tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287081859268190392024-03-06T00:05:03.861-08:00Nickeleah Abroadnickeleahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559803438561537380noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428708185926819039.post-54625141246850003092011-05-28T14:21:00.001-07:002011-05-28T14:21:03.559-07:00VancoooooverTraveling again, friends, but this time with company! The very best company, too. Field and I just landed and are waiting in line at customs. The line is incredibly long but the Internet is strong and free, so I'm taking advantage of it.<br /><br />The agenda today is to go to the top of the lookout tower and then have dinner on the English bay, where the sunsets are supposed to be amazing. Can't wait to see the hotel! It looked really nice online. <br /><br />Hopefully I'll have some pictures to post. At the rate this line is moving, we're not sure we'll see much more than the airport today. <br /><br /><br /><br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Yep&z=10'>Yep</a></p>nickeleahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559803438561537380noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428708185926819039.post-76748746686254425832011-02-10T11:02:00.001-08:002011-02-10T14:54:05.741-08:00Day 3Today was the grand finale of the workshop. All 8 students presented their work at the end of the day, and they turned out really nicely. There was one that I thought was especially good, and I'm going to try and post it here if I can. It might be too big, though. (UPDATE: It was.)<div><br /></div><div>I feel like it was such a privilege to be able to connect with some people here and help them through the process of creating a digital story. I love the fact that I got to know some Norwegians - that's better than seeing all of the sights, right? </div><div><br /></div><div>Tonight, Joe, Robin and I went to dinner at a place called The Nighthawk Diner - it's modeled after the classic American diner. I had a BLT that didn't taste like any BLT I've ever had before, but it was very good. Just different.</div><div><br /></div><div>Tomorrow I'm going home and while I'm sad to say goodbye, I've no regrets about leaving behind the Norwegian Kroner. I forgot to give the shocking detail in my last post that the four beers I bought last night (2 for me, 2 for Joe) cost $50. And we were drinking local beer, too, which is usually less expensive than the imported stuff.</div><div><br /></div><div>And now for some random photos of the past few days.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQ50BbyF6lKISF5Qn1IzOuxeV2lmKR14Ufr9vuGMGKvqgDuwORWosVywpBhyphenhyphenFDbOcZTJvXfElr-yp7JRBUTSfYfFKINyl9DwMTJ19ENAajnte-Do7DqdlqxBK_wdgJNoW_DmIUd6zdr1p/s1600/IMG_3232.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQ50BbyF6lKISF5Qn1IzOuxeV2lmKR14Ufr9vuGMGKvqgDuwORWosVywpBhyphenhyphenFDbOcZTJvXfElr-yp7JRBUTSfYfFKINyl9DwMTJ19ENAajnte-Do7DqdlqxBK_wdgJNoW_DmIUd6zdr1p/s320/IMG_3232.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572197527910870818" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBs0aWe2ZQfWZ1_DpdA65nhXZHBbknJnMW_eQ-lu25NlTGWLUAMinG5GTr1wHAOLDDGgQameczZmCkFqNILYaEM_JVvMonTbX28Rnpg9iAR44ZFeLHeVXCIcX5D7NwAad5Lrl_BQEJNfM7/s1600/IMG_4197.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBs0aWe2ZQfWZ1_DpdA65nhXZHBbknJnMW_eQ-lu25NlTGWLUAMinG5GTr1wHAOLDDGgQameczZmCkFqNILYaEM_JVvMonTbX28Rnpg9iAR44ZFeLHeVXCIcX5D7NwAad5Lrl_BQEJNfM7/s320/IMG_4197.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572197221528186130" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpHKk26YqiOS9DDzSeS31sMQcj8xJtul8hx0QtxQ_w53pFI4SpUD7twvBSBt9m3yTMKH42O4oCRgg26GQfiQbV6P5V1Ph_va1yuV6wWWWHD0nTYgrOn-NoHnPdtKBF5x7KzKuRpIES933S/s1600/IMG_4227.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpHKk26YqiOS9DDzSeS31sMQcj8xJtul8hx0QtxQ_w53pFI4SpUD7twvBSBt9m3yTMKH42O4oCRgg26GQfiQbV6P5V1Ph_va1yuV6wWWWHD0nTYgrOn-NoHnPdtKBF5x7KzKuRpIES933S/s320/IMG_4227.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572197214500316994" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8cl_XfoVYo7xz70jaAU5-JKzwI-lRUJ1qqCILYIoRPYlFpRSACrI__xo3gjyViy_DG1BfdRhmpWZWTDfjV_U88r5u4tKAZawCG2kzcuqr6cTTZ-VvAETVbripfFvS8V1bsjFMIObPvute/s1600/IMG_3250.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8cl_XfoVYo7xz70jaAU5-JKzwI-lRUJ1qqCILYIoRPYlFpRSACrI__xo3gjyViy_DG1BfdRhmpWZWTDfjV_U88r5u4tKAZawCG2kzcuqr6cTTZ-VvAETVbripfFvS8V1bsjFMIObPvute/s320/IMG_3250.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572197206503450994" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQc-XW4HePEdZ9gkIsawz7Gfxo577wPE3IwlcRZByOtWW_Uys8v_mzXbyGPF7rlDaYTYRERha341edr8Ww48bbUS-m4hvwCXh5CoHwTKSB6uGIYJ1ZkVHqRvGQRU6aqhZBGquXlWB15Cgx/s1600/IMG_4207.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQc-XW4HePEdZ9gkIsawz7Gfxo577wPE3IwlcRZByOtWW_Uys8v_mzXbyGPF7rlDaYTYRERha341edr8Ww48bbUS-m4hvwCXh5CoHwTKSB6uGIYJ1ZkVHqRvGQRU6aqhZBGquXlWB15Cgx/s320/IMG_4207.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572197225987175186" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div> </div>nickeleahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559803438561537380noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428708185926819039.post-32902011126439406842011-02-10T06:40:00.000-08:002011-02-10T08:58:32.496-08:00Day 2 (a day late)I have a couple of minutes so I'm going to try and sum up yesterday. Mostly, I just want to share some pictures.<div><br /></div><div>The two remaining students showed up, so Joe caught them up to speed and I stayed busy recording the voiceovers. We took a 2-hour lunch so that we could visit the famous sculpture garden (and stayed on an hour later). It was a beautiful day and the light was perfect. Norway is a winter wonderland.</div><div><br /></div><div>After the workshop, Joe and I wandered through downtown to see the sights. We hoped to find something to eat, and thought we had when we found a pub. As it turned out, it was the type that doesn't serve food, but we were too tired to move, and since we'd had a late lunch, we decided beer for dinner was just as well. Robin joined us again, and we had a fun evening.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic0besR52hNNsSf-zKNHm0m1NBCv_mp-qnLKEIQZk4uLN54hKgjiADhFtUb-sQfk94JAgAn9S_Sz7sULDlI8t2-BDCNzqfiVDTLTWmy5cK_zNPXaYyql_BLxcVY-1PbZzWLbqLxIxSHqiD/s1600/IMG_3180.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic0besR52hNNsSf-zKNHm0m1NBCv_mp-qnLKEIQZk4uLN54hKgjiADhFtUb-sQfk94JAgAn9S_Sz7sULDlI8t2-BDCNzqfiVDTLTWmy5cK_zNPXaYyql_BLxcVY-1PbZzWLbqLxIxSHqiD/s320/IMG_3180.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572104902830180434" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiIQWm0WvkTEdzqN8t4EIDBqFu6GvoK7U6fwzRMNyQPfFsq9lvbPa2tFRke2dLTLXertlUFt7IaQBaVqHtv8na94lK9q-iEZiYOes1aRjkTE0k7sW-7h4E-cl8j4cjpcmhCeLynUTcJ28x/s1600/IMG_3230.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiIQWm0WvkTEdzqN8t4EIDBqFu6GvoK7U6fwzRMNyQPfFsq9lvbPa2tFRke2dLTLXertlUFt7IaQBaVqHtv8na94lK9q-iEZiYOes1aRjkTE0k7sW-7h4E-cl8j4cjpcmhCeLynUTcJ28x/s320/IMG_3230.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572104900585282258" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZGoThnAfx546Km0GQNm1aHRhaRMYsKF2w2t2hIyhv-26XwfYrLmXLjzqLP73v0IJDwEjqBipaelAeRUwaOScWmDQL7uLzES2-z4hkYtd8QXNudBMEeJi2INYZ29VAWsZ1bQ3sYuOQQPG/s1600/IMG_3205.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZGoThnAfx546Km0GQNm1aHRhaRMYsKF2w2t2hIyhv-26XwfYrLmXLjzqLP73v0IJDwEjqBipaelAeRUwaOScWmDQL7uLzES2-z4hkYtd8QXNudBMEeJi2INYZ29VAWsZ1bQ3sYuOQQPG/s320/IMG_3205.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572104899784982514" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb1kwLwhcLcGdxFoPqyCYd1BBW7sVXfk8-qS0NAlxLeJW-Jvx2lfiA7NpOgnJzyqZcWWhhSlb2tB8OFqjy8JkMUFyaxuEo7ZLHd4aZ7XMckHBVVYHj8J1tfivTTSpoD2luzAIzgo1gXW_X/s1600/IMG_3244.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb1kwLwhcLcGdxFoPqyCYd1BBW7sVXfk8-qS0NAlxLeJW-Jvx2lfiA7NpOgnJzyqZcWWhhSlb2tB8OFqjy8JkMUFyaxuEo7ZLHd4aZ7XMckHBVVYHj8J1tfivTTSpoD2luzAIzgo1gXW_X/s320/IMG_3244.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572105683315898962" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRFWpQ_0EkLtne5szp690qkMexgdDi52w7nIN1WUpnIupyvCI2R-TNpLhf0CpnkR7j-s9SZpUIFVq9XnPEVFCJt1Zyk7iktle7FTddb11jy90TiVzVp5YDA2J8dWb2yUmuEoqpuJktJH-x/s1600/IMG_3239.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRFWpQ_0EkLtne5szp690qkMexgdDi52w7nIN1WUpnIupyvCI2R-TNpLhf0CpnkR7j-s9SZpUIFVq9XnPEVFCJt1Zyk7iktle7FTddb11jy90TiVzVp5YDA2J8dWb2yUmuEoqpuJktJH-x/s320/IMG_3239.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572105676977517474" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb1kwLwhcLcGdxFoPqyCYd1BBW7sVXfk8-qS0NAlxLeJW-Jvx2lfiA7NpOgnJzyqZcWWhhSlb2tB8OFqjy8JkMUFyaxuEo7ZLHd4aZ7XMckHBVVYHj8J1tfivTTSpoD2luzAIzgo1gXW_X/s1600/IMG_3244.JPG"></a><br /><br /></div>nickeleahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559803438561537380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428708185926819039.post-19022844338967716862011-02-08T14:16:00.000-08:002011-02-08T14:32:06.371-08:00Day 1 of workshopToday started out badly, but ended well. My phone/alarm clock went dead overnight and I didn't wake up until 8am. I was supposed to meet Joe at his hotel at 8:30am. Somehow, I made it in time (which included finding his hotel). I suspect that my hyper speed was motivated by a fear of trying to make my way alone to the University. Knut Lundby, a professor of communication and one of the keynote speakers at the conference, showed us the way by train. The University of Oslo campus is attractive, modern, and covered in snow. It wasn't very cold, either - strangely enough, it was over 30 degrees here and only 6 degrees in Denver. Not what I was expecting!