ay 1 - May 15, 2005

I left for the Charleston International Airport at 10:00 am in the morning with my mom. When I arrived at the airport to my astonishment my brother and father were at the the airport waiting to say goodbye to them I truly did not expect to see my brother or dad at all, since my dad had just left the other day to go get my brother from college in Connecticut. Starting out the trip with being able to say goodbye to my whole family was a sp

ecial treat for me.

 

Day2- May 16, 2005 - Athens, Hill of Muses

After a long night and morning of flying, Kristine and I eventually arrived in Greece ( Athens Airport). After collecting our bags and change our money into Euro's so we could buy a bus ticket to Syntagma Square. As Kristine and I were waiting for the number X95 to arrive we ended up seeing Taylor. He got on the same bus with us and road with us for 30 minutes till we stopped at Syntagma Square. When we got out of the bus we really had no idea were to go and we had to ask. In the excitement Kristin decides to cross the road even though the walk sign was red, so Taylor and I followed nearly getting killed. I am so glade that we did not get hit.

After Checking into the Pan Hotel I meet the rest of the group at the lobby. From the lobby we all went on a evening hike to the top of Hill of Muses. On top of the hill is the monument of the Roman Gaius loulius Antiochus Philopappos. On the way up to the top of the From the Top of the hill I could see a panoramic view of Athens. I could also see a beautiful view of the Parthenon from the other direction.

Day 3 - May 16 & 17, 2005 - Athens, Acropolis, Ancient Agora

9:00 am in the morning after taking my suitcase down to the lobby, the group including Zack at this point began to leave and head towards the entrance of the Acropolis, Parthenon and much more. When we arrived Dr. Chapin and Dr. Bauslaugh had a permitted that allowed the group to get a free tour of the site and get into the site for free. Dr. Bauslaugh gave us a history lesson on the site as we walked through it as a group throughout the morning until around noon.

After we left the site we went for lunch at the sidewalk cafe next to the Stoa. Kristine, Taylor and I had lunch together at the first restaurant on the sidewalk. Dr. Chapin advised us not to stop there but it was to late and the waiter was serving us. The food turned out to be not good at all and was very costly for me. We learned for the rest of the trip. Whenever everyone had finished lunch we went to the Pottery Museum a the West Stoa. We then headed up to see the temple of Agora before we broke apart for some free time. After looking at the wonderfully preserved Temple of Hephaistios, I left to go get stamps and cards so I could write to people. We did however had to be back at the Pan Hotel in time to walk with our bags to the train station. After riding the train for at least a half hour. When we arrived on the boat we broke off into rooms and went to put our stuff up before dinner. Then I went up to the top deck of the boat to be able to see the boat leave at exactly 9:00. Drew was very excited about the boat and was trying to figure out what type of engine the boat had. After taking off, JR and some other of my classmates went with me down to the dinning hall were I ate spaghetti. Not a traditional Greek dish I might add. After eating I was so tired that I went straight to bed because we had to be ready to get up at 5:00 and then leave by the time the boat docked at 6:00 a.m.

Day 4 - May 18, 2005 - Samaria Gorge, Crete

6:00 am in the morning everyone had to leave the boat ( fairy) since it was docking in Somaria Crete. When we got off the boat we waited for our tour bus to come and take us to the top of the Somarian Gorge to start our long day of hiking. I don't think any of us had any clue what we were about to get our self into. The view at the top was amazing as well as views leading down to the Gorge. The hiking was very rocky and steep and we all had to be very careful when going down the step gorge. Limestone rock was scene everywhere. Every couple of miles there was a rest area with a natural source of water available to drink as well as man made bathrooms. Along the path as the terrain was changing I saw a very usually purple plant that must have been wild for this area.

Exactly about half way through the 11 or so miles of hiking we stopped for lunch. Here is were I saw Aaron meet a local giving tours down the Gorge. Aaron started talking about politics for a while before he went to eat. Everyone was hungry by this time and therefore we ate pretty quickly. After lunch the group continued towards the gorge. Two or three miles left till we would actually see the gorge itself. What a site it was to see the gorge. I have never seen anything as breathtaking. Straight ahead was huge rock faces on the left and right side with rocks all over the ground.

