tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83285452488098652482024-03-18T20:07:19.542-07:00A Broad Abroadmohsla01http://www.blogger.com/profile/00708045108407230182noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8328545248809865248.post-88976358534018997462011-07-10T23:56:00.001-07:002011-07-11T00:22:43.077-07:00Final Days<div>As most of you already know, I'm back home in the States. I spent two days in Sofia before heading home and was able to say goodbye to a lot of favorite places as well as do some last minute discovering of new ones. I went out for one last drink with some of the girls, toured Nevski Cathedral, went for a long walk in the park, stopped for soup at Supastar, had one last meal with the Fulbright Commission, and then had a night of Chalga. I actually got to see <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCmXS1HYXB8&feature=youtube_gdata_player">Kali</a>, a famous Bulgarian Chalga singer, perform live at Nightflight, one of the Chalga clubs in Sofia.</div><div><br /></div><div>This has been an amazing, life-changing year, and I am so grateful to have had this opportunity. I can't believe it's already come to an end, and it's time to start a new chapter in my life. It seems like just yesterday that I was arriving in Bansko, nervous and uncertain about the year ahead of me. Over the course of this year, I have become a much stronger, more confident person, and I have met some truly incredible people. Hopefully, I will see them again sooner rather than later. Even if I never see them again, though, I will always remember them and the warmth with which they welcomed me into their homes and their community. Bulgaria is a truly remarkable place, and I wish it and all its people the best.</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3d_BFvgSx6ZPaEsCOdvrM8LVyswVXwgnvIhI4YvXhXSCqa-_eAi5Y8n9pi9aYG7zDab7Jb8MmQupathMIA_nKiBRyCClj7zg2IPe3gNpukn5ywmTsjoeNUQqiRx-kVlOWubBtf8rJkzZe/s1600/DSCN3175.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3d_BFvgSx6ZPaEsCOdvrM8LVyswVXwgnvIhI4YvXhXSCqa-_eAi5Y8n9pi9aYG7zDab7Jb8MmQupathMIA_nKiBRyCClj7zg2IPe3gNpukn5ywmTsjoeNUQqiRx-kVlOWubBtf8rJkzZe/s320/DSCN3175.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627986869763048034" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Out for a beer my second to last night in Bulgaria</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivC3SraQ3Js6sAItJbI4HDNJN4nhPlKt4CokScKVCh6AYYZBiGsED0gUpUdSv_kQFZkYudqBP9U5kt0prOoxSp39nmyi03hkpbDcw7r3f4OXBxfWd38m6U_-_lUDU6CpH_3bEUxAGQqcvZ/s1600/DSCN3177.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivC3SraQ3Js6sAItJbI4HDNJN4nhPlKt4CokScKVCh6AYYZBiGsED0gUpUdSv_kQFZkYudqBP9U5kt0prOoxSp39nmyi03hkpbDcw7r3f4OXBxfWd38m6U_-_lUDU6CpH_3bEUxAGQqcvZ/s320/DSCN3177.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627986863368296882" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Saying goodbye to Nevski Cathedral with my friends, Olivia and Laura</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKxu3auwCSaenyxOgHpSUEqWcVDydBgQy5ZR0XXBXTpjafqNTiN1hGoEf0v1QJ_qvVT60KDbzjIk2nUb7fzgSLPY1kJ3k2mjVFHxwNpUZ9Bd96iiMKeRhLkrVPNbO0yItkFBo7hmMxh29/s1600/DSCN3178.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKxu3auwCSaenyxOgHpSUEqWcVDydBgQy5ZR0XXBXTpjafqNTiN1hGoEf0v1QJ_qvVT60KDbzjIk2nUb7fzgSLPY1kJ3k2mjVFHxwNpUZ9Bd96iiMKeRhLkrVPNbO0yItkFBo7hmMxh29/s320/DSCN3178.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627986077730543042" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Nevski</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMg8Vdac4rOR1y-gUb91-5vQCk8lSPJvJ2lLtJMpVOgg7yvuWIhxtgXUVAdhNhCB7yBsMGkjhjUmDViq08Yl27cYLgSeGmCW22hyaWjHA5FIfyTG2A_IxhwFlAGW-CZtXJMbRA-Zvvv1Zd/s1600/DSCN3183.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMg8Vdac4rOR1y-gUb91-5vQCk8lSPJvJ2lLtJMpVOgg7yvuWIhxtgXUVAdhNhCB7yBsMGkjhjUmDViq08Yl27cYLgSeGmCW22hyaWjHA5FIfyTG2A_IxhwFlAGW-CZtXJMbRA-Zvvv1Zd/s320/DSCN3183.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627986067080241218" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">An AWESOME statue of a Lada in the park</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP-JuBvlitZGEZvSHd7To7Y47LIKzBQy0_GSzyDToCe_QoONNdYxuP6iniNG-1jonmVXebzn6UyO5DhPLAFf0JJlPZHek-7giHx3YrI63zTjyGDSMuzf68rg1YmdXr5cRXJ45jqsgRXv3W/s1600/DSCN3185.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP-JuBvlitZGEZvSHd7To7Y47LIKzBQy0_GSzyDToCe_QoONNdYxuP6iniNG-1jonmVXebzn6UyO5DhPLAFf0JJlPZHek-7giHx3YrI63zTjyGDSMuzf68rg1YmdXr5cRXJ45jqsgRXv3W/s320/DSCN3185.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627986058286911890" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">A final lunch at Supastar with Sophia, Olivia, and Laura</div>mohsla01http://www.blogger.com/profile/00708045108407230182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8328545248809865248.post-2657458281775901012011-06-26T03:11:00.000-07:002011-06-26T03:30:33.713-07:00Last Days in Sunny Stara<div>I'm wrapping up my last weekend here in Stara Zagora. I leave Wednesday afternoon for Sofia, where I'll spend my last day before flying home. In five days and fourteen hours, I'll be landing in Chicago. Before heading out, I've been trying to enjoy my last few days here by spending as much time out in the city as possible. On Friday, I paid a visit to Viktor Tattoo where I added some more ink to my collection. I went with the Bulgarian phrase "zashto ne," which means "why not." It's been my philosophy for the last year, and I think it is an excellent one. I'm still young and have plenty of time to explore the world, and I like being confident and independent enough that when opportunities arise, I respond with "why not."</div><div><br /></div><div>After visiting Viktor, I had lunch with my mentor, Tanya, ran a few errands, and then had dinner with one of my colleagues, Sylvia. As my time comes to an end, I'm trying to have dinner and chat with as many of my new friends and colleagues as I can. Tuesday night, I will be getting together with a large chunk of the English department at my school to have dinner and say goodbye. </div><div><br /></div><div>When Saturday rolled around, I had a special visitor in the form of my friend, Hillary. We went to the market in Dimitrovgrad (about an hour away) in the morning, and then spent the afternoon in Stara. We had champagne for lunch and then visited both malls in town for some last minute shopping. I finally bought some clothes for myself! It's a really cute top and pants that I'll wear out on our last night in Sofia. After hitting the malls, we wandered over to the old Roman ampitheater to frolic amongst the ruins. And by frolic, I mean sit on top of them and enjoy the sunset. As the sun finished setting, we went out for a long and relaxed dinner before grabbing a drink at Drums, a local bar where all the ex-pats hang out. This morning, we grabbed some palachinki (pancakes with filling - I prefer chocolate). It was nice to have Hillary come visit because it gave me a chance to wander my town with someone for the last time and to go out to some of the restaurants I wanted to try before I left. It was also great to see her again before we leave. </div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglW7Lf9lj6-EILuqw-2lp7j6JJ2op1Dj7zuChSBPKbv3nQUc5P9KJF8-yADAOw0G2HZTNonXIxK5htykADUZu3SshFub9qD3iEUzaWRFjmZ2YSkW33R0k4WeaksOm8EGcx6mvIYN7jpY-j/s1600/DSCN3152.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglW7Lf9lj6-EILuqw-2lp7j6JJ2op1Dj7zuChSBPKbv3nQUc5P9KJF8-yADAOw0G2HZTNonXIxK5htykADUZu3SshFub9qD3iEUzaWRFjmZ2YSkW33R0k4WeaksOm8EGcx6mvIYN7jpY-j/s320/DSCN3152.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622470997076176210" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">My new tattoo</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDKv7g10_9xXTcEAMk9gK4-9uQ00dBqyBvAwNdB4BStZZC9CzZI8as2rnK6S7qyZUKdZDpN3YN756hO1v9YSF_p8SAXd-ZAgm8dHkwUKoW3MN1JLizrSLbqcBGSG5HDam8k2gU5w7GZhfJ/s1600/DSCN3153.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDKv7g10_9xXTcEAMk9gK4-9uQ00dBqyBvAwNdB4BStZZC9CzZI8as2rnK6S7qyZUKdZDpN3YN756hO1v9YSF_p8SAXd-ZAgm8dHkwUKoW3MN1JLizrSLbqcBGSG5HDam8k2gU5w7GZhfJ/s320/DSCN3153.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622470452923266690" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Champagne Lunch. It felt really sophisticated. Like I should also have one of those cigarettes in a long holder or something.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXIN-JUPHqSQRhHWBMiwSlky2rtADYAR3uY1pEugLCW1rBTPVoABLcoWwBBmCaXa7DZ4sf6xbzjJxPDS23v-_GOX7dxVjuveMYgcHQd6k8A07nXY1Xz_mhi-g34DDlduLDMN9Mfr0J7Fq/s1600/DSCN3160.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXIN-JUPHqSQRhHWBMiwSlky2rtADYAR3uY1pEugLCW1rBTPVoABLcoWwBBmCaXa7DZ4sf6xbzjJxPDS23v-_GOX7dxVjuveMYgcHQd6k8A07nXY1Xz_mhi-g34DDlduLDMN9Mfr0J7Fq/s320/DSCN3160.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622470447996863074" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Sitting on top of the theater</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM_6aIc9VjQX4gZD7LLaRp2dEzOTCD2HGl7QUbGKJ6ckGi-0u5fZGMpp2YDQLYZKwMaNtGfHcsbwpDEcpXwlCJB40FjpWPDB-d18Ds0_JU81J_lPPE4UNvTWsf6B4E7vAjn0_uG84kmG9m/s1600/DSCN3165.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM_6aIc9VjQX4gZD7LLaRp2dEzOTCD2HGl7QUbGKJ6ckGi-0u5fZGMpp2YDQLYZKwMaNtGfHcsbwpDEcpXwlCJB40FjpWPDB-d18Ds0_JU81J_lPPE4UNvTWsf6B4E7vAjn0_uG84kmG9m/s320/DSCN3165.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622470445337348194" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Saying goodbye to one part of Stara</div>mohsla01http://www.blogger.com/profile/00708045108407230182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8328545248809865248.post-5996592262909371552011-06-21T02:45:00.000-07:002011-06-21T02:58:16.306-07:00Lounging in Lovech<div>I spent last weekend in the little town of Lovech in northern Bulgaria. My friend, Dena, lives there, and she invited us up for a small party before the end of our grants. In addition to being an adorable little town, Lovech is one of the sites where Vassil Levski planned the Bulgarian uprising against the Ottoman Empire, and it is also home to a medieval fortress. Being a site attached to Levski, Lovech has a giant Levski statue along with a Levski Museum. We visited both as well as the fortress and a nineteenth century home that you can tour. Then, we all had dinner and did a lot of talking and catching up. I have one more weekend here in Stara Zagora. I head to Sofia in one week and one day and then two days after that, I head home. In ten days, July 1, I will be safely back home in the Quad Cities hanging up my adventuring cape for awhile. Not for too long, though, I hope!</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxTVwxpV4gT9vbTv0DtwQoZnuJF2-BUYaWEDc8oaG9XttPibTpM9itKKYGuzzCVt3JMO8pPEQt0m3gFgeSDmb76mtrbN8p6qp2soye9La3arJOAg_EqCNFvdFd2lnwt42-GSV6IffSBx_/s1600/DSCN3123.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxTVwxpV4gT9vbTv0DtwQoZnuJF2-BUYaWEDc8oaG9XttPibTpM9itKKYGuzzCVt3JMO8pPEQt0m3gFgeSDmb76mtrbN8p6qp2soye9La3arJOAg_EqCNFvdFd2lnwt42-GSV6IffSBx_/s320/DSCN3123.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620608352364402194" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Levski and Me</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG25iLuOVKHxJoFGws5JMEdElTwZhsZ67DccdlmEj_IdFiFUAHwckUZYX7D4y2p3oH-tGTR8zvtzn4WtruZ4S7LLdpA1nOBgJ9O_jOrzmwOT3y9LG2WIuxge3jblsgAi4uifFP0ehyUpgE/s1600/DSCN3127.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG25iLuOVKHxJoFGws5JMEdElTwZhsZ67DccdlmEj_IdFiFUAHwckUZYX7D4y2p3oH-tGTR8zvtzn4WtruZ4S7LLdpA1nOBgJ9O_jOrzmwOT3y9LG2WIuxge3jblsgAi4uifFP0ehyUpgE/s320/DSCN3127.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620608336022882994" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The fortress</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsFTAGCiKpPeC6c8CK-WtqEFuLIeZij6rfaXLvWYZMpx5E9rMsM72KUY6ooOspmoQdmWZ3sAhLzUSP-7OSjtrMebhtyRZ9mtjj1ezU4QMqDs39bRTM6w97Bh1ACrwoMbA6yMJ6TUIHtxan/s1600/DSCN3130.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsFTAGCiKpPeC6c8CK-WtqEFuLIeZij6rfaXLvWYZMpx5E9rMsM72KUY6ooOspmoQdmWZ3sAhLzUSP-7OSjtrMebhtyRZ9mtjj1ezU4QMqDs39bRTM6w97Bh1ACrwoMbA6yMJ6TUIHtxan/s320/DSCN3130.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620608326171866930" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Pledging my oath to Levski at the Levski Museum</div>mohsla01http://www.blogger.com/profile/00708045108407230182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8328545248809865248.post-21230594352894067642011-06-19T06:33:00.000-07:002011-06-19T06:53:54.825-07:00Leaving the EU<div><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Georgia; ">Two weekends ago, my friend Laura and I went to <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Serbia</st1:place></st1:country-region> for a visit to an Eastern European, non-EU country. </span>As soon as you cross the border, you can tell you’<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ve</span> left the EU. The roads <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">aren</span>’t quite as good and everything is just a little bit dirtier. Our first stop was the southern town of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Nis</span></st1:place></st1:city>. After a long bus ride, we were ready to get out and explore. We spent a day and a half exploring the beautiful city and getting our fill of history. During the period of Ottoman occupation, the Serbians in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Nis</span></st1:place></st1:city> tried to rise up and overthrow the regime. Instead, they were all killed, and their heads were cut off and made into a tower as a warning to all others considering rising up. You can still visit <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Skull</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Tower</st1:placetype></st1:place> (Cele <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Kula</span>) today, and we did. It was incredible. Normal people would have probably been a little freaked out by the sight of a tower of skulls, but we were fascinated. Sign number one that I would be an awesome archaeologist. Skulls intrigue instead of repulse. Also in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Nis</span></st1:place></st1:city> is a concentration camp from WWII. Unlike most German camps, this one is built in the center of town as a warning to Serbian citizens. It held mostly political prisoners (communists) as they awaited transport to larger concentration camps in <st1:country-region st="on">Germany</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Norway</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Over the course of the war, 30,000 prisoners passed through <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Crveni</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Krst</span> Concentration camp about 1,000 at a time. Although no one was killed at the camp, a total of 12,000 prisoners were taken to a hill outside <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Nis</span></st1:place></st1:city> and shot. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv8JQdCQH6skAekgmXgDskWyw6MZbdhxdcIGKoVr2b7QkZ0oqZWCVb63pCRwUMAOYU2Gvz5vHG2-FXnCpO6ViKoeuUe4WtfR0tn1ie257S6QNSBU-H3CCwqJvV883sanXNYD1EnMj6IjZu/s320/DSCN3053.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619926506281937858" /><div><div style="text-align: center;">Cele <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Kula</span> - Skull Tower; <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Nis</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXu753jNivLJT47OBwfFjI9USgUbCvnvlVrNyVsEG5J0bR4Q7vGTBZ0IVJETxizLHC6p-Fb90mO61_O6kkSVYAI7xtgNBeoMxep5eJZnHM5GDL9o8B5RWFts7FfSyDBH35yUd91G8ectWa/s1600/DSCN3019.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXu753jNivLJT47OBwfFjI9USgUbCvnvlVrNyVsEG5J0bR4Q7vGTBZ0IVJETxizLHC6p-Fb90mO61_O6kkSVYAI7xtgNBeoMxep5eJZnHM5GDL9o8B5RWFts7FfSyDBH35yUd91G8ectWa/s320/DSCN3019.