<div><br /></div><div>Only 6 out of 8 students showed up for the workshop. It was a good group, though, and by the end of the day all had made good progress on their stories. Afterwards, Joe and I met up with Knut and one of his colleagues at a restaurant that is in the opera house. It was beautiful - clean design, everything white, with fire and light creating a warm, comfortable atmosphere. Cod is in seasons so I had it - delicious - and afterwards we walked around the roof of the opera house and enjoyed views of the city. </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiN_Bgo7Sye0bM4YD1iV_rYSIftJaDLdUFkJHarGOiDvXAFvKnAqgbjl1jbrfEEIZNq-EPbqV6a5LgVsuFtFrLWDMm3jUNn9TooYOBEdkow6XNQw2j4MxRmIDriFRpFKiuGBv7hDcoLjUC/s1600/IMG_3123.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiN_Bgo7Sye0bM4YD1iV_rYSIftJaDLdUFkJHarGOiDvXAFvKnAqgbjl1jbrfEEIZNq-EPbqV6a5LgVsuFtFrLWDMm3jUNn9TooYOBEdkow6XNQw2j4MxRmIDriFRpFKiuGBv7hDcoLjUC/s320/IMG_3123.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571448333439133234" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjORHJ1EKRpEuIpLoKFdsoOP9uk_NPpg2g5DNv4CWdRq39qOlmg1zVcTp-WjnwlC95yq9UQGBKujDQELVJ1TBMEWno8-Bm2GgrOHXTyRTxg5UkuLUTM4GpSqfmBY6j1oZyOFOms35Gw8vwX/s1600/IMG_3119.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjORHJ1EKRpEuIpLoKFdsoOP9uk_NPpg2g5DNv4CWdRq39qOlmg1zVcTp-WjnwlC95yq9UQGBKujDQELVJ1TBMEWno8-Bm2GgrOHXTyRTxg5UkuLUTM4GpSqfmBY6j1oZyOFOms35Gw8vwX/s320/IMG_3119.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571448325922904546" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBR_4cm5ufIvH0DRJw3at3nGFJo_Wml81RBl-CBnscGcOda8EZLtxbDh5eoBY9gDIpKlQ0jDdi6FE-TUr3qusotykr54HyPYbdAqw890hel5642E5fxsr1CcMIRDf_4kbiZ89YNRLoSD-/s1600/IMG_3151.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBR_4cm5ufIvH0DRJw3at3nGFJo_Wml81RBl-CBnscGcOda8EZLtxbDh5eoBY9gDIpKlQ0jDdi6FE-TUr3qusotykr54HyPYbdAqw890hel5642E5fxsr1CcMIRDf_4kbiZ89YNRLoSD-/s320/IMG_3151.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571448338944386754" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div>nickeleahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559803438561537380noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428708185926819039.post-37945098105952131312011-02-07T10:28:00.000-08:002011-02-07T10:48:38.705-08:00Reindeer!The conference ended today at noon, and afterwards I went with a group, guided by kind Lillehammer native and conference organizer Per, and we walked around the open air museum. It's kind of like Old Town in Burlington, only Norwegian. We got an unexpected treat - there was a woman there with a little herd of 5 reindeer. Apparently it's her gig; she mostly keeps them further north but takes them on the road occasionally for cultural events, school visits, etc. They shed their antlers and grow new ones every year, so we saw them in various phases of head adornment.<div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM155VtXu6dig_gXkGbEkg-LnjWm09_jt75QKC54F0TGUYmVvMPh6wks57FV5BOz1NHbhRC5eJzLx891NH0kHnHxQDRk0mQE80slTiugqJqqHqbE8VD0ByKM_XHsSoewyOjpw62-_ibaXT/s1600/IMG_3078.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM155VtXu6dig_gXkGbEkg-LnjWm09_jt75QKC54F0TGUYmVvMPh6wks57FV5BOz1NHbhRC5eJzLx891NH0kHnHxQDRk0mQE80slTiugqJqqHqbE8VD0ByKM_XHsSoewyOjpw62-_ibaXT/s320/IMG_3078.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571019952537401874" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucytAKJbf3P4VIbLdxlPkmqQbWczmQOiLy11MjTEV08AfcFyolJ5ZsgFG6_FKqVEfKVkhrnRwcHPTcPQ779nnS89jmLm4Gq68Twt9WTB3WW6Qn1Wy4KZ4KZcCaU7IDHJkN-7jjzF3zcVq/s1600/IMG_3071.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucytAKJbf3P4VIbLdxlPkmqQbWczmQOiLy11MjTEV08AfcFyolJ5ZsgFG6_FKqVEfKVkhrnRwcHPTcPQ779nnS89jmLm4Gq68Twt9WTB3WW6Qn1Wy4KZ4KZcCaU7IDHJkN-7jjzF3zcVq/s320/IMG_3071.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571019585534583506" style="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><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_1D_4rthImoT0-0DON6FkfRnYZYBrOxHlCPrfVUQxhL3_cxa8hPbDjmwcxRmOnsHBiUQoopWvdie4y0AGqZQlv7rW7ycPf_oC9ugYf1AFD9iMuzNXCWfhJ2-A0Hex-wfJWXlbMOsT2XB/s1600/IMG_3094.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_1D_4rthImoT0-0DON6FkfRnYZYBrOxHlCPrfVUQxhL3_cxa8hPbDjmwcxRmOnsHBiUQoopWvdie4y0AGqZQlv7rW7ycPf_oC9ugYf1AFD9iMuzNXCWfhJ2-A0Hex-wfJWXlbMOsT2XB/s320/IMG_3094.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571021099277959282" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHNv07Kc67rRSN-FBIDwkZirEzzmcCutwrfggfl__jzoT-lKoFrFNWWKoHo-GDOL1i8Vl4LvkiOPY54vQV7lQyH8JGzZkvBm229sMGsgkEfP6KJ_PfbtvwWUmCwOa3dNYMolfCXZmFuFne/s1600/IMG_3091.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHNv07Kc67rRSN-FBIDwkZirEzzmcCutwrfggfl__jzoT-lKoFrFNWWKoHo-GDOL1i8Vl4LvkiOPY54vQV7lQyH8JGzZkvBm229sMGsgkEfP6KJ_PfbtvwWUmCwOa3dNYMolfCXZmFuFne/s320/IMG_3091.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571021106790635650" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Last night was a memorable evening. We were treated to a very nice, 3-course dinner, complete with entertainment. When I saw it was a saxophone player, I cringed a little, but he was really good. He uses an old recording device to loop what he's playing, allowing him to build layers throughout the song.</div><div><br /></div><div>A miracle occurred when I got to Oslo. I found my hotel - accidentally. I had written down careful directions based on Google maps, but the train station was huge and by the time I found an exit I had no idea where I was. For once, my decision to just start walking and see what I found worked in my favor. It was snowing pretty heavily - still is - so unfortunately I didn't get to walk around and explore a little. I'm not feeling super great tonight anyway, though, so probably for the best. I couldn't sleep last night, partly because I was wired and partly because the halls of the hotel were pretty noisy. Some of the Americans stayed up until 3am watching the Super Bowl.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTU6OHdU0K3j8VjzkDQ1woFTbRm2X054fhLge8WfoUITzsQsGIhZ4nVg_2XF4cXqiJkpcUeLryHskhjoaerZu_SongU_CJBC2eu0NcOhq2d4OTGQMcY-E2SkalpaFP4wppnF__D01E-1_o/s1600/IMG_3101.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTU6OHdU0K3j8VjzkDQ1woFTbRm2X054fhLge8WfoUITzsQsGIhZ4nVg_2XF4cXqiJkpcUeLryHskhjoaerZu_SongU_CJBC2eu0NcOhq2d4OTGQMcY-E2SkalpaFP4wppnF__D01E-1_o/s320/IMG_3101.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571020421330897842" style="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><div><br /></div><div>Tomorrow I'm meeting Joe at his hotel and then we are heading to the University of Oslo to start the workshop. There are only 8 students in the class, so it should be a low-pressure situation. More soon!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#808080;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:11px;"><br /></span></span></div></div>nickeleahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559803438561537380noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428708185926819039.post-78274621628098058972011-02-06T04:17:00.000-08:002011-02-06T04:30:20.004-08:00No PhotosAll work and no play, let me tell you. I don't have a single photo to post because I haven't been outside the doors of the hotel.<div><br /></div><div>Ok, but I know that nobody feels sorry for me, nor should you. I've had the best salmon of my life two days in a row and have met people from all over the world. Most of the attendees are Norwegian, but there are also people here from Ireland, Portugal, Italy, Sweden, Iceland, Denmark, Australia, Canada, and a handful of us from the States. </div><div><br /></div><div>Yesterday the conference started with lunch and ended with a reception, with several presentations and one awkward ice breaker in between. Today there are a couple of big presentations, but mostly it is a day of smaller, topical sessions. It's been fascinating and inspiring to see the different ways that digital storytelling is being used. </div><div><br /></div><div>Joe put me to work selling his books during coffee breaks. He brought a box with him and doesn't want to fly them home. Since I'm sitting behind a table looking official, people assume that I can speak Norwegian. They are quickly disabused of that notion.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'll have more details later. For now, I need to find the room where the next breakout session is. Norwegian names are confusing . . . </div>nickeleahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559803438561537380noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428708185926819039.post-59474182632162352732011-02-04T05:23:00.001-08:002011-02-04T05:25:29.795-08:00FortuneI'm sure I'm not the first person to think of this, but airports could make a fortune if they rented little sleeping cubbies. You wouldn't even need much room, really - just a soundproof place with a clean blanket and pillowcase and a big alarm clock. They could charge anything they wanted, and desperate people like me would pay it.nickeleahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559803438561537380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428708185926819039.post-15921636860901999172011-02-03T15:44:00.001-08:002011-02-03T15:48:44.536-08:00NorwayOk, this is the second try at posting today. The first message I wrote disappeared, and since I'm running out of time before boarding, this will be brief.