Shortly after walking through the gorge there was still many more miles of hiking to go before we could reach the beach shore. We even walked through some water that was running through the gorge towards the end of the hike. Everyone would ask Dr. Chapin if the hike was going to end soon and she would say only another mile but that was not true. The hike seemed to go on for ever. When we finally got out of the Park the group only had to walk one more mile till the group landed a the beach and where we were suppose to get the fairy to take us to the other side of Crete.

The group caught the last boat out of Somaria, which left at 6:00 p.m. The boat ride was about 3 hours or so and when we finally got to Matala, Crete were a huge bus was waiting for the group. The bus took us up the winding roads of Crete. The bus driver got tired of following a slow bus ahead so he had to talk a long route to get us to Matala and therefore we did not get to Matala until 12 at night. Bye this time everyone was very tired and cranky. My roomates Kristine and Heather just wanted to go to bed and not have dinner but I was hungry and did not want to eat alone so I draged them out with me. JR also came with us to dinner and he two was very tired. I orded pizza for dinner but did not realize that I had ordered pizza that had pork on it and so I spont time picking out the pork . After dinner everyone went to bed right away.

 

Day 5 - May 19, 2005 - Matala and Phaistos

After getting up earlier than everyone else, I went down to breakfast at 8:00 a.m. to eat at the hotel's dining area on the patio. I ate once again a lot of rolls which was very good along with a hot cup of tea. After everyone had finished breakfast the group meet at the front desk and then we all got on the bus and headed to the Minoan Palace and New Palace ruins. This is the time when I had a free tour goide again by Dr. Chapin and Dr. Bauslaugh. The tour took us at least an hour or more and then we all went back to Matala to have a free day to do what we wanted. I decided to go with Kristine and Heather shoping. I got a lot of gifts for my family. I also found a really great place to eat right on the beach. Heather, Zack, Taylor, and I all ate at this resturant. We ordered fresh fish for the meal which was wonderful.

After lunch we all went to see the caves that were the resting place for the dead. The caves had been used since the time of the Roman occupation. While climbing on the cliffs and then looking in the barrial siites, Kristine had come across an intact jar of some sort. After they showed Ann and Bauslaugh Kristine covered up the fine so that no one would mess with it. The group then went across the street to see a site of a Roman town that was not preserved at all. Drew and I looked around at the site and picked things we saw to show his mother. Him and I seem to get along very well. Drew is a very nice boy. After looking at the site everyone was free to do whatever they wanted untill the next day.

 

Day 6 - May 20, 2005 Matala to Hersonissos

At 8:00 a.m. in the morning Kristine, Heather and I got a nice wakeup call by the front desk letting us know that we had to get up for the days events. We went back to the dining center on the patio and then meet the rest of the group at the front of the hotel where we loaded our bags in the bus and headed to the Minoan Roal VIlla at Ayia Triada. JR brought out his compuss and traked to see if he could fine any possible orientation of earthquake damage.

Then after a couple of hours at this site we then went to Gortyn where the walls of the Roman theatre had legal codes inscribed in them. Drew liked it that the codes were done backwards and he decided to make his own code and he tried to get his mom and dad to figure them out. The group also saw the Byzantine basilica. After that before going to Sketeino Cave the group stopped at a local gyro stand and we all had gyros. Well I actually did not want anything with meat on it , so I asked for pita , cheese and fries instead. I always made to much of a problem over the meals. I should of keep quitet but I did not. The owners of this local joint were overwhelmed at first by the large group but I bet they were pleased that we came. I after eating the meal went across the street and bought myself some fresh fruit. We then went on our way shortly aftter that.

After that we went to the Skoteino Cave where I went down as fare as I could into the cave before the clothes and shoes I had on were not good enough for caving. The group was not ready for a true caving experience so we could not go down very fare. JR , Eric, and Ryan stayed together at the top as the rest of us went as fare down as we were allowed .

Afrter visitng the cave the bus took us to a tourist place called the Hersonissos which was located on the water. We all put our bags in the Blue Island Hotel. After that Dr. Chapin and I went on our own adventure and then we meet up later with Drew and Bauslaugh. After that I rejoined up with Heather and the gange to eat at a very interesting resturant. The waiter was very funny and he made the whole table laugh and we had a great time. I had a delicious pasta dinner and then walked back to my hotel after dinner while everyone else went to go find a internete cafe. I went to bed much earlier then my roomate Ruth but she did not care and I did not hear her when she came in late that night.

