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On My Way Home

I've been at sea for a few days now, headed back to the United States. Everyone is feeling mixed emotions--excited to get home to see family and friends, but not wanting this to end. If I could have it my way, I would just pick up my family from the States and keep on going! I feel like I was just really getting warmed up and becoming a savvy traveler and now it's over! Oh well, I know I'll be studying abroad again soon (in Spain!), so I can't complain.

Over the next week or so there is going to be a Talent Show, Ambassadors Ball (dinner and a dance--it's pretty formal. All of the girls have been saving dresses for this!), finals, packing, and convocation (not necessarily in this order). Then before we know it, we'll be in Virginia and then headed home!

I'll be home soon! Can't wait to see you family!

Last Port!

My first day in Morocco, I went on a city tour of Casablanca, where the MV Explorer is in port. On the tour, we first saw the first hotel in Casablanca, named for Abraham Lincoln. It's in ruin now, but it is being restored and eventually reopened. Next, we went to an outdoor food market. Then we drove by Rick's Cafe. Rick's is in the movie 'Casablanca,' which wasn't actually filmed in Morocco. This replica, which was opened five years ago by an American woman, doesn't look like the Rick's in the movie from the outside, but I went inside of it later that night and the inside of the restaurant captures the feel of the movie pretty well. Next, we went to the Hassan II mosque (the second largest in the world, only behind Mecca). I thought I was tired of seeing so many mosques, but it was beautiful! After the mosque, we went to the waterfront. The waves were huge! Well, not the biggest ever, but you'd definitely get knocked around pretty roughly if you tried to swim. Then, we went to a Christian church with modern-looking stained glass windows. Next, we went to the royal palace, but all we could really see was a pretty door and high walls. Finally we toured a bazaar and saw a popular square.

The following day I left for Marrakech. After eating lunch at a gorgeous restaurant, we rode camels in the palm groves. The groves were basically just a large, sandy area of land with palm trees, which is what I was expecting, so I wasn't disappointed at all, but I think some people were expecting a lush oasis. When we got there, the guides put turbans on those of us who wanted to wear one--I got one! The first camel they tried to put me on had a attitude problem. It refused to stand up and it kept growling/gurgling. Two guides were trying to get it to cooperate and it wouldn't listen; I was terrified! But, I got on a different one; I named him Marquis. We rode to a Berber house where we got a tour, mint tea, and music and then rode back. It was hot, but so much fun! That night, we went to the main city square. It was so crowded, but we had so much fun! We walked around, shopped, and then got coffee at a restaurant above the square so we could watch everyone.

The next day we had a tour of Marrakech. We saw a mosque, a garden, ate another good lunch, and went back to the square we went to the night before. At the square, I met a SAS friend who invited us to go to the home of a Moroccan friend (Omar) he had made the day before. He had been really lost trying to find his hotel, and Omar helped him get there by making phone calls, etc. Where we got there, Omar and his family were eating dinner and they invited us to eat with them, which we did because we had heard that in Moroccan culture it is rude not to accept when someone offers. We ate a delicious homemade meat dish, french fry-like potatoes, salad, and bread; then, they brought out huge fruit platters with fruit I did and did not recognize, but I tried it all! Omar speaks English, and so did his family friend (her name starts with an "N," but I could never quite pronounce it), so we mostly spent our time with them, but there were other family members around, too. (N lives in Sydney, Australia and was back in Morocco for the summer.) After dinner, Omar and N put on their traditional Berber outfits that they wear to parties, etc. Then, they let us put them on and somehow we all ended up dancing. They were joking about how I was Berber because I could replicate their dancing. We ended up being with them from about 4:00 pm to 1:30 am! It was an amazing, authentic experience; I can't even really explain. Omar invited us back to visit saying "this is your home" and I want to take him up on that one day!

The next day was my last day in a Semester at Sea port ever! So sad!

We bused back to Casablanca in the morning and then, my friend Megan and I walked around in some shops and got milkshakes at a cafe. I got asked at least 3 times in 3 hours if I was Moroccan!

Overall, Morocco was an amazing experience, and I would love to go back one day.

Rick's Cafe: A Replica From the Movie Casablanca

Hassan II Mosque: Second Largest in the World

Camel Trek in Marrakech

Marrakech

Marrakech

Egypt in Detail

After arriving in Alexandria, we immediately left by bus to Cairo and stopped at a hotel for lunch. We were greeted by an Egyptian band playing old American military music (I don't remember the song, but it was something like Yankee Doodle). From here, we got our first view of the pyramids! So exciting!

Then, we went to Memphis where we saw a statue of Ramses the II and the Alabaster Sphinx (not the big famous one). Here, we got our first taste of how pushy the salesmen are. But luckily, our tour guide was great; she was completely honest about what to expect, what lies they may tell, and how to hande situations.

After that, we went to the Tomb of Ptah. Next, we went to the Step Pyramid, the first attempt at a pyramid. It started as a (very large) bench and they kept adding on. From this location, we could see in the distance two more pyramids. One started wit 60 something degree angles and started to crack, so they switched to 52 degrees halfway, so it looks crooked. The other pyramid is the first true pyramid; 52 degrees all the way up. After that, all pyramids were built at a 52 degree angle. On the grounds of the Step Pyramid, there was a man with his camel (there for the tourists) who was letting the camel kiss his face! Gross!

After we checked into our hotel (The Marriott: one of the nicest hotels in the city. We got queen beds and fluffy pillows for the first time in months!) we went to a bazaar. Here the salesmen were even more pushy, but Caitlin and I bartered as a team to get good prices. We work pretty well together.

