SUpper which also means I get to food too :D
I'm currently sat babysitting which will be when I will be updating my blog.
Ciao for now!

Skiing again!

I have been in the London since yesterday evening ready to go to Swizterland tomorrow!!!!
Yesterday I arrived at the Youth Hostel in Earl's Court which is an ok hostel, I've been in better and I've been in worse! I arrived just after 5 lugging my suitcase and rucksack on the trains and then the underground, I didn't know how heavy my suticase was until I was lifting it on and off trains. Eventually I got here! I dumped my bad in my room, locked my rucksack away and then I was back on the underground. As I was in London and free I decided to visit my friend Stephen from school. There were lanterns hanging above the streets every where you looked, everything was written in both English and Chinese. We went for a meal...guess what we had....traditional English Fish and Chips?....nah we went for Chinese :D. We managed to get a set menu for 2 for £10 each which was good value. It started off with crispy duck and pancakes then had egg fried rice (which I still don't like!), sweet and sour chicken and crispy beef. It was very yummy and very filling. I visited his University too and the library is huge!!!! Afterwards I got on the tube at King's Cross to head back to the youth hostel due to an early start today!
I am in a room with 4 people, a Korean who is currently living in France, an english lady who lives in America who snores and someone who doesn't talk!
Today...it was an earlish start to the day so I could be in Putney at 9:30 prompt! I used the District Line and was there at 9:15 which meant I had time to find the office due to arriving for my interview on the overground station and not the underground. I was there with 5mins spare :D. I tried on the uniform and its all fitted and the sellopates (ski pants) did not fit...I would not do them up!!!! They changed to the next size and I have got plenty of growing room in them which is good considering after Italy a lot of my trousers are tight on my thighs! There was about 20 of us in the training session attending all different resorts but most are going to Flims. We will be joined by more people tomorrow at the airport who are returning staff. The first half of the day was basic information about the company and we are expected to behave. We were told that the company is the most expensive british tour company eeek! We had lunch provided for us, sandwiches, crisps, brownies and chocolate biscuits, it was yummy. The afternoon was spent with training specific to our roles. Signing kids in and out, how the day will run and things like that. Must of it I knew from being a Cub leader but had to be trained the Powder Byrne way!
After training I headed back to hostel and repacked so my uniform could be packed away, I'm hoping that my luggage is still under 23kg. Flight tomorrow so next time I update this blog I will be in Switzerland :D :D

Skiing first week of the season :D

I am currently sat 1500m in Sauze d'Olux, there are numerous ways of prounouncing it and the locals can't decide either!!!! We have currently been here since Sunday, after a 6:20 flight which meant being at Gatwick airport at 3am in the morning! This did mean that we were in Weatherspoons at 4am, although drinking hot chocolate. This is a new one for me!!!!
I have done three days skiing and having no tutition! I have a new top speed of 37.4mph! No idea how I got that fast!!! I have yet to go over to the women's downhill olympic run, maybe do it by the end of the week! Off to France on Friday which will be fun as it will be in another country I've skiied in!
Back to vodka and coke!