 

Day 7- May 21, 2005 - Hersonissons to Sitea

Ruth and I got a wakeup call at 8:00 a.m and then we went to breakfast were I ate with Ruth and her friends. After that we all waited in the lobby until Dr. Chapin and JR had left with the cab going to the site Mallia to do some archeological research testing. After awhile the group left and drove to the site that where Dr Chapin and Anne were waiting for us. There the group went to another cave that was heavily occupided by tourists along with rails and lightss were excessable all the way down to teh bottom of the cave The cace was on the north side of Mt. Dikte called Lasithi Plain. After this we ate and then proceded to descend down to the seaside village of Mochlos. Thiw was one of the most exciting parts of my whole trip, for I was able to swim across the ocean to the Minoan ruins about 200m of shore. No way to get to the island except swim. I was a bit nerves about this so I decided to take my shoes and put them in a plastic bag and use them as a flotation divice so I would not drown. I was proud of Kristine for making it along with Drew and most of the group. When I got to the island the ruin was very rocky and I was glade to have my shoes to put on even though they were wet from the trip over. On the way back was a bit troublesome for the group. The current was strong and the waves keep crashing into everyone. I thought I was not going to make it but of course I did and so I did everyone else.

After this adventure the bus then took the group to Sitea where we stayed at teh Itanos Hotel. I was hungry when I got there so I ate at a nice place right near the hotel with a few friends. After I wondered around the town and wen to bed early.

Day 8- May 22, 2005 - Sitea to Agia Nikolaos

At 9:00 a.m. in the morning the group left and headed towards the Rousalakos ruins near Palaikastro at end of Island. Theses ruins were founded and excavated by a group of British . This site once had a great palce of Knossos but it was under ground when we visited the site. I also saw a lot of snakes and had no idea if they were posiones so I tried to avoid them. We looked around the site and saw the dinning corners along with the living corners and what looked like the market place. I also found some shards of pottery that Dr. Chapin and Dr. Bauslaugh dated later on. After seeing the site we went back to Sitea where we ate lunch.

After lunch we went to another ruin site at Gournia but the site had closed already by 3:00 so we were to late. Howeever Drew found that part of the fence surrounding Gournia was torn and that mabey we could fit in it. To our suprize about 10 of the studetns including Dr. Chapin snuck into the site for a few minutes and then hurried out. This site was located on a hill top over looking a gourgeous view. I would of loved to live her. The area seemed to get a gareat breeze and I thought that might of been why the people built there place on the hill.

Later in the afternoon the bus drove the group to Agia Nikolaos where we all checked into the hotel Zgouras on the harbor. There after checking into the hotel I decided before dinner to go for a wlk around the harbor. I enjoyed the quite walk and then decided to site on the beach and enjoy a quite afternoon. In the evaening I got the pleasure to go eat dinner with Drew, Bauslaugh, and JR. The dinner place was along the inner harbor where Drew and I got to see the fish and ducks in the harbor. After a lovely dinner with the teachers, I decided to go get some desert nexdto the hotel before going to bed.

 

Day 9 - May 23, 2005 - Agio Nikolaos to Iraklion

This day we got up as usuall and went down for breakfast at the hotel and then left for the Minoan Palace of Knosos. This site had been restored recently and I did not quit know what to think of the restoration. After visiting the site Bauslaugh took us to the beach for a relaxing visit. We had to take the local bus out to the beach and that was quite a site. When we arrived I was so excited that I jumped into the water right away. The water at first was cold but I got use to it after a while. I then decided to relax on the beach and take a nape. I cant remember when I have ever done something like that before. After leaving the beach Dr. Chapin and JR had not managed to meet us at the beach so the group went back to the hotel for some free time.

Day 10 - May 24, 2005 - Iraklion to Thira, Santorini

After breakfast this time we went to the Iraklion Museum where I saw a lot of the stuff that was from our sites we saw in Crete. Knossos was a major display in the museum. I decided to walk through the museum at first alone and then I decided to ask Bauslaugh some questions on the artifacts in the museum. Bauslaugh is a very intelligante man and I was very glade to have him as a tour guide. After that I went around looking in shops and getting gifts for my family once again. and then went back to the hotel to find my group talking to another group of students from Radford. U. Soroity group and Appalachian State group as well. We found out that they were also going on the same ferry as we were and that they were headed for Santorini like us. After ketching cabs at 1:30 we were off for the port. The ferry left at around 3:00 and we were headed on our way to Santorini. The ride took us 3 and 1/2 hours long ride so I decided to play games with Drew out on the deck.

