We arrived in Bulgaria the morning before we were expected to arrive. I was having lunch in the main dinning room and I was talking to one of my friends and almost in mid-conversation he looked over and said so we are really in Bulgaria, huh? I looked over to the window and there was Bulgaria. It was crazy because the day before we had been in Turkey. So all day anytime we looked out the window there was Bulgaria. The next morning we were cleared to get off the ship which was very exciting. We had to take tenders between the ship and the port because we were not suppose to be docked at the port until that night. We got on the life boat and went to shore. It was a rocky ride but we were glad that we only had to take the tender once and then we would be able to walk on and off the ship for the rest of our time there. That afternoon I went on the Wonders of Bulgaria trip. We went to a monastery, Golden Sands, and the Petrified Forest. The Golden Sands was a huge beach resort complex and the Petrified Forest was rock like pillars that had been under water for thousands of years but are no longer. After the Wonders of Bulgaria we went back to the port and I had 30 minutes before I had to meet for an fdp for one of my classes. I had planned to run on the ship change clothes, grab dinner and then meet my trip. When we got to the port and the ship was still in the middle of the ocean and hadn’t come along side. I was so hungry and tired and by the time the ship finally came along side there was a huge line to get back on and it was time to meet my trip. I was debating if I wanted to go but I saw Dia and she challenged me to push myself and to go on the trip. I saw some friends from my class and decided to go. We went to a medical university in Varna to meet and talk to the students that attend the university. We got there and they had made a welcome banner for us and decorated the courtyard area and wrote a letter to all the neighbors that lived around the university and asked them to excuse the loud music for that night because they had very special American guests. We had a tour of the university and then had snacks and drinks. We hung out in the courtyard and got to talk to students and listen to music. Later they taught us traditional Bulgarian line dances that were so much fun. I was so glad that I went and they were so hospitable towards us.
The next day I met up with everyone and we went out in to Varna to see what we could do. We went to the aquarium that was close to the ship. It was the saddest aquarium that I have ever seen, it was tiny and had a strange set up that reminded me of old science cabinets from high school. We took a kiddy train to the dolphinarium and got to watch the dolphin show. The show was fun and we heard the lady speak in four different languages and picked up parts in English. After we went to Happy’s which was a restaurant that was popular in Varna. We had a great lunch and then walked back to the ship. I went out later and found a post office and got to experience some more miscommunication but was able to get stamps.
The third day in Bulgaria I went to a Bulgarian village. It was overcast and raining outside but it cleared up by the time we got to the village and it was much cooler outside and we were very happy about that. Several of my friends went on the trip which was a great surprise because before that morning I didn’t know anyone going on the trip. One of my sisters from my family on the ship was on the trip and it was great to hang out with her. It was sad because one of the women who was suppose to host us that day and had been preparing for us to come past away the night before. We got to the village and the mayor was there to greet us. She and our tour guide showed us round town and we got to see the church, where town meetings are held mayor’s office, clinic, and then go to the mayor’s house for lunch. We all walked down to the mayor’s house and were greeted by women from the village in traditional Bulgarian attire. We participated in the traditional welcome ceremony and took a piece of bread and dipped it in the spices and had a sip of homemade wine. They served us the traditional 14 dishes and there was so much food and it was so good. After lunch we walked around and got to look at the gardens and see where they do fire dancing. We had homegrown watermelon that was great and then got to see the traditional Bulgarian wedding attire. We had two SASers but on the traditional clothes and then there was music and more dancing. This trip was one of my, if not the highlight from Bulgaria. They treated us with such hospitality and it was wonderful to see what true Bulgarian life is like.
The last day I went on the McDonald’s trip in hopes to have it count for one of my classes when I get home. We learned about marketing strategies in the country and got to learn more about Bulgarian life. They don’t serve a breakfast menu there but they made breakfast sandwiches just for us. It was a bun turned upside down and had ham and cheese. After the trip Emma and I decided to walk around and look around and do some shopping. We walked around and talked to a few shop owners and they asked us to have good thoughts about Bulgaria. Not a lot of Americans visit Bulgaria and it seemed like a big deal for us to be there. I don’t think that Bulgaria is a country travelled by many Americans so when we walked pasted places or talked to people they asked us if we were from places in Europe. We finally found postcards which was more challenging than we thought it was going to be. We walked back to the ship and walked back through neighborhoods and got to see where people live and work and shop. After taking a break I went to get in the Ocean so that I can say that I have been in the Black Sea. It was nice and before long it was time to be back on the ship.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Turkey- Istanbul and Cappadocia
At first when we were getting close to Turkey I was not very excited to go. We had pre-departure meeting the night before arriving and when we get the information we need about that port and traveling within the country. They told us that this was a turning point in our voyage. I realized this because we were turning from Catholic Europe to a Muslim country that was going to be different from the other countries that we had traveled. After pre-departure I went to a meeting where they gave us more information about all the things to do while in Turkey. After hearing all the things that there was to do I was ready for Turkey and so excited for this country. I looked over the information and figured out some top things to do while in Istanbul.