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619926518746505794" /></a><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;">Solitary Confinement in the Concentration Camp; <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Nis</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK_zPy37pjftqJeNUSuwD_NpCM9f5FafHYdWaIEFRYV2BJDknZhp6ZbVE8Oj6aJzYhNaz0whAfX_eSHqnCWry5FyFAxcr6Wlq_Hchwz3bDEc0YwPKvnk9eDWrmeyPkpOlZ3OofRxV2Nvhg/s1600/DSCN3031.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK_zPy37pjftqJeNUSuwD_NpCM9f5FafHYdWaIEFRYV2BJDknZhp6ZbVE8Oj6aJzYhNaz0whAfX_eSHqnCWry5FyFAxcr6Wlq_Hchwz3bDEc0YwPKvnk9eDWrmeyPkpOlZ3OofRxV2Nvhg/s320/DSCN3031.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619926510935188146" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Guard Towers around the Camp; <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Nis</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Georgia; ">After <st1:city st="on"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Nis</span></st1:city>, we visited <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Belgrade</st1:place></st1:city> (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">woohoo</span>!). It was not nearly as cute as <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Nis</span></st1:place></st1:city>. We did do a lot of wandering and visited a number of different cultural and historical sites including all of the government buildings, Republic Square, the Bohemian District, and the fortress. While at the fortress, we found a church that was used as a military depot by the Austrians in the early 20<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">th</span> century. After Serbia gained independence, they used leftover bullet casings and sabers from the depots to make <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">chandeliers</span> for the church. It was super cool! We even wandered into an anti-NATO protest. NATO held a meeting in Belgrade this past week amidst bitter protests to their presence on Serbian soil after the 1999 bombings. Overall, we liked <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Nis</span></st1:place></st1:city> much better. <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Belgrade</st1:place></st1:city> was a lot more dirty and run down. Despite that, we had a good time, and I’m glad I made it to <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Serbia</st1:place></st1:country-region>. I do not think I will go back anytime soon, but I would regret it if I had not gone.</span></span></p></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-BGGItn_3thIlzwUI2S1yFVe213ppNL5OETJkd1ahfqBMVkVFo5RKi6JLHZoH71PMqzigFvQc2J4NFBBTxIwUKZmiigL1seP-bXHHZIy7d_2HNdRtt_sfr1R_NamgpgzOkJs7g7HJ2Vl/s1600/DSCN3068.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-BGGItn_3thIlzwUI2S1yFVe213ppNL5OETJkd1ahfqBMVkVFo5RKi6JLHZoH71PMqzigFvQc2J4NFBBTxIwUKZmiigL1seP-bXHHZIy7d_2HNdRtt_sfr1R_NamgpgzOkJs7g7HJ2Vl/s320/DSCN3068.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619925228180790994" /></span></a><div style="text-align: center;">Republic Square; Belgrade</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqldqwJ8OlJRHYUc8DB99dfpMZOm-lGWoQIxaW3I18F3IKJnL4IgL7A6VGeVOLCyFGlE7nNWAhaHWuCyuOpeNtyVN76OJn6eQUbdW1fkLCKhzbUDDbedJdOFDvOnDS-vg4AqHUglzhBbJz/s1600/DSCN3106.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqldqwJ8OlJRHYUc8DB99dfpMZOm-lGWoQIxaW3I18F3IKJnL4IgL7A6VGeVOLCyFGlE7nNWAhaHWuCyuOpeNtyVN76OJn6eQUbdW1fkLCKhzbUDDbedJdOFDvOnDS-vg4AqHUglzhBbJz/s320/DSCN3106.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619925223995728642" /></span></a><div style="text-align: center;">Anti-NATO protest; Belgrade</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5bqX24X0sY7h7bWinfCWvJBxGK3j_OoxWar1MTcUQCx3ExMwUbanzfCFoCjJ0cIskiTnkzrvVvWBRQilNomTqaAd2Lexce2g_Nw1rPv0vamy9-OkuxpteIZ-bxpmgv8FxVNgsizBceyf/s1600/DSCN3101.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5bqX24X0sY7h7bWinfCWvJBxGK3j_OoxWar1MTcUQCx3ExMwUbanzfCFoCjJ0cIskiTnkzrvVvWBRQilNomTqaAd2Lexce2g_Nw1rPv0vamy9-OkuxpteIZ-bxpmgv8FxVNgsizBceyf/s320/DSCN3101.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619925216679138498" /></span></a><div style="text-align: center;">At the fortress; Belgrade</div><br /></div>mohsla01http://www.blogger.com/profile/00708045108407230182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8328545248809865248.post-91550903576331131342011-06-13T07:06:00.000-07:002011-06-13T07:46:54.899-07:00Hangin' with Some Awesome Ladies<div>I went to visit my friend Laura Y in Shumen the first weekend in June. Hillary met us there, and we spent two days wandering Shumen, climbing all over the monument (which is at the top of 1400 torturous steps), and going out to a dance club. Then, we took an hour long bus ride to the sea side to visit Olivia, Katie, and Keith in Varna. The six of us went out for dinner and spent the night hanging out and saying our goodbyes since Katie and Keith leave in just a few more days. It is the first of many goodbyes to come, and it was difficult to reconcile myself to the knowledge that it's just about over. It doesn't feel like it's over. It feels like I just got here. Where on earth did this year go???</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlS2jvfuCO99PXqEyfJS0Mc3QaMD0kziNI7Bhg6DuqiBOYXeUUi9SyY2odeUVGuIKhTDPY8hFJdqbBTw_g3E_fybMMcWcjdS6N7q9qRQSnTak951LhRbllajXIiGlDkdBcUY3mhqvww9oe/s1600/DSCN2934.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlS2jvfuCO99PXqEyfJS0Mc3QaMD0kziNI7Bhg6DuqiBOYXeUUi9SyY2odeUVGuIKhTDPY8hFJdqbBTw_g3E_fybMMcWcjdS6N7q9qRQSnTak951LhRbllajXIiGlDkdBcUY3mhqvww9oe/s320/DSCN2934.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617712639827102194" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;">Hillary and I touching the hoof of the Khan's horse for luck</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5dhAk09ADUrnHC5Z9f40xJRMxAa2DXN_XWdGuS71nH8XUZSBkN9W72zB6xI2wGX81x5LyEbJOjyU3tuEL_iPlOGgA27Sdt3qyNJbTbIkn_Zuw8Oo06M2wjFlnLbEXuTMEQPxyoConCGuW/s1600/DSCN2938.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5dhAk09ADUrnHC5Z9f40xJRMxAa2DXN_XWdGuS71nH8XUZSBkN9W72zB6xI2wGX81x5LyEbJOjyU3tuEL_iPlOGgA27Sdt3qyNJbTbIkn_Zuw8Oo06M2wjFlnLbEXuTMEQPxyoConCGuW/s320/DSCN2938.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617709405300412594" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The statues on the Shumen Monument look like Transformers. They are SOOOO cool.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9f4Le0bVLmksdJUCevHcuwIjHno5lxmA5iX02HoSGjnqG6cksXNbYcMWUjXzjVNtRXZYzUhgOWvxDY7JKqpQ20QywvrE-FsyKLrv__6rKucbYsKafqmg3eSCx5mAkJZqyFJV9iVseeVFW/s1600/DSCN2950.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9f4Le0bVLmksdJUCevHcuwIjHno5lxmA5iX02HoSGjnqG6cksXNbYcMWUjXzjVNtRXZYzUhgOWvxDY7JKqpQ20QywvrE-FsyKLrv__6rKucbYsKafqmg3eSCx5mAkJZqyFJV9iVseeVFW/s320/DSCN2950.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617709393857302930" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">We also explored some caves while up on the monument. They led to some incredible views.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8GllgU1qwY_62cKp0uZo04R_muxkhTY7l3D5C44BX2ur7mB5EQIPyJes13fEZSAYtYbOTflJI14DzgRLftiLGqXnXVIh0x8TA4YNBCe2ovVlE9kyvAWy14MZibCglcuY_5Y53dA5TbBl/s1600/DSCN2958.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8GllgU1qwY_62cKp0uZo04R_muxkhTY7l3D5C44BX2ur7mB5EQIPyJes13fEZSAYtYbOTflJI14DzgRLftiLGqXnXVIh0x8TA4YNBCe2ovVlE9kyvAWy14MZibCglcuY_5Y53dA5TbBl/s320/DSCN2958.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617709385793868930" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I'm going to miss these ladies!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKAxBa3SD3nKT_xhMbJMXiamEG1P-jSVK2Pg65BieKFh-1hMH7eljKhL-J2s_pGnhpH9lt1oydiiSz_n6pBVEmbMFKrtknM2beJYADYCzMvDEh8xTPU2rkeUD1aJvnO8fOnzb_CHso4qOZ/s1600/DSCN2961.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKAxBa3SD3nKT_xhMbJMXiamEG1P-jSVK2Pg65BieKFh-1hMH7eljKhL-J2s_pGnhpH9lt1oydiiSz_n6pBVEmbMFKrtknM2beJYADYCzMvDEh8xTPU2rkeUD1aJvnO8fOnzb_CHso4qOZ/s320/DSCN2961.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617707611934579010" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Climbing down the 1400 steps. Way easier than climbing up!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLiYC4DThDwO09ykO5gqGZ5chMSsUfM9KtISlz-TCPzOCZr3X3rH2yZJ8AfUSAJIWVS9a6o_WYDis9da65tHabOPJcpqfbuTfbqRh4EoT1XqTWgSWSlcU2JbpIvYOLhL5B6T2INl17kYFA/s1600/DSCN2980.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLiYC4DThDwO09ykO5gqGZ5chMSsUfM9KtISlz-TCPzOCZr3X3rH2yZJ8AfUSAJIWVS9a6o_WYDis9da65tHabOPJcpqfbuTfbqRh4EoT1XqTWgSWSlcU2JbpIvYOLhL5B6T2INl17kYFA/s320/DSCN2980.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617707603572405074" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Hillary telling a story to Katie and Laura at dinner. We were on a pirate ship in Varna. It happens. :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglNLu43CUhEtRchNS6I6NdfMbJNL6T6vuxybOFnncLr_zYYAeMAbyf_KnGSDi5TbmVMKKfqpVIC9p2WA1pBaLwwtjtJ_UzzQmpacMqldFEljfyQP50rnilcJ34l459TL727gAYKiZYk4UQ/s1600/DSCN2982.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglNLu43CUhEtRchNS6I6NdfMbJNL6T6vuxybOFnncLr_zYYAeMAbyf_KnGSDi5TbmVMKKfqpVIC9p2WA1pBaLwwtjtJ_UzzQmpacMqldFEljfyQP50rnilcJ34l459TL727gAYKiZYk4UQ/s320/DSCN2982.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617707595763150658" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Weird demon birds circling the church in Varna</div></div>mohsla01http://www.blogger.com/profile/00708045108407230182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8328545248809865248.post-68558465375214163992011-06-07T06:24:00.000-07:002011-06-07T06:51:42.284-07:00Lazy Days and Greek Wine<div><p class="MsoNormal">I went back to <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Greece</st1:place></st1:country-region>!! Originally, I wasn’t intending to return to <st1:country-region st="on">Greece</st1:country-region> this year, but my friend, Hillary, wanted to go to <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Greece</st1:place></st1:country-region> for six days and invited me and our friend Laura along. Hillary and I went to the town of <st1:city st="on">Thessaloniki</st1:city> in northern <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Greece</st1:place></st1:country-region> for two days. We ate many gyros, drank white wine by the <st1:place st="on">Aegean Sea</st1:place>, and wandered all over town. During the course of our two days, we managed to visit quite a few ruins and walk off all the gyros we were eating. We also took two cruises around the harbor. Basically, the cruises are free as long as you buy an overpriced drink on board, and we were happy to pay since our drink price included a thirty minute boat ride!</p></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZNINYZSPhdfMQxlaf_K7zR8NxupV3GJPWtsrXsh8jGD0MKkvD2Y0k4X96VpOE7qYm8pBdivmtcqjM-dIMKoTm51zu_m4KfZjFOYh4w6iqYkVCe_V41TyinPiXmWyBHMoQg-mpfhHfiaa/s1600/DSCN2768.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZNINYZSPhdfMQxlaf_K7zR8NxupV3GJPWtsrXsh8jGD0MKkvD2Y0k4X96VpOE7qYm8pBdivmtcqjM-dIMKoTm51zu_m4KfZjFOYh4w6iqYkVCe_V41TyinPiXmWyBHMoQg-mpfhHfiaa/s320/DSCN2768.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615474252561044354" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Ruins of an old church in Thessaloniki by night</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP24HFKvWees2m6FrmYS_yU9z7-Zt_PDaAo0Kr-HXF3szr0XT-QWAkENkTeVqOckMsTQCcW76xbnwihVUdVG3O__m-Cws7woGrFjnMIcCs889Dsoa9FxHb2rSWeG-GN4xeDTEDzhMvjIOz/s1600/DSCN2769.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP24HFKvWees2m6FrmYS_yU9z7-Zt_PDaAo0Kr-HXF3szr0XT-QWAkENkTeVqOckMsTQCcW76xbnwihVUdVG3O__m-Cws7woGrFjnMIcCs889Dsoa9FxHb2rSWeG-GN4xeDTEDzhMvjIOz/s320/DSCN2769.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615474242971817346" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">White wine sitting next to the church ruins</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCx_B6om6pCXryy7bMGDXfhm03siJ53nGxLI2PJEfBuaHZuCx11V3C7xDeFvns1zsEbTCyvofAdBEe9MOkQiVbgkW2BOvdFVx6DVhjA7ea8l2myNGGkKbXrJZSIwhb52E_cPQmjIq08vrf/s1600/DSCN2809.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCx_B6om6pCXryy7bMGDXfhm03siJ53nGxLI2PJEfBuaHZuCx11V3C7xDeFvns1zsEbTCyvofAdBEe9MOkQiVbgkW2BOvdFVx6DVhjA7ea8l2myNGGkKbXrJZSIwhb52E_cPQmjIq08vrf/s320/DSCN2809.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615474228771357442" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The Pirate Cruise</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigGgXuGttMWqhD__XbE4S36rGuzyFfrnvyb0HSOicnICezXduDuNW5EqRCC2RT9wjPJymtxHoPGpPHL9krO_5d8ZmbdEqbXR_o8FKWPkJocmGi1d4I7nCpE3snjvWkf8B4ELAJS7b8R0ju/s1600/DSCN2814.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigGgXuGttMWqhD__XbE4S36rGuzyFfrnvyb0HSOicnICezXduDuNW5EqRCC2RT9wjPJymtxHoPGpPHL9krO_5d8ZmbdEqbXR_o8FKWPkJocmGi1d4I7nCpE3snjvWkf8B4ELAJS7b8R0ju/s320/DSCN2814.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615472946829018162" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">On board the Reggae Cruise</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjum9xJtTxKdRHW-FEd7f3qg-Im2Ue0lLuezek48w-iBqxJcM0mrgQIYyiD1cTGpdQ7mwPvC52pfmvpu4rrLVWPJDTOFIZDLXxVreb0X3leLSaDPmhDRn_D8B1oPLg9lODaN68eiZVxEEgI/s1600/DSCN2820.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjum9xJtTxKdRHW-FEd7f3qg-Im2Ue0lLuezek48w-iBqxJcM0mrgQIYyiD1cTGpdQ7mwPvC52pfmvpu4rrLVWPJDTOFIZDLXxVreb0X3leLSaDPmhDRn_D8B1oPLg9lODaN68eiZVxEEgI/s320/DSCN2820.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615472933872951378" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Ruins of an old arch in front of ruins of an old church</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal">After <st1:city st="on">Thessaloniki</st1:city>, we headed to the town of <st1:city st="on">Kavala</st1:city> where we caught a ferry to the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">island</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename st="on">Thassos</st1:placename></st1:place>. Our friend, Laura, met us on the ferry, and we headed off for adventure. On the ferry, we made friends with the captain and his crew, and they let us pretend to steer the boat for awhile. It was quite fun. After we arrived on Thassos, we spent two nights in Prinos, the port village (and when I say village, I mean village; it was TINY) and two nights in Potos, a village on the other side of the island. Despite the sun burn I acquired, I had an incredible time. Greek food, Greek wine, and Greek sunsets all contributed to a wonderful stay on the island. There’s something about relaxing on the beach with a glass of white wine that makes the world seem wonderful. As my friend Laura said, “When you visit an island like Thassos, you can really understand why the ancient Greeks believed that the gods dwelt in Greece.” If I was a goddess, I would probably choose someplace like <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Greece</st1:place></st1:country-region> to live, too.</p></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifp5FMSzHWsbNoJV8QYAnyXN5VBCaTQZ2_yZcfdP96Vk_NC3aoblrmJGY8Q6qr7hAUyqcm-JdaF0wDuNXcU7ZRpfY4r6bfwRbaE_fCPQWJMAZnnhOcqExYH2xqhu0kMccx0MVQpwARFn6K/s1600/DSCN2853.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifp5FMSzHWsbNoJV8QYAnyXN5VBCaTQZ2_yZcfdP96Vk_NC3aoblrmJGY8Q6qr7hAUyqcm-JdaF0wDuNXcU7ZRpfY4r6bfwRbaE_fCPQWJMAZnnhOcqExYH2xqhu0kMccx0MVQpwARFn6K/s320/DSCN2853.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615472919072637586" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Driving the ferry boat!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQLLcRqcRjK0RkPXhRu587Jl46w2wDAfVUXspFm9kLzpTXKC_Xc3zjNu-4Npw9piV4PJJOYCTaIZUy-vZjuNnESteNe7cKX2azxiAg4nmD8ST3sIca9XfFM7YKYyU4OnP8ZzUlw0apI6zM/s1600/DSCN2860.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQLLcRqcRjK0RkPXhRu587Jl46w2wDAfVUXspFm9kLzpTXKC_Xc3zjNu-4Npw9piV4PJJOYCTaIZUy-vZjuNnESteNe7cKX2azxiAg4nmD8ST3sIca9XfFM7YKYyU4OnP8ZzUlw0apI6zM/s320/DSCN2860.