Sunday night was a really good one at work, had in total 4 patients. Was able to get acclimated to nightshift fairly easily. I came home and slept from 9-1. At 1 I got up and made my way to Bethlehem, PA.

I found myself at the Moravian Museum of Bethlehem. I met a tour guide named Mary, who happens to be from the same state that I am. She tailored the tour just to me (pointing out revolutionary war items and medicine-related items including an old set of apothecary jars).

I learned a lot about the history of the Moravian church and their time in Pennsylvania. The building is part of the UNESCO heritage site related to the Moravians, and is the “oldest continually used log building in the US.” Moravians apparently also founded the first girls’ school (a seminary) in the US and used stars to teach geometry. Hence the birth of the Moravian star. I could have spent all day talking to Mary, she is a doll. Highly recommend if you find yourself over that way.

After that tour, I walked around Bethlehem, found a blacksmith shop with a young man making a bottle opener. He didn’t look more than 20, but was working in a colonial-era period clothing and working super hard with his hands. He answered my questions and was just delightful.

I then made my way to the Hotel Bethlehem, not to stay ($$$) — but to pickup my bus! I took a motorcoach ride tour of the lights of Bethlehem, to include The Bethlehem Star.

I ended the evening with a Guinness and some Guinness beer cheese macaroni (omg so good). I made my way back over to the Moravian cemetery, which deserves an entire post unto itself, but was around where I parked.

Overall, one of my favorite adventures here so far. I did not expect to enjoy this trip as much as I did. Christmas is the perfect time to visit, they have the lights up and every home has extra lights and stars in it as well. The entire town looks like a postcard.

Back to the grind tomorrow and Wednesday .We’ll see what else the week has in store!

-K. ,RN