I woke up to watch the sunrise as we pulled into port in Istanbul. The sunrise was beautiful and it was great to see the city as we approached it. The horizon was different from other cities and we were greeted by mosques instead of cathedrals. Istanbul looked like a city waiting to be explored. We had breakfast and waited for the ship to be cleared. For the first time the ship was chaotic, we had to all get our landing cards that we had to carry around with us at all times. People were everywhere trying to get those and information about Istanbul and figuring out their trips. That morning I had been watching the people passing by our ship and lots of people were in pants and most of the women were dressed in long pants or skirts. We got off the ship and we walked to the bazaar. We walked through the spice bazaar and the smells were incredible. There were so many smells and they were intriguing and intoxicating. We stopped to ask for directions and made it to the bazaar. The bazaar was over 4,000 shops all split up into categories such as clothing, rugs, jewelry, beads, gold and more. We spent several hours walking around and shopping. We experienced our first taste of Turkish hospitality and were given apple tea by one of the shop keepers. It was very good and I ended up buying some later in the day. We got to bargain with the shop keepers and try to get the best deal. This took up most the day and later I went out with some friends to see Harry Potter. We ended up watching a dance festival going on in one of the squares. There were so many people out walking around and watching the dance festival. The festival was traditional dances from the countries the dancers were from. We watched for a while and then went to get our tickets for Harry Potter. We got our tickets and then went to a café to enjoy some tea before the movie started. We got to the movie and were half way through the movie when the movie shut off, the lights came on and all the Turkish people got up to leave. I was looking around wondering what was going on but found out that there is intermission during the middle of the movie. Harry Potter was good and we went back to the ship and I packed to leave for my trip the next day.
Our second day in Turkey I left for Cappadocia very early in the morning. I was very glad to see that a few of my friends were on the trip. We drove to the Istanbul airport and then got on our flight to fly to Cappadocia. The airport was interesting because at the gate we gave our tickets and then got on a bus right outside of our gate. Then the bus took us to a large area where all the planes were lined up in rows. We flew to Cappadocia and toured some of the caves where the Christians lived and hid. The Christians carved our tunnels and rooms and made houses in the caves and would hid for four months from their enemies to escape from persecution. We got to tour one of the caves and see the stable, living areas, the kitchen that had black on the ceiling and on the walls because they had no ventilation. It was awesome getting to go inside and look around and hear more about their lives that they lived. While in the cave I was thinking about how awesome it was and it would have been to live there, I stopped to think about it and how I knew that I would be leaving the cave within 20 minutes but the people lived underground without going outside for months. This put things in perspective and really made me thing about the Christians who lived there and how there faith was so important to them and so strong that they lived underground without going outside so they would not be persecuted for their belief in Christ. This was powerful and gave me a new perspective on the trip. The rest of the day we stopped at three scenic stops and got to take pictures and walk around. The view and the landscape was amazing and like something that I had never seen before. There were tall giant rocks shooting up for the ground. It was amazing and every time we got off the bus it was a new amazing landscape. We went to a pottery shop before going back to the hotel. The hotel we stayed at was so nice and after dinner we went to a Whirling Dervish Ceremony. This is a traditional religious ceremony and we were able to go and watch. After the ceremony we went back to the hotel and some of us sat by the pool and got to talk until we went to bed.
