Shuk in Jerusalem, Friday/Saturday shabbos

Today was a true lesson in Israeli culture, from a meeting updating the group on the goings-on in the country to a singing lesson and character builder with the head of World Bnei Akiva from Johannesburg. Our meeting was to teach about the way of life in Israel concerning the chuggim in September and how to make a mark in the world. The day continued with a trip to a shuk in Jerusalem where we indulged in spearmint leaves, honey and majool dates; tasting and experiencing Friday afternoon in Jerusalem. Where hundreds of people were frantically weaving through crowds to prepare for shabbat in the evening. A true taste of the country is also found in the bargaining shoppers and furious hand gestures. It also was a perfect opportunity for me to practice conversation in Hebrew, one of the primary reasons for my decision to come to Israel for the year. Shabbos was spent the usual way with ma'ariv in the evening and kiddush, candle lighting and roast chicken. It was a great pleasure to be able to spend shabbos last week and say "the next shabbos will be spent in Jerusalem" it was actually achieved and I spent shabbos in the holy city, in the nighttime after dinner we had a song session of which I've never heard any of the songs before. On Saturday we continued the shabbos festivities with Torah reading in the morning, kiddush lunch and havdallah in the evening. We continued in the evening with selichot because of the oncoming high holidays, selichot for those who don't know they are prayers that are said to repent for sins in preparation for Yom Kippur. This prayer session was held at the Kotel (Western Wall), where many people gathered at the kotel for prayer, really showing the dedication of the jewish people to the faith as a whole.