Whe we arrived in Santorini I could not beleive what my eyew were seeing with the huge cliffs and small buildings all the way up . I got very excited as I have always wanted to go to Santorini. I had to ask the teachers about the history of the volcano as I was entering into the harbor. Santorini looked like a very step and dangerous cliff dewlling place. After waiting for the bus for half hour the bus slowly went up- the step windy roads. As I looked down at the few I began to feel a little scared for it was a long way down to the bottom of the cliff. The view I admite was outstanding and I could not beleive what I was seeing.

When we reached the hotel I put my things in my room and then went downt the narrow corridors to the middle of the commerical center where I got something to eat and then went back to my room to rest.

Day 11 - May 25, 2005

After morning breakfast with a group of French people the whole group went down the trial to the port while some road the cable car with JR. Along the way down I saw a lot of people ketching rides on a donkey . I thought about it but I did not do that. When we got to the bottom of the trail we all got on a glass bottom boat Calypso. The boat first stopped at caldera where we all got out and went up to the center of the volcano. I passed three craters on the way. I got to see incredible view of the caldara. My feet were getting very hot as we got closer to the center of the volcano. On the way back down I decided to take some pumos back with me before the boat left. We then went to the volcanic complex of Palea Kameni where we went swimming to a hot springs. I thought that the hot springs were going to be a lot warmer then what they actuaully where. I was cold but glade that I jumped into the water. Then the boat left for the island of Thirasia. This is were I had lunch with Taylor and the gang.

After lunch we got back on the boat and got to see underwaater coral reefs before going to the NW point of the Santorini Crescent. This is were Drew, Bauslaugh, and Dr. Chapin and seven of us students got off the boat and took donkeys up to the top. I was a bit nerves since the climb up was very steep. When we made it up to the top of the trail we all stopped for something to drink and Drew got his long awaited ice cream. Then we all walked back to the hotel were I got to start my laundry for the first time on the trip. Molly and I went together and left our laundry to come and collect later that day. That night for dinner Ruth,, Molly and I decided to eat at a Mexican Resturant in Greece. I should have known that the resturant was going to be bad. I was in Greece of all places. Anyways we ate and then I went back to get my laundry and then to go hang out at the hotel.

 

Day 12- May 26, 2005 - Around Santorini

I had no idea that the teachers were going to let us sleep in late so I got up for breakfast at 7 without knowing. Anyways, the group walked to the Santorini Musesm to see the artifacts from Akrotiri. While waiting for the local bus to take us to Akrotiri I decided to go into a jewlery shop and make myself a necklace for Amanda and myself. I then had to run to ketch the bus because it almost left without me. When we were on our way Aaron Post realizes that he has forgotten hsi bag with all his personal belongings on a bench near the bus station and he needed to go back and get it . So without telling Bauslaugh, Aaron gets off the bus and go back for his bag. Bauslaugh goes back for the bag for Aaron as well. When he joins the group again, Bauslaugh has no idea that Aaron got of the bus. We realize that we have lost Aaron. Since we could do nothing about that after looking at the site of Minoin Pompeii the group went to go see the red beach. After seeing the beach we all went back to get something to eat for dinner. I had dinner over looking the port of Santorini. That was quite amazing.

 

Day13 - May 27 2005 Santorini to Naxos

We left our hotel at exactly 9:00 and went down to the Port were we were going to take a hydrofoil ferry to Naxos. When we got to Naxos we hurried on our way off the ferry and the hotel buses were waitng to take us to our rooms. We stayed in the Iliovasilema Hotel where there was a pool that Drew got excited about. The teaachers gave everyone the day off, so I rented a bike and decided to bike my way around Naxos. I really enjoyed that but almost got hit by cars many times.

 

Day 14 - May 28, 2005 - Around Naxos

This morning after breakfast the group went down to the port to go see the ruins of Apollo. Only the Portal is left standing right on the harbor. When we arrived at the ruins we were asked to go and find any pieces of pottery around the site and then Dr. Chapin and Bauslaugh would date the piece, so the group could tell what was the earliest people that lived in this area. I love looking for shards of pottery that is fun. I wanted to find a whole pottery piece in almost perfect shape, but that never happened for me. Kristine was lucky in Matala for she found a artifact. Anyways after we dated our pottery shards we then had time to wonder arounnd the sidewalk cafe and get something to eat before we would get a bus ticket to go see the Kouros statue. The first Kouros statue that we visited was at Melanes. After having to rent cars to go see the Kouros the drivers drove into a wrong alley way and they had to try and turn the car around without getting the car scratched. Bauslaugh drove one and JR drove the other. The Kouros in Melanes was of a male nude figure made out of Naxos marble. We then found an ancient quarry that had the largest statue ever attempted in marble the teachers told us. The teachers told us that this Kouros might of been Dionysus.