<div><br /></div><div>I'm traveling to Norway for a week. There is an international digital storytelling conference in Lillehammer from Feb 5-7 (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; color: rgb(14, 119, 74); line-height: 15px; ">lillehammer2011.wordpress.com/). </span></div><div><br /></div><div>Then from the 8-10 I'll be co-teaching a workshop at the University of Oslo with digital storytelling guru Joe Lambert. By "co-teaching" I mean "hanging around." I can't imagine he'll need my help, but it will be a good learning experience for me, and he was kind enough to extend the invitation.</div><div><br /></div><div>I won't be doing a lot of sightseeing, but will try to post anything interesting I can scrape together!</div>nickeleahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559803438561537380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428708185926819039.post-61541758457753754812010-12-11T05:58:00.000-08:002010-12-11T08:19:42.035-08:00Home Again<div style="text-align: left;">Well, friends, I am home. The return trip was blessedly uneventful. My last night in Europe was spent at the Sofitel in Athens, in what is the most comfortable bed I have ever experienced. I was only sorry I didn't have more time to enjoy it.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI5OYQiWPeEqPfXNuG2fPuS8Wsk8oT9tvCKOeFhX26BDb_hH72bDKY-nD82ePduQHYDUgfzwu2os4rb2rLCra5gEXu0vZ5CzKanLfKjVlahVxHWj5OJ49Z81tNh3GcN9z0Drli2j0M18d6/s1600/IMG_2905.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI5OYQiWPeEqPfXNuG2fPuS8Wsk8oT9tvCKOeFhX26BDb_hH72bDKY-nD82ePduQHYDUgfzwu2os4rb2rLCra5gEXu0vZ5CzKanLfKjVlahVxHWj5OJ49Z81tNh3GcN9z0Drli2j0M18d6/s320/IMG_2905.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549424470479314002" style="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><div><br /></div><div>Once again I transferred through Frankfurt. This time I was struck by how much closer to home it felt, in comparison to Greece. There is more English and the feel is more <i>west</i> than mediterranean, if that makes sense. When I passed through on my way to Rome it felt completely foreign, so I guess my point of reference changed somewhere in those two weeks.</div><div><br /></div><div>The flight from Frankfurt to Denver was 10 1/2 hours. That's the longest single flight I've ever experienced. It was something. I happened to be sitting behind Baby Row, so was thankful that I only had myself to worry about and not an infant as well.</div><div><br /></div><div>And what a glorious sight awaited me in Denver! Mom, driving Dora, with Rosie in the seat next to her, sporting a fetching little Christmas collar. I'm thankful for the opportunity to travel and happy, happy to be home. </div><div><br /></div><div>Merry Christmas!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOWEAg4BRwccv3spYM7RYQlhL7lVdlCE49Ypv6VOBoz6T6V91BEH3LWKBuvNX1Lp5OnXBshTXm7BUX8DnBK0zv513Jo2qq5ucIpbbxExGcch6OxAESfZIP_gtLA4Xe8ZEtC-TYxr52WjDz/s1600/IMG_2914.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOWEAg4BRwccv3spYM7RYQlhL7lVdlCE49Ypv6VOBoz6T6V91BEH3LWKBuvNX1Lp5OnXBshTXm7BUX8DnBK0zv513Jo2qq5ucIpbbxExGcch6OxAESfZIP_gtLA4Xe8ZEtC-TYxr52WjDz/s320/IMG_2914.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549459802583596562" style="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><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>nickeleahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559803438561537380noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428708185926819039.post-74443842439158477822010-12-08T08:47:00.001-08:002010-12-09T08:33:53.666-08:00The Little Car That Could<p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSNEsjNLQQjFxMRU0XlZN23Ii2EUFMifROsHyhD__bNe5QJHl-KXYLqAPSor_UR7wMam9P2m97WE7RZDSnIQ75t9fhxCbTWcEytdlkjs37TvD3sW8CLhsX0PO0KEVQ_-kQaUAV5LdBrYkG/s1600/photo+1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548376011397595586" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSNEsjNLQQjFxMRU0XlZN23Ii2EUFMifROsHyhD__bNe5QJHl-KXYLqAPSor_UR7wMam9P2m97WE7RZDSnIQ75t9fhxCbTWcEytdlkjs37TvD3sW8CLhsX0PO0KEVQ_-kQaUAV5LdBrYkG/s320/photo+1.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><br />Can you believe they just turned me loose with a rental car? Yikes! After my initial nerves, I had a really fun time. The hotel owner gave me a map and itinerary but of course I got lost right off the bat and ended up seeing the third place first, so after that i let go of any kind of plan and just kept driving. I don't think I've ever seen so many beautiful views in one day. This place is gorgeous!! And small, so it was pretty easy to do the tour in one day. I left the hotel at about 9:30 and got back around 6pm. I saw the sunset in Oia, which is the thing to do. Once again, I was accompanied by a cat.<br /><br />There's a nice couple from Venezuela staying at the hotel. They checked in last night and had the same plan today - to rent a car and see the sites. We ended up at the same place for lunch, so that tells you how small santorini is! The beach towns had an almost eery feel to them. They are deserted. I can imagine what it must be like in the summer. Exciting, I'm sure, but for my purposes I have really enjoyed the quiet and more relaxed atmosphere.<br /><br />I could say more, but I think I'll let the pictures do the rest of the talking.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVEcVAuYo7aCuzXjwoqNV2CQm7T9TcbfeZonS8bueDtWEQenAOQVUS-BxWCbtFV5qmNxha0l2oNmobPwnxjMz9gtssZCqr9PZKNa5GlfhrqXw28rX08n4WVEtpMYtvhGjDVvLtnyxROmVB/s1600/photo2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548719592250964642" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVEcVAuYo7aCuzXjwoqNV2CQm7T9TcbfeZonS8bueDtWEQenAOQVUS-BxWCbtFV5qmNxha0l2oNmobPwnxjMz9gtssZCqr9PZKNa5GlfhrqXw28rX08n4WVEtpMYtvhGjDVvLtnyxROmVB/s320/photo2.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></p><p align="center"> </p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBET5J1QtU9t92UPr_bM3cEq4sWggWUSU_NF802PEHe9iSk00x55wg33FU3QUjilrcHwvkpzkIJlwdUwQeoYQYTdrwi6ZwZMZtv7Z7gEbJRe46chqqTq94NlRFK7jqv7-jtKsihLJ8a34y/s1600/photo1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548719591192147010" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBET5J1QtU9t92UPr_bM3cEq4sWggWUSU_NF802PEHe9iSk00x55wg33FU3QUjilrcHwvkpzkIJlwdUwQeoYQYTdrwi6ZwZMZtv7Z7gEbJRe46chqqTq94NlRFK7jqv7-jtKsihLJ8a34y/s320/photo1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></p><br /><p align="center"> </p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548376015619431986" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGLXceFTbVs-8ASwEsPYNihlskuwbYfA-d0KITxtL-e80QYXF-dJPmmROQywVtJNWoF5-MCyc3mOtleei9pgOQ4joxq8wpPLakDQ-gIAA23pmP9RAGD_8VvjYUv7iK-7fDTTaQwzUaGslm/s320/photo+2.JPG" border="0" /><br /></p><p align="center"> </p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMHugsxo4latKkGb1LsklGdia4cA9C2tZT3FWYokdXonArEFCEO47r1YCxostJX1lU2PqAOnTu3PgaKUCkXSnuVuB3pbuRNIytyn3R6EV5BK7lJEcWaPkOm6Z9k-jCU768OKNmRNIF75e/s1600/photo+3.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548376023695386642" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMHugsxo4latKkGb1LsklGdia4cA9C2tZT3FWYokdXonArEFCEO47r1YCxostJX1lU2PqAOnTu3PgaKUCkXSnuVuB3pbuRNIytyn3R6EV5BK7lJEcWaPkOm6Z9k-jCU768OKNmRNIF75e/s320/photo+3.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></p><p align="center"> </p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vUEzoQNZ9PyWvVQbrhyphenhyphenN5ruFZBccD8bxbMzWfrAXmGZRGa21odzh7whyphenhyphenIEp0TQckvP18EVlwznjp2_Cv0c2nO4Jv2JXXg-egv5QR-NDDWH0VIapjK4rWwnAChhk2WKBzBqBR8Xs3MBB2/s1600/photo+4.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548376025945660034" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vUEzoQNZ9PyWvVQbrhyphenhyphenN5ruFZBccD8bxbMzWfrAXmGZRGa21odzh7whyphenhyphenIEp0TQckvP18EVlwznjp2_Cv0c2nO4Jv2JXXg-egv5QR-NDDWH0VIapjK4rWwnAChhk2WKBzBqBR8Xs3MBB2/s320/photo+4.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUV-rxHr-ldzXJepWGTKKGRVFFjH68h4bbQ8lA1Qrx0kqOE2trEm7pfEgy8Jz4pZ3NQbHZjRZG4KWMh2peysaCnokB0w9atsXCFXky9h5fFjTI5n7MQs_8bHi3bSsIl8EC6bblI4IHS9UB/s1600/photo4.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548719603945361506" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUV-rxHr-ldzXJepWGTKKGRVFFjH68h4bbQ8lA1Qrx0kqOE2trEm7pfEgy8Jz4pZ3NQbHZjRZG4KWMh2peysaCnokB0w9atsXCFXky9h5fFjTI5n7MQs_8bHi3bSsIl8EC6bblI4IHS9UB/s320/photo4.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjob-KLGFzfDGCDdESxbeGg3zSsTZsc9HlLdV2QxhzWb0P1QDt9MyA8CpC1L7nQiDd0ihhkBGay2bORTPhDnaKY2Hw76MSelxjHBZGtF7HDnQJFPhH9RtDVMg7W5LTer-LnMGj__q1nnDYj/s1600/photo3.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548719599265792034" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjob-KLGFzfDGCDdESxbeGg3zSsTZsc9HlLdV2QxhzWb0P1QDt9MyA8CpC1L7nQiDd0ihhkBGay2bORTPhDnaKY2Hw76MSelxjHBZGtF7HDnQJFPhH9RtDVMg7W5LTer-LnMGj__q1nnDYj/s320/photo3.JPG" border="0" /></a></p>nickeleahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559803438561537380noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428708185926819039.post-50835524936483092562010-12-07T12:30:00.001-08:002010-12-07T13:13:49.226-08:00Cats & DogsI just wanted to send a quick update on the stray animal situation in Greece, since i know you've all been worried. I've felt better about it since learning that people regularly give food to the animals and take care of them in a way. They don't necessarily adopt them and take them into their homes, but they commit to feeding them and looking after them in general. Kind of Ike the Adopt-a-Highway program in the states. Kind of.<br /><br />There's a very nice black dog that hangs out in this area near the hotel. He made sure i got safely home tonight after I went out in search of a snack.