The second day in Cappadocia we went on tours of the churches in the caves. We got to see several and I was shocked to see painting on the walls. We left the caves and went to a carpet store and got to see how carpets were made and how to tell the difference about what they are made of and the quality. We were shown many carpets and told that all carpets could fly- with MasterCard and Visa. Some people bought carpets so I wandered through the different rooms and lived vicariously through others buying carpets. After the carpet store we went to a jewelry store and got to look around and buy of course. I was looking around and with one of my friends looking at rings and told me to try one of them on. I tried it on and it was beautiful and handed it back and walked to the next case. As I was walking away my friend informed me that I had just tried on a 20,000 dollar ring. I had no idea. After the jewelry store and lunch we did one of my favorite things of the whole trip. We were told we were going to a museum and I wasn’t too thrilled but the museum turned out to be chimney fairies that we got to run around and explore. We got a chance to hike up to the caves and go in and explore them and climb up them. It was so much fun and we all agreed that we could have spent all day there. After our great adventures there we left Cappadocia and got on a plane back to Istanbul.
The fourth day in Turkey I met up with the girls and we went back to the bazaar so the girls could do a little shopping. We shopped for a while and then went to see more of Istanbul. We went to the cisterns and got to see the Roman Aqueduct system that was used in ancient times. It was really neat going underground and getting to look around. Outside of the cisterns we walked over the Blue Mosque and got to hear a group of travelers singing Christian praise songs. I couldn’t understand the words but I caught on the melody and knew that they were singing Christian songs. It was pretty awesome in the middle of a Muslim country to hear Christian songs and Christian songs that I recognized. We went to the Blue Mosque and got to go in. It was the first time that I had been in a mosque. We got our postcards and then went to the ship to have dinner and then we went to try and get internet without much luck but I did try Turkish coffee.
The last day in Turkey I did not feel well and slept until I went to go to a student life in Turkey. We got to go to an American university and meet with Turkish students and ask them questions. We were able to ask a lot of questions and I learned a lot about their education system, culture and student life. It was a special and unique opportunity to have and talk to students in Turkey and get to hear about their country and culture. They asked us question about our education and life in America. We left the university and went back to the ship to get on before we departed Turkey.
I woke up to watch the sunrise as we pulled into port in Istanbul. The sunrise was beautiful and it was great to see the city as we approached it. The horizon was different from other cities and we were greeted by mosques instead of cathedrals. Istanbul looked like a city waiting to be explored. We had breakfast and waited for the ship to be cleared. For the first time the ship was chaotic, we had to all get our landing cards that we had to carry around with us at all times. People were everywhere trying to get those and information about Istanbul and figuring out their trips. That morning I had been watching the people passing by our ship and lots of people were in pants and most of the women were dressed in long pants or skirts. We got off the ship and we walked to the bazaar. We walked through the spice bazaar and the smells were incredible. There were so many smells and they were intriguing and intoxicating. We stopped to ask for directions and made it to the bazaar. The bazaar was over 4,000 shops all split up into categories such as clothing, rugs, jewelry, beads, gold and more. We spent several hours walking around and shopping. We experienced our first taste of Turkish hospitality and were given apple tea by one of the shop keepers. It was very good and I ended up buying some later in the day. We got to bargain with the shop keepers and try to get the best deal. This took up most the day and later I went out with some friends to see Harry Potter. We ended up watching a dance festival going on in one of the squares. There were so many people out walking around and watching the dance festival. The festival was traditional dances from the countries the dancers were from. We watched for a while and then went to get our tickets for Harry Potter. We got our tickets and then went to a café to enjoy some tea before the movie started. We got to the movie and were half way through the movie when the movie shut off, the lights came on and all the Turkish people got up to leave. I was looking around wondering what was going on but found out that there is intermission during the middle of the movie. Harry Potter was good and we went back to the ship and I packed to leave for my trip the next day.
Our second day in Turkey I left for Cappadocia very early in the morning. I was very glad to see that a few of my friends were on the trip. We drove to the Istanbul airport and then got on our flight to fly to Cappadocia. The airport was interesting because at the gate we gave our tickets and then got on a bus right outside of our gate. Then the bus took us to a large area where all the planes were lined up in rows. We flew to Cappadocia and toured some of the caves where the Christians lived and hid. The Christians carved our tunnels and rooms and made houses in the caves and would hid for four months from their enemies to escape from persecution. We got to tour one of the caves and see the stable, living areas, the kitchen that had black on the ceiling and on the walls because they had no ventilation. It was awesome getting to go inside and look around and hear more about their lives that they lived. While in the cave I was thinking about how awesome it was and it would have been to live there, I stopped to think about it and how I knew that I would be leaving the cave within 20 minutes but the people lived underground without going outside for months. This put things in perspective and really made me thing about the Christians who lived there and how there faith was so important to them and so strong that they lived underground without going outside so they would not be persecuted for their belief in Christ. This was powerful and gave me a new perspective on the trip. The rest of the day we stopped at three scenic stops and got to take pictures and walk around. The view and the landscape was amazing and like something that I had never seen before. There were tall giant rocks shooting up for the ground. It was amazing and every time we got off the bus it was a new amazing landscape. We went to a pottery shop before going back to the hotel. The hotel we stayed at was so nice and after dinner we went to a Whirling Dervish Ceremony. This is a traditional religious ceremony and we were able to go and watch. After the ceremony we went back to the hotel and some of us sat by the pool and got to talk until we went to bed.