Once the group got back from the eventures of the day, I decided that I would go eat with Emily, Kyle and many others as well. This led to them asking me if I wanted to come out that night and have drinks with them. I accepted greatly and decided that I should enjoy myself once in a while. That night we started our night of drinking at the Pink Flamingo. This is where my fisrt drink I had was given to me with Sparklers on the top and a hanging monkey on the side. From there I went to other places to drink and if you wan to k now more just ask me in person.

 

Day 15 - May 29, 2005 - Naxos to Mykonos

After the eventful night Molly and I seemed to have come to breakfast first even though we had been drinking as well. Today we went to the Naxoz Archaeological Museum. Once again many of the artifacts from the sites we went to were in the museum. We spent at least an hour in the museum before heading out to the ancient cities . On the way to the port I got a ride with my luggage to the port dock. Once everyone had gotten there one person at least stayed while a few at a time went to go find gyros before getting on the boat. After an hour on the boat we docked at Mykonos were we had to wait for one car to come and get each of us and our luggage four people at a time. After checking into the hotel I wondered around the hotel for a while before going into town for some food to eat. I realized that Mykonos is very touristy place and that many people come to stay here.

Day 16 - May 30, 2005 - Day off

This was the day that I decided to go to the great Paradice Beach, where people could go around naked if they wanted. I enjoyed doing nothing all day but laying in the sun and swimming. I thought that the water was going to be a lot warmer then it actually was. The water was very clear and clean. I sat on pillows and rested on the beach for most of the day with Ruth and her friends. I dont remember when I have ever had so much resting time just dcoing nothing at all. I think it felt great and I would love to do that again one day. Towards tehe afternoon I heard that Dr. Chapin, JR , Drew, and Bauslaugh were on the beach so I dedcided to go say hello to them. Drew was enjoying swimming and Dr. Chapin and Bauslaugh were resting on the beach at the end of the beach almost totally alone. In the evening I then went back to my room and huge out there but first went out to eat with Aaron, Justin ,and Ben . I also got to see the huge Pelicans on the waterfront, as well as the ducks. I also went on a walk by myself just enjoying the beautiful atmosphere.

Day 17 - May 31 2005 - Mykonos to Athens

After eating breakfast we went down to the port after Bauslaugh came to get us in shifts. We then boarded the Orca and headed to the island of Dilas where Apollo and Artemis had been born. This site unlike the other site was excavated by the French. The island is unhibited except for the gaurd workers that live on the island year round. When we got of the boat we were told to watch ourselves because there are deadly snakes in the ruins. So ia made sure not to walk off the normal pathes. We then were let free to wonder the ruin site until time to get back on the ferry when it came again .

That afternoon we all boarded another last Blue Star Ferry that would take us back to Athens where we would all be going our seperate ways the next day. After two hours on the boat we arrived in the rain and went to the train station to head back to our hotel. Some decided to go take a cab back instead of going on the train. I chose to go on the train with the teachers and in 20 minutes was back at the Pan Hotel. After relaxing for a while the group meet to go to dinner all together for one last meal of the trip. We all follwed Dr. Chapin and Bauslaugh to a nice resturant were we all said our goodbyes. I thought that was os sad because I know that the trip was shortly over and I did not want the trip to end.

 

Day 18 - June 1, 2005 Leavaing Athens

This day everyone got up when they needed to get ready to go home from the airport. I do know that Dr. Chapin, Bauslaugh, and JR stayed in Greece for a couple of days more before going traveling to other places. For me I went to go see the museum by taking a train ride. After that I went around Athens on my own untill 10 :00 when I had to get a bus ride to the airport for my 1:00 a.m. flight to Israel. While I was in the Greece airport I meet a foreigner who was 24 and she was going to Israel as well so we hung out until it was time for the plane to leave. I eventually arrived in Israel very early in the morning to be greeted by my uncle and cousine.