<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxPpJqZCCUQyHRZ78Rccd4wn2xFD9y8b9vaY_KRTxLMiLm9BbnG5gXYRiOdEXcuOBoHMfBWgKwsEJ4WC8zAPTonzjUFLnxD3fYIuHjq0sA4SlD1idsrmEqN4Vxs3u86TE_yxD3bpu2Cbo/s1600/photo+2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548051210584105490" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxPpJqZCCUQyHRZ78Rccd4wn2xFD9y8b9vaY_KRTxLMiLm9BbnG5gXYRiOdEXcuOBoHMfBWgKwsEJ4WC8zAPTonzjUFLnxD3fYIuHjq0sA4SlD1idsrmEqN4Vxs3u86TE_yxD3bpu2Cbo/s320/photo+2.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"> </p><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLD6l5K8Fkc3yMM3r6-GZlbN6g2buuIhNqu7OpCvTBUCcu-_tMfEcv-weormftxZLeOtlpkvKpYXjHYGoG2s1Bo_6oXtLrEOPlSwuTWlqS2GKb6qXcRQnn5h5D_l91ZVjZutVrAf-VCoaG/s1600/photo+1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548051208197831282" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLD6l5K8Fkc3yMM3r6-GZlbN6g2buuIhNqu7OpCvTBUCcu-_tMfEcv-weormftxZLeOtlpkvKpYXjHYGoG2s1Bo_6oXtLrEOPlSwuTWlqS2GKb6qXcRQnn5h5D_l91ZVjZutVrAf-VCoaG/s320/photo+1.JPG" border="0" /></a></p>nickeleahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559803438561537380noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428708185926819039.post-1699946566576710972010-12-07T07:43:00.001-08:002010-12-07T08:00:23.103-08:00Santorini<p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWQ20fBpEcu25uOovGRyUKcErSHvNMp9uQLfVjCwtV_RqC1vE0u9iqUFkwZEVZIB4zNdS4LWrvRGB0_NdK42n2ONZ1m9H67I0rQf8QqYLJ2aw3hjwDys_3HuK2JrQsZvfVk_PSBr6th1M7/s1600/photo+1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547970024055710978" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWQ20fBpEcu25uOovGRyUKcErSHvNMp9uQLfVjCwtV_RqC1vE0u9iqUFkwZEVZIB4zNdS4LWrvRGB0_NdK42n2ONZ1m9H67I0rQf8QqYLJ2aw3hjwDys_3HuK2JrQsZvfVk_PSBr6th1M7/s320/photo+1.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br />I didn't go far afield today but was successful in my quest for sunglasses. I also toured a small museum that has pottery pieces and wall paintings uncovered from ancient times. The hotel owner pointed me to a taverna where i had a good lunch. I need to adjust to Greek portions. I ordered a dish and a salad, which in italy would have made sense, but here it is equivalent to two meals. The main dish was pasta with calamari. Yummy, but when i took the first bite I remembered something Jan had told me - Greeks overcook their pasta.<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUAfup4gpbOGlVdzD3q7inKGUyvOvnfP_AsEj4qhitFHCw0clzu6kKa3mAKpScPp79HKWADil4rfkpwiZhjdieEVyFRzOn2WmgmCdePoT96MNhuFkcL6T-hIyNRnLNWpaGGqltBMbXHwx/s1600/photo+2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547970025720814258" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUAfup4gpbOGlVdzD3q7inKGUyvOvnfP_AsEj4qhitFHCw0clzu6kKa3mAKpScPp79HKWADil4rfkpwiZhjdieEVyFRzOn2WmgmCdePoT96MNhuFkcL6T-hIyNRnLNWpaGGqltBMbXHwx/s320/photo+2.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br />Otherwise, I just wandered around town, browsed some of the shops and enjoyed the ocean views and the fresh air. It was i the mid-60s today which I thought was pleasant but many people were wearing coats and complaining of the cold.<br /><br />The sunset was indeed beautiful, and hopefully this picture does it some justice. A little black and white kitty joined me for the viewing.<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipKKh-fc1qUIH_ujZ7f7jhJQaD7go_A3Bf7PrgKxRTsea8LS1nDduio_j6amkz_bx5EyrM42oLyivN8ndmX78g5-NJoowOmdpNOQA9V_HzR2ExmoHwxikS66YkEyw-6yxN6_ni7jHflgi2/s1600/photo+3.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547970033840113634" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipKKh-fc1qUIH_ujZ7f7jhJQaD7go_A3Bf7PrgKxRTsea8LS1nDduio_j6amkz_bx5EyrM42oLyivN8ndmX78g5-NJoowOmdpNOQA9V_HzR2ExmoHwxikS66YkEyw-6yxN6_ni7jHflgi2/s320/photo+3.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br />Tomorrow I plan to rent a car (!) so i can tour the rest of the island. It's only 30 euros for a 24-hr rental and the hotel owner said he would set it up for me. I would never, ever, ever consider trying to drive in Athens, but roads around here are pretty quiet so I'm hoping to avoid disaster. It's really the best way to see everything.<br /><br />P.S. Just a note about my room. It's lovely and labeled the lavender room, but oddly decorated in yellow.nickeleahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559803438561537380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428708185926819039.post-29268849191531991212010-12-07T01:33:00.001-08:002010-12-07T07:53:59.075-08:00WowLonely planet did not lead me astray. I chose my hotel based on their recommendation, and so far, it's wonderful. The owner picked me up at the airport and gave me a glass of his homemade wine upon arrival. The view from the terrace is beautiful, and apparently the best place to see the sunset this time of year.<br /><br />He also gave me a map, so its time to explore! First order of business is to find a pair of sunglasses since I left mine in lecce by accident. It's sunny, clear, calm and gorgeous - like summer only not as hot and without all of the crowds. Rates are cheaper too, so I lucked out!<br /><br />I'm so glad to be here but wishing i could share it with my loved ones!<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4aE1OFublPN-qM7MpMd7zWm8jUE_tSy1PsiS4IzR-Upv7R6GT490xD2G5q8LlbsjbyHrNXOyUAovjkL62K1by9fvLB23oXELv-yXKCvzJaBUkHap6Vy3UnpwSVuA0DRxburUpbLhyphenhyphenrcjh/s1600/photo+3.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547968717522446306" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4aE1OFublPN-qM7MpMd7zWm8jUE_tSy1PsiS4IzR-Upv7R6GT490xD2G5q8LlbsjbyHrNXOyUAovjkL62K1by9fvLB23oXELv-yXKCvzJaBUkHap6Vy3UnpwSVuA0DRxburUpbLhyphenhyphenrcjh/s320/photo+3.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></p><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9aMME_y0aF_mBfDI6Jazpz49D5u0jO8s0WR2P8LvoBQqv2ovxhJqhYwBow5pl-7hqx1rEo7I-rv9tdD2cxkMujNbhK2vnRD7mh__ul9qwYYc-MPnD0cGuNwUWg-ODBBJaPuxFhkuRorA/s1600/photo+2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547968702633910578" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9aMME_y0aF_mBfDI6Jazpz49D5u0jO8s0WR2P8LvoBQqv2ovxhJqhYwBow5pl-7hqx1rEo7I-rv9tdD2cxkMujNbhK2vnRD7mh__ul9qwYYc-MPnD0cGuNwUWg-ODBBJaPuxFhkuRorA/s320/photo+2.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz-X8naS7S917ukaqcpbjFocCTJTRtDTWeQwZXuTxnqtWQcp20i6ArzMRhVUWS69Z1F0TACKUCcv8tHLc-gl3f6DAFvNwTUNrNTvw2gQuRErFUzETOLB5zPHXFs6CYQ77Foc0zxjMuLyti/s1600/photo+1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547968693710642306" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz-X8naS7S917ukaqcpbjFocCTJTRtDTWeQwZXuTxnqtWQcp20i6ArzMRhVUWS69Z1F0TACKUCcv8tHLc-gl3f6DAFvNwTUNrNTvw2gQuRErFUzETOLB5zPHXFs6CYQ77Foc0zxjMuLyti/s320/photo+1.JPG" border="0" /></a></p>nickeleahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559803438561537380noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428708185926819039.post-75355058583070550472010-12-06T10:43:00.001-08:002010-12-06T11:19:08.420-08:00Arcadia in Athens<div><div>I made the mistake of not allowing much time for breakfast this morning. I assumed it would be the usual with coffee and a few different kinds of bread, but my goodness i was wrong. There was an elaborate spread of all kinds of food - hot dishes, cheeses, cold cuts, yogurt, jams, breads, dried rut, fresh fruit, the list goes on and on. I only had a few minutes so I took a croissant and a few dates, but if I'd had my wits about me i would have taken some yogurt at the very least. I love Greek yogurt when it's in Dannon form via New Jersey. I can only imagine what it's like here. </div><div><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1S1V7y3ekgXW69ytOurIU4g4BAm_JBycLU41fG2pF4efkBfAy2wrHokVSzM4fAPTBtj11Gq0B-9NztKYu5ydWS5JvbNYFXh-9mn2JT0_cVovZKWTbtbVObGIxN6XAbx2jTca5zvLohYil/s1600/photo+1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547647160333773314" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1S1V7y3ekgXW69ytOurIU4g4BAm_JBycLU41fG2pF4efkBfAy2wrHokVSzM4fAPTBtj11Gq0B-9NztKYu5ydWS5JvbNYFXh-9mn2JT0_cVovZKWTbtbVObGIxN6XAbx2jTca5zvLohYil/s320/photo+1.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><div><br />Jan, the director of the center here, met me in the hotel lobby and said we had some complications. Apparently today is the 2-year anniversary of the police shooting a 16-year old boy. There were huge riots at the time which you may remember reading about in the news. Police found weapon caches earlier this week and expected lots of demonstrations and riots today, so were closing off the city center. The Center is in a neighborhood away from downtown, so the day passed uneventfully in that respect. When it was time for me to return, the taxi driver could only leave me a couple of blocks from the hotel, no closer, but it was a good chance for me to observe the police in the streets. There were at least 20 motorcycles lined up, each with two officers. My hotel is opposite the parliament building, and it was lined in front with police officers standing shoulder-to-shoulder, with shields. I'm not sure if anything really happened, but now it appears that traffic is continuing as usual, so hopefully it was a peaceful day.<br /><br />I have a new hero after this trip. Tina, Lucia, Patricia and Jan are all exceptional women and i want to be Ike them when i grow up. They are intelligent, curious, energetic and articulate. They all have a passion for the work that they do and seem to thrive on it. They also all have brown hair so at least i have one thing in common with them. ;)<br /><br />Walking back to the hotel tonight, i had a feeling of elation that I was finished with the work part of the trip and could commence with the vacation. I celebrated by taking a nap (inadvertently). Now I'm having a beer in the hotel lobby, which is the only place that has wireless.