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615471426908979474" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Our new ferryboat friends</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwGtqCTFHBO4fXJsAMfUNxTrZebCmWuPh_8bo9HG33eEH5lOE7INBLgPvLPrpNOhh54Vl_SUjnd712qS1sHfWtnnJO4U-KXp0Jk4LKvfI1zjq60omK7752Hy2_BfbbypvnHJSnMPP1UBq/s1600/DSCN2866.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwGtqCTFHBO4fXJsAMfUNxTrZebCmWuPh_8bo9HG33eEH5lOE7INBLgPvLPrpNOhh54Vl_SUjnd712qS1sHfWtnnJO4U-KXp0Jk4LKvfI1zjq60omK7752Hy2_BfbbypvnHJSnMPP1UBq/s320/DSCN2866.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615471419024430130" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Parking is forbitten</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgeP02xKhyphenhyphenKRc_ns4Vh7MxCfmMFeAGnfhcO5XIvjD9uHvoqm2SAsESOUbLkYS8eCnPkuuHFnMGZO0S95BNBoYX7diSGk113uQBlVfH-HO6F1DXi0gNQMeCaiQRkgl29C1TvHgiuKmfj8kv/s1600/DSCN2871.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgeP02xKhyphenhyphenKRc_ns4Vh7MxCfmMFeAGnfhcO5XIvjD9uHvoqm2SAsESOUbLkYS8eCnPkuuHFnMGZO0S95BNBoYX7diSGk113uQBlVfH-HO6F1DXi0gNQMeCaiQRkgl29C1TvHgiuKmfj8kv/s320/DSCN2871.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615471409013265954" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Laura and I at dinner in Potos</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjohEDg-QvWJrsQkWNIrD2tMuLis1a1xRceYOQSRQkv9RvFACJrbo28bY9Rk5KDW5hZI_VbJht8VvUXr5xOEEmEynzx4WRS2BOKYGIW4_Vh7OTgDdB40vhyphenhyphen-LwuLPdTF3jRBx3kMYwt4u3/s1600/DSCN2875.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjohEDg-QvWJrsQkWNIrD2tMuLis1a1xRceYOQSRQkv9RvFACJrbo28bY9Rk5KDW5hZI_VbJht8VvUXr5xOEEmEynzx4WRS2BOKYGIW4_Vh7OTgDdB40vhyphenhyphen-LwuLPdTF3jRBx3kMYwt4u3/s320/DSCN2875.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615470078042814914" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">A view of the sea in Potos. It looks like a Corona commercial...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrrh4E56Z8q40t9u-EbcC8uSvYwZlPWmKT3EDpBW3LYODikn6W9xfbJ9_Mikljh77pmuI_VcLCVG0HChsxrX-XfnbqkRmTNiiw9kBa4rk-UVtX3AJHtibOqhQQJftXIVB5cQOtGapLBvpv/s1600/DSCN2897.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrrh4E56Z8q40t9u-EbcC8uSvYwZlPWmKT3EDpBW3LYODikn6W9xfbJ9_Mikljh77pmuI_VcLCVG0HChsxrX-XfnbqkRmTNiiw9kBa4rk-UVtX3AJHtibOqhQQJftXIVB5cQOtGapLBvpv/s320/DSCN2897.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615470066466792226" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The sea gulls would catch the breeze from our ferry boat and drift in our wake</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhECJSa1BGCQIzC-Qy7vL6JWs8IXtkkfyZNPhG4V_rz3PbFCJtnvhUZY_1uWACrG5z8tR2BN2a_vryY5cBQA84SXyyi_RTVs3SecdFEDVInHetLqYQYzZqGKC_PSbg6hevSpP7pEySPyB5D/s1600/DSCN2919.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhECJSa1BGCQIzC-Qy7vL6JWs8IXtkkfyZNPhG4V_rz3PbFCJtnvhUZY_1uWACrG5z8tR2BN2a_vryY5cBQA84SXyyi_RTVs3SecdFEDVInHetLqYQYzZqGKC_PSbg6hevSpP7pEySPyB5D/s320/DSCN2919.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615470057254241474" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Approaching Kavala and the end of our trip in Greece</div>mohsla01http://www.blogger.com/profile/00708045108407230182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8328545248809865248.post-48198194185190342142011-06-07T05:58:00.001-07:002011-06-07T06:24:17.141-07:00Mommy and Daddy!!<div><p class="MsoNormal">Mom and dad finally made it out to <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Bulgaria</st1:place></st1:country-region> on May 13, just in time to watch <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Much Ado about Nothing</i>. The morning after the show, I took them out to the <st1:place st="on">Black Sea</st1:place> for several days of surf and sand. We decided to focus on relaxing, eating, and wandering the twisted alleys of Old Town Sozopol for several days. No intense running around on this vacation. After returning from the Sea, we spent three lovely days in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Stara Zagora</st1:place></st1:city>, and I showed my parents all of the important sights. They got to see the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">History</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Museum</st1:placetype></st1:place>, the Roman Forum and Ampitheater, several of the parks, the art shops, and the long pedestrian walkway of cafes. We spent a lot of time just sitting around, drinking coffee, and catching up. I didn’t realize how much I missed my parents until I had them here to talk to and then had to put them back on a plane and say goodbye. While I’m sad about leaving and know that I will miss this place greatly, I am looking forward to getting back to my family again. I miss those crazy fools.</p></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRaSFjHzFCR55uDLQvIuR7GOdmPp5cXOyRQVQF0G0r3lMunmeTsagSSY5Z_4X154HmRjtNjvxlhlIrA6JwqXhN-Ia8nXWHUBb8GwXEjtD0CCTjSnzdVd_3XBrUr6BCTM-JMcPjXYEYuQXc/s1600/DSCN2701.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRaSFjHzFCR55uDLQvIuR7GOdmPp5cXOyRQVQF0G0r3lMunmeTsagSSY5Z_4X154HmRjtNjvxlhlIrA6JwqXhN-Ia8nXWHUBb8GwXEjtD0CCTjSnzdVd_3XBrUr6BCTM-JMcPjXYEYuQXc/s320/DSCN2701.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615466761040223570" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;">Having lunch at a seaside cafe in Sozopol</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRaSFjHzFCR55uDLQvIuR7GOdmPp5cXOyRQVQF0G0r3lMunmeTsagSSY5Z_4X154HmRjtNjvxlhlIrA6JwqXhN-Ia8nXWHUBb8GwXEjtD0CCTjSnzdVd_3XBrUr6BCTM-JMcPjXYEYuQXc/s1600/DSCN2701.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWXxcuSa7AN18zM2JVjFdwAK4dsHGVdB-LuleoScuiP3WRTVoUIBJ13VzwAWlI3yump8ewbdcZ1Q0jjhWCYShY35YeRYPfqrBBwM2P5qImZV8nuBOJ6byS9UG-L3UL92h9BrLyL63wFArA/s1600/DSCN2711.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWXxcuSa7AN18zM2JVjFdwAK4dsHGVdB-LuleoScuiP3WRTVoUIBJ13VzwAWlI3yump8ewbdcZ1Q0jjhWCYShY35YeRYPfqrBBwM2P5qImZV8nuBOJ6byS9UG-L3UL92h9BrLyL63wFArA/s320/DSCN2711.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615466757269998786" /></a><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">The view from our cafe</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWXxcuSa7AN18zM2JVjFdwAK4dsHGVdB-LuleoScuiP3WRTVoUIBJ13VzwAWlI3yump8ewbdcZ1Q0jjhWCYShY35YeRYPfqrBBwM2P5qImZV8nuBOJ6byS9UG-L3UL92h9BrLyL63wFArA/s1600/DSCN2711.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5KBn3qsxMfi7q_e23wPdSHtgMUhViENhMW__TdsUxBCrZMIqL6vEgsEwZlnO8cwoWYQFGDK8S-Iu9QnBSjAU6SHUBXrJZMvi5cSZbl6HmaaP76ZGIt31tUTQ7C0nb7YmHKLMrwGwd_BKh/s1600/DSCN2722.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5KBn3qsxMfi7q_e23wPdSHtgMUhViENhMW__TdsUxBCrZMIqL6vEgsEwZlnO8cwoWYQFGDK8S-Iu9QnBSjAU6SHUBXrJZMvi5cSZbl6HmaaP76ZGIt31tUTQ7C0nb7YmHKLMrwGwd_BKh/s320/DSCN2722.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615466748628489538" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Playing pool at our hotel. Mom and dad kicked my friend Ellen and my butt.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3TgfuSZMgPWtte2GaQrL_8ooxXfnudtZMSQW731FezQ3hcibxLxA89QN1kdP77Q9Vgu2d01I6EABtUiJCwwrPYWXgt1-8Tl5jsE6AspIzJFrwf8KcH49kkVTRS6PPnv0LqvngYz1dEcT/s1600/DSCN2726.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3TgfuSZMgPWtte2GaQrL_8ooxXfnudtZMSQW731FezQ3hcibxLxA89QN1kdP77Q9Vgu2d01I6EABtUiJCwwrPYWXgt1-8Tl5jsE6AspIzJFrwf8KcH49kkVTRS6PPnv0LqvngYz1dEcT/s320/DSCN2726.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615465546554989650" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Cutest family in the whole world</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNeQNyiDo798rlKZxa2VwOiBwPZ2HeLidUmygR8kdg4lzU8SYClLWhBP6fdYPhqCqOileVEj7r69xe6FliMMR6wOeeSyxHn9EzpGlEIMBAow7EcQh8yQu2GQBKDDOsUJ4fyVhGaxaZ1Yex/s1600/DSCN2730.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNeQNyiDo798rlKZxa2VwOiBwPZ2HeLidUmygR8kdg4lzU8SYClLWhBP6fdYPhqCqOileVEj7r69xe6FliMMR6wOeeSyxHn9EzpGlEIMBAow7EcQh8yQu2GQBKDDOsUJ4fyVhGaxaZ1Yex/s320/DSCN2730.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615465537463361058" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">My parents in the ruins of the old church in Sozopol</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNeQNyiDo798rlKZxa2VwOiBwPZ2HeLidUmygR8kdg4lzU8SYClLWhBP6fdYPhqCqOileVEj7r69xe6FliMMR6wOeeSyxHn9EzpGlEIMBAow7EcQh8yQu2GQBKDDOsUJ4fyVhGaxaZ1Yex/s1600/DSCN2730.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKSwu6Yb6Jw1YMevIB8rqVGAXwS8lah1Ea442i3XurUmaGBCgLO5vNejrJDzGD0i57mQPSOWCIJZmHgnEnSRkIHTEsfvEVciFDzHo1yDjdMgxvxokFYN2ZWQXa9oWyFCSX6sZMqczmNQc6/s1600/DSCN2738.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKSwu6Yb6Jw1YMevIB8rqVGAXwS8lah1Ea442i3XurUmaGBCgLO5vNejrJDzGD0i57mQPSOWCIJZmHgnEnSRkIHTEsfvEVciFDzHo1yDjdMgxvxokFYN2ZWQXa9oWyFCSX6sZMqczmNQc6/s320/DSCN2738.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615465521427285538" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">On the way back from Sozopol, we stopped at the Malinov Brothers Winery to pick up some Cycle Wine. Ellen and I asked for a picture since we love this wine!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyd1E_5fdaHSf3xTPCY2FZCp0qzHwJ9r4h9Of7mr9htZzCcwmRBQSHcIJP6pZNo8W6pFYlKgmbARRZvWVrq7lUM5gWInmtduM3EgQ-uQQ3HwIkxw4aGgk5iEY_pgdQEIHTNRB83wDNOTdz/s320/DSCN2749.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615462705248168786" /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">At the Regional History Museum in Stara Zagora, there was a display on puppetry.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI2lR5Qp9UfoDfvCdN1Wd-Y-74n0FNZE66bQkKT3uYcnAPvp-SSXUOghegW13Uzj30-aRLB00wy75rOzzkvXN2mQObsG4Ksa4LsiFUMjY1pJusZAaLpy-mDiBzPRUlIk1YnGtNGz-9G25s/s1600/DSCN2752.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI2lR5Qp9UfoDfvCdN1Wd-Y-74n0FNZE66bQkKT3uYcnAPvp-SSXUOghegW13Uzj30-aRLB00wy75rOzzkvXN2mQObsG4Ksa4LsiFUMjY1pJusZAaLpy-mDiBzPRUlIk1YnGtNGz-9G25s/s320/DSCN2752.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615462713790552626" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">My mommy and I beside the roses in the Roman Forum</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitRoOW7MH7WSBBUXeLxzhF6UkKEU-WxnRt13yfwMIL8ggqeJnNjHnzO_enGqUz0JNGk1wLf2FzZhyphenhyphenmlYdc5K1ITONZMu9UqGsI9TlQh18ZHgAJ4aFqnyVgDX5C4yW383Hl-7Vk-mBbtyCe/s1600/DSCN2754.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitRoOW7MH7WSBBUXeLxzhF6UkKEU-WxnRt13yfwMIL8ggqeJnNjHnzO_enGqUz0JNGk1wLf2FzZhyphenhyphenmlYdc5K1ITONZMu9UqGsI9TlQh18ZHgAJ4aFqnyVgDX5C4yW383Hl-7Vk-mBbtyCe/s320/DSCN2754.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615462697216479394" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">My parents in the Roman Forum on their last day in Stara Zagora</div><br /></div>mohsla01http://www.blogger.com/profile/00708045108407230182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8328545248809865248.post-88242792032520877262011-06-07T05:43:00.001-07:002011-06-07T05:58:16.346-07:00Playin' Around<div><p class="MsoNormal">I had the privilege and the honor of directing a play at my school this year. After choosing Shakespeare’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Much Ado about Nothing</i>, the best play in the whole world, I located a shortened script and then spent several days modernizing the language to make it more understandable for my students. Through months of hard work, my cast was incredible and fun to work with. Despite the chronic absences caused by heavy work loads, illness, and absent mindedness, we managed to put on a spectacular production, and I was proud to be their director. We had our cast party last night (over three weeks after the show ended…), and it was really hard to let go of the show and admit that it was finally over. I am thrilled that I had a chance to work with these amazing young men and women, and I pray that they continue performing English theater productions after I leave. I can’t believe I’m leaving. </p></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2EDP_3uigGg5NYVImIcvt-qZlszOIdby3OZn0bqCVefvfi8XijWOeKupUwUnzofudHksquVvkEJGe1zJa_Tqqa_h44ZU_TC9bXFkZfVCzLHpTYp9jDfYcpV4QE7_tn0eR11tdgFvyg674/s320/DSCN2656.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615458889122420786" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Flat Amanda during rehearsals</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgpOjn1gQzSH0ZZKqjrz108TJyoSyGLt9rW6jBd5U_-DBXiP9gmG8I3oWZqX89J0SZ4K_dRKmm1gU2KiA2IBsb_PDz_VHyOk4ocgEMt9RBfOpHxFXPT_jydGQnaw9vwxTgD57T8ifCAk_c/s320/DSCN2668.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615460267928773458" /><div><div style="text-align: center;">Don Pedro, Claudio, and Leonato on opening night</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfLiILivS5MtoENTjrocm11tleqebwXM-PKtwx-bu7opN8kJYItuTXvjqgtuZL3C8HooW1f7BgtB9lWDXGh7peH1gl5wCDW2jcD39hNJHcuDFXMu39GufViXqkxrNUOLKlL601E2GPCOZ/s320/DSCN2678.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615460258238859186" /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Margaret and Hero teasing Beatrice, opening night</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhucDR9RwkW0A6poHuPV2xO2yaqLxhvLMTVq5iYjjsS7xBEn3C3RwzOq74mxCUqc7_pnyYPjqMJqCv5zEPoOOEdZm3WVE_s0Xdd2QEG9QY3stvq5z5suuvt_nVxkWf2lqmwx8hUVQk1o_Bi/s320/DSCN2679.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615460247318136754" /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Dogberry and Verges flattering Leonato, opening night</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVoKpetVJ8crLykqtLiIb7nx2lTcTvqiKZKg05SRQAqk7vhk0u9ICif9Gf_2bl8TNZgUQQSzZcp7ca-kRX2N5MkK4RvAuKldPcptF3odtgXxCckZcVdLLZeJK_QHwb143FrxEsvkpoigrR/s320/DSCN2684.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615458901008200146" /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Conrad and Borachio before the Sexton, opening night</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6rkMHLn0Pp7EOBsEVuC1i6m40TvEdl8AJSuzvBFF4uksLj5-aJWUVx6f4rY3LvvWHe1vSxCYZ3UWVLHkFWRN-yQCuIp1HgOKKa1ETFoFOWRz11heKQrj170Y3_sae8-yZJnWnsF8xaCTu/s320/DSCN2698.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615458898821426802" /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">The final wedding scene; opening night</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7TgATVJRJQXkNoddSYW65AF-6OGmd9cftV4s8n5evOatxnlpvRfSTptStkzfyNxQmZp6ftkPiIpGw4c8HAqX6MLpbJK-Shsx5zdRKAzG-tmAzbHFNJ7zoY79yVuI6yllYRBRsEuYt300L/s1600/DSCN2985.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7TgATVJRJQXkNoddSYW65AF-6OGmd9cftV4s8n5evOatxnlpvRfSTptStkzfyNxQmZp6ftkPiIpGw4c8HAqX6MLpbJK-Shsx5zdRKAzG-tmAzbHFNJ7zoY79yVuI6yllYRBRsEuYt300L/s320/DSCN2985.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615460536846755826" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Cast party!</div></div>mohsla01http://www.blogger.com/profile/00708045108407230182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8328545248809865248.post-43577325493290540262011-05-27T07:02:00.000-07:002011-05-27T07:18:35.744-07:00Day trippin'<div>The weekend after Melnik, I met Kate and Hillary, the two other girls living in southern Bulgaria, in a small town called Assenovgrad. The town is best known for its fortress and its wine, a special type of Bulgarian wine known as Mavrud. We ate lunch and drank wine under the trees in the town center and then braved the climb to the fortress. It was a gorgeous day, and the view from the ruins of the fortress was stunning. After our foray to the fortress, we grabbed some ice cream and then headed home to our own towns.</div><div><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ8fuLr3Gpz7ntXBvrxiiAaIqRB-M1p9q-Cmn3S4lhxbgJPThEDVvMlnDPFlc3EZ2hWxPOOYamNck6cJTAGVnjnveuUp-t8ZNhlCUI3Ymp_amrhtcixo9L4LwMPcWAwaqUTE8aA5niyl6Z/s320/DSCN2639.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611398741164272018" /><div><div style="text-align: center;">Climbing to the fortress</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8UQW97YFqH6NlRbwzDPJ7_b9Co4LG28pHfl7asv4ek5IvAs_2m2URP2Bmhnvj1W9VLWc1Jr18jzDlgptROU0OT6jCsyVOc-TssYuu1Q35cyo3TBVJACWzEG3Ajdp57fOQK8ffECUdJBYa/s320/DSCN2640.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611398731800727538" /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">The old church at the base of the fortress</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf6Ed-xOaJQFS1dgz76s5WJMx2vhsod2tHM17ooTXaXm2ToRdmZMvjP7CgEOozk0HgYP0JE4JV4X4Oy4VqC_jYDl_yd8OtA79nsKOsFlQCE9KfRCVQV464LfzHByNITpmtDHEM6gYN1FFN/s1600/DSCN2646.