So....it's been a while! As I think about the last time I wrote, it was quite a while ago. I will just quickly recap what I have been doing since then.
Istanbul, Turkey: We had a three day weekend, so some friends and I jumped on a plane to Istanbul. It was a pretty cool experience. I enjoyed Istanbul, but again I was amazed at how many people there were there!!! We got to see pretty much all the sites and it was nothing that I had every experienced before. I had never been to a Mosque, so that was pretty cool to see and be inside. Also, the call to prayer during the day was another different experience for me. Also, we got to experience and learn about Agia Sophia. Agia Sophia started out as a church, but then it got converted into a Mosque and then now it is a museum and it looks like a Mosque/Church. It still baffles me how many fights and wars are because of religion. I wouldn't say I am a religious person, but I try to live like Jesus would and to live a just and respectful life. Anyways, tt was pretty cool to be able to see Agia Sophia and learn about the history of it. Also, the Grand Bazaar was pretty cool. I bought a lot of stuff and spend a lot of money-but when in Istanbul....:) (I lived that saying up in Rome :) )
Spring Break: A friend and I took a 10 day journey around Italy. That country is pretty amazing!!! We started on the Amalfi Coast in Positano. This place was really quite neat. The buildings and houses are all stacked on the hill side and it goes up the side of a cliff. My favorite thing we did here was find the hike The Path of The Gods. I love hiking! I love being outside in nature and getting to experience natural beauty!!! To get to the hike we rode in mini bus up the mountain, which was another cool experience, and then we hiked along the mountain and then back down the mountain. The sea view was amazing!! Also, during this visit we took a boat ride to a smaller island, Capri Island. Although the boat ride was a little chilly, it was still a very nice day tour of the sea and the island of Capri.
After Positano, we went to Rome, which was another amazing city! So many museums and amazing things to see!! Good thing I had my Rick Steves' guide to help us know where to go and what we were seeing. Also, we stumbled upon the Pope giving The Holy Thursday Service at the Vatican. This also was pretty cool. ;)
Then we were off to Florence for a couple of days. I liked this city a little more than Rome because it was a little smaller and not quite as busy, although it was still pretty busy. I also ran around the city and got to see different parts of the city that weren't as touristy-which is something I always enjoy!
Next, we went to Venice for a day. My expectations of Venice were quite different than the realit of it. I thought that Venice would be a small quiet city with not too many people, and boy I was wrong!!! The city was filled and filled with people. The only time I had the city to myself was at 7:00am during my run.
The tour around Italy was a great trip but I was also glad to back home and back to my daily life. Although, I get tired of my routine-I really do like my every day life. :)
Let's see...what else has happened...
My first triathlon of the season was last week. It went well, although I felt like it should have been easier than it really was. It was a sprint distance, but for some reason I was exhausted during it!! I did train straight through the race, so this could have been a factor and also I am increasing my running milage from being injured for a month and a half-so this is probably another factor.
Although I won the race, sometimes I am not satisfied with a win. Sometimes I would rather get second or third place, but know that I did my best and that I left it all out on the course. With this race, I feel like I should have been more competitive and have given it more. Until the next competition...
School is starting to wind down and I can't believe that my first year is almost over!!!!! I feel like at the beginning, time couldn't move fast enough, but now it is moving too fast!!! I am really going to miss my class. They are such an awesome group of kids! They are just great and I always enjoy seeing them and coming to school!!
So...Greece...There are still some things that I don't understand about this country-for example, the next two Fridays and Mondays we don't have school because of the Greek Elections. So the theory is that they shut down the schools, because these are voting sites and they need to prepare for the voting. In Salt Lake, we had school and people voted at our school at the same time. In Hawaii, they would shut down the schools that are voting sights, but here in Greece, they shut down all schools. Our school is not a voting site...I mean I am a little glad to have a break, but at the same time there is always so much to do at the end of the year and now we have four less days to get everything done!
Speaking of school, I have enjoyed my first year at ACS, but I still miss my old school. I miss the organization and knowing what to expect and what to do. Even at the end of the year there are new things that pop up and I still feel as though I am in the dark. I am hopeful that next year will run smoother.
So..since the next two weekends are four days weekend, some friends and I are going to Zakynthos this weekend and then next weekend we are going to Milos (some Greek Islands). I am looking forward to these island trips, but I feel like I have so much to do for the end of the school year. Hopefully I will just be able to relax once I get there :)
My summer plans are also starting to shape up. School ends June 18, and then I plan on working the summer camp that my school has for a couple of weeks and then hopefully some of my old co-workers from Utah are coming to visit. I hope they make it this year, but if not this year than next year for sure. Then my sister is coming to visit for two weeks in July and then I am going home for basically all of August. When I moved to Greece, I decided that I wasn't going to go home and instead spend my time traveling, but that idea changed. One of my best friends from high school is getting married and I just can't miss that wedding. I am so excited for her!!! Also, it'll be nice to see my family and friends. I am used to spending 3 months in Hawaii each year, but 1 month will have to do. I am looking forward to my trip home and seeing all of my friends!!! Just like my Utah life, I really enjoy my Hawaii life and also enjoy my Greek life!!!
Anyways, I think that's about it. I have been struggling again with the training vs. traveling dilemma. If anyone has any thoughts I'd love to hear them!
Thanks for reading!! I miss you guys sooo much, but thanks for keeping up with me :)
Carly
Some of the kids in my class. We study hard and we party hard!!
Venice, Italy :)
Florence, Italy
The Vatican, Italy
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| Outside Agia Sophia, Turkey. |
The Spanish Steps, Italy
Positano, Italy
Inside Agia Sophia, Turkey