The next morning, we got our wake-up call at 4:15 am! It was worth is though because we went to the pyramids to watch the sunrise. Definitely the most beautiful sunrise I've ever seen (not that I've seen many) and maybe one of the most beautiful things I've seen ever. Period.

After the sun rose we had free time to explore around the pyramids. Not that many people adventured right down to the pyramids, but Caitlin and I did! Then, we went back to the group and rode camels! I didn't know that was part of our trip, so it was a nice surprise. Caitlin and I shared one. As soon as we got on, the camel driver started hassling us about tipping him. It was annoying, but I didn't let it ruin my trek. When we got off, we asked our tour guide what we should do, and she said his tip was included in the price, so didn't pay him more. I probably would have still him if he hadn't been so pushy!

Similarly, one of the tricks the salesmen supposedly use is telling you they're giving you a gift and then chase after you demanding money, so I never took anything anyone offered. You can't even let strangers take or pose for a picture because some will make you pay them. Luckily, Caitlin has a little tripod, so we could take our own pictures.

Then, we saw the Sphinx followed by the Egyptian Museum. Here, I saw King Tut's treasures, Egyptian jewelry, many sarcophagi, and mummified animals. Next, we went on a Nile Cruise with lunch and cheesy entertainment including a belly dancer, a whirling man, and a singing couple that sang Enrique and Celine Dion songs. Next, we saw a mosque built my Mohammad Ali. At night, we went back to the pyramids for the Sound and Light Show.

The next day, we were awoken again at 4:15 to fly to Luxor. First stop: Valley of the Kings. Kings started hiding their tombs here because when they would mark them with monuments, such as pyramids, they would get robbed. Many of these hidden tombs were robbed anyway, but some were not, including King Tut's: which is why he is so famous despite the fact he probably only ruled for one year and died at the age of 18. His tomb is still bright with original colors and I saw his mummy! I was really happy about that because I didn't pay extra to see the mummies at the museum the day before and was later disappointed. But after seeing Tut's mummy I was completely satisfied.

Next, we went to Queen Hatshepsut's Temple. (She was a female pharaoh, so I really like her.) At this site, the salesmen were even more aggressive than before. But I got a dress I really like for LE70 (70 Egyptian Pounds) that started at over LE300, so I was happy. (There are LE5 to every $1). Then, we went back to the hotel where we watched a beautiful sunset over the Nile River. Maybe the prettiest sunset I've ever seen. Ever.

The next day, we got to sleep in til 6:15 am. We went to Karnak Temple then took a flight to Cairo and bus to Alexandria. By the time I got back I was exhausted and didn't do anything for the rest of the day.

The last day, I tried to get an early start, but nothing was open. So, we went to the Biblioteca (by far the most modern building in Alexandria that I saw) and went to a cafe. After that, we briefly went to a market and then finally went to some shops outside the port. Overall, I had an amazing (but exhausting) time in Egypt.

Unreal

Unreal has been my favorite word this trip. I probably use it 15 times in each journal entry (and I write in my journal everyday) because that is how I have felt about almost everything I have experienced this trip.

My most surreal moment was watching the sun rise over the Pyramids of Giza. This was a part of the overnight trip I took to Cairo and Luxor. I also rode a camel! We saw a lot of amazing things and I am exhausted from it all!

Step Pyramid

Pyramids of Giza at Sunrise

The Sphinx and Pyramids of Giza

Valley of the Kings

The Nile at Sunset

Pyramids, Here I Come!

I left Bulgaria a couple of days ago and am now at sea, arriving in Egypt tomorrow.

Bulgaria turned out to be a lot of fun. I went to Nessebar, went off-roading, and went spear-fishing at a secluded beach. We didn't catch (or even see) any fish because the ocean was a little rough and there was sand and seaweed floating everywhere, but it was still a lot of fun. Then, we spent the rest of the day on the beach, playing in the waves and attempting to skim-board. I don't remember the last time I actually played in the ocean, so it was a lot of fun. When it comes to skim-boarding, I wasn't successful, but I never fell, so I guess I did okay. Anyway, it was a lot of fun.

Tomorrow, I'll be in Egypt. I am doing an overnight tour to Cairo and Luxor. While on this trip, I will see the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx. I am getting so excited, but I don't think the reality of it will really hit me until I am standing underneath them. I'll be sure to take lots of photos because I think this is the site I am most excited to share with everyone at home. (And a special shout-out to my mom and Nadya, who I know are living through me in this port.)

To my family: I miss you and love you all. I can't wait to see you guys. I've appreciated your cards and pictures. I'm having a great time, but it was nice to see your faces and it made me miss home a little bit. Thank you for sending me on this trip--I'm so grateful. You guys are the best! I love you!

Jeep Safari in Varna, Bulgaria

Spear Fishing in Bulgaria

Spear Fishing in Bulgaria

Spear Fishing in Bulgaria

Mr. Baba's Restaurant

Hello from Bulgaria

I just left Turkey and am now in Bulgaria. Turkey was absolutely amazing. I really didn't know what to expect, but I had a great time. I visited the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern, did a Turkish bath (amazing!!!), went to a soccer game and cheered with the locals, went to Prince's Isles and did a horse drawn carriage ride, went shopping at the Grand Bazaar and bartered successfully: overall, I had an amazing time.

Now, in Bulgaria, I've seen the cathedral and went to Nessebar--both beautiful.

Soccer game in Istanbul, Turkey

Going into the Blue Mosque in Istanbul

Riding a horse-drawn carriage in Prince's Isles, Turkey

The cathedral in Varna, Bulgaria

Nessebar, Bulgaria