<br /><br />More from the island! </div><div><br /> </div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFnxwrw_473qJyPprKp-RI24vz_VEXEPtp7aSNFeyMcQVCpx1JTNqzGaLWvrmITBDT6Ni0YbPyvJMp7ly1gH6RrdeVkZaJxpa5IVVEMeIZNHl3shQuLY8noT0eEnwF4ygAVJxFV4Ma8vV/s1600/photo+2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547647167520188946" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFnxwrw_473qJyPprKp-RI24vz_VEXEPtp7aSNFeyMcQVCpx1JTNqzGaLWvrmITBDT6Ni0YbPyvJMp7ly1gH6RrdeVkZaJxpa5IVVEMeIZNHl3shQuLY8noT0eEnwF4ygAVJxFV4Ma8vV/s320/photo+2.JPG" border="0" /></a></p></div>nickeleahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559803438561537380noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428708185926819039.post-55407126621451805072010-12-05T08:27:00.001-08:002010-12-06T11:20:15.343-08:00Sunset in AthensIt was a beautiful, sunny day when I landed in Athens. My taxi driver was friendly and pointed things out to me during the forty minute drive to the hotel. I checked in, dropped off my bags, grabbed a map and headed back out immediately. It's an hour later in Greece than in Italy so I knew I didn't have much time if i was going to see the acropolis. Unfortunately it was closed, so I didn't get to go inside, but there is still a lot to see from the outside, and since it is situated in a hill I got some excellent views of the city.<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUSMnWUL58nzqqk4GLPn3DI9MCGVJq7-3bIXWS7JAuvm9eyg4PjDf2ByG5aUmH6ol49er0BXRRH6hW9Hn6Px0a4KY0onf_yVNNAGm0KVkM3DaFhY8zPtUZiYGau0gy7rm1hNsiulJqkvA0/s1600/photo+1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547645584312259522" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUSMnWUL58nzqqk4GLPn3DI9MCGVJq7-3bIXWS7JAuvm9eyg4PjDf2ByG5aUmH6ol49er0BXRRH6hW9Hn6Px0a4KY0onf_yVNNAGm0KVkM3DaFhY8zPtUZiYGau0gy7rm1hNsiulJqkvA0/s320/photo+1.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><br /><p align="center"> </p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi45hUzx0aNGA3mkcj6MexfMCTDvZPLAv2v9Zuc2CmBrbKTm5wfGK-bniV51M2DZhHCiBStNpZlBlHZ7jQpkNxinzCGnPVchJSIo7BeD9276UHKs4k9ZXqQC44cdz1QGBrjpClIIImKPe2w/s1600/photo+2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547645588196708178" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi45hUzx0aNGA3mkcj6MexfMCTDvZPLAv2v9Zuc2CmBrbKTm5wfGK-bniV51M2DZhHCiBStNpZlBlHZ7jQpkNxinzCGnPVchJSIo7BeD9276UHKs4k9ZXqQC44cdz1QGBrjpClIIImKPe2w/s320/photo+2.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br /><br />I thought it would be more difficult language-wise but it's actually a little easier than Italy. Since I don't recognize any words at all, or even letters for that matter, I'm not distracted by them. I just concentrate on finding the English. The Greeks themselves don't seem to expect any foreigners to speak their language, and are pretty comfortable with English.<br /><br />So comfortable, in fact, that two different women talked me into buying jewelry from their shops. I intended to buy jewelry anyway, but they were quite persuasive. Apparently I don't look old enough to be 32 (ahem) and i need to be very careful with my bag because men will come after me. Both women waited until after the transaction to give me the safety advice. I wonder if that's only reserved for customers . . .<br /><br />It's about 6:30 now and already quite dark. I feel like i could go to sleep on the spot. Once again tired and a bit travel weary. No flights tomorrow! That's a relief. I'm really looking forward to being on a quiet little island and sleeping in.<br /><br />I'm not sure why but the pictures i took today wouldn't download to the iPad. Hopefully I can get them on later, and if so will post a few.<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZVVMjUn5lgM6k3lok3ojf_0aIdoFbVyjDwOF_TSqxkSZmwME6UPJkDEIKvyHDlf6BawTnQTOA0_avLOLIIjvJ9Aw6QVbbmvRblUspXb2W1uJcRjSSORWMpHIics9_Rs_QIoOKA1Af_Sv/s1600/photo+4.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547645597806205266" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZVVMjUn5lgM6k3lok3ojf_0aIdoFbVyjDwOF_TSqxkSZmwME6UPJkDEIKvyHDlf6BawTnQTOA0_avLOLIIjvJ9Aw6QVbbmvRblUspXb2W1uJcRjSSORWMpHIics9_Rs_QIoOKA1Af_Sv/s320/photo+4.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"> </p><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6hzNOkfx5ETIRczeADJpdgNGNt-W8r78adbNeo2KVYgx6AvecVPGJasik32KaiBj5MwZbT3aHPTnKWYo7Lv_Y4pi-APzmNhV9UdBDis3jbIwR78ErbiIjgSTcWhCYoZNEAer9Bi1Dcmd9/s1600/photo+3.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547645596482547026" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6hzNOkfx5ETIRczeADJpdgNGNt-W8r78adbNeo2KVYgx6AvecVPGJasik32KaiBj5MwZbT3aHPTnKWYo7Lv_Y4pi-APzmNhV9UdBDis3jbIwR78ErbiIjgSTcWhCYoZNEAer9Bi1Dcmd9/s320/photo+3.JPG" border="0" /></a></p>nickeleahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559803438561537380noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428708185926819039.post-6420625954982348132010-12-05T08:08:00.001-08:002010-12-05T10:37:35.007-08:00Leaving Italia<p align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></p><p align="center"></p><p align="left">During the cab ride from the hotel to the airport, I realized that I am taking a total of 11 flights in 14 days. I'm glad I didn't do the math before I came or I might not have gone through with it. Just kidding, empty threat.</p><p align="left"></p><br /><p align="left">Several different airlines, too:Lufthansa, Alitalia, Blu Express, Aegean, Olympic - that might be all. Blu Express was the craziest. They don't do assigned seating so it was a free-for-all. Alitalia has taught me that you can board and get off a plane from both the front and the back. On my flight to Catania, I boarded through the front, and then as i was waiting to get off everyone turned around and suddenly there was a staircase from the back. Of course.</p><p align="left"></p><p align="left">I've also learned that old Italian women are a force to be reckoned with. They are well dressed, they know what they want, and they seem to get it. I certainly get out of their way.</p><p align="left"></p><p align="left">And now for Greece. I'm a little nervous about athens because I've heard it's a difficult city to navigate. Also loud, crowded, noisy, etc. But they have baklava and that's worth fighting for. </p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfELQePq3agLYbKrDpckhmdpf5ua-bos7-qwXmjMl3harOaRymff0Ga22HKDHPkYpWOJ-yq2IY_ZDMumwsi_XE3z2PgKuEcZzN-39tTtyl5sEk6mpgkXJGtVEZcKrX55Osd7p9djGrTpju/s1600/photo+1.JPG"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547262297724572786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfELQePq3agLYbKrDpckhmdpf5ua-bos7-qwXmjMl3harOaRymff0Ga22HKDHPkYpWOJ-yq2IY_ZDMumwsi_XE3z2PgKuEcZzN-39tTtyl5sEk6mpgkXJGtVEZcKrX55Osd7p9djGrTpju/s320/photo+1.JPG" /></span></a></p><p></p><p align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcAtNDPTkK7fLwFQICnVKLC6S2Kt_0r1l1X1DwHtzHLQz-ea3WQ0Stg_iYrm6ftIlFB4kIVWWWdcTB4Q5OtA-nbQsie7eTHt9fegsweJMYg9jCv4gYD75NkfrKEox7Tntw52gp0MT-gpCa/s1600/photo+2.JPG"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547262306315479506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcAtNDPTkK7fLwFQICnVKLC6S2Kt_0r1l1X1DwHtzHLQz-ea3WQ0Stg_iYrm6ftIlFB4kIVWWWdcTB4Q5OtA-nbQsie7eTHt9fegsweJMYg9jCv4gYD75NkfrKEox7Tntw52gp0MT-gpCa/s320/photo+2.JPG" /></span></a></p><p align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></p>nickeleahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559803438561537380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428708185926819039.post-78686681012005308362010-12-04T12:15:00.001-08:002010-12-04T14:43:53.768-08:00The colosseumToday I toured the colosseum. Not only did I manage to find it, but also managed to find my way back to the hotel. Double triumph. <div><div><div><div><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEfZO3laIl_DUfdgmXK0mBgFnfrfRB0HnDf2l3v2YFLy2x7OovUPZ89V-oh0lsQRaMrNunuOJZW7zwGxlDqhFjgbgBhkNyL6uUbHz26EmOsmSSB78HPcPPgAJ273syDjqQgrYWM7w1qLNT/s1600/photo+2.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546959768935124114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEfZO3laIl_DUfdgmXK0mBgFnfrfRB0HnDf2l3v2YFLy2x7OovUPZ89V-oh0lsQRaMrNunuOJZW7zwGxlDqhFjgbgBhkNyL6uUbHz26EmOsmSSB78HPcPPgAJ273syDjqQgrYWM7w1qLNT/s320/photo+2.JPG" /></a></p><div><br />And speaking of triumph, my favorite part was the arc just outside the colosseum. During the tour, I learned that it was erected by Constantine in the fourth century to signify the triumph of Christianity. There was also a cross inside the colosseum - just a plain, simple one - and I'm not sure what the significance of that was. I was thinking about all of the Christians who were killed there under Nero. </div><div></div><div></div><p align="center"> </p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB0Kd6ENi_jQDiF9zJT1olXrh8pf2qu0ygZEKQ8uRu0pSD5aiIHnOfnSA9fiT5H3MWJj2iyR_jmBjzpoExzrJ7wEDdWL8v8Y8RTDhip8t9OMhC5jMN7X3KP8PCOFuJEAwwItFziOnzEdWZ/s1600/photo+1.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546959746571158386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB0Kd6ENi_jQDiF9zJT1olXrh8pf2qu0ygZEKQ8uRu0pSD5aiIHnOfnSA9fiT5H3MWJj2iyR_jmBjzpoExzrJ7wEDdWL8v8Y8RTDhip8t9OMhC5jMN7X3KP8PCOFuJEAwwItFziOnzEdWZ/s320/photo+1.JPG" /></a></p><div><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivMUG5e3XIEwLLybQuaHcyNS5PQ46HS3wwMnvE5HPMov_VprhDx8QOew4LVuH2Gbt_FTpShcTdCD89gjmYz6NieQseB5pLXbBnnmkCT_HG8rYIn2aKzdpW5tdiD_HdVMr4sPOpYraxkzhS/s1600/photo+3.