Fulbright Greece/Bulgaria

In this part of the trip we have had a chance to explore Northern Greece and some of the more out of the way places.  We took a boat trip to Mt. Athos where a large number of monasteries are located.  We stopped in tiny villages for rest breaks and lunches.  Yesterday we toured Roman ruins at Dion and up a twisty road to the Mt. Olympus range, the home of the ancient gods.  The ruins were different from what we’ve seen previously because they are located in an area with springs that have flooded the ruins after excavation.  Marshy areas with frogs, fish, and dragonflies coexist with Corinthian columns and remains of marble temples.  Then we got back on the bus for a spectacular ride up the twisties to Mt. Olympus National Park.  It wasn’t what I expected either.  The micro climate there allows deciduous trees to grow much higher up the mountain than on any other mountain in Europe.  So you have snow capped peaks almost completely covered with trees.  We had time to take pictues and hike in the woods.  Cool!

We have only two days left in Greece.  The time has gone fast.  We’ll be in Bulgaria Thursday.

We’re here in the second largest city in Greece.  It has more charm than Athens with more parks and wide streets (but fewer ancient ruins).  The Byzantine influence was stronger here.  We toured the Byzantine Museum and the Orthodox catherdral.  Today we traveled to the American Farm School, an agricultural high school outside of town.  It was very unique and interesting.  It grants Greek high school diplomas but has courses in a variety of farming topics.

We’ve headed north through Patras, on to Delphi, Arahova, and Meteora, site of six Orthodox monasteries.  We made brief visits to two (actually a monastery and a nunnery).  They are perched on top of rock outcroppings that overlook a broad valley.  I wanted to post some pictures, but I forgot them upstairs in the room.  I’ll have to post them later. The Amalia Hotels have been very nice with spacious rooms and pools.  A swim has really felt great after a long bus ride or tramping around ruins all day.  We’re in Thessaloniki now, the second largest city.  The center city is very picturesque with cafes, broad streets, and a long water front.  We heard a terrific lecture yesterday about the current state of the Balkans and got to meet the U.S. Consul General, Hoyt Yee.  Today we’re touring a couple castles from the Byzanntine era and touring a museum.

Since I haven’t been able to log on until now, I have a lot of catching up to do.  I think today was probably the highlight so far.  We went to the Acropolis to see the Parthenon today.  It was spectacular!  Even with all the scaffolding and cranes surrounding the Parthenon because of the restoration, it was amazing!  We arrived fairly early, but it was still pretty crowded with tour groups.  The weather was hot, but clear and breezy.  Our guide pointed out the history, the visual tricks, and the significance of the temple to us.  After the tour we walked back down the steep walk to the Agora, the marketplace and seat of government of ancient Athens.  Seeing the Agora gave us a contrast.  The Acropolis was the seat of relegious life; the Agora was the center of the every day, the markets, courts, and government.  I even got an idea for my project while I was at the Parthenon.

I’m at an internet cafe, and I changed my password.  So hopefully I’ll be able to keep you better informed from now on.  Keep checking back.  We leave Athens tomorrow morning.

We had the bon voyage party yesterday.  The weather was beautiful.  In fact, it was like a day you hear about in the Mediterranean, warm, dry, and sunny. The party goers are pictured on the left with the exception of Harper and Grandma.  (One was napping; the other was in the bathroom.) This will most likely be my last post under the “Preparations” category.  I want to thank everyone for the good wishes, cards, and gifts.  They were more than I expected.  I hope to be able to post from Chicago under “The Trip” category.  That will be the first test of  our access to technology while we’re on the road.  I’d also like to start the “Where in the world…?” questions while I’m there.  Jill and I also looked at a couple of the hotel web sites where we’ll be staying.  I’m curious to see if they’re as nice in person as they look on the internet.  Anyway, that’s all for now.  I might think of more later.   …and your comments are always welcome (the good ones at least).

With only a few days left before departure, the info is flowing.  We received an e-mail that answered several of our questions about the Bulgarian portion of the trip.  And then another e-mail arrived from Greece with two pages of “Useful Information” and the hotels we’ll be staying in.  We also received a tentative schedule of events in Greece.  We’re going to be on the move a lot!  The schedule is packed.  I’m also receiving a packet from Greece tomorrow.  Fed Ex tried to leave it today.  I’ll attach the schedule if you’re interested in reading it. Schedule for Greece

I received two e-mails today: one from Maria in Bulgaria and one from Meredith in Chicago.  Maria answered some of our questions that should help us decide what to bring.  Meredith sent details on where we’ll be staying in Chicago and the agenda for the three days we are there.  We’re going to  meet some of the people who we’ve been e-mailing as well as experts on art, language, and customs.  We’re even having a workshop on folk dancing (not my favorite, but oh well).  We have to try new things, even dancing. We’ll also have one meal at a Bulgarian restaurant and one at a Greek restaurant (not Bugaboo Greek). Jill is planning a bon voyage party Sunday at 2:00 pm. Anyone who reads this blog is invited. Now I’ll  see who’s really paying attention.

Meanwhile, I have stuff spread all over the bedroom upstairs.  I have to decide what to take.  How many shirts, how much underwear, socks, etc?  I want to travel as light as possible, but I want to cover all the bases too.  It looks as though we’ll be moving every few days and living out of a suitcase.

One of the Fulbrighters started a blog to share information.  Not much was happening on that blog.  I posed a question about computer access.  Was anyone bringing a laptop?  Would we have access to computers while we’re traveling?  My school laptop is way too heavy to lug through airports, bus stations, and hotel lobbies.  So far, I’ve received three responses to my question about computers.  Two people plan on bringing laptops; one other (besides me) are leaving the laptop at home.  The people who want to bring their computers are willing to share.  That helps ease my mind a little.  My plan was to use this blog to share information and pictures as I go along, but I didn’t know about computer access until now.  At least I should be able to use a shared pc.

I also heard from Meredith in Chicago.  Our books and other materials have been mailed.  She is also sending us information about our flights to Chicago and about gifts to bring to our hosts in the countries we’re visiting.  And that’s the latest.

We’re getting closer to d-day!  Rob designed a new “Where in the world…?” banner that you should see at the top of this page.  Let me know if it doesn’t work on your computer.  Eventually I want this to be a banner of a separate page where I can post a question and students (or anyone else) can research the question.  I also have a bibliography of Greece and Bulgaria resources that I want to post on that page.   Wednesday the Board is scheduled to approve my leave.

  It’s May, and time is passing.  There’s not a lot new to talk about.  We’re still waiting for the Greece schedule and materials about the countries.  I have heard from several of the other Fulbrighters in Hawaii, New York, and New Hampshire.  They are asking about what sort of small gifts to bring and whether we need shots or not.  I have a line on some gifts, and the consensus is that we don’t need shots for Greece and Bulgaria.  I’m also starting to think about what my curriculum project might be.  I’m thinking about a “Where in the world is…Mr. Antonucci?” link on my library web page.  I could pose a question or post a picture while I’m away.  Some of the questions and pictures from that link could lead into that project.  All of these ideas are based on the assumption that I’ll have access to computers.  And that is a big question mark.