Weight Gained, Worries Lost

To write everything this trip contained would be to ruin the beauty of it and so highlights must be made. I have just returned from my program's trip to Greece (Athens), Italy (Venice, Pisa, Florence, Rome) and Spain (Barcelona).  The trip captured every post card moment one could wish for. Tp begin with Athens is a gorgeous city and those that tell you otherwise are don't know how to live. The amount of culture and history in the city is overwhelming. I got to witness the Acropolis face to face as well as from our hotel window daily. We also visited the National Archeological Museum which holds some of the greatest treasures to our worlds past. At night we strolled the small city streets sweeping around that vast Acropolis. However my favorite part of the city was a dog we lovingly nick-named Hercules. He strolled up to us in the middle of the center square and proceeded to stay with us the whole night. No ordinary dog though, he protected us from certain men he deemed "dangerous". Men would stroll pass and as each did Hercules would check them out and if they were found unfit, a swift bite to the butt was the solution. Thus he was named Hercules as our protector for the night. He was a huge comfort in a very confusing somewhat risky city. After Athens the trip continued onto Venice which can only be described as magical. We only saw it at night time but still it cast its spell over all of us with its canals and small crawl spaces they refer to as streets. And yes......we rode in a gondola!!! Utterly breathtaking to say the least. To commemorate the journey I broke down and bought a venetian mask which I must say is so beautiful. Next was the infinite bus ride to Florence with a pit stop in Pisa. Once again we filled the stereotype and took pictures of us pushing the tower and even worse.....ate pizza in pisa. All worthwhile I assure you! From there it was Florence, a glorious city that is my favorite in Italy. The streets remind you of all the classic blank and white romance movies. You can picture Audrey Hepburn around every corner. It had recently rained leaving a glossy dew on all the streets, a dream. And the food!!! What can you say, but amazing!! One restaurant was literally a hole in the wall, very cramped and filled with only locals. I pointed at the table next to me and said "I'll have this", my personal favorite way of ordering in foreign countries. It was the best meal I had eaten till that point and the atmosphere only excelled the flavors. We also got to enter the Uffizi Art Museum, home to one of the largest painting collection in the world. I witnessed Raphael, Da Vinci,  Michelangelo's only painting, Botticelli, and Rembrandt.  All the paintings were stunning of course and so moving I didn't speak very much that day. However the most moving piece I was the statue "David", which happened to be for free because we landed on the 150 year anniversary of Italy's unification. The sheer power of that statue was immense and the way the skin looked so tangible made tears. Lame but true. Rome came next and there is very few ways to describe rome because it is too amazing to put to words. Once again a city filled too much history to witness in two days but we did the best we could. Of course the big moments were conquered, such as  the Vatican (Sistine Chapel, St.Peter's Basilica, Belvedere Torso), the colosseum, the roman forum, pantheon, the Trevi fountain, and spanish steps. My feet killed, my head hurt, but my heart had never been more full of joy.  The last leg of the journey was my personal favorite, Barcelona. A city full of life, art, and music. The food was insane and the atmosphere thrilling. If you haven't been there get on a plane right now you will not be disappointed. Some highlights included the Sagrada Familia, lots of Gaudi, St.Josephs Market (you have not lived until you have been here), and Las Ramblas. Las Ramblas  is the main drag in Barcelona connecting the square all the way down to the sea side. We ventured it multiple times including one night when we hit up a shot bar that had 200 shots!!!! (Please get the "Boy Scout Shot" you will be pleased) Also the food....the food.....THE FOOD! Just take my word and eat as much of it as you can. This trip taught me so much about myself and culture. I am throughly pleased with myself, except for the tight jeans now squeezing around my middle.......all worth it, all completely worth it!! Love to all, miss you much, never coming home.

Covered in Culture

Pandemonium 

Trying to Immerse...failing

I have never experienced Mardi Gras, but this weekend has brought me as close to it as ever. In Cyprus they celebrate Carnivale. A day of huge partying, parades, and of course, food. It took place in Limassol a city we have visited in the past but never like this. The streets were packed with people in full costumes, including ourselves. Confetti rained from the sky and children ran between legs spraying silly string every direction. We gathered in the street to watch the procession, unaware it would take three hours! Even after three hours the parade continued but we just couldn't stand on our feet any more and made our way towards the bus. I would say this was my first full out cultural experience. We got to see so many different groups of people celebrating together in a way I would never see at home. People went all out with full costumes and massive floats. Each group had its own theme and some a choreographed dance. Randomly of course we would jump in and join the groups each trying to find the matching group to our costumes. For example myself and another group member dressed as ninja and jumped into the "asian" group for a few minutes. It was nice to see how inclusive others were of us foreigners. No one gave us any trouble and most just welcomed us with open arms as we joined their processions. We can't speak greek, we certainly can't communicate as we normally would, but smiles, hands in the air, and laughter was all the invite we needed. It was are first chance to immerse in the culture and we ran into it with no inhibitions. The day before carnivale was a different adventure. I got to go to the deserted city of Famagusta on the occupied north side. The city looks like something out of "Inception", they literally could have filmed the movie there. It was the oddest thing I've ever witnessed. To be on a beautiful Mediterranean beach surrounded by deserted skyscrapers. The day was hazy creating an effect on the sky none of us will forget. It looked as if there was no horizon line in the ocean and that the boats on the water were floating in the sky. The whole day was just a surreal blur of reality and past history. We also went to the ruins of the city and got to see ancient structures. The most surprising part was the 80 foot drop I got to stand at the top of with NO HANDRAIL blocking me from the drop! Sometimes the standards here are a little baffling. I'm growing, learning, adapting, and as always changing. I will never be the same person as I was the day before on this trip. And this I think, is the greatest gift of all.