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546959779508691858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivMUG5e3XIEwLLybQuaHcyNS5PQ46HS3wwMnvE5HPMov_VprhDx8QOew4LVuH2Gbt_FTpShcTdCD89gjmYz6NieQseB5pLXbBnnmkCT_HG8rYIn2aKzdpW5tdiD_HdVMr4sPOpYraxkzhS/s320/photo+3.JPG" /></a></p><div><br />As i was listening to the tour and walking through the structure, I found myself going from awe to something Ike revulsion. It's an impressive structure today even though it's only a shadow of what it once was. But the thought of all the blood that was shed, both human and animal, is so disturbing to me. It's not a peaceful place. Well, today its crawling with tourists, naturally, but even aside from that. Probably on account of all the books and movies that have been produced on the topic, its very easy to imagine a full stadium with a roaring crowd, demanding that someone or something die. For sport. It's repulsive. </div><div><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT02-IGaWeEuno1pDG4cYEYb0uG5DIGYWeDzJ9wibm_jK6WKtFTw5ivThXjU2sPWctwSyScpzfXpDN-fMYZLDDB63JvKHHzz9yjXM8GU4upaziiSoPrR9KDqfInWCFg1p26PPym5tyQ3v2/s1600/photo+4.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546959786582672786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT02-IGaWeEuno1pDG4cYEYb0uG5DIGYWeDzJ9wibm_jK6WKtFTw5ivThXjU2sPWctwSyScpzfXpDN-fMYZLDDB63JvKHHzz9yjXM8GU4upaziiSoPrR9KDqfInWCFg1p26PPym5tyQ3v2/s320/photo+4.JPG" /></a></p><div><br />Travel is such a mixed bag of highs and lows - or at least it is when you're alone. I don't know any other kind of travel, actually. Finding the colosseum and also finding that i was just in time for the last English tour of the day were both affirming and satisfying experiences. Even the fact that I found the right line for the right group. I learned from last year that you can't just rely on signs, you have to be pushy and ask around until you're absolutely sure you're in the right spot. Anyway, i felt fortunate to get in on one of the guided tours and all of that was fine (and funny at times, to see the poor tour guide fight off old Italian ladies who insisted on joining our group). But at some point during the tour, and when walking around afterwards, I started to get tired and hungry and couldn't help but notice that everyone else seemed to be with someone. I wanted to talk to someone about what i was thinking and get someone else's perspective. But anyway, still grateful to be there. The low point of the evening came when my plan for dinner failed. I wanted to return to the place where i had aperativo with Tina and three DU students last Monday. It was only ten euros for a drink and a fabulous spread and I knew that I wouldn't have to wait until 8:30 to eat. Since i skipped lunch, i couldn't wait that long. I found the place, went and got a seat, and proceeded to be ignored. For a long time. I must have done something wrong, but I was so overwhelmed by feeling tired and alone and helpless that i didn't have it in me to attempt to talk to someone and figure things out. I just got up and left. It felt defeating, but a cannoli helped (the beauty of Italy). And sleep will change everything. It's a good reminder, though, of the difficulties of being foreign. They're easy to overcome when you're with a group, but when you're on your own it's not always so easy. I think about all of the immigrants all over the world and what they must experience on a day-to-day basis and I admire them for persisting. I've got it easy, I'm only here temporarily and I'm white. But i remember what it was Iike in costa rica when i knew i was there for the long haul and didn't have any resources of my own. Just the opposite - because I was living with a family and in an area with very little, I was the privileged person, except i didn't feel that way. I felt disadvantaged in every respect except that, ultimately, I knew i was leaving and had an education and country and situation with promise. Not just a dead end.<br /><br />But anyway, back to the present. I am back at the same hotel where i started, reunited with my suitcase and preparing to leave early again for the airport. I'll write from Greece! </div></div></div></div>nickeleahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559803438561537380noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428708185926819039.post-33250285314347560072010-12-04T04:34:00.001-08:002010-12-04T10:02:14.417-08:00LecceI have to admit that i was not expecting the impressive, elegant city that is lecce. I think i was tainted by my visit last year, which was exclusively in the north. When you are in the north, everyone says it is the best part of Italy - much better than the "primitive south."<br /><br /><div><div><div><div></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF0TkT_9CSiAHc-c0S77cw-CSJOU2FIs3KCsqudrZl5JsYVtLTPHP9YyccMnGId0Dak1nxu3EDdst0eGi3Z7DSLJUks2Z-IxOc2znMUvq8ln50IBUD07Rpx7sqzHeTHxR189q5y684rs7s/s1600/photo_2.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546887285466484642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF0TkT_9CSiAHc-c0S77cw-CSJOU2FIs3KCsqudrZl5JsYVtLTPHP9YyccMnGId0Dak1nxu3EDdst0eGi3Z7DSLJUks2Z-IxOc2znMUvq8ln50IBUD07Rpx7sqzHeTHxR189q5y684rs7s/s320/photo_2.JPG" /></a></p><div><br />Lecce is known as the Florence of the south. It has forty churches to just 100,000 people. Many are in the baroque style, mostly because the area has a lot of limestone which is soft and lends itself to intricate carvings. Almost all of the churches are catholic although a few are Greek orthodox. One of the churches has a dome-shaped, tiled roof which is a sign of Turkish influence.</div><div></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0C-PuvcazMDmiJs1YfstqSpHMX9_pJUNSIkWXqWwpXAXnCJsuYn3HsfIpbcnAYqqelbeX3W2F9Gtv3ft8FcS3YYdUhvS-1MuTxyLvG3W3SUgCtTzI-dQFxQp2osTT4zzWVa2fWO1ilWtf/s1600/photo_4.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546886292452859490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0C-PuvcazMDmiJs1YfstqSpHMX9_pJUNSIkWXqWwpXAXnCJsuYn3HsfIpbcnAYqqelbeX3W2F9Gtv3ft8FcS3YYdUhvS-1MuTxyLvG3W3SUgCtTzI-dQFxQp2osTT4zzWVa2fWO1ilWtf/s320/photo_4.JPG" /></a></p><p align="left"><br />The city has a lot of students and is very lively. The old part of the city has a lot of high-end boutiques but also stores from Africa and a lot of local artisan shops. Dora explained that the city has a history of embracing immigrants and that they are well integrated into the community. I was surprised to see as much diversity as I did. Store hours reflect a more traditional custom of opening from 9-1, closing from 1-4, and opening again from 4-8.<br /><br />People in Lecce dress very well, and according to Dora on Sunday mornings especially turn out in their very best to go to church. That was funny to me because it's similar to the south in the states in that respect. And yet so very, very different.<br /><br />Part of me is tempted to buy a shiny, puffy coat with a fur-lined hood and tall black boots with pointy toes so i can strut around Ike an Italian. But I know the desire will wear off as soon as I'm home, and I'll go back to being happy with my conventional GAP wardrobe. </p><div><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJH6MIXjvE6FlvWH0fDQK3Sc3_7Ct-53qcBx0LfbN4UrEAfepuVwaDyFZZioNCc97frKBmZtANDwpaVoj-nWiBOV5WVgJ1qrKUe-4XsetORacPlhYc7jMdN23xvr_blzKrcVrn4-2DvP8l/s1600/photo_3.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546886288915522514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJH6MIXjvE6FlvWH0fDQK3Sc3_7Ct-53qcBx0LfbN4UrEAfepuVwaDyFZZioNCc97frKBmZtANDwpaVoj-nWiBOV5WVgJ1qrKUe-4XsetORacPlhYc7jMdN23xvr_blzKrcVrn4-2DvP8l/s320/photo_3.JPG" /></a></p><div><br />I'm surprised I haven't mentioned the food yet. The problem is it gets repetitive, because once again it was all very good. I ate many things that are typical of the region (Puglia) and of Lecce. My favorite was s simple snack called a rustico, which is puff pastry filled with mozzarella, tomato and a white sauce. The wine from the region is also very good - Primitivo and negroamaro are the main grapes.<br /><br />Oh, I have to tell you about something called burrata. This is taking decadence to whole new heights. It's a big ball of fresh mozzarella filled with a mixture of butter, creme, and more fresh mozzarella. And then they bring olive oil to the table so you can add that too!! I could not bring myself to eat more than a few small bites. It was delicious, but kind of like eating cheese ice cream. I don't know, I guess even I have limits.<br /><br />Today I have the afternoon free and am hoping to see the colosseum. Will post pictures if I make it!</div><div></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cpjwXN9GrkSgrcSazayGGIn91iTe04pVA-gU2_fSrNsdU583-_H_X1uguv54UsKiIxbWFmiHsvBNzKVik5nazEisAKcxI_QbRI8xWZP4JOTzTvs1_ggRnxh7PIkmYCnqepCrOHu5ZzUE/s1600/photo_1.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546886275858521170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cpjwXN9GrkSgrcSazayGGIn91iTe04pVA-gU2_fSrNsdU583-_H_X1uguv54UsKiIxbWFmiHsvBNzKVik5nazEisAKcxI_QbRI8xWZP4JOTzTvs1_ggRnxh7PIkmYCnqepCrOHu5ZzUE/s320/photo_1.JPG" /></a></p></div></div></div>nickeleahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559803438561537380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428708185926819039.post-48475249902152434712010-12-02T06:42:00.001-08:002010-12-02T07:26:43.246-08:00MCASToday is a travel day. I'm flying from Catania to Rome and then from Rome to lecce. Fortunately, I get a travel partner for half the trip. Dora from the Arcadia Rome office is going with me to lecce. I'm going to meet her at the airport in Rome. I'll be glad for the company, especially since she will be able to explain to me what's going on.