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf6Ed-xOaJQFS1dgz76s5WJMx2vhsod2tHM17ooTXaXm2ToRdmZMvjP7CgEOozk0HgYP0JE4JV4X4Oy4VqC_jYDl_yd8OtA79nsKOsFlQCE9KfRCVQV464LfzHByNITpmtDHEM6gYN1FFN/s320/DSCN2646.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611398747266901026" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Hillary and Kate admiring the view of the mountains by the church</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin6LZjljZFgoJI91eUhQYBKDMexIQFiO-yLJd83z22NYyoRfUADK5umGDboEtlrYcRciUsCkR52PpDJE-2mVFXc_vW6gsDvm-bG2NTrX630yERS7RiAIB_KILGAtyrBjy-BKsosYISqBV6/s1600/DSCN2645.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin6LZjljZFgoJI91eUhQYBKDMexIQFiO-yLJd83z22NYyoRfUADK5umGDboEtlrYcRciUsCkR52PpDJE-2mVFXc_vW6gsDvm-bG2NTrX630yERS7RiAIB_KILGAtyrBjy-BKsosYISqBV6/s320/DSCN2645.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611397321480862258" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">About to climb up to the fortress</div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin6LZjljZFgoJI91eUhQYBKDMexIQFiO-yLJd83z22NYyoRfUADK5umGDboEtlrYcRciUsCkR52PpDJE-2mVFXc_vW6gsDvm-bG2NTrX630yERS7RiAIB_KILGAtyrBjy-BKsosYISqBV6/s1600/DSCN2645.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHCGLYpj-d4bl3Yl9mZavxtPIKzI06TYVwSbbjfbBmSzqDgGTRMqo6SLA6HhBlGYJC8WtZ36hrKR-u2uDqckSyCH_MmvvgHR9sNmrVzUCoN9KYHs5NUcwvPNmgT9auqcVZcfvHMeEOOpz_/s1600/DSCN2647.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHCGLYpj-d4bl3Yl9mZavxtPIKzI06TYVwSbbjfbBmSzqDgGTRMqo6SLA6HhBlGYJC8WtZ36hrKR-u2uDqckSyCH_MmvvgHR9sNmrVzUCoN9KYHs5NUcwvPNmgT9auqcVZcfvHMeEOOpz_/s320/DSCN2647.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611397315780911698" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The old fortress</div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHCGLYpj-d4bl3Yl9mZavxtPIKzI06TYVwSbbjfbBmSzqDgGTRMqo6SLA6HhBlGYJC8WtZ36hrKR-u2uDqckSyCH_MmvvgHR9sNmrVzUCoN9KYHs5NUcwvPNmgT9auqcVZcfvHMeEOOpz_/s1600/DSCN2647.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_QWWGCi0_WigSyLiY50qmOpSbIfuq3h2L6WDPbWPihoeUBbNinWh6j5oc2WFRr9iSy98XLuR5iP5sNnP06sUmaE2-sLtH1iuqC-hWxBp65FM39Zv7cbyjJfYN0NwGUpvUU82Awc_7Zuze/s1600/DSCN2648.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_QWWGCi0_WigSyLiY50qmOpSbIfuq3h2L6WDPbWPihoeUBbNinWh6j5oc2WFRr9iSy98XLuR5iP5sNnP06sUmaE2-sLtH1iuqC-hWxBp65FM39Zv7cbyjJfYN0NwGUpvUU82Awc_7Zuze/s320/DSCN2648.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611397310366784370" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Hillary and I with the Bulgarian flag that tops the fortress</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>mohsla01http://www.blogger.com/profile/00708045108407230182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8328545248809865248.post-47041717922836515902011-05-27T06:41:00.000-07:002011-05-27T06:58:07.679-07:00A Very Bulgarian Easter<div>One of my ninth graders and her family were gracious enough to take me in on Easter and let me participate in some of Bulgaria's Easter traditions. On Good Friday (or Crucifixion Friday, here), we went to church where we lit candles, received flowers, and crawled under a table for good luck. Saturday, we dyed eggs and ate the tradition Easter bread, Kozunak. The first egg is dyed red, and it is used to make a red cross on the foreheads of all of the children. Silvana's mother made a cross on my forehead because, as she said, I am still just a child. Then, we went to visit the Shipka Monument (it's MUCH easier to reach by car...) and the Kazanlak tomb of the Thracian king. It is the tomb of the son of one of Thracia's most powerful leaders. Sunday, we ate a huge feast of lamb, the traditional Easter food, and had egg fights. Basically, we each picked a dyed egg and then smashed them together. Whoever's egg breaks is the loser. If you lose, you get to eat your egg. If you win, you keep smashing your egg against new eggs. I preferred losing. It meant I got to eat more. :)</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0myWWPlhz9wRxs27qYMJEHx1kf3ze_Zuy7LKTA_KGGb3h94rQrfIzmWDHicACdqNFXD8g9kqKd2gLVmt5kP-diD6m4om3BqUR6W_P8BB3ZT1cQaSauX6HitEt5QMsLYTCv7NPlBUlnjoc/s1600/DSCN2548.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0myWWPlhz9wRxs27qYMJEHx1kf3ze_Zuy7LKTA_KGGb3h94rQrfIzmWDHicACdqNFXD8g9kqKd2gLVmt5kP-diD6m4om3BqUR6W_P8BB3ZT1cQaSauX6HitEt5QMsLYTCv7NPlBUlnjoc/s320/DSCN2548.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611393149932984994" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Our basket of dyed eggs</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2lbNS4xIGFzGfOV0-tMYeTa5dDq2hTbRL5F9Qaudgj9I-EzCL0xP66R-9_d_2xzh2-z_42M7gcsi6i37y6qV5cplisyyIo5K_MF4PB1_sDWk1tZr6sE_bsH7z7m7uegtqY6dWt35YXToB/s1600/DSCN2553.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2lbNS4xIGFzGfOV0-tMYeTa5dDq2hTbRL5F9Qaudgj9I-EzCL0xP66R-9_d_2xzh2-z_42M7gcsi6i37y6qV5cplisyyIo5K_MF4PB1_sDWk1tZr6sE_bsH7z7m7uegtqY6dWt35YXToB/s320/DSCN2553.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611393150353785698" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">It's hard to see, but I'm sporting a red forehead cross.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw1a1Eu6wbSvMIaUeQB7Bj8RvJlbTErgLiK23C_X1hlgTppx1Ufz8wOz8xmRPLSda4vBU_G0eK0lNQPM7fUiOmunECQloyDPVdRNeFFN4fmGufwcWxBMwhvq4zHjA1iWNuKJPtm_W4IU4Q/s1600/DSCN2560.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw1a1Eu6wbSvMIaUeQB7Bj8RvJlbTErgLiK23C_X1hlgTppx1Ufz8wOz8xmRPLSda4vBU_G0eK0lNQPM7fUiOmunECQloyDPVdRNeFFN4fmGufwcWxBMwhvq4zHjA1iWNuKJPtm_W4IU4Q/s320/DSCN2560.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611392236923993474" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The Shipka Monument</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjwGxnkosCrn4GVnf3obeE7N4dp1Ub_MWki-fDQ3DmzRyrTbEg0Wnpn2PBsHZSVlxG4F56HdXFaWNcdttexrpMH5VG8uDV7kp21L07p3t2ATWjvgK0NLZ0lymeximbfqclqhxBLz4wdQY/s1600/DSCN2569.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjwGxnkosCrn4GVnf3obeE7N4dp1Ub_MWki-fDQ3DmzRyrTbEg0Wnpn2PBsHZSVlxG4F56HdXFaWNcdttexrpMH5VG8uDV7kp21L07p3t2ATWjvgK0NLZ0lymeximbfqclqhxBLz4wdQY/s320/DSCN2569.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611392233858141666" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Me playing with a cannon. Like usual.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH7NUkZdoAJ_M4Y8_YbCMSuOZgxSdXRBLcAvOKRADa9dTtDcRinuX-gIohG2JwSy4ioBruk99XAndb1VQ0lHCC1syh7PeJdXADVq67FNu6YZ8aCBNxct408EiL1v0kQG6hTHaXgrUJnPMS/s1600/DSCN2577.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH7NUkZdoAJ_M4Y8_YbCMSuOZgxSdXRBLcAvOKRADa9dTtDcRinuX-gIohG2JwSy4ioBruk99XAndb1VQ0lHCC1syh7PeJdXADVq67FNu6YZ8aCBNxct408EiL1v0kQG6hTHaXgrUJnPMS/s320/DSCN2577.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611392230556228674" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">At the tomb of the Thracian king</div>mohsla01http://www.blogger.com/profile/00708045108407230182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8328545248809865248.post-68596839959727050682011-05-27T06:31:00.000-07:002011-05-27T07:02:36.727-07:00Wine Tasting in the Southwest<div>In late April, we made our final reports to the Fulbright Commission and talked over some of the changes needed for next year. Then, Fulbright took us to Melnik, a tiny town in southwestern Bulgaria, to visit a monastery and taste wine. Melnik is one of the most famous regions in Bulgaria for growing wines because Winston Churchill used to import tons of it before WWII. The soil in Melnik is very chalky due to the nearby cliffs, and it gives the wine a slight chalky taste. Some people absolutely love it, some people hate it. I loved it.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz1zncqdr8-eP1QBJpriMjKpIxwXlEUe51bpcyfyc0Y6cKdJqu51J9NSFCuj9fqB0IDDeKuEb_onZaJRHhwtuooYRYVEMM4DSGlMaVJUhQjG9P2iS-lWmsPaUj2kVewz5O_YG2a7AfH7JJ/s320/DSCN2606.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611389201450476370" /><div><div style="text-align: center;">Rozhen Monastery</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhx5dI1dNXURoCjt1UxKDvOBuXrwGBQBa3LO3WWiPuNfyAYDmjjtGvGGa-CcdtgL7oQEIXgO67l5cNUljD-mwy_5pGU0nnvwtc_NZzS_aEznzRWx0nx13G9NwjijVsKFc-8DppOBwJS6x4/s320/DSCN2617.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611389205543968162" /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">You can see the chalk cliffs in the background</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS5e0ZWThHdckku4p32ol3ekDl6Xn4Tbn7Qitkx8biLonlNznFADIjLOtmX98c0ECm0gTAj6h3vBXAUByNaFORK06wDIjaO9sl1LOzP9twcDhU7ITWd1AfNpQEz5S9CB9RJt9IFvbHmIrt/s320/DSCN2624.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611389207924486882" /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Before our wine tasting, we got to visit an eighteenth century wine merchant's house. The wine tasting was in the cellar.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghfELqwBaxypOTviMZ7CQvcs9xsY_2UL9X9-E626DliSBYW7Re45NbKf6RExe_0y0IL7CDrqo4RNyFC0uouhBgBSc3sA3kCtsF2jy8zh-fTFXHtKMhyphenhyphen94W-5F_McXg-fRt_aNijQo_sgm6/s320/DSCN2625.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611390008271984578" /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Down in the cellar</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgODMoUxnyWq6H25ib-pbvGyONATygbJTI4kB78o2dm-PzkE2gH386QWvZtDtAiMv-K9E_UxMVusKxRhe5SP9Y2Spm4I9IZAkd2vAtzw30XEsLYx_PAOF2yCN9Q4lyjthkRR3pWUoQK6tCv/s1600/DSCN2631.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgODMoUxnyWq6H25ib-pbvGyONATygbJTI4kB78o2dm-PzkE2gH386QWvZtDtAiMv-K9E_UxMVusKxRhe5SP9Y2Spm4I9IZAkd2vAtzw30XEsLYx_PAOF2yCN9Q4lyjthkRR3pWUoQK6tCv/s320/DSCN2631.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611390010823404098" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">With fellow ETA, Olivia, tasting wine</div></div>mohsla01http://www.blogger.com/profile/00708045108407230182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8328545248809865248.post-22145011303255122602011-05-27T06:20:00.000-07:002011-05-27T06:21:59.048-07:00SORRY!!!!!!!!!!!!I promise, I'm still alive. My parents arrived in Bulgaria on May 13, and I spent the entire week before that in rehearsals from sunup to sundown. Then I spent a week travelling with my parents followed by a week travelling with friends. But I am alive, and I will start posting my adventures again this weekend. Lots of love! -Lmohsla01http://www.blogger.com/profile/00708045108407230182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8328545248809865248.post-44258793621193535762011-05-05T06:27:00.000-07:002011-05-05T07:00:09.928-07:00Madrid and Sevilla<div><p class="MsoNormal">It’s been a hectic couple of weeks, and I have so much to catch up on! I’ll go ahead and put all of my <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Spain</st1:place></st1:country-region> trip into one post. I went to <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Spain</st1:place></st1:country-region> the first week of April for the second week of spring break. I met my friends Laura Y and Ellen in <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Madrid</st1:place></st1:state>, and we spent five days there. Then, Ellen flew back to <st1:country-region st="on">Bulgaria</st1:country-region>, and Laura and I went to Sevilla for two days before following Ellen to <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Bulgaria</st1:place></st1:country-region>. We were in Sevilla for my birthday, and I got to see a flamenco show on my birthday! <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Madrid</st1:place></st1:state> was mostly a blur of lots of walking and art museums. I managed to see a ton of Picasso, de Goya, and Dali among numerous other artists. I even saw a few paintings by Titian and Rubens! In Sevilla, Laura and I moseyed through the streets enjoying the warm sunshine and the fragrance of blossoming orange trees. It was amazing. I now know what paradise smells like. There is a cathedral in Sevilla along with the royal palace the Real Alcazar (not real, ray-all, which is Spanish for royal). The contracts for the conquistadores who conquered the new world were drawn up in rooms in the Real Alcazar. It also boasts an amazing series of gardens. All in all, it was an absolutely incredible trip! I will try to post about my Easter in <st1:country-region st="on">Bulgaria</st1:country-region> and my trip to Melnik, the most famous wine growing region in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Bulgaria</st1:place></st1:country-region>, sometime this week!</p></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1xpNzkSOBlKrOrv8NSzQCSQzugoJV8VkexGTKBjtSsIPGH5XIAj9csKr9g4A9PmIO2MBssdp_5OSPsf7xFJvggOm8x-Ek4Kpo-S4HCdr__h1Izt3Q7wzInml6hWwvjUNC3WBO4jjBYa7Y/s1600/DSCN2155.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1xpNzkSOBlKrOrv8NSzQCSQzugoJV8VkexGTKBjtSsIPGH5XIAj9csKr9g4A9PmIO2MBssdp_5OSPsf7xFJvggOm8x-Ek4Kpo-S4HCdr__h1Izt3Q7wzInml6hWwvjUNC3WBO4jjBYa7Y/s320/DSCN2155.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603230981036171042" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Ellen, me, Laura Y. Dinner our first night in Madrid. So yummy!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_dZjkRV3HkSfYsg71FhgQmSvYmDjc1-U_21SI17DTzjeyVpH8t6UAsbTIfbUbMHQ_hjEX6wzyRITcFD_MQ3fzZj3fjxLVKx9cseAx9EHfneQ6iqUWtMqty9BF_Rvw-U3pl0ah3F06sYm/s1600/DSCN2162.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_dZjkRV3HkSfYsg71FhgQmSvYmDjc1-U_21SI17DTzjeyVpH8t6UAsbTIfbUbMHQ_hjEX6wzyRITcFD_MQ3fzZj3fjxLVKx9cseAx9EHfneQ6iqUWtMqty9BF_Rvw-U3pl0ah3F06sYm/s320/DSCN2162.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603230976117759922" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Open air market in Madrid. So much yummy food!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHmJtU_AXcc70VMHN4g2_06y28RGAl7gUWfYHR3vD9SA-PvbEtvgBSDvlBY7tLT43-0V-T-mkbOjdRYIZgz7L2qPK37b-swVcopTCSNSgjaJkPBam7sE93geWYCw1Sq8yu6H1ZCLvuxv5/s1600/DSCN2166.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHmJtU_AXcc70VMHN4g2_06y28RGAl7gUWfYHR3vD9SA-PvbEtvgBSDvlBY7tLT43-0V-T-mkbOjdRYIZgz7L2qPK37b-swVcopTCSNSgjaJkPBam7sE93geWYCw1Sq8yu6H1ZCLvuxv5/s320/DSCN2166.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603230973043709602" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">In the Plaza Mayor</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Zk8olT6Bk-x2eCSHlwYy5vMaBHxPUx06w8Oj-qEbVfocZBaTGWuRDLJbqkn2HYUIwgUJg21wcPjmwH1Fhg6-DIE3h7qUTLITm7LsynayWCyygup1zKeRriOOxYmSiG6jX9lJDjryhcTp/s1600/DSCN2234.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Zk8olT6Bk-x2eCSHlwYy5vMaBHxPUx06w8Oj-qEbVfocZBaTGWuRDLJbqkn2HYUIwgUJg21wcPjmwH1Fhg6-DIE3h7qUTLITm7LsynayWCyygup1zKeRriOOxYmSiG6jX9lJDjryhcTp/s320/DSCN2234.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603229768623493618" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Reenacting scenes from Pocahontas in the Royal Botanical Gardens</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg72P_SqYOWq9za-ePOnpWN1Tr9a1OdSiqD2qYN-jVTQ9ZWY44DTIyhlC-xFd6mSuOHKwgB-KmCdyHz-m06QwGG5sJUffzFOpHRFcjWvZGE7eV4Z809g0v5ojqrzVCxJhnC8BPIjQfy_Eua/s1600/DSCN2244.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg72P_SqYOWq9za-ePOnpWN1Tr9a1OdSiqD2qYN-jVTQ9ZWY44DTIyhlC-xFd6mSuOHKwgB-KmCdyHz-m06QwGG5sJUffzFOpHRFcjWvZGE7eV4Z809g0v5ojqrzVCxJhnC8BPIjQfy_Eua/s320/DSCN2244.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603229763711714914" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The Reina Sofia (art museum)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFmIIuXGhTWH_PCKaJgJzW67iVM35-PDXBHc9qimTLaATKb8D1ktHM1kcG6j2EHK-EHpKhR9wCQ8Kux8NCI4WkP7LF-u7-Ol7os4y1XB8VMq6e_8qTEF-HEz9UflaPn-OdQHggtHolAakR/s320/DSCN2250.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603228295612345378" /><div><div style="text-align: center;">El Guernica, Picasso</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifuEv3OvoboYVF-_tI9HtFpbXWhBEZVf-w1TjWMbVFqU-M9-YnMjUhyphenhyphenel_nl7CSWxYiyglXovNyq8SQScPg78FhxX9hgLdV_p8QCTwFjyBT1x3kYfHkMWESnkdAmRBtTV20LTAudBE_o3g/s1600/DSCN2294.