The second day in Cappadocia we went on tours of the churches in the caves. We got to see several and I was shocked to see painting on the walls. We left the caves and went to a carpet store and got to see how carpets were made and how to tell the difference about what they are made of and the quality. We were shown many carpets and told that all carpets could fly- with MasterCard and Visa. Some people bought carpets so I wandered through the different rooms and lived vicariously through others buying carpets. After the carpet store we went to a jewelry store and got to look around and buy of course. I was looking around and with one of my friends looking at rings and told me to try one of them on. I tried it on and it was beautiful and handed it back and walked to the next case. As I was walking away my friend informed me that I had just tried on a 20,000 dollar ring. I had no idea. After the jewelry store and lunch we did one of my favorite things of the whole trip. We were told we were going to a museum and I wasn’t too thrilled but the museum turned out to be chimney fairies that we got to run around and explore. We got a chance to hike up to the caves and go in and explore them and climb up them. It was so much fun and we all agreed that we could have spent all day there. After our great adventures there we left Cappadocia and got on a plane back to Istanbul.
The fourth day in Turkey I met up with the girls and we went back to the bazaar so the girls could do a little shopping. We shopped for a while and then went to see more of Istanbul. We went to the cisterns and got to see the Roman Aqueduct system that was used in ancient times. It was really neat going underground and getting to look around. Outside of the cisterns we walked over the Blue Mosque and got to hear a group of travelers singing Christian praise songs. I couldn’t understand the words but I caught on the melody and knew that they were singing Christian songs. It was pretty awesome in the middle of a Muslim country to hear Christian songs and Christian songs that I recognized. We went to the Blue Mosque and got to go in. It was the first time that I had been in a mosque. We got our postcards and then went to the ship to have dinner and then we went to try and get internet without much luck but I did try Turkish coffee.
The last day in Turkey I did not feel well and slept until I went to go to a student life in Turkey. We got to go to an American university and meet with Turkish students and ask them questions. We were able to ask a lot of questions and I learned a lot about their education system, culture and student life. It was a special and unique opportunity to have and talk to students in Turkey and get to hear about their country and culture. They asked us question about our education and life in America. We left the university and went back to the ship to get on before we departed Turkey.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Greece- Athens and Beautiful Islands
Arrived in Greece and went to see the Acropolis. It was great to get to see the Acropolis as well as the Parthenon. I can now saw that I have seen the read Parthenon and not just the one in Nashville. We went to the tomb of the unknown solider and got to see the guards. We went to the Olympic Stadium that was built in the 1830’s. After Lexi and I broke off from the tour and went to spend some more time in Athens before going back to the ship. We had a great lunch and we shared hummus, spinach pies (spinach and feta cheese), and a gyro. We walked around and did a little shopping and then took the metro back. The next day I went on the day trip to Delphi. We had a nice drive and I got to see the Greece countryside. We got to drive through a cute village on our way to Delphi and learned that most of the people at the cafes in the village are men except there are sometimes younger women who go. When we got to Delphi I was surprised to see that it was in the mountains. I don’t think of Greece having mountains, but they do! We got to walk around Delphi and climbed to the top. It was a great view and we were also able to go into the museum and get to look around. We left Delphi and had a great lunch and got to sample many Greek dishes. Our last stop was to a monastery and then we said goodbye to Delphi. That night we went out for a friend’s birthday and had a great time.