<br /><br />Before I leave Sicily, I want to record the rest of my time here. Yesterday was a full day. In the morning I met with suzi again as well as ramzi, the student services person at mcas. They told me about the trip they take students on to tunisia halfway through the semester. I never knew or understood all of the connections between Sicily and the Arabic world. I'm learning that, while Sicily is very much part of italy, it is better understood as the center of the Mediterranean.<br /><br />Suzi took me on a walking tour of ortigia, which is actually a small island next to Siracusa. It's the old part of the city, rundown and nearly vacant only 20 years ago but today a thriving area and desirable to live. Just like everywhere else, the slow economy has hurt real estate sales, but it's still by no means cheap to rent an apartment. Some of the streets are narrow and from medieval times, while others were widened to accommodate cars (barely - it's nerve wracking to feel the side mirror of a car brush your bag as you are walking down the street, hugging the wall).<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYBOOBgRmEogkmgmfAh4cO_P5RGzdfJQa-_LQ9YHMMfivv0YlGWTRwd_DLL7oWxQnhllQOrP_ixENqpWbHreQG6Cv5pBksxc1wthfMqgKF-3ff-YkbNM_jXbjcoAN3syy0uiWZhMXKi1W/s1600/photo+1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546104951264528258" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYBOOBgRmEogkmgmfAh4cO_P5RGzdfJQa-_LQ9YHMMfivv0YlGWTRwd_DLL7oWxQnhllQOrP_ixENqpWbHreQG6Cv5pBksxc1wthfMqgKF-3ff-YkbNM_jXbjcoAN3syy0uiWZhMXKi1W/s320/photo+1.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="left"><br />Lunch was small and simple, thank goodness, followed by a long conversation with an archeology professor who is working on a project to create 3-d scans of artifacts in order to recreate the past. I sat in on a class and watched a woman make an old Sicilian christmas treat called torrino. Almonds, sugar, and honey - like most Italian food, simple and delicious. They do not believe in adding lots of ingredients to anything, but the ingredients they do use are local, fresh, and full of flavor. Even here, though, there is a growing interest in "slow food." the professor of the mediterranean diet class, who is also a photographer, just wrote a book on the topic and asked me to read it and give him an honest opinion of the English translation before it is published. Considering there is a local market every day with fresh produce and seafood, i was surprised to learn that there is a market in Sicily for slow food. What they are doing seems close enough, but apparently not for everyone. </p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZIyxxId2UuJgEpUmdBNmwPrJfm844k7HeHMfHFKoTrbpftx848CKRCOjVbxMZBaKtwZnpeWcZbBGoqi5HvH8A6crhGuwtYDMCYqWQVdGOIs3fmgcOEhERnaN-wUD-8q7eKm7JoO9yyNoK/s1600/photo+3.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546105218554719618" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZIyxxId2UuJgEpUmdBNmwPrJfm844k7HeHMfHFKoTrbpftx848CKRCOjVbxMZBaKtwZnpeWcZbBGoqi5HvH8A6crhGuwtYDMCYqWQVdGOIs3fmgcOEhERnaN-wUD-8q7eKm7JoO9yyNoK/s320/photo+3.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="left"><br />I was left to my own devices for dinner. After wandering around for a while i found a little takeout pizza place and got a pizza norma. That's right, same as the pasta but in pizza form, with eggplant and salty ricotta. I also picked up a 2-euro bottle of wine and returned to the hotel feeling quite pleased with myself. But also wishing I could have shared it with one of you.<br /><br />This morning, Lucia took me to an archeological site. Both a roman and Greek amphitheater sit close to one another, apparently the only case in the world where the Romans allowed the Greek version to exist rather than building directly on top of it. Those Romans were a domineering bunch. She explained how even the architecture of the amphitheaters is indicative of the different cultures. The roman style is fully enclosed, a world unto itself, whereas the Greek style is a half-circle, opening the view to the surrounding scenery and incorporating the natural setting into the stage.<br /><br />I would love to return to Sicily and see the whole island. Ideally, I would first take a year of Italian. There's not nearly as much English spoken here as there is in the north of Italy.<br /><br />Once again, this flight is leaving an hour later than scheduled, yet mysteriously arriving on time. </p><p align="center"></p><div><div></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHndPteOxhc2kJ-CAKX7Ya-LJCRznBaJI5rMgRv64N0USiaJf7XpOuzTRtsuuY-vktw6kSzcMCk3iKidDxd5ZYznwSCyUj0fuOcxlI8Y399n1xVXv6nNhoCRrkzc5urnLMOLrmh9gDy-ya/s1600/photo+2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546105128207530498" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHndPteOxhc2kJ-CAKX7Ya-LJCRznBaJI5rMgRv64N0USiaJf7XpOuzTRtsuuY-vktw6kSzcMCk3iKidDxd5ZYznwSCyUj0fuOcxlI8Y399n1xVXv6nNhoCRrkzc5urnLMOLrmh9gDy-ya/s320/photo+2.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZIyxxId2UuJgEpUmdBNmwPrJfm844k7HeHMfHFKoTrbpftx848CKRCOjVbxMZBaKtwZnpeWcZbBGoqi5HvH8A6crhGuwtYDMCYqWQVdGOIs3fmgcOEhERnaN-wUD-8q7eKm7JoO9yyNoK/s1600/photo+3.JPG"></a></p></div>nickeleahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559803438561537380noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428708185926819039.post-16058638987443998352010-12-01T00:13:00.001-08:002010-12-01T07:36:00.334-08:00OrtigiaToday I went from grumpy to elated. I'm really struggling with jetlag and that is making everything more difficult than it would be otherwise. When i compare this trip to last year, it's been a breeze. I haven't even had to break out a map. Arcadia has taken care of everything. This morning they sent a driver to pick me up from the Hotel in Rome and take me to the airport. He wouldn't even accept a tip - gave me a rather fatherly pat on the shoulder when I tried to slip him a few euros. Then when i arrived in catania, there was a sign with my name on it! I felt very important. Once again, i was swept off in a black Mercedes, nothing to worry about.<br /><br />Arriving to ortigia was like stepping into a fairytale. My hotel is right by the water - I can hear the waves now - and there is a beautiful soft breeze blowing all across the island. No rain or horns or heavy traffic. It's magical.<br /><br />There's also a laid back pace here that I am enjoying. My schedule has been fairly loose. As soon as I got in today I had lunch with Lucia, the director, and suzie, an art history professor from Scotland. Yet another huge and delicious plate of pasta, downed by yours truly. The conversation was fascinating. I learned a lot about contemporary Sicily and yet we also talked a lot about human universals - those traits and characteristics that seem to be common to people at all times and across cultures.<br /><br />After lunch lucia discussed the courses with me, and I had a terrible struggle to stay awake. Not at all because I was bored, but the combination of the huge meal and jet lag hit me like a Mack truck. I'm hopping she didn't notice how many times my eyes closed. My notes are indecipherable. Then, blessedly, I was allowed some free time before dinner so after catching up on email i went back to the hotel and took a nap. At 8pm, Franca came by and we had a wonderful seafood meal right by the water. A stray cat came by begging for food and after Franca gave him a scrap I felt i had full license to continue to feed him. We walked for a while after dinner and i noticed several other cats running around.<br /><br />This city is beautiful, the people are warm, friendly, and interesting, and I'm looking forward to tomorrow. I just hope i can sleep tonight so I can fully appreciate it!!<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvobr0nhhPuIxX02_6OJSnMrBdMUkb0eW6_1NMBoV3vxhesCySbQOzSPSlrl0GQDKgXTaHvJ8_kTezM9g6blESSodd7Y7n2HUO9O63hq_mFj8VMb0dx0JCMZo5xdP_CKZzMLelxq3viGz5/s1600/photo.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545737373161958114" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvobr0nhhPuIxX02_6OJSnMrBdMUkb0eW6_1NMBoV3vxhesCySbQOzSPSlrl0GQDKgXTaHvJ8_kTezM9g6blESSodd7Y7n2HUO9O63hq_mFj8VMb0dx0JCMZo5xdP_CKZzMLelxq3viGz5/s320/photo.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></p>nickeleahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559803438561537380noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428708185926819039.post-18775061810363447452010-11-30T11:05:00.001-08:002010-11-30T23:52:38.308-08:00FlyingLots of flights on this trip. There's a joke on 30 Rock about check-in at Italian airports. I can't remember the details, but it's something to the effect that it's a disorganized and confusing process. And how! It's a little daunting to think of going through that process four more times in the next week. Maybe once I've finally caught up on sleep it will be less stressful and more amusing.nickeleahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559803438561537380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428708185926819039.post-79482453263472770362010-11-30T11:03:00.000-08:002010-11-30T11:17:23.018-08:00Hello, Rome!Today was a good day. I was trapped in the haze of jet lag for most of it, but the kind people of arcadia let me sneak in a little nap before dinner. Dinner was actually aperativo with 3 students and the Arcadia director, Tina. That's where you go early (7 pm is early for dinner here), buy a drink, and get a big selection of appetizers. The food here does not disappoint. Lunch was pasta with tomato, pancetta and sage. Yum. And the cappuccino! I can't understand why it's so much better than coffee back home, it just is.