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifuEv3OvoboYVF-_tI9HtFpbXWhBEZVf-w1TjWMbVFqU-M9-YnMjUhyphenhyphenel_nl7CSWxYiyglXovNyq8SQScPg78FhxX9hgLdV_p8QCTwFjyBT1x3kYfHkMWESnkdAmRBtTV20LTAudBE_o3g/s320/DSCN2294.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603229756762479298" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The Prado (art museum)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoVODgnh52yQcpQGZiPnquiHeNJdPGPe_VpUrbVFKKXOZWYu3cKFBi_fUCron2ymvQjkUzY2BElqcz1_teM1_U8NKvYiLmpcJM3ASW8cHE-kK-BL1xyv3C0RzvEKbytlEjpXlcO1d57Fzi/s1600/DSCN2327.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoVODgnh52yQcpQGZiPnquiHeNJdPGPe_VpUrbVFKKXOZWYu3cKFBi_fUCron2ymvQjkUzY2BElqcz1_teM1_U8NKvYiLmpcJM3ASW8cHE-kK-BL1xyv3C0RzvEKbytlEjpXlcO1d57Fzi/s320/DSCN2327.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603228291933821090" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Boating on a man made pond</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihw1gZe-H4fCSIaLOJJf-srwYfmAeJ-dwbmSkXZn6HEYlvvxh5yuQtSe4p9psiqKNqZ5QUeZTnzrTqtaZjm-X2mqWRPFQG5rAxtDplM-YYsAxgiBd4S4n1DPQawYUuiSim5fg_8HwIiRm0/s1600/DSCN2539.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihw1gZe-H4fCSIaLOJJf-srwYfmAeJ-dwbmSkXZn6HEYlvvxh5yuQtSe4p9psiqKNqZ5QUeZTnzrTqtaZjm-X2mqWRPFQG5rAxtDplM-YYsAxgiBd4S4n1DPQawYUuiSim5fg_8HwIiRm0/s320/DSCN2539.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603228284110199938" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">With Victoria, a friend of Laura's, in the Bohemian District</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3JKjq0T_FH3BQGRVLzv7CPuc8Jy3PWdwwBhFo6aUESSdO1M7CH6unS1Aeeh52idqkiBbRbm_N3_iBheMLjKEOTnxuvYtS8zlkbhiKyZTTzLDeTGPVc1XDsFr77jdruLFSvBn_Br-IUsU/s1600/DSCN2353.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3JKjq0T_FH3BQGRVLzv7CPuc8Jy3PWdwwBhFo6aUESSdO1M7CH6unS1Aeeh52idqkiBbRbm_N3_iBheMLjKEOTnxuvYtS8zlkbhiKyZTTzLDeTGPVc1XDsFr77jdruLFSvBn_Br-IUsU/s320/DSCN2353.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603227019525904818" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">In Sevilla</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnS__O582EY1cVFJEpAVV8YFG2fnwwMB5AcShIgrCQX7GI188IVqEb3WbZuzlW_8NZNf5tjq70LlZdpW_n1cRcf60tgUPX3Lk3Mzn_K9Ch7p5Ndsf8WCgx7RFXgZba3WeJV2o9HYgbcaJ1/s1600/DSCN2397.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnS__O582EY1cVFJEpAVV8YFG2fnwwMB5AcShIgrCQX7GI188IVqEb3WbZuzlW_8NZNf5tjq70LlZdpW_n1cRcf60tgUPX3Lk3Mzn_K9Ch7p5Ndsf8WCgx7RFXgZba3WeJV2o9HYgbcaJ1/s320/DSCN2397.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603227010582890642" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Flamenco show on my birthday. The lady is dancing, the man in the middle is singing, and the man on the right is playing guitar.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0AqDWh_tdPMhuo0rUDriEv6DsFCVz5pHoPpeMEA7Qw-opfE-G7n_yu4_zX_JiG6smuIU1OjyA84tnvZA6xOkE5OGY9jOAM0Xp-1CXrUhs04x8CCVPflPfHU23TMZJinKKv9oCSYYXTkd/s1600/DSCN2400.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0AqDWh_tdPMhuo0rUDriEv6DsFCVz5pHoPpeMEA7Qw-opfE-G7n_yu4_zX_JiG6smuIU1OjyA84tnvZA6xOkE5OGY9jOAM0Xp-1CXrUhs04x8CCVPflPfHU23TMZJinKKv9oCSYYXTkd/s320/DSCN2400.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603227006656114338" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Laura and I at the flamenco show</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCJFk-BFxXSpmbV8LMlKSvSGjugsEk_M8DDftRVSqXxfIDYyuWLmMcmePzBBVIdqG3xQKcV4P65lSQNcQS0wDa20FgbfB_ylVP6oM_N74ji50JZCAEXP4nfkSaaHmTmNg_uZ13zBH4x2t/s320/DSCN2367.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603225224874447858" /><div><div style="text-align: center;">The Cathedral in Sevilla</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKPWXLungZ155nOdk_HLkYapR6RvQkoiIEDKySFb6GrR6HdENPCqJWKBZ4DJVQ_p5gNtKRuud1iYHKxiQq9EXqqnxFadFS6b_jZwqCVKXkPjMgq6zgB-Ok0W29WDBSL6RIsetFGZS6Mod9/s1600/DSCN2483.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKPWXLungZ155nOdk_HLkYapR6RvQkoiIEDKySFb6GrR6HdENPCqJWKBZ4DJVQ_p5gNtKRuud1iYHKxiQq9EXqqnxFadFS6b_jZwqCVKXkPjMgq6zgB-Ok0W29WDBSL6RIsetFGZS6Mod9/s320/DSCN2483.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603225231687503938" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The Real Alcazar</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgycLfgMW7BeyvRbvk5HfjV80xMxEqUFByL7csJ6jeb8WspcROFJny7r8FfrzDTNiT8hcwxaJBf6PHLaAuPDJoU98xGWbRw7w8dd1UfLcuX1KAWoUCHNyWNy09aSXEy2a4GD1bIDEFemllz/s1600/DSCN2511.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgycLfgMW7BeyvRbvk5HfjV80xMxEqUFByL7csJ6jeb8WspcROFJny7r8FfrzDTNiT8hcwxaJBf6PHLaAuPDJoU98xGWbRw7w8dd1UfLcuX1KAWoUCHNyWNy09aSXEy2a4GD1bIDEFemllz/s320/DSCN2511.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603225217375537650" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">In the gardens of the Real Alcazar</div></div></div></div>mohsla01http://www.blogger.com/profile/00708045108407230182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8328545248809865248.post-90238111688280468092011-04-21T08:52:00.000-07:002011-04-21T08:54:00.200-07:00The Emerald Isle<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; "><div>It's been a bit of a hectic week, but I've finally found time to put up the Ireland portion of my spring break. Kari, Mitch, and I spent roughly two days in Ireland (half of Tuesday, all day Wednesday, half of Thursday). I had been there once before, but it was Kari and Mitch's first time. Luckily, they were interested in seeing a lot of the sites I missed out on last time I was in Ireland, so it was a great trip for all three of us.</div><div style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiQadwYUXhosjxKIQMIWFv96Ia8zsJHRFaIJOuKtNy6fUWn4jq2URV8paxsW66uZ935ONYRcc-PjfwBTMxJMo6YbUl7dYRCQzTFG5PpinDuGfyJqraJRZ2TUN_8rhhYwlfMEd48-GEVFHE/s1600/DSCN2008.JPG" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(33, 152, 166); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiQadwYUXhosjxKIQMIWFv96Ia8zsJHRFaIJOuKtNy6fUWn4jq2URV8paxsW66uZ935ONYRcc-PjfwBTMxJMo6YbUl7dYRCQzTFG5PpinDuGfyJqraJRZ2TUN_8rhhYwlfMEd48-GEVFHE/s320/DSCN2008.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598058714601462466" style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; position: relative; padding-top: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><div><div style="text-align: center; ">We got to Ireland, and all Mitch wanted was a Dr. Pepper. Loser.</div><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiQadwYUXhosjxKIQMIWFv96Ia8zsJHRFaIJOuKtNy6fUWn4jq2URV8paxsW66uZ935ONYRcc-PjfwBTMxJMo6YbUl7dYRCQzTFG5PpinDuGfyJqraJRZ2TUN_8rhhYwlfMEd48-GEVFHE/s1600/DSCN2008.JPG" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(33, 152, 166); "></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHQgebz_PsjAP_dVSBLrjQNpNuO5q9FSOo-IAvXcxgoqgXY_rPA0Ple5Gj9p-iK3GnUtIxB9zz3eqgAee0PnSq9_H2GBIbR96LWO9ryTWhwiSHdJOX4uRQIROrn98yKqN-l-915NcK8wg/s1600/DSCN2010.JPG" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(33, 152, 166); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHQgebz_PsjAP_dVSBLrjQNpNuO5q9FSOo-IAvXcxgoqgXY_rPA0Ple5Gj9p-iK3GnUtIxB9zz3eqgAee0PnSq9_H2GBIbR96LWO9ryTWhwiSHdJOX4uRQIROrn98yKqN-l-915NcK8wg/s320/DSCN2010.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598058711122875282" style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; position: relative; padding-top: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; ">Kari and I at the Jameson Distillery</div><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFJoGfCw0WMUO-Thaa_VVWM80D4idZ0P4wEx5tN_MqrTKxhLnK2ah8F6eZgpK8Q1GtlC1MvLFo2Pg53fb2mYu9Vtp2werRvNgbq1ILDxaxG5rLsV3XVrnHZTiBXk50EHQkYjm47Q4ymf9u/s1600/DSCN2015.JPG" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(33, 152, 166); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFJoGfCw0WMUO-Thaa_VVWM80D4idZ0P4wEx5tN_MqrTKxhLnK2ah8F6eZgpK8Q1GtlC1MvLFo2Pg53fb2mYu9Vtp2werRvNgbq1ILDxaxG5rLsV3XVrnHZTiBXk50EHQkYjm47Q4ymf9u/s320/DSCN2015.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598058704283052994" style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; position: relative; padding-top: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; ">In front of the fake fire; Jameson Distillery</div><div style="text-align: left; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8u6PuCJTuJbMTZOnVsiliLJX847yIm8obc_w-_NBkboub-NOkGoBW1g6HbdrXOkD7bEjACmt-WmS3U9CdjE5lLxPPac3NAFjuJ1_rpPwo12wEB9X3Z8w6brXDsWI37EXNOAMhkKvD6iV/s1600/DSCN2018.JPG" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(33, 152, 166); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8u6PuCJTuJbMTZOnVsiliLJX847yIm8obc_w-_NBkboub-NOkGoBW1g6HbdrXOkD7bEjACmt-WmS3U9CdjE5lLxPPac3NAFjuJ1_rpPwo12wEB9X3Z8w6brXDsWI37EXNOAMhkKvD6iV/s320/DSCN2018.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598056775530116402" style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; position: relative; padding-top: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; ">Cheese and meat platter at The Porterhouse in Dublin. The brown cheese is made with beer, and the pink cheese is made with wine. Yum!</div><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><br /></div><div style="text-align: left; ">Our first night in Dublin, we went to visit the Jameson Distillery where they make Jameson whisky. It happens to be my favorite whisky (sorry, Jack Daniels. I still love you, too), and I was really excited to see the distillery. After a really interesting tour in which we learned all about how whisky is made, I volunteered to be a part of a whisky tasting test. I tested Jack Daniels, Jameson, and Johnnie Walker. It was really fun, and I was able to actually appreciate the different tastes compared to one another. For the record, scotch is gross. As the taster next to me said, "It's like biting into a cigar. Yuck." After the distillery, we went into the Temple Bar district to visit The Porterhouse, an Irish pub that had been featured on a food network show that Kari loves. The food was incredible, and it was definitely worth the visit just for the food. More important, however, was the fact that The Porterhouse brews their own beers, and for 7 euro ($12), you can sample three of their beers. They have three different stouts, three lagers, and three ales. I tried one beer from each category, and they were all really good. After dinner, I crawled back to the hostel to get some sleep.</div><div style="text-align: left; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTGv4QrBhxmsRm9oaN3BX9BHOx9_vFaUN0_yph_-I3jT69nxjgsPAoIGHCf3lN0hCiI49hiGrPac4fxXL3Ncea1hM-N8nrsJM7ee3tZl0W3HY7VF6X-h2LlR9s98WiI05Fm8Jk7O4yn0MM/s1600/DSCN2032.JPG" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(33, 152, 166); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTGv4QrBhxmsRm9oaN3BX9BHOx9_vFaUN0_yph_-I3jT69nxjgsPAoIGHCf3lN0hCiI49hiGrPac4fxXL3Ncea1hM-N8nrsJM7ee3tZl0W3HY7VF6X-h2LlR9s98WiI05Fm8Jk7O4yn0MM/s320/DSCN2032.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598056773952555682" style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; position: relative; padding-top: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; ">Flat Amanda at Malahide Castle in Malahide, Ireland</div><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ-FyZybkMtxk5sfHScZs1aWEKJy4rvptqAk72QaCh1GSeVjxQhe7LljWGvHC2JMOAkrYvKELUt7vnHuANVNLzMQ5MU4khA0ByHOLT7L-M8O2MguqwCUGBB64gXPFLidMMp8st1Blk_OtO/s1600/DSCN2035.JPG" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(33, 152, 166); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ-FyZybkMtxk5sfHScZs1aWEKJy4rvptqAk72QaCh1GSeVjxQhe7LljWGvHC2JMOAkrYvKELUt7vnHuANVNLzMQ5MU4khA0ByHOLT7L-M8O2MguqwCUGBB64gXPFLidMMp8st1Blk_OtO/s320/DSCN2035.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598056767515416674" style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; position: relative; padding-top: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; ">Kari and I near the ruins of a church; Malahide</div><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPoAy46IixMUsrccj_wR3riJMjuLv85aPlQ-pQUkw9rCppzAz-kthU_UZulZyeiHYFDtHUzjMq03HZIOqzCEBjzb-20Z23I3teMhP0KXTvWwhKY6-rAhtT0J3eIcqrarulqj82q0G3lsKN/s1600/DSCN2040.JPG" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(33, 152, 166); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPoAy46IixMUsrccj_wR3riJMjuLv85aPlQ-pQUkw9rCppzAz-kthU_UZulZyeiHYFDtHUzjMq03HZIOqzCEBjzb-20Z23I3teMhP0KXTvWwhKY6-rAhtT0J3eIcqrarulqj82q0G3lsKN/s320/DSCN2040.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598055207865266034" style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; position: relative; padding-top: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; ">Kari and Mitch looking adorable by the coast; Malahide</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: left; ">During our full day in Ireland, we took the DART (a kind of train) to the nearby town of Malahide to explore the castle and the coast. The castle was absolutely gorgeous. It was originally built in the 1200's, and there was at least one member of the original family living there consistently till the 1970's when they made the castle into a museum. It was a really well preserved place, and it was fascinating to see all of the furniture that the museum has collected to create an accurate historical portrayal of various rooms. After visiting the castle, we ate lunch at an Irish pub and then strolled along the sea. After our stroll, we headed back to Dublin to visit the Guinness Storehouse. Although it is no longer used as a brewery, the Guinness Storehouse lets you tour the original site of their brewery and learn all about the beer brewing process. You also get a free beer. Rock on.</div><div style="text-align: left; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRY2ptSeD5vWPvDnx_QoKS2vxJjiSa2vvHUQ2UM6al-AYJxP9RLdayFvWe9Y_xKSDnz8-O39obApcrIp0LO3TtNuzrGuPlGLoOM8P2W59AS8e99c7YoKV3K97AshSx7Qjtg8DDZFpEEJli/s1600/DSCN2056.JPG" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(33, 152, 166); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRY2ptSeD5vWPvDnx_QoKS2vxJjiSa2vvHUQ2UM6al-AYJxP9RLdayFvWe9Y_xKSDnz8-O39obApcrIp0LO3TtNuzrGuPlGLoOM8P2W59AS8e99c7YoKV3K97AshSx7Qjtg8DDZFpEEJli/s320/DSCN2056.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598055203472717698" style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; position: relative; padding-top: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; ">On our way to the Guinness Storehouse; Dublin</div><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMsZ6cInqZQ8tfth0hjzIYSJ5LM76tvMIRKnS_IOitjvzYvR7KyqeurqK21qmyP6-OrqRP3TAsgbVZYzIJiHQlCWq8jST_W-G2IstEL14RBZR8Ph3m7mh5B4W8ok8cLaNYrw1usvaCfvkw/s1600/DSCN2075.JPG" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(33, 152, 166); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMsZ6cInqZQ8tfth0hjzIYSJ5LM76tvMIRKnS_IOitjvzYvR7KyqeurqK21qmyP6-OrqRP3TAsgbVZYzIJiHQlCWq8jST_W-G2IstEL14RBZR8Ph3m7mh5B4W8ok8cLaNYrw1usvaCfvkw/s320/DSCN2075.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598055202948584834" style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; position: relative; padding-top: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; ">It's hard to see, but there is a shamrock poured into the head of my beer; Guinness Storehouse</div><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipOKERNp3Sgjjppmo65og5Ujyk01m3PimNfaEEwqf77JnvaK1EouWrwsYkH_rTttioxYEhXdNzM0YohFhA1p6ysvk7P6ijgu1poTaUMIaN52y35f0ZCZDrM3iERLs5dzGWk7k6UFv-V3Yf/s1600/DSCN2081.JPG" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(33, 152, 166); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipOKERNp3Sgjjppmo65og5Ujyk01m3PimNfaEEwqf77JnvaK1EouWrwsYkH_rTttioxYEhXdNzM0YohFhA1p6ysvk7P6ijgu1poTaUMIaN52y35f0ZCZDrM3iERLs5dzGWk7k6UFv-V3Yf/s320/DSCN2081.