The third day in Greece didn’t start out like I thought it was going to but ended up being a great day. I wasn’t feeling the best in the morning but we decided to go to a Greek Island. We picked the island Hydra because we had heard great things about it. We took a later ferry that we wanted to but it turned out to be nice because we met a nice Swedish couple traveling with their children on vacation and got to talk to them on our ferry ride. The ferry was not what I had thought and it was nice and reminded me of taking an airplane ride. We got to Hydra and walked off the ferry and said “This is Greece” it looked just like we thought that Greece would look. The houses were made of stone with red roofs. The first thing we did when we got there was to find a place to spend the night. We were able to find a place to stay by asking a store owner who then translated with the store owner across from her store and he rented out rooms. We got a place for a very reasonable price and it was perfect because there were three beds in the room and there were three of us. After we found a place to stay we went to the ferry office to buy our tickets for the next morning. We decided it was time for dinner and sat at a café outside which was beautiful because it was right by water and all the little boats. We got to sit and relax and enjoy the beautiful view. After dinner we walked around and went to the shops along the water. We got a chance to talk to some of the shop owners and that was awesome because we learned more about Greece and their education system. Then we went back to get our swimsuits and then walk to the water and watch the sunset. The sunset was beautiful and the prettiest sunset that I have ever seen. We went to have dessert at a café overlooking the water. Then we went back to a few shops and wandered around before getting some coffee at the café on the water. The next morning we caught the early ferry and headed back. I spent the last day in Athens and was on a mission to find handmade sandals. The girls knew of a place and we were able to find it and got my sandals. We also went to the new Olympic Stadium that was built and got to walk around and go into the pool area. I was surprised to see that the complex that help all the building for the Olympics wasn’t as well kept as I thought it was going to be. The complex looked like a ghost town except for the kids camp that was there. We had lunch in Athens that was really good and grabbed a peach before getting on the metro to get on the ship.
The third day in Greece didn’t start out like I thought it was going to but ended up being a great day. I wasn’t feeling the best in the morning but we decided to go to a Greek Island. We picked the island Hydra because we had heard great things about it. We took a later ferry that we wanted to but it turned out to be nice because we met a nice Swedish couple traveling with their children on vacation and got to talk to them on our ferry ride. The ferry was not what I had thought and it was nice and reminded me of taking an airplane ride. We got to Hydra and walked off the ferry and said “This is Greece” it looked just like we thought that Greece would look. The houses were made of stone with red roofs. The first thing we did when we got there was to find a place to spend the night. We were able to find a place to stay by asking a store owner who then translated with the store owner across from her store and he rented out rooms. We got a place for a very reasonable price and it was perfect because there were three beds in the room and there were three of us. After we found a place to stay we went to the ferry office to buy our tickets for the next morning. We decided it was time for dinner and sat at a café outside which was beautiful because it was right by water and all the little boats. We got to sit and relax and enjoy the beautiful view. After dinner we walked around and went to the shops along the water. We got a chance to talk to some of the shop owners and that was awesome because we learned more about Greece and their education system. Then we went back to get our swimsuits and then walk to the water and watch the sunset. The sunset was beautiful and the prettiest sunset that I have ever seen. We went to have dessert at a café overlooking the water. Then we went back to a few shops and wandered around before getting some coffee at the café on the water. The next morning we caught the early ferry and headed back. I spent the last day in Athens and was on a mission to find handmade sandals. The girls knew of a place and we were able to find it and got my sandals. We also went to the new Olympic Stadium that was built and got to walk around and go into the pool area. I was surprised to see that the complex that help all the building for the Olympics wasn’t as well kept as I thought it was going to be. The complex looked like a ghost town except for the kids camp that was there. We had lunch in Athens that was really good and grabbed a peach before getting on the metro to get on the ship.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Sea Olympics!
We had one day of class and the next day we didn't have class because of sea olympics!! I am in the Adriatic Sea and we were color pink. We all made banners for our sea and I have to say that ours was the best even if I did help to make it! On the morning of the Olympics we got to sleep in but not for too long because we had a mandatory life boat drill. We had to get up, get dressed and put our life jackets on. This drill went much better than the last one because everyone was really quite and in there lines and not wanting to get yelled at by the Captain! After the drill we had some time before the games started.
We had lunch and then openning ceremonies that the Captain attended and officially began. We all had our colors on, cheers ready, and ready to start the games. We had lots of different games like, pictionary, tug of war, academic bowl, relay race, pool relay race, boat race, synchronized swimming that was so funny! We had lip sync and make over. Make over and lip sync were my favorite to watch. Make over was one guy or girl from each sea and it was almost all guys. They took their before picture and then had to completely change their apperance. They had 15 minutes and when they came back the guys were in swim suits, formal dresses, sun dresses. They were complete with make-up, heels, nail polish and even some had shaved legs. It was so funny and all of them were into it until they were done with judging and sat down and then realized what had just happened. All the guys started saying "get this off of me now" who has nail polish remover??" It was great and they were really good sports about it all. The results can in and the winner of the games and your placement in the games determines who get off the ship first when we get back to the states. Our sea tried hard but placed last. It worked out though because I know that I won't want to leave and this way I will be able to say goodbye to all of my friends. After we had a cookout to celebrate the games and relax and enjoy great food with friends. It was a really fun day and great day with no classes!!