<br /><br />I had dinner last night at the Hotel and fell into conversation with a couple of gentleman who were also eating alone. It was kind of awkward because we were all sitting relatively close together but at separate tables. Once we started talking it was more natural. (come to think of it, the seating arrangement reminds me of Thanksgiving this year. What was the quote? Too close to ignore, too far away to engage?). They were both in town for business - Andy from England and Anders from Sweden. I love getting the chance to speak with people from all over the world. I also love the fact that I'm also here on business, technically speaking, but it doesn't feel like work. Yes, i had meetings today, but it's all interesting and the people are wonderful. Plus, part of my job is to learn more about Rome and they help me do that. Tina knows an amazing amount of the history and people.<br /><br />Tomorrow morning i fly to Sicily. I'm really excited to learn more about that area. From what i understand, it's essentially a different country from Italy. Something tells me they've got food figured out too, so let the culinary adventures continue! By the way, I forgot my camera today but will most definitely be taking pictures tomorrow.nickeleahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559803438561537380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428708185926819039.post-62573910401614153432010-11-27T07:48:00.001-08:002010-11-27T07:58:29.340-08:00Off to Rome!Hello, friends. I'm excited to be headed back to Italy and continuing the travel blog. I realize now I should not have named this one "Italy Site Visit 2009." Chalk it up to my pessimism--I really didn't expect to be getting another site visit, what with all the gloom and doom talks about budget cuts.<div><br /></div><div>But here I am! Ticket in hand (in the electronic sense) and almost ready to go. I had a scare last night when I couldn't find my passport. What a rookie move. I can't tell you how many times every week I warn students to <i>make sure they know where their passport is</i>. And then I go and wait until the last minute to find mine. </div><div><br /></div><div>This is my itinerary:</div><div><br /></div><div>Nov. 28 - arrive in Rome</div><div>Nov. 29 - visit Arcadia Rome Center</div><div>Nov. 30 - Fly to Sicily</div><div>Dec. 1 - visit Arcadia Center in Siracusa</div><div>Dec. 2 - fly to Lecce (through Rome; apparently all flights lead to Rome)</div><div>Dec. 3 - visit Arcadia Center in Lecce</div><div>Dec. 4 - fly to Rome</div><div>Dec. 5 - fly to Athens</div><div>Dec. 6 - Visit Arcadia Center in Athens</div><div>Dec. 7-9 - vacation in Santorini!!</div><div>Dec. 10 - fly home</div><div><br /></div><div>Since all of the programs I'm visiting are through Arcadia, this itinerary is much simpler than last year's. And I finally got smart and tacked some vacation time onto the end. You can't be in Greece and not visit one of the islands, right?? </div><div><br /></div><div>My layover is in Frankfurt so I should have time to post from there. Otherwise, you'll hear from me in Italy. I can already taste the coffee!</div>nickeleahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559803438561537380noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428708185926819039.post-8465652653501292552009-12-13T15:54:00.000-08:002009-12-13T16:14:56.146-08:00Home<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwjdTvydZ9NfwEeGouULVIeYbqQlfyOTkeS677Xp5OZczvGY3du2oOsfotSMm53zmRdcRvBWnbgH_1elvLQY9hUdQTvroBTbc58NmAdWtUZKcHgg2H34Y3i7jxN8elD-e5wSR-K7toetX/s1600-h/IMG_0510.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/AVvXsEhZwjdTvydZ9NfwEeGouULVIeYbqQlfyOTkeS677Xp5OZczvGY3du2oOsfotSMm53zmRdcRvBWnbgH_1elvLQY9hUdQTvroBTbc58NmAdWtUZKcHgg2H34Y3i7jxN8elD-e5wSR-K7toetX/s320/IMG_0510.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414876223522482242" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div>Home at last! It's wonderful to be back. I got a solid 12 hours of sleep last night. When I woke up, I was confused about where I was and my first thought was "Where do I need to be today and how am I going to get there?" It was a relief to realize the answers were "church" and "drive." <div><br /></div><div>I played bass this morning, which normally wouldn't have been a problem, but it was the kids Christmas program today so there was an unusual amount of activity and preparation before the service. Instead of having 45 minutes to practice, we only had about 10. I wasn't feeling very confident about the songs, so I just turned down the volume on my amp and figured the kids would be cute enough to distract everyone, and nobody would care very much about the bass. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1uVwHqYd4ewoisPzN_fm5bdPqSd78P2X-Ku1pgjksHCDnt1cYqTrQulsGGqA1kIUp2cNqjbpCvtmFG49N4iGb33hUoT6QgwuLUlrS_XKwOTeH1K2-gG1uB4_n0SMeS5HBMRf5RpJn9qIZ/s1600-h/IMG_0489.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1uVwHqYd4ewoisPzN_fm5bdPqSd78P2X-Ku1pgjksHCDnt1cYqTrQulsGGqA1kIUp2cNqjbpCvtmFG49N4iGb33hUoT6QgwuLUlrS_XKwOTeH1K2-gG1uB4_n0SMeS5HBMRf5RpJn9qIZ/s320/IMG_0489.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414876059880477314" style="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><div><br /></div><div>Oh, I wanted to share a couple of pictures from London. It ended up being a really fun night! Reed was an excellent tour guide. I got to ride in the top of a double-decker bus (what?! no driver on the top?), see some famous works of art in the London National Museum, which is free and open to the public (and fortunately, open late), ride the tube plenty, see Big Ben, and walk and walk and walk. Part of the walking was due to Reed's quest to find a particular pub he wanted to visit. It was a little tricky to find, but in the end we made it and I got to experience some rowdy British nightlife. </div><div><br /></div><div>I was amazed by the number of people. You can kind of tell by the photo above how packed the sidewalks were. Part of it may have been the season and partly that it was a Friday night, but there was a non-stop, heavy stream of people everywhere we went. And walking so fast! It was like Rome on speed.</div><div><br /></div><div>One thing about the abrupt cultural change made me laugh. I had gotten used to the Italian way of never forming any lines, just pushing ahead until you get to the counter or ticket booth or whatever it is you need. When I got to the hotel from the airport shuttle bus, I waited at the front desk and suddenly realized there was nobody around me. Confused, I turned around to see where everyone had gone, and lo and behold they were lined up behind me! I've got a picture to prove it.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVn3N4-ggUowyGdWRWsjlvuPNrEijHYvmbJGVyty3Ttiw906YyPjXA31l5oo0_L7OBY7ngp9yO25nB8LPamKbqonOAOwZReUuTPnlTAwFlwCln5vZRd7KT73OOlwgc-MjU0OBNEnejyjFk/s1600-h/IMG_0481.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVn3N4-ggUowyGdWRWsjlvuPNrEijHYvmbJGVyty3Ttiw906YyPjXA31l5oo0_L7OBY7ngp9yO25nB8LPamKbqonOAOwZReUuTPnlTAwFlwCln5vZRd7KT73OOlwgc-MjU0OBNEnejyjFk/s320/IMG_0481.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414877300650353010" style="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><div><br /></div><div>I suppose this is my last post. Thank you all for joining me on my travels! Ciao!!</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicK31Z6YZUwvzC9Q8B0YZFzlLbFyUdh6mxcFn_3dNRxvCywrSJDYjKgUwRf8ZyrwpRkBBnX0eFtbK3itbUl6s7IHCcA3MeaIyoyEya_kzW4ZprE_MQDLE3nd0wJEx2P7sq8PbAWZv14gs4/s1600-h/IMG_0498.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicK31Z6YZUwvzC9Q8B0YZFzlLbFyUdh6mxcFn_3dNRxvCywrSJDYjKgUwRf8ZyrwpRkBBnX0eFtbK3itbUl6s7IHCcA3MeaIyoyEya_kzW4ZprE_MQDLE3nd0wJEx2P7sq8PbAWZv14gs4/s320/IMG_0498.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414878379079115874" style="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>nickeleahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559803438561537380noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428708185926819039.post-3313968241350699232009-12-11T08:34:00.000-08:002009-12-11T08:40:12.345-08:00London, eh?Ahh, the adventures of travel. I was so pleased this morning to make the train on time that runs from downtown Milan to the airport. The flight boarded on time, and everything seemed to be fine, but once we were on the plane, things changed . . . <div><br /></div><div>Fog in London was causing delays, and they estimated we had 2 hours to wait before taking off. Three-and-a-half hours later, we finally left, but arrived too late for me to make my connecting flight to Denver. After that I stood in the customer service line for 2 hours waiting to see what they could do. Fortunately, there was a man from Denver in front of me in line who was pleasant to talk to and let me use his phone to call BA just in case something opened up more quickly that way. The best part, though, was when I heard my name and turned around and saw Reed! I was sure he had made the flight and was comfortably on his way home, but it turns out his flight from Glasgow had mechanical problems, so he missed it too. So good to see a familiar face, because I've about had it with traveling alone and navigating new transportation systems every day. BA put us on the same flight back tomorrow that leaves at 12:30pm and arrives at 3:30pm.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now we're at a hotel near the airport. Since Reed is familiar with London, the plan is to go downtown and see some of the sights. He looks pretty tired, though, so I'll see if he's still up for it. </div><div><br /></div><div>Wish I were home, but glad I'm not alone! </div>nickeleahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559803438561537380noreply@blogger.com3