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598053391533008706" style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; position: relative; padding-top: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; ">St. Patrick's Cathedral</div><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlzsL_7UchfDGyh-pBlymf0LeXOzSpG-pRqYJFEmQ4Xo3ir90iByu4GTlrW7SPcPidL7aae90Y8g1-G5LSKN6NXFJ-ku-PMrEMSmU_0iO8EpUEWpr9TY3TJmgF7mkj3BbnNCOADXMUN-NY/s1600/DSCN2087.JPG" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(33, 152, 166); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlzsL_7UchfDGyh-pBlymf0LeXOzSpG-pRqYJFEmQ4Xo3ir90iByu4GTlrW7SPcPidL7aae90Y8g1-G5LSKN6NXFJ-ku-PMrEMSmU_0iO8EpUEWpr9TY3TJmgF7mkj3BbnNCOADXMUN-NY/s320/DSCN2087.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598053389120169106" style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; position: relative; padding-top: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; ">"Bear ye one another's burdens"; St. Patrick's Cathedral</div><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); "><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkEZtlKJZ3N1rBi_CcYYUVgXJ7e8gduvDHZ6jq-rnrpOZ97SRJpadpCSbZWTafxrInQEYTSR1jxIofdGpvpnX8bud59oY9Db3Tji943tNT__0rYU6FFfTq0mUOzXngXkOqhfS_141SLl8C/s1600/DSCN2094.JPG" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(33, 152, 166); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkEZtlKJZ3N1rBi_CcYYUVgXJ7e8gduvDHZ6jq-rnrpOZ97SRJpadpCSbZWTafxrInQEYTSR1jxIofdGpvpnX8bud59oY9Db3Tji943tNT__0rYU6FFfTq0mUOzXngXkOqhfS_141SLl8C/s320/DSCN2094.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598053378496366322" style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; position: relative; padding-top: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 8px; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; ">Stained glass depicting scenes from the life of St. Patrick; St. Patrick's Cathedral</div></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: left; ">On our last morning in Ireland, we headed to St. Patrick's Cathedral. It was an incredible structure. The "new" part of the cathedral was built in 1270, and the older parts date back another 100 years or more. It was built next to a well, which the builders believed to be the well St. Patrick used for baptisms. Having taken a class on St. Patrick at college, I was fascinated by the gravestones on display inside that are believed to trace back as far as St. Patrick. After ogling the incredible history, we headed back to the airport to catch our flight back to London. Next up, Spain!</div></span>mohsla01http://www.blogger.com/profile/00708045108407230182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8328545248809865248.post-11474164344110671282011-04-17T11:09:00.000-07:002011-04-17T11:43:23.379-07:00This post brought to you by the letter "I"<div>And the "I" stands for I WENT TO ENGLAND AND GOT TO SEE MY BIG SISTER!!!!!! Yes, it was exciting enough to necessitate my extreme use of exclamation marks. As you might have noticed, I have been missing lately. I spent two weeks traveling Western Europe for spring break. I am now officially broke but happy to have seen what I saw. The first week I spent with my big sister and her husband. We were based in London but also popped over to Ireland for a few days as well. Week two found me in Spain enjoying flamenco dancers for my birthday and eating till I popped. Seriously, tapas are amazing. And serrano ham. And calamari. ...Anyways, that's for another post. This post is dedicated to my trip to England with my big sissy. Next up, I'll post our Ireland pictures. Then, I'll put up my trip to Spain. Spain will probably also come in two installments. Over the course of two weeks, I took nearly 600 photos. I'm trying to winnow them down, but I think I'm going to need four good posts to get all the best ones in. Without any further ado, I present ENGLAND:</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRU-_Dz6KvGRTfPOeWAVQVpZn6x01_2AfK7ljaOZxgT12Ps46ePWgP9_-wXKYTgrvHQqnCPosp1V3G9ncCdatqlhFyelCg0sy_7mSk5MkkDVUAS1528e8bdhf4V97f4UPnbUPjZ31iO8t_/s1600/DSCN1948.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRU-_Dz6KvGRTfPOeWAVQVpZn6x01_2AfK7ljaOZxgT12Ps46ePWgP9_-wXKYTgrvHQqnCPosp1V3G9ncCdatqlhFyelCg0sy_7mSk5MkkDVUAS1528e8bdhf4V97f4UPnbUPjZ31iO8t_/s320/DSCN1948.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596620656345134834" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Buckingham Palace</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Our first day in England was spent mostly just wandering about and seeing as much as possible. Mitch, my brother-in-law, had never been outside the U.S. before, and big sissy and I were determined to inundate him with Europe before the week was over. On that first day, we tried to hit the biggest tourist sites that you just walk past and wave at: Big Ben, Westminster (we wanted to go in to Westminster, actually, but there was a line around the block and a hefty admission fee; we just took pictures...), Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square. I'm sure there are more, but I can't really remember them at the moment. In addition to the walk-by sites, we stopped in to see the National Portrait Gallery and the Tower of London. I had never been to the National Portrait Gallery, but it was well worth the stop. It houses some of the most famous paintings of England's monarchs and VIP's. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZg840gLH-kOZmIkQUcXFFSjI593qkIqt_103fWKmGOnsXnwEzrXnmIbXJkOVZKXqt2lInT7HD6yLznJpUJ0mrIkucildJpnqSF6RxcbwueP1QEMYL5yveBsnqS86ndW9vLuy5_t9cGlW/s1600/DSCN1958.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZg840gLH-kOZmIkQUcXFFSjI593qkIqt_103fWKmGOnsXnwEzrXnmIbXJkOVZKXqt2lInT7HD6yLznJpUJ0mrIkucildJpnqSF6RxcbwueP1QEMYL5yveBsnqS86ndW9vLuy5_t9cGlW/s320/DSCN1958.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596620653195935250" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Anti-war protests; Trafalgar Square</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygiCxXT4SguUgG8vDb79HDffX8EVG5b6X7PAkcOVwyFs_hyphenhyphenju6mEAh0Ua0Tr4vDoAzcLwwN0he8S-50qgYIxYYMN0TLVZ0jGQJirKaJ4OuLlOerozGJHKNWOhvbSAVsQz8do4GIRWMcJJ/s1600/DSCN1962.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygiCxXT4SguUgG8vDb79HDffX8EVG5b6X7PAkcOVwyFs_hyphenhyphenju6mEAh0Ua0Tr4vDoAzcLwwN0he8S-50qgYIxYYMN0TLVZ0jGQJirKaJ4OuLlOerozGJHKNWOhvbSAVsQz8do4GIRWMcJJ/s320/DSCN1962.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596620641850661074" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Big sissy and her hubby; Tower of London</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2JyczrNkugJXv-SGeAX1-aYEDlN2Ui72FUGo-rCOVVYzajF77SxbRJxPlgyY7oUehI6iSoFicjxhgBdqKYyubEfr61_nB1tbp_0N0JecuOmjc-lz6Z3kE-7kRPEkeKEZVJWNosGTbJAYK/s320/DSCN1974.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596619207677656018" /><div><div style="text-align: center;">Me with a big gun; Tower of London</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqnzhOkGxY_ea_Kr046dYHyRWe1NlumYpOh3QZi6EFZITZlA8EomlNK02pVpy5Tj_86Av8hFT1NpTlxodHnMfoCafPboZoo7-DMvyzhAOMBWTW2WakrrpAlbkVuQHsTtxoy5O7MOj9L6T_/s320/DSCN1984.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596619218094854690" /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Flat Amanda trying to make the guard laugh; Tower of London</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I have neglected to mention one other traveler who made their way through Europe with me. Flat Amanda has become my newest traveling companion. I've been taking photos with her across Western Europe, and I will add photos of her in Bulgaria as soon as I can. After reading the book Flat Stanley, the tale of a boy flattened by a falling bulletin board and then mailed around Europe to see the sites, my cousin, Amanda, asked me to take Flat Amanda along to see Europe. We became best buddies.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1gR_v1oIWMGrkcyQpM3LVsmIbAKWnmJygFQuNpF_oE966aLUT4xVUskOS8RBEuYcVMiUTSBj8c7D5CEHMJxF-lbpXlfKLip2KFUV8k3ELqbtsYHHMg8NEXmVnRyDiYUn5wdjQFIoeGf3V/s1600/DSCN1990.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1gR_v1oIWMGrkcyQpM3LVsmIbAKWnmJygFQuNpF_oE966aLUT4xVUskOS8RBEuYcVMiUTSBj8c7D5CEHMJxF-lbpXlfKLip2KFUV8k3ELqbtsYHHMg8NEXmVnRyDiYUn5wdjQFIoeGf3V/s320/DSCN1990.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596619219827109090" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Beautiful view of the Thames; Tower Bridge</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">During our last day in England, we split up for the morning. Kari and Mitch went to Hampton Court Palace, and I went to the Globe, a reproduction of Shakespeare's outdoor theatre. I spent two and a half glorious hours wandering around and soaking up Shakespeare. In addition to a tour of the actual theatre, my ticket allowed me access to the Globe museum exhibition on Shakespeare. The exhibition houses a variety of displays that explain everything from costuming at the original Globe to how they built the replica. Interestingly, they chose not to use modern tools to build the Globe. They hired expert craftsmen to build the Globe using the hand tools that would have been used in Shakespeare's time. The Globe is held together by wooden pegs, not nails, and each post was hand cut and carved. Incredible!</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0V5Tj8Joi-NR0Hhf4M5fBW21oVLyA9KzPzuH2EgQTgpIaYKWHKi_SIrp1nwmdOzScZF-zI6Ta7TRzN4ZIpVUw_qUMvsjXbwIruiRrgf4f5XWDR0NOVqwJC8EAZQBCE02dRHQ8LQtUn5Wp/s320/DSCN2133.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596617639839150962" /><div><div style="text-align: center;">Flat Amanda visits the Globe</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBWv7_h4-umeHRh73D-KhYHQDcp_W02qZvmUQ954KMRhrVI7pGFSuP1-gv0QwsO3QtjK0DIRg0saxkPGITjgXXtlabHV31QFoy072jlfjKQSZ3W6An2HKA7QY5Hq9-sRBdDIv2_p2RLy5N/s320/DSCN2124.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596617636003910066" /><div style="text-align: center;">I'M AT THE GLOBE!!!!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7Ay3GjnIvxUpoh5kgfio5kMN-RNiQKiFOL0hXrBb5lqZZDxASWQhjukUYJWqUa7dDjWk83p6bwQWyYzTkhep8Ps0q4_7fLcPfOTkOGOTvD2w1IpT8dsq0nzYbr5MNNIOCtIgmV_hgf_3/s320/DSCN2138.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596617649065436322" /><div style="text-align: center;">Big sissy and I with a piece of the Berlin Wall; Imperial War Museum</div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Our last stop in England was the Imperial War Museum, a favorite of both mine and big sissy's. Dad brought us here when we were munchkins, and we continue to make the pilgrimage. It is, after all, the best museum in the whole world. At least, in my opinion, it is. </div>mohsla01http://www.blogger.com/profile/00708045108407230182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8328545248809865248.post-21006289823067781302011-03-29T14:16:00.000-07:002011-03-29T14:18:20.687-07:00FYI I'm in London and Madrid for two weeks. Be back soon!mohsla01http://www.blogger.com/profile/00708045108407230182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8328545248809865248.post-75957225985636018872011-03-18T08:22:00.000-07:002011-03-18T09:01:51.974-07:00Land, ho!<div><p class="MsoNormal">This past weekend, I went to the seaside with several of my colleagues (I feel really grown up now that I have colleagues). We spent the morning and early afternoon in Sozopol before driving up the coast to spend the afternoon and evening in Nessebar. Both are cities filled with history, amazing food, and beautiful views of the <st1:place st="on">Black Sea</st1:place>. This past year, archaeologists found what they believe to be some of the bones of St. John the Baptist in the foundations of an old church in Sozopol, and Nessebar boasts churches from the 10<sup>th</sup> and 14<sup>th</sup> century. The places just ooze history but also have a lively feel as people move around living their lives. Fishermen still go out every day and bring in a fresh catch for the numerous restaurants. We were lucky enough to be there in early March when there are almost no tourists. We were able to see members of the local population at work without being immersed in a swarming, claustrophobia-inducing cloud of tourists. I can’t really express in words how wonderful the trip was, so I’m just going to show you in pictures instead. Enjoy.</p></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3BbkF4UyyMNey_Bgfi4pGyVM9gQWzZXa_2LWxhzciATQpi2iPb3WbeYl_AABA6-2bETfMminOh3piGpHgh9hQ2c3VzjgVbctygTD-laAOS8WFaLrCzPYy4oMAKoJuiUmd2XhK06JAO1HA/s1600/DSCN1806.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3BbkF4UyyMNey_Bgfi4pGyVM9gQWzZXa_2LWxhzciATQpi2iPb3WbeYl_AABA6-2bETfMminOh3piGpHgh9hQ2c3VzjgVbctygTD-laAOS8WFaLrCzPYy4oMAKoJuiUmd2XhK06JAO1HA/s320/DSCN1806.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585449776058426322" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">We've arrived in Sozopol!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTk9udBrtvKGTTJ_DtZ7hA08AQYYnwoeobhfyEhmdiYfc3dxM2EajivFE1jDKr3VsuaFXNnD1dmX-PGVkinhVbtqp41Dh2lDrE_qWdkrf7nPhTfaPDqMeDxdmKa3yEabmBxWfkDDTvlV55/s1600/DSCN1812.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTk9udBrtvKGTTJ_DtZ7hA08AQYYnwoeobhfyEhmdiYfc3dxM2EajivFE1jDKr3VsuaFXNnD1dmX-PGVkinhVbtqp41Dh2lDrE_qWdkrf7nPhTfaPDqMeDxdmKa3yEabmBxWfkDDTvlV55/s320/DSCN1812.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585449769757124722" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">MINE!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLFGDU5ahvZmo3KmtIKat1vq-f5x41j-EzREY8PCd44AWTxBZRxa1oDY754OjLtjl3IgckHEOniAksEuOZ2Fqr3GmK21OLZQstNAeYjq1iHQ1FBfnlMTYSuupTlMZL8BTZwgLyBMr8_69/s1600/DSCN1816.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLFGDU5ahvZmo3KmtIKat1vq-f5x41j-EzREY8PCd44AWTxBZRxa1oDY754OjLtjl3IgckHEOniAksEuOZ2Fqr3GmK21OLZQstNAeYjq1iHQ1FBfnlMTYSuupTlMZL8BTZwgLyBMr8_69/s320/DSCN1816.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585449760452121714" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The islands of Sozopol and the beauty of the Black Sea</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLorombXDZiMhK56bt9ZGPq8zWEFXeucvSuPEWBit-SNYxRD_6AUSWU6O4v3e2Hs2J2yHRqRavxjkL6pcKGbXmu1l7b9UK19xJUWNM1qHJQXru7L2PkfC80pwOhb8rw-7_QtcnZH4X00xi/s1600/DSCN1822.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLorombXDZiMhK56bt9ZGPq8zWEFXeucvSuPEWBit-SNYxRD_6AUSWU6O4v3e2Hs2J2yHRqRavxjkL6pcKGbXmu1l7b9UK19xJUWNM1qHJQXru7L2PkfC80pwOhb8rw-7_QtcnZH4X00xi/s320/DSCN1822.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585448296419761554" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Ruins of an old church</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCi4PnpGPmChZcKzLK9NypPffkS1D1dIk3PzLcgDJ11xQJhedW2kVLn_ozpNWHZGgMbWeOaRyww8wro0jO_nVCJkoWaxOlqv0FFCxP0FtQmmf8bfxtcXbenqo8GaqGLEwvPl7C0DY_wfit/s1600/DSCN1827.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCi4PnpGPmChZcKzLK9NypPffkS1D1dIk3PzLcgDJ11xQJhedW2kVLn_ozpNWHZGgMbWeOaRyww8wro0jO_nVCJkoWaxOlqv0FFCxP0FtQmmf8bfxtcXbenqo8GaqGLEwvPl7C0DY_wfit/s320/DSCN1827.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585448286428818882" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Fish soup. Yummy!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8VRhqEVU4Z4Y8iA7FXcBPU0K6i1KXxFtBNeURpTq4BRVOVN3a1TmqLjjQJZQ1Jt9mXiRO73asCDMHzr7R65UZ6KQe_KCAAAtydUzc0VDmiACIjFqDn0EensRN3P6TbQ63jG58D3AEtpfQ/s1600/DSCN1829.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8VRhqEVU4Z4Y8iA7FXcBPU0K6i1KXxFtBNeURpTq4BRVOVN3a1TmqLjjQJZQ1Jt9mXiRO73asCDMHzr7R65UZ6KQe_KCAAAtydUzc0VDmiACIjFqDn0EensRN3P6TbQ63jG58D3AEtpfQ/s320/DSCN1829.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585448275776376546" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">My lunch. I was waiting for them to start talking to me.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1EjqEQQ0AeF1tgR_uh9Et7J35LC3wJx3ybnpFuL8kkxLsX-DyWJ7kXik9TVqU0e4tlbk-lsznFUPX5r7_1S2HugY3ZtPcB3G3WOOvWjZvzRGaqX8uh6zErGpEk5Sg0sHAEaC47Iay2xGv/s1600/DSCN1830.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1EjqEQQ0AeF1tgR_uh9Et7J35LC3wJx3ybnpFuL8kkxLsX-DyWJ7kXik9TVqU0e4tlbk-lsznFUPX5r7_1S2HugY3ZtPcB3G3WOOvWjZvzRGaqX8uh6zErGpEk5Sg0sHAEaC47Iay2xGv/s320/DSCN1830.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585446894438602498" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The church of St. George where they house the relics of St. John the Baptist.