We had lunch and then openning ceremonies that the Captain attended and officially began. We all had our colors on, cheers ready, and ready to start the games. We had lots of different games like, pictionary, tug of war, academic bowl, relay race, pool relay race, boat race, synchronized swimming that was so funny! We had lip sync and make over. Make over and lip sync were my favorite to watch. Make over was one guy or girl from each sea and it was almost all guys. They took their before picture and then had to completely change their apperance. They had 15 minutes and when they came back the guys were in swim suits, formal dresses, sun dresses. They were complete with make-up, heels, nail polish and even some had shaved legs. It was so funny and all of them were into it until they were done with judging and sat down and then realized what had just happened. All the guys started saying "get this off of me now" who has nail polish remover??" It was great and they were really good sports about it all. The results can in and the winner of the games and your placement in the games determines who get off the ship first when we get back to the states. Our sea tried hard but placed last. It worked out though because I know that I won't want to leave and this way I will be able to say goodbye to all of my friends. After we had a cookout to celebrate the games and relax and enjoy great food with friends. It was a really fun day and great day with no classes!!
Croatia- The safest country full of sea beauty
I know it has been a while but internet can be hard to come by.. It has been a while since I have been in Croatia but I will do my best to give a little summary of my trip.
We were told to wake up early for pulling into Croatia because there was going to be a special tradition. I woke up early and went outside on the deck to watch us pull into port. It is tradition that when a Captain from Croatia comes back to Croatia that he blows the ships horn three times and then the church responds by ringing the bells as a welcome home. I got to see us pull past the church hear the Captain sound the horn three times and listen to the church bells rings and echo off the mountains. After we passed the church the Captain blew the whistle three more times to let his wife know that he was back. She was waiting in the window waving a white flag. It was a moving experience to see it all take place and I think from the very beginning I knew that I was going to enjoy Croatia. We pulled into port and I saw that Croatia was beautiful! It had such a beautiful shade of blue water that I can't put into words. After being cleared to get off the ship I went on a fdp to a Croatian Village. We walked around and got to see all the herbs that grow and see a church near by. We went to one of the houses that was in the village and they hosted us. We got to hear traditional Croatian music and they taught us a Croatian dance and we all got to join in. Then we were giving a piece of bacon, bread and cheese and got to toast our bacon over a fire to cook it. It was pretty good. Then we got to hang out and talk for a while, listen to more music while we waited for dinner. Under the house was a really nice stone room that had beautiful tables set and we sat down to have dinner. The dinner was amazing and you could tell that it was home cooked. We had more music and had the best time enjoying the music and singing along in some English songs and some Croatian songs. After dinner we headed back to the ship and I got to see a beautiful sinset on the walk back to the ship.
The next day I had an fdp in the morning to go visit and orphanage and children's hospital floor. The orpahange didn't have many kids because they were with a family member on summer vacation. There was only about 14 kids to alteast 40 of us and I think at first they were a little overwhelemed with us. They ended up playing bubbles, coloring, playing ball and lots of other fun things with us and had a great time. After we went to the hospital and got to tour and ask the main doctor questions about the hospital and Croatian health care. At the hospital there wasn't many kids either and the first group that went in got to play with them but they took too much time and sadly I was in the second group and I didn't get the chance to. I found out that the hospital that we visited didn't have any social workers and seemed a little understaffed. Our trip was running late and we barely made it back for lunch on the ship. After we headed to a beach and got a European feel. On the beach we could see our ship from the beach because it was not docked for a few hours. We had to tender to the ship which is where we take a life boat to the shore and back to the ship. It is fun for the first few minutes and then it was not as exciting. We had a great time getting in the ocean and laying on the beach.
The next morning didn't go as planned and we tried to go to a neighboring country but missed the bus. Disappointed and not sure what we were going to do we went back to the ship. We ran into our sweet Georgia family and they invited us to go along with them to an near by island. The island had peacocks on it just running around free. The island was beautiful and I got to swim in the Adriatic Sea which is my sea on the ship!! Then we went to the "dead sea" a lake pond that had a cave that we swam into and hung out there for a while. We had a great day with our Georgia family and were so glad they invited us along. That night we went to the Old City and walked around and enjoyed the city and it's beauty!
