"Mormons!"

We went into the Old City today, and that was the greeting from everyone we saw.  :)  Mainly all the merchants, who I'm sure see a lot of BYU students.  Today was our first day really allowed out of the Center, but only in groups of 5 or more, and only along the paths we had already taken on our tour.  They're still feeling pretty cautious about the whole situation, but I think they knew we were dying to get out, and we had an entire free afternoon today.  Not gonna lie, it's a little weird being out and about on a Sunday, lol.  But we had our Sabbath yesterday, so it's all good.  

We mostly just wandered around the market streets, looking at the different things.  One of the merchants owns a "BYU store," where he sells like, leather scripture cases imprinted with designs from Jerusalem (I am definitely going to get me one of those) and BYU t-shirts that have "Jerusalem" in three different languages.  And everybody loves the Mormons.  :)  In one shop there was this heart-breakingly beautiful mother of pearl nativity scene.  The shop owner said $200.  It was gorgeous.  

We also went and saw the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where most of the Christian world believe that Christ was crucified and buried.  It was interesting.  It's interesting to be in a place that's kind of tourist-y, but to so many it's like the epitome of holiness.  When we went into the kind of sanctum where the tomb is supposed to be- it only fits like 3 or 4 people and you kneel in front of an altar- I thought to myself, Christ is worshipped here.  And I felt the spirit.  And I just said a small prayer thanking Heavenly Father for the experience of being here in Jerusalem and for the Atonement and the Gospel.  It was a nice feeling.

It rained for the first time since we've been here while we were out.  It wasn't too bad though, all the market streets are pretty well covered and we were in the Church for the worst of it.  But the weather for the most part continues to be beautiful. :D

Well, I am completely exhausted.  So that will be all for now.