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrU7ZcpElZhjcqfUON2ke0xzL7Wiwq87Yy4VDgcvkCwKcsIjRCtTmB_uJRKIy_Fm7FNvSXetFkhC9ifz1yeawl9KQoCFfsyTwN8vE2hEjpzyXa4oVwqIKlpUYFNyBhk4t1Qu3BwsDyfGMq/s1600/DSCN1834.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrU7ZcpElZhjcqfUON2ke0xzL7Wiwq87Yy4VDgcvkCwKcsIjRCtTmB_uJRKIy_Fm7FNvSXetFkhC9ifz1yeawl9KQoCFfsyTwN8vE2hEjpzyXa4oVwqIKlpUYFNyBhk4t1Qu3BwsDyfGMq/s320/DSCN1834.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585446886621221714" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Rockin' the anchor look</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVI6erVMEhC_km6cSHb-A7VIGpSdz-Rtjcyak-UOPuHedjaiuMqXxziN2eGjHE2_FQ5utD7mPYOoYdCzitvxowNeoFd6LhrG1778wGo2rRlwPvxLSv1wU4AdUBlEIeZX_oymuM9Rp0sr4A/s1600/DSCN1841.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVI6erVMEhC_km6cSHb-A7VIGpSdz-Rtjcyak-UOPuHedjaiuMqXxziN2eGjHE2_FQ5utD7mPYOoYdCzitvxowNeoFd6LhrG1778wGo2rRlwPvxLSv1wU4AdUBlEIeZX_oymuM9Rp0sr4A/s320/DSCN1841.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585446879210654802" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Live bird on statue bird on statue of St. Nikolay, patron saint of fishermen. We've arrived in Nessebar!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw8grq-CUl1Ui7haT_yvh3o5eaPizcTA6KeKEqyKwCQfFzdcMKP6ydgHt50H0ifSdSM0jTTATIywFPukiamzo07psRevLftRrlnQmDs0Kzb3RuBjwApQ0b2iS7RTuqsNQuZwFwgOidWRAp/s1600/DSCN1843.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw8grq-CUl1Ui7haT_yvh3o5eaPizcTA6KeKEqyKwCQfFzdcMKP6ydgHt50H0ifSdSM0jTTATIywFPukiamzo07psRevLftRrlnQmDs0Kzb3RuBjwApQ0b2iS7RTuqsNQuZwFwgOidWRAp/s320/DSCN1843.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585445780800546434" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I love the water.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcLR3S4gVd8Da6vo354J_lgvUJjPYbXImZg_mhJktgc0oXXNcsxElyK8wwTJepvVhgwp99mr8Dm9NdugrowYEzyPrFMOUcCtLvyGroSpB4PzGSNyEsB4wRAMNMo_lsVsutdua2TZXqg3zy/s1600/DSCN1852.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcLR3S4gVd8Da6vo354J_lgvUJjPYbXImZg_mhJktgc0oXXNcsxElyK8wwTJepvVhgwp99mr8Dm9NdugrowYEzyPrFMOUcCtLvyGroSpB4PzGSNyEsB4wRAMNMo_lsVsutdua2TZXqg3zy/s320/DSCN1852.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585445773079673954" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Mima and I at the 14th century church</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2R2Y-AUy4GOG45KMAbSdSKmv07uLxsoimwXW_NioGCsUoOKzPDEbQFptlZsjwafXNf1-XWN2GGOHbIYv_FLdk_mZz_etrC1WnRhGgCtETZlaorz0gZsdwY754vQA289KlpdCTXkStMoDd/s1600/DSCN1854.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2R2Y-AUy4GOG45KMAbSdSKmv07uLxsoimwXW_NioGCsUoOKzPDEbQFptlZsjwafXNf1-XWN2GGOHbIYv_FLdk_mZz_etrC1WnRhGgCtETZlaorz0gZsdwY754vQA289KlpdCTXkStMoDd/s320/DSCN1854.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585445764538972066" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">10th century church</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBTtis6zEZo03Pd-M2BMK43YDb5ednoeF2YWY88_py5j6_2PeauerKSRwbOi4mA-PHSEdgy8Vhkd5jzLK_AWaI8DP0gGH_tz6aRtmkb0VeU3hKoPh7uuljLDMSdEBFLVFxnaRkJ1L4MrRy/s1600/DSCN1860.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBTtis6zEZo03Pd-M2BMK43YDb5ednoeF2YWY88_py5j6_2PeauerKSRwbOi4mA-PHSEdgy8Vhkd5jzLK_AWaI8DP0gGH_tz6aRtmkb0VeU3hKoPh7uuljLDMSdEBFLVFxnaRkJ1L4MrRy/s320/DSCN1860.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585443947694437298" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I'm moving out of my apartment and taking over the bishop's house. He has a much nicer view.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOlXhU1bqUdJY11WPaengizhKDKSJXijuITE2IEoE4-08NbCuUlhSThH9x9Bp4jr_p7StAofzPbh8JvmHcsGqGWZgvvQuIl0wwYhCJkAOTo3u-8Q5eH9GqufD-1cjU9abF91jnmkB_lS3A/s1600/DSCN1861.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOlXhU1bqUdJY11WPaengizhKDKSJXijuITE2IEoE4-08NbCuUlhSThH9x9Bp4jr_p7StAofzPbh8JvmHcsGqGWZgvvQuIl0wwYhCJkAOTo3u-8Q5eH9GqufD-1cjU9abF91jnmkB_lS3A/s320/DSCN1861.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585443943903428994" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Love it!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4z4VuGOVQdZJOTx7dfoqW6ECTMBSAf4hLFJ-SP3413MoNxD6bfMzqYGbgKK_S_bJhkR0VYffpNHaS2b3bPdeiUHdXaM7gz72GawZmJvEx1aVlhvVSfkdQ6GqX7u5d2UVRczVzo7Yu4nZD/s1600/DSCN1864.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4z4VuGOVQdZJOTx7dfoqW6ECTMBSAf4hLFJ-SP3413MoNxD6bfMzqYGbgKK_S_bJhkR0VYffpNHaS2b3bPdeiUHdXaM7gz72GawZmJvEx1aVlhvVSfkdQ6GqX7u5d2UVRczVzo7Yu4nZD/s320/DSCN1864.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585443933538473026" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Beautiful stretch of beach</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfzC237-P4N3Bzihsp5oN6pp6sDjPBp4aaU2nacpQU9UM9WJCA6zX6EU4i2nlQcH-LakDFtBc1nV0BrH_7Ip5vx7hmVyrgXzr6JK9_YSNrrRxgxcdnW_NFXpTkMyOWqGMyW1mSthW4167Y/s1600/DSCN1869.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfzC237-P4N3Bzihsp5oN6pp6sDjPBp4aaU2nacpQU9UM9WJCA6zX6EU4i2nlQcH-LakDFtBc1nV0BrH_7Ip5vx7hmVyrgXzr6JK9_YSNrrRxgxcdnW_NFXpTkMyOWqGMyW1mSthW4167Y/s320/DSCN1869.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585442147736539474" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Lovely view of the Black Sea</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5mahP1sQYfd0Q7LUue9JTMkpAZHr47TLNEKvCBjpTgIwsKBMffw1aTO8TRC_huI4P3lv1bm3F4IrAnzB81gG6QQ5qBhMuggzOJTn2Jquopp-PTVNuemARtTsfSrw4ONqhc5mtnvNK3O5Y/s1600/DSCN1872.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5mahP1sQYfd0Q7LUue9JTMkpAZHr47TLNEKvCBjpTgIwsKBMffw1aTO8TRC_huI4P3lv1bm3F4IrAnzB81gG6QQ5qBhMuggzOJTn2Jquopp-PTVNuemARtTsfSrw4ONqhc5mtnvNK3O5Y/s320/DSCN1872.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585442138243641090" /></a><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5mahP1sQYfd0Q7LUue9JTMkpAZHr47TLNEKvCBjpTgIwsKBMffw1aTO8TRC_huI4P3lv1bm3F4IrAnzB81gG6QQ5qBhMuggzOJTn2Jquopp-PTVNuemARtTsfSrw4ONqhc5mtnvNK3O5Y/s1600/DSCN1872.JPG"></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5mahP1sQYfd0Q7LUue9JTMkpAZHr47TLNEKvCBjpTgIwsKBMffw1aTO8TRC_huI4P3lv1bm3F4IrAnzB81gG6QQ5qBhMuggzOJTn2Jquopp-PTVNuemARtTsfSrw4ONqhc5mtnvNK3O5Y/s1600/DSCN1872.JPG"></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5mahP1sQYfd0Q7LUue9JTMkpAZHr47TLNEKvCBjpTgIwsKBMffw1aTO8TRC_huI4P3lv1bm3F4IrAnzB81gG6QQ5qBhMuggzOJTn2Jquopp-PTVNuemARtTsfSrw4ONqhc5mtnvNK3O5Y/s1600/DSCN1872.JPG"></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5mahP1sQYfd0Q7LUue9JTMkpAZHr47TLNEKvCBjpTgIwsKBMffw1aTO8TRC_huI4P3lv1bm3F4IrAnzB81gG6QQ5qBhMuggzOJTn2Jquopp-PTVNuemARtTsfSrw4ONqhc5mtnvNK3O5Y/s1600/DSCN1872.JPG"></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5mahP1sQYfd0Q7LUue9JTMkpAZHr47TLNEKvCBjpTgIwsKBMffw1aTO8TRC_huI4P3lv1bm3F4IrAnzB81gG6QQ5qBhMuggzOJTn2Jquopp-PTVNuemARtTsfSrw4ONqhc5mtnvNK3O5Y/s1600/DSCN1872.JPG"></a><div><div style="text-align: center;">The anchor - the symbol of the sea.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQwJzWv1KF1sIWuQ2v0pjRdFp9kf1T-jABD-aZPFrUd6mcB_TloZSUM9wsoD4oX5kqyuwrCH1K_56sKexjHNky8qsz5u4pkhdQdRk8UGtuhfM_82n9FkjrvoZijqKWT_l-Re0Bwm35eFE/s1600/DSCN1887.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQwJzWv1KF1sIWuQ2v0pjRdFp9kf1T-jABD-aZPFrUd6mcB_TloZSUM9wsoD4oX5kqyuwrCH1K_56sKexjHNky8qsz5u4pkhdQdRk8UGtuhfM_82n9FkjrvoZijqKWT_l-Re0Bwm35eFE/s320/DSCN1887.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585442136730212498" /></a></div><div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;">I like playing around on stage. What can I say?</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>mohsla01http://www.blogger.com/profile/00708045108407230182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8328545248809865248.post-9418469623103325722011-03-17T05:16:00.000-07:002011-03-17T05:37:47.970-07:00An American Kind of Day<div>After going to the Kukeri festival, I headed over to the Park Mall. It was my first visit to this mall. Stara has two, and one of them is right next to my apartment. I've never had reason to venture over to the other one, Park Mall, until last week.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs2jayJWQVczn85N-U-wh6th_1UrA4WMzYmnltr06h3oWva7n1bTZWDM9LIT6pmsUYgIXK4SDP7AoOrILMZIiAO3Fd6pqkkRLQSRtsi9nVSUGENACYf9cumWr4LURm-g5O2HZHy8CjZNuc/s1600/DSCN1777.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs2jayJWQVczn85N-U-wh6th_1UrA4WMzYmnltr06h3oWva7n1bTZWDM9LIT6pmsUYgIXK4SDP7AoOrILMZIiAO3Fd6pqkkRLQSRtsi9nVSUGENACYf9cumWr4LURm-g5O2HZHy8CjZNuc/s320/DSCN1777.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585024046738803954" /></a><br /><div>But I couldn't resist heading over to the mall to try out the ice skating rink before it closes this week.<br /><div><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0JM2sJOblpsbCSbgzlxAep2UAToIzjrHO3-6tElRaclyTsjpBjBe9WUNa8bzE3U6WIwe_hdVI7lhynxs8Wy8MIC0j1IDYTYSqynzNdSICHh1L12mRIUa1S65prGSn63HDiJfgSwh_zwzV/s320/DSCN1773.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585022978309345362" /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">The Stara Zagora outdoor ice skating rink</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNPaokoubk7AaBtmKrYs1YGuPfO3yOIakVctbUCOstfEIgDU5o7zhqvTwaauav_jhmHD62r6jq7I6VSlQsLxnO5SQ7TPElhKN4wO3V1VboxhFVXZQSkbNhoPpgtADZRTQL6xUQXwTrjbXf/s1600/DSCN1774.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNPaokoubk7AaBtmKrYs1YGuPfO3yOIakVctbUCOstfEIgDU5o7zhqvTwaauav_jhmHD62r6jq7I6VSlQsLxnO5SQ7TPElhKN4wO3V1VboxhFVXZQSkbNhoPpgtADZRTQL6xUQXwTrjbXf/s320/DSCN1774.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585024040239046034" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">I got all booted up in my skates, which looked a lot like roller blades with actual blades instead of wheels. I hadn't been skating in years, and I was a bit nervous but excited at the same time.</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlw2xABtGZXUQhGy8kBn21WYBUJcRiJQkW16BKNL9-AzOJGiX8Yy6E1vVJQwy9vMk37bSyT-ax7Z-OdsTb6G4ARgYeotwALnEFnxGzjGr2-RwBxVuhJDoPL0IFQKOyFaOcX_xAuxX38tat/s1600/DSCN1775.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlw2xABtGZXUQhGy8kBn21WYBUJcRiJQkW16BKNL9-AzOJGiX8Yy6E1vVJQwy9vMk37bSyT-ax7Z-OdsTb6G4ARgYeotwALnEFnxGzjGr2-RwBxVuhJDoPL0IFQKOyFaOcX_xAuxX38tat/s320/DSCN1775.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585024037785994754" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Looking all cute and ready to skate.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8pYguZ2W1iFB2tppBtCy98ORA61tH3PSzD38KnB9cgwMZYE9iN78DcJpQNI3n54h0M0iSSf6nm450X_oawRRAYSnWdsjszdSEG6AVtj_ZrtQ5-KtqfSlep-_hgern-694Dpdh1ZHABwLN/s1600/DSCN1778.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8pYguZ2W1iFB2tppBtCy98ORA61tH3PSzD38KnB9cgwMZYE9iN78DcJpQNI3n54h0M0iSSf6nm450X_oawRRAYSnWdsjszdSEG6AVtj_ZrtQ5-KtqfSlep-_hgern-694Dpdh1ZHABwLN/s320/DSCN1778.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585022971336102226" /></a>After several times around the ice holding onto the wall and getting my ice legs back, I was able to skate in slow circles for the rest of my skating session. By the time I was done, my feet hurt from where the arch support hit me in the wrong spot, my shins and calves ached from the exercise, and my core was sore from repeatedly having to stabilize the rest of my body to prevent falling. But I was really, really happy. I had a great time, and I felt like I was back home again.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwe6Nf5vNsxameUIRZW0wwy8_8DB2EiRA0kNss1ba7LmYuS2cLMHuF_Js96AncbD3hPmINmZ9iUCooyLjJUJquM3Dmlj7adiGG5LRVsRYwjzG7I_vTUHUfiJcAFZfsfBbcHhYdFD8Pr7l/s1600/DSCN1772.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwe6Nf5vNsxameUIRZW0wwy8_8DB2EiRA0kNss1ba7LmYuS2cLMHuF_Js96AncbD3hPmINmZ9iUCooyLjJUJquM3Dmlj7adiGG5LRVsRYwjzG7I_vTUHUfiJcAFZfsfBbcHhYdFD8Pr7l/s320/DSCN1772.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585022966956914034" /></a>To make myself feel really at home, I even had a cheeseburger for dinner. I never eat McDonald's, but it seemed to fit my American kind of day.<br /><br /></div></div>mohsla01http://www.blogger.com/profile/00708045108407230182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8328545248809865248.post-4988638082806714422011-03-17T04:41:00.000-07:002011-03-17T05:16:35.144-07:00The Kukeri Come to Stara<div>Stara Zagora celebrated its Kukeri Festival on March 6, and I was able to go and enjoy the parade and some of the dances. Just like the last Kukeri festival I attended, this one involved lots of men and children dressed up in furry animal like costumes with bells designed to scare away evil spirits. The Festival involved Kukeri groups from all over Bulgaria and even a group from Romania. Following the parade, each group took a turn performing dances/short plays that showed the Kukeri scaring away evil spirits during weddings. There were even two groups of Kukeri made up just of children that performed little skits. They were adorable!</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3WN2MbgDW06pE581UIYxOFwClbpoD3kLzS15FwJ8ahxGGgZETDBOfsGth99dNJlFPibfHjR9BveqeK8te2vRMmBfcxsYYRMixNwhZaZ_VqeGxR9RdMT5Ny6JzgDPIN6MGUpRFikKOeng-/s1600/DSCN1781.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3WN2MbgDW06pE581UIYxOFwClbpoD3kLzS15FwJ8ahxGGgZETDBOfsGth99dNJlFPibfHjR9BveqeK8te2vRMmBfcxsYYRMixNwhZaZ_VqeGxR9RdMT5Ny6JzgDPIN6MGUpRFikKOeng-/s320/DSCN1781.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585015924071583106" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Kukeri in the street</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3WN2MbgDW06pE581UIYxOFwClbpoD3kLzS15FwJ8ahxGGgZETDBOfsGth99dNJlFPibfHjR9BveqeK8te2vRMmBfcxsYYRMixNwhZaZ_VqeGxR9RdMT5Ny6JzgDPIN6MGUpRFikKOeng-/s1600/DSCN1781.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIv1hh2C-bE_8QrOR0fD1X1pWeoqkouXCsCaPdfHEVYVaZCELjxka1Lv2kw7-HkjpUXsywCZwepBeksYtEgf4ssfQHcBS2AoUeFlmuAXtEyGvnS13f9niD4DmS6CtIl2bWXXIyE84U5kJT/s1600/DSCN1784.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIv1hh2C-bE_8QrOR0fD1X1pWeoqkouXCsCaPdfHEVYVaZCELjxka1Lv2kw7-HkjpUXsywCZwepBeksYtEgf4ssfQHcBS2AoUeFlmuAXtEyGvnS13f9niD4DmS6CtIl2bWXXIyE84U5kJT/s320/DSCN1784.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585015921529903026" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">He reminded me of something out of <i>Where the Wild Things Are</i></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIv1hh2C-bE_8QrOR0fD1X1pWeoqkouXCsCaPdfHEVYVaZCELjxka1Lv2kw7-HkjpUXsywCZwepBeksYtEgf4ssfQHcBS2AoUeFlmuAXtEyGvnS13f9niD4DmS6CtIl2bWXXIyE84U5kJT/s1600/DSCN1784.JPG"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4dUgWQ24XpUrO4fUNbm9oiGAo6kI4yIXwyd_VXP0ZZiwhNEbaJ2XAwIYOu21XTT9PLe7uTw7FP4eR8YP4-Ua38eexNM5DsToakL7RAyZT_NZiigRohZ4Q2FaReRHrdYj7pxPHmloF3Un/s1600/DSCN1791.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4dUgWQ24XpUrO4fUNbm9oiGAo6kI4yIXwyd_VXP0ZZiwhNEbaJ2XAwIYOu21XTT9PLe7uTw7FP4eR8YP4-Ua38eexNM5DsToakL7RAyZT_NZiigRohZ4Q2FaReRHrdYj7pxPHmloF3Un/s320/DSCN1791.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585015913347299794" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Traditional Bulgarian bagpipes</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4dUgWQ24XpUrO4fUNbm9oiGAo6kI4yIXwyd_VXP0ZZiwhNEbaJ2XAwIYOu21XTT9PLe7uTw7FP4eR8YP4-Ua38eexNM5DsToakL7RAyZT_NZiigRohZ4Q2FaReRHrdYj7pxPHmloF3Un/s1600/DSCN1791.JPG"></a><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQW2SaVI23wq0aYlYb5DVCEyp3u7RiZqsir8iDV8xuH9OGFoG1c11BPYhqmqmcezU2m7ezuHPto4Di-oAyg0tUxutp7hYVbBkRFPPz6JGHO1A7A3UsEYumnL3wYcruLBMEDm8dQL_FJSvz/s320/DSCN1797.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585013986560262770" /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">The children performing a skit. If you look to the left, you'll see a little boy dressed up as a priest. So cute!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Q5HQMunqUAWcxkhw6YnB-MqSHjgl_j6CaBtD3X5c3D8WkOIJEdkX_sRCCFUIzuaD0-pMVdSh2Z1-kv3dxb6KYrjVbQMX_NJOKSvjMlJeCwK2DAAiEZNtOc1UJQqwsroz0mCtLQRqzQuJ/s320/DSCN1798.