Our last day in Croatia I went to the Old City and got to walk around and get some shopping accomplished. The Old City is beautiful and you could spend more time there. We walked up the alley and ended up at a cafe on the cliff over looking the water. We sat and had cold coffee, wrote postcards, watched proffessional cliffdivers and most of all enjoyed the beauty of where we were. After we walked around some more and grabbed some lunch at a great cafe outside. Then it was time to go back to the ship so that we weren't late and get dock time. I was excited about going to Greece but sad to leave Croatia. It was a country that I didn't know what to expect out of and it turn out to be something amazing.
We were told to wake up early for pulling into Croatia because there was going to be a special tradition. I woke up early and went outside on the deck to watch us pull into port. It is tradition that when a Captain from Croatia comes back to Croatia that he blows the ships horn three times and then the church responds by ringing the bells as a welcome home. I got to see us pull past the church hear the Captain sound the horn three times and listen to the church bells rings and echo off the mountains. After we passed the church the Captain blew the whistle three more times to let his wife know that he was back. She was waiting in the window waving a white flag. It was a moving experience to see it all take place and I think from the very beginning I knew that I was going to enjoy Croatia. We pulled into port and I saw that Croatia was beautiful! It had such a beautiful shade of blue water that I can't put into words. After being cleared to get off the ship I went on a fdp to a Croatian Village. We walked around and got to see all the herbs that grow and see a church near by. We went to one of the houses that was in the village and they hosted us. We got to hear traditional Croatian music and they taught us a Croatian dance and we all got to join in. Then we were giving a piece of bacon, bread and cheese and got to toast our bacon over a fire to cook it. It was pretty good. Then we got to hang out and talk for a while, listen to more music while we waited for dinner. Under the house was a really nice stone room that had beautiful tables set and we sat down to have dinner. The dinner was amazing and you could tell that it was home cooked. We had more music and had the best time enjoying the music and singing along in some English songs and some Croatian songs. After dinner we headed back to the ship and I got to see a beautiful sinset on the walk back to the ship.
The next day I had an fdp in the morning to go visit and orphanage and children's hospital floor. The orpahange didn't have many kids because they were with a family member on summer vacation. There was only about 14 kids to alteast 40 of us and I think at first they were a little overwhelemed with us. They ended up playing bubbles, coloring, playing ball and lots of other fun things with us and had a great time. After we went to the hospital and got to tour and ask the main doctor questions about the hospital and Croatian health care. At the hospital there wasn't many kids either and the first group that went in got to play with them but they took too much time and sadly I was in the second group and I didn't get the chance to. I found out that the hospital that we visited didn't have any social workers and seemed a little understaffed. Our trip was running late and we barely made it back for lunch on the ship. After we headed to a beach and got a European feel. On the beach we could see our ship from the beach because it was not docked for a few hours. We had to tender to the ship which is where we take a life boat to the shore and back to the ship. It is fun for the first few minutes and then it was not as exciting. We had a great time getting in the ocean and laying on the beach.
The next morning didn't go as planned and we tried to go to a neighboring country but missed the bus. Disappointed and not sure what we were going to do we went back to the ship. We ran into our sweet Georgia family and they invited us to go along with them to an near by island. The island had peacocks on it just running around free. The island was beautiful and I got to swim in the Adriatic Sea which is my sea on the ship!! Then we went to the "dead sea" a lake pond that had a cave that we swam into and hung out there for a while. We had a great day with our Georgia family and were so glad they invited us along. That night we went to the Old City and walked around and enjoyed the city and it's beauty!
Our last day in Croatia I went to the Old City and got to walk around and get some shopping accomplished. The Old City is beautiful and you could spend more time there. We walked up the alley and ended up at a cafe on the cliff over looking the water. We sat and had cold coffee, wrote postcards, watched proffessional cliffdivers and most of all enjoyed the beauty of where we were. After we walked around some more and grabbed some lunch at a great cafe outside. Then it was time to go back to the ship so that we weren't late and get dock time. I was excited about going to Greece but sad to leave Croatia. It was a country that I didn't know what to expect out of and it turn out to be something amazing.
Friday, July 3, 2009
ITALY, Rome the "Eternal City" and Florence the city full of culture
We arrived in port on wednesday to Italy! I went on a semester at sea sponsored trip so we loaded the busses and were off to Rome! We got to Rome and went to see the Coloseum and the Roman Foreum. It was amazing to see pictures and hear stories of these places are thousands of years old and so amazing to actually be able to experience them in person. It was amazing and I could not believe that I was there. There is so much history in Rome and beautiful building in Rome that are thousand of years old, you start walking around the city, you turn the corner and bam- there is another amazing building full of ancient history. We decided that it get to a crazy point where you just try and remember if the building is B.C. or A.D. We had some free time for lunch and then walked around the city. The girls and I magically ended up right by the Trevi fountain that was beautiful! It then started to pour and "When in Rome" you walk back in the rain! We went to dinner and then took a walking tour around the city. I have to say that I fell in love with Rome at night. It is so beautiful and something about it is magical. During the day it is very loud and so many people everywhere. At night atleast where we were it seemed to slow down atleast a little. We got to go to the Trevi fountain and through coins in the fountain.. one coin, you come back to Rome, two you get married, three you get divorced, four you kill your mother-in-law and so it continues... this is what I was told anyway... I was very careful in picking how many coins to threw in the fountain.. Which you hold the coin in your right hand and throw it over your left shoulder.
The next day we went to the Vatican City! It was amazing and I could have spent all day there. We were able to see so much and I learned a lot too! We had lunch and left for Florence! We got here, went to the hotel and had some free time before dinner. Dinner was great we had a 4 or more course meal! Today we got up and went on a tour of the city and went to two museums and a church. We got to see the famous David marble sculpture. I think my favorite quote from the day is that he made stone come to life, and I am gaining a whole new appreciation on art! I love it. We had some free time and walked around the city and did a little shopping and errands. I was able to call home very briefly and it was so wondeful to hear familiar voices. Hopefully I will get more of the family next time!! So much to do and not enough time to do it in!! We just had dinner and another cute Italian place and tomorrrow we head to Naples to meet the ship and have til Sunday there! I am glad to be in Italy for a little bit longer. There is so much to do in Italy and not enough time to do it in. This has been an amazing country and trying to put it i words is so hard and does not come close. I have already decided that I would love to come back! I hope everyone has a wondeful 4th of July!!
The next day we went to the Vatican City! It was amazing and I could have spent all day there. We were able to see so much and I learned a lot too! We had lunch and left for Florence! We got here, went to the hotel and had some free time before dinner. Dinner was great we had a 4 or more course meal! Today we got up and went on a tour of the city and went to two museums and a church. We got to see the famous David marble sculpture. I think my favorite quote from the day is that he made stone come to life, and I am gaining a whole new appreciation on art! I love it. We had some free time and walked around the city and did a little shopping and errands. I was able to call home very briefly and it was so wondeful to hear familiar voices. Hopefully I will get more of the family next time!! So much to do and not enough time to do it in!! We just had dinner and another cute Italian place and tomorrrow we head to Naples to meet the ship and have til Sunday there! I am glad to be in Italy for a little bit longer. There is so much to do in Italy and not enough time to do it in. This has been an amazing country and trying to put it i words is so hard and does not come close. I have already decided that I would love to come back! I hope everyone has a wondeful 4th of July!!
Three Days til Italy?!
So after a great last day in Cadiz, Spain I got back on the ship and we left for Italy!! I had a great time in Spain but it was very nice to be able to come back to the ship and feel back at home with something familiar. I really enjoyed hearing about everyones adventures in Spain!! So after leaving Cadiz it was so exciting to know that in three days we would be in a whole other country, Italy!! But before I could do that I had to conquer.. classes. So that was not so much fun. I had a assignment for social work and mid-term as well as a essay for global studies.. all in three days. But I made it though and that makes Italy that much more exciting! It was kind of interesting all having to take the same test because all of the students on board were doing the same thing, studying for the same test. I just thought it was interesting because we all 700 plus of us were experiencing the same thing. We had some new lectures on the ship to help us prepare for Italy. One of the coolest parts of the three days on the ship was that Loretta Sanchez came on board from Spain to Italy. She is a Congresswoman from California. She spoke to the whole ship and I was fortunate enough to have her come to two of my classes! That was pretty awesome to have a Congresswoman pretty much all to yourself with no outside disractions. We were able to ask her questions and I learned a lot about Congress and some new bills coming up! If only that was possible all the time! It was a nice transition to get back on the ship and get ready for another great adventure. This next port will be interesting because we only have one day til we arrive in our next country!
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