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585013992043652066" /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">More <i>Where the Wild Things Are</i> Kukeri performing their skit</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDEFYkhlCarSv_TxRBBZzpI5EsMhbWIAMqlKrwIPsvjE53UYs9C8j_1v4gUdJO4AeRb44-6-6Tjcp8fa0RYNhbMS3l0eY7HcREuJL5CQbweTTPSWhAczk5IWd-eInocomRXXHm8PZf_yov/s1600/DSCN1800.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDEFYkhlCarSv_TxRBBZzpI5EsMhbWIAMqlKrwIPsvjE53UYs9C8j_1v4gUdJO4AeRb44-6-6Tjcp8fa0RYNhbMS3l0eY7HcREuJL5CQbweTTPSWhAczk5IWd-eInocomRXXHm8PZf_yov/s320/DSCN1800.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585014002210699186" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I want to climb into this tree and read books and never leave. It looks so comfy.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div>mohsla01http://www.blogger.com/profile/00708045108407230182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8328545248809865248.post-33299506041994598532011-03-13T11:46:00.001-07:002011-03-13T12:16:01.343-07:00Shipka or bust!<div>I have done a crazy amount of traveling around Bulgaria lately! I will try to get all of it up in the next few days if I have time!</div><div><br /></div><div>March 3 is Bulgarian Independence Day! It commemorates the end of the rule of the Ottoman Empire in Bulgaria with the signing of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_Of_San_Stefano">Treaty of San Stefano</a>. To celebrate, my friend Hillary and I went to visit Shipka, a mountain pass where the Bulgarian and Russian soldiers fought together against the Ottoman soldiers. We were unable to make it to the Shipka Monument because it was snowing heavily, and there was no easily identifiable way to get from the town to the monument. But we did see the Memorial Church and wandered the town. Then, we spent the night in Kazanluk, a nearby town, where we were able to (finally!) see the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thracian_Tomb_of_Kazanlak">Thracian tomb</a> artifacts. All in all, it was an excellent way to spend two days. </div><div><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRUNsQh8mpqofL0hhtpaqopQNFkCoGVCVRLvI3A6WBUgoL7ojHa58Bee1vV0WdHxPviXKXV4pCuwqSvwDnXgS1AKYpNCdQlh_QPi8QG_IkPNkRgZlAvwVePBW0goKMH_6MXzUSKGmybqqt/s320/DSCN1750.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583639034805843570" /><div><div style="text-align: center;">Gorgeous building in the snow. So much snow!</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsmGAJLYVLKD7oi4GFjA-VY7xVfcKmo2kqszrWiIyCe_88llZFz5f4NQjqh8NoCmFg4al-WHcT2BjCGTKpuHwMsTrLVNhEJeB0ZHrHxEPBWjXBZrtEU0qPZo6KQUSdQ-FpXfZ_KT-ruP0k/s320/DSCN1756.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583639028167918050" /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Memorial Church</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7u5BRmocd0LH_4qt0oZsKMKzxKg1Bvh5hTdtD1Ck_55fMQkbUFWH-HzWDy8rDQKDlqzBc9_4fNsI_9wEYQ92ohRkX-bU5l8QCFhwXheKJY70qxaVAgKVm9rMPUcsuAa4UvCs-PWOdD01q/s320/DSCN1759.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583639022835860018" /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Me by a really cool statue of a kneeling woman.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdlE6Om3Jn6NZ8dpy-z0kAcQf-YWzlzAjBV60kJVHP_L_43CArYAydYQE0WbWTg4JhtM_YZh2UFo53rHaFXYKaXRKYvAaCtn8gI7qtBcJjNCyCdn9Jshoq-KDGPd-H_I5ay2fMCw5oPOUu/s320/DSCN1763.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583642279499175650" /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Graffiti drawing of the Shipka Monument</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj00PseshyphenhyphenT_JuFMtxMCNN3dITKTYSBkMl1HXFZxq39L0-XZNLcsOCQJqpHNL6u2aJVlh8W8T9-twaSVEkPdUmPBOfjgwgCqeiAfandlu_3dbnMDbUSxaPBX391fYbcraiKM9plGq6ypuk1/s320/DSCN1766.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583642267466027186" /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Entrance to the Thracian tomb exhibit!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikgIFMFSjyB8d_EQuPn4rTf5b2BKGUTHtePhgpS3Q09aMooe2LSy5r5AmHOafmlJJCGS_UKsptBtJxJ7Af-qZHy8N-fx4v0RfpZg9zSore8BFjg8hHMZKrDgwwi_l6R0pkw705UVKqpTNv/s1600/DSCN1768.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikgIFMFSjyB8d_EQuPn4rTf5b2BKGUTHtePhgpS3Q09aMooe2LSy5r5AmHOafmlJJCGS_UKsptBtJxJ7Af-qZHy8N-fx4v0RfpZg9zSore8BFjg8hHMZKrDgwwi_l6R0pkw705UVKqpTNv/s320/DSCN1768.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583643091792942786" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I made it!</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikgIFMFSjyB8d_EQuPn4rTf5b2BKGUTHtePhgpS3Q09aMooe2LSy5r5AmHOafmlJJCGS_UKsptBtJxJ7Af-qZHy8N-fx4v0RfpZg9zSore8BFjg8hHMZKrDgwwi_l6R0pkw705UVKqpTNv/s1600/DSCN1768.JPG"></a><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjETIGk4Off0HPiGBM1w4pSFzTPRcz5NBQ6NcPF6j4KvusCt_JsXYm4Mnr93en0zjJT4lRZVl0-lv5Z0CAZntS-RxSiINGrJuimzbeH8P0XYZB6C8Cq9oPkdlZQWj87hu8sFU-r_UtDzHJ7/s320/DSCN1767.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583642264812177682" /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Golden burial mask</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWuAgdyCmknvBpJQEWRikI1c2rZf1SQRAK1MhYzT4lt4d7s5Ai22-HPbyJjQnT6EW883B4HkJRqyDGe-1TyWxbes4rr9BAcDjX4cVLxMB4h9KAztxFIjd_9sL9uib4dSUf3Z25AG7iKNJC/s1600/DSCN1769.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWuAgdyCmknvBpJQEWRikI1c2rZf1SQRAK1MhYzT4lt4d7s5Ai22-HPbyJjQnT6EW883B4HkJRqyDGe-1TyWxbes4rr9BAcDjX4cVLxMB4h9KAztxFIjd_9sL9uib4dSUf3Z25AG7iKNJC/s320/DSCN1769.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583643083559840690" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Golden burial wreath. I would like one of these when I die, please. :)</div>mohsla01http://www.blogger.com/profile/00708045108407230182noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8328545248809865248.post-16583111019319190842011-03-01T07:21:00.001-08:002011-03-01T08:06:53.418-08:00Честита Баба Марта!<div>Today is the day of Baba Marta (Granny March), and it celebrates the first day of spring. It was bitterly cold here in Stara Zagora, but at least for the time being, there are no signs of snow. In Bulgaria, it is tradition to give out bracelets made of red and white yarn or thread on Baba Marta as symbols of luck, prosperity, and health. I bought mine from an actual baba (granny) on a street near my apartment and handed them out to my students. In return, I received quite a few bracelets. I only had one class today, but I managed to accumulate a sizable number of martenitsi (the bracelets). </div><div><br /></div><div>I have heard multiple stories of why people give martenitsi on the first of March, but my favorite story came from my ninth graders today. According to them, Khan Asparuh, the ruler of Bulgaria in the 600's, was forced to flee their homeland shortly after his father's death, leaving his sister and brother behind. He agreed to send a bird with a golden thread attached to its leg when he found a safe land. So he sent a falcon with a white thread, and they escaped to the river Danube to flee into Bulgaria. As they reached the river, the conquerors of their homeland spotted them and shot arrows at them. The arrow wounded them both and stained the thread red, but they made it across the river where they died in Asparuh's arms. Asparuh tied the thread on his arm as a prayer to grandmother March to show mercy in the future. These days, the white has come to symbolize purity and the Virgin Mary, and the red symbolizes the blood of life and sacrifice to reflect the change to Christianity. After receiving the martenitsi, you wait and tie them on t<span class="Apple-style-span" >h</span>e trees as they <span class="Apple-style-span" >b</span>egan to bloom.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Честита Баба Марта! Happy Granny March!</span></span></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_OZZwkRLhdf9QUNSoi0k2PxQ9tnJXioT8nJRfGZ5tcGptduyeYvidN6WfnLdT4DEJyA4coAIPdzaE4-0i-E7DwPz0HrNQd9YFqfOW0cSk2ieKJTc0HYCotDgjPve6q87umnenuBA9RycC/s1600/DSCN1745.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_OZZwkRLhdf9QUNSoi0k2PxQ9tnJXioT8nJRfGZ5tcGptduyeYvidN6WfnLdT4DEJyA4coAIPdzaE4-0i-E7DwPz0HrNQd9YFqfOW0cSk2ieKJTc0HYCotDgjPve6q87umnenuBA9RycC/s320/DSCN1745.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579132373497347874" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">My martenitsi!</div>mohsla01http://www.blogger.com/profile/00708045108407230182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8328545248809865248.post-70229864667000338722011-02-28T02:27:00.000-08:002011-02-28T02:35:32.794-08:00Flying<div>I went flying today. Unfortunately, humans don't fly very well, especially when the flying is accidental. I tripped over my own two feet while running downhill and was airborne to the vast amusement of the nearby construction workers. I actually think bemused is a better word to describe their reaction. They were confused at the sight of someone running in this cold weather and then doubly confused when, out of nowhere, I went sprawling. Luckily, I'm no stranger to tripping over my own feet, and I managed to land well. Other than some minor scraping on my hands and knee, I'm just fine. </div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiggUHcePdTZuq-EunNJ3l0zlJu2Fl0FEdKozKndik4wXP69kUxA-DvB9o405Dt6zaCLEjsYnH2kBorIahpdqrWVYIyD-5ZIdYzedj8A5ZRcd7IoiidbJgPdrt7bzvrNp8Y6Ype5npDfMiM/s1600/DSCN1743.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiggUHcePdTZuq-EunNJ3l0zlJu2Fl0FEdKozKndik4wXP69kUxA-DvB9o405Dt6zaCLEjsYnH2kBorIahpdqrWVYIyD-5ZIdYzedj8A5ZRcd7IoiidbJgPdrt7bzvrNp8Y6Ype5npDfMiM/s320/DSCN1743.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578686164364021698" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">My battle scars before I used the ENORMOUS first aid kit my mom sent with me to clean and bandage my scrapes. See? Not so bad. I've done way worse. :)</div>mohsla01http://www.blogger.com/profile/00708045108407230182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8328545248809865248.post-41642892720127314312011-02-24T10:38:00.000-08:002011-02-24T10:47:44.782-08:00Ninth Graders Make the World Go RoundAlthough my ninth graders can, at times, being the most obnoxious human beings I've ever encountered - punching each other, throwing chairs, screaming obscenities - I find that I am rather fond of them. Most of the time when they get out of control, it is because they've been forced to sit down for too long. At my school, students do not change classrooms every period. Instead, the teachers move from room to room while the students stay put. As a result, my students end up bored and restless in their room, especially the ninth graders. But, despite all this, I adore them. Why? Because they are the funniest human beings I have run across to date. We are currently doing improv theatre, and this week, they had to act out fairy tales as quickly as they could (they were supposed to be five minute fairy tales, but most ended up taking ten to fifteen minutes because my students wanted to include every single detail they could remember). In addition to a wide variety of fairy tales that differed from class to class, all three classes chose to put on Snow White. All three classes took a completely different approach to the fairy tale, and all three classes were absolutely hilarious. In one class, the dwarfs had me rolling with an improvised song and dance. In another class, it was the overly enthusiastic prince who spouted off an improv monologue despite the fact that I've barely heard him speak in English all year. All in all, my ninth graders have made this week amazing. Sometimes, they really do make the world go round and get me through a week. :)mohsla01http://www.blogger.com/profile/00708045108407230182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8328545248809865248.post-2866897963768567422011-02-22T13:06:00.000-08:002011-02-22T13:27:45.901-08:00The Ugly Side of GradingI was down and out last week with some mystery virus. At first, I thought it was the flu that is going around, but after talking with my mom, I'm not sure it was actually flu. It was similar but not quite the same. I should know. I caught two different strains of flu last year, one of which landed me in the hospital (for about two hours for IV fluids because I got dehydrated because every time I tried to drink fluids, I started coughing, which set off my gag reflex. I know. I'm a mess). Anyway, so, I've labelled it a mystery virus, but for the ease of conversation, I just tell people I had the flu last week. As a result of "the flu," I slept for almost three days straight. Now my sleep schedule is all wonky. I've been working on getting it straightened out, but I have this unnerving new habit of taking four hour naps in the middle of the day. And by habit, I mean that it happened to me once. Today. But it was while I was supposed to be grading papers. And while I was napping, Mark kept trying to get a hold of me because he has strep and woke up at 3am to find that his tongue and cheek had swollen up, and he was freaking out. I found all this out after I finally woke up several hours later. Worst girlfriend ever. Anyway, now I'm having problems falling asleep. So, I thought I'd chime in with an update.<div><br /></div><div>I've been grading White Fang papers this week, and it sucks. It's not because all of the essays suck. Actually, very few of them outright suck. Most of my students who would turn in sucky essays just don't bother turning in any essays. But I have decided that it really sucks to grade essays because sometimes you have to make heartbreaking decisions. I'm too nice to teach. Those of you who know me are laughing at the fact that I just called myself nice, but it's true. </div><div><br /></div><div>They had to respond to a prompt in 800-1000 words. That's about three pages, double-spaced. If they got anywhere near 800, I gave it to them. Most of my students are used to writing essays that are no longer than 300 words. Maybe 450 if the teacher is pushing them. And I asked them to write 800 words. I know. I'm a horrible person. But I really believe that my students a) are capable of this and b) really need to be pushed to do this. The only way to fully develop your thoughts in writing is to write longer essays. I had a college professor who told us that it takes at least eight pages to fully develop a coherent idea and thesis. My students are not in college. I know that. I don't expect them to write at that level. But I did want to push them to experience writing something that is longer. In order to help them write their essays, I held three in-class workshops that discussed, at length, how to brainstorm ideas in order to respond to the prompt, how to organize an essay, how to write topic sentences, how to write a thesis, and how to write citations. My students were given all the information they needed to know in order to attempt an essay.</div><div><br /></div><div>Which leads me to the heart break part. The essay has to respond to a specific prompt. Today, I graded a paper that was 1,140 words. Well past the limit. But only 420 words focused on the prompt, and those 420 words had no thesis. The rest of the essay was really well written, but it was an in-depth passage analysis of a passage from White Fang and had nothing to do with the prompt at all. All of my students were supposed to turn in rough drafts, which I wrote all over and gave back to them. This specific student never turned in a rough draft. If she had, she might have been able to transform her essay. Instead, I gave her a C, and I only gave her the C because she had obviously worked really hard on the passage analysis. But I really, really wanted to give her an A for effort. Unfortunately, I don't think that giving out A's for effort helps anyone. </div>mohsla01http://www.blogger.com/profile/00708045108407230182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8328545248809865248.post-40347289284723807892011-02-22T08:57:00.000-08:002011-02-22T08:58:15.549-08:00Listening to...<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5CUHHGlQg0">This</a>mohsla01http://www.blogger.com/profile/00708045108407230182noreply@blogger.com0