Our Adventure in Bulgaria!добре дошъл, or, welcome in Bulgarian! Thanks for joining us, on our blog you'll discover the immersive culture, the astonishing nature and the unique lifestyle of the Bulgarian people that we were exposed to on our trip! Hope you enjoy! DAY 1 - September 21(Picture 1) The air traffic control tower in front of the mountains as we land. (Picture 2) Art work inside the main terminal at Sofia International Airport. (Picture 3) Planes waiting to take off. (Picture 4) Front of the main terminal where passengers are being dropped off. (Picture 5) Our form of transportation for the next few days, taxi. Bulgaria is located in the southeastern region of Europe and lies along the edge of the Black Sea. The country is surrounded by; Greece, Macedonia, Serbia, Romania and Turkey (1). We flew into Sofia, the capital, and largest city of Bulgaria (12). When we arrived in Sofia, we were greeted by a blast of cool air and temperatures around sixty five degrees, most of Bulgaria has a nice temperate climate, however in the areas around the Balkan, Rila and Pirin mountain ranges there is a highland climate (4). Thankfully we went to Bulgaria in September, and there was no bad weather to disrupt our flight. We ended up packing long pants, sweatshirts, but nothing too heavy because it wasn't needed. We took a taxi (Picture 5) to a small hotel about 30 minutes away fro m the airport, and after we unpacked we met up with our tour guide for dinner. Everyone we had met there seemed very nice and welcoming, and before flying to Bulgaria, we did some research, and according to the U.S. State Department, there are no travel advisories for the country of Bulgaria (17). Before we went to Bulgaria we also picked up a few phrases: "Hello" - Здравейте (Zdraveĭte) "Hello my name is _________" - Здравейте името ми е __________ (Zdraveĭte imeto mi e _______) "Good day" - добър ден (dobŭr den) "Good evening" - добър вечер (dobŭr vecher) "Do you speak English?" - Г оворите ли английски? (Govorite li angliĭski?) (7). Mish-Mash, which consists of Eggs, Peppers and Cheese (9) with t That night we ha d a dinner of delicious he owner of the hotel, who was unfortunately let down by our failure to comply with Bulgarian traditions (when toasting be sure to keep eye contact, and never eat before a toast has been given (3)). (Picture 6) Mish-Mash a typical Bulgarian meal, that we ate the first night. DAY 2 - September 22nd
The Saint Sophia BasilicaOn the third day of the trip we awoke at nine o’clock sharp and toured the Saint Sofia Basilica Cathedral. The church was not always a church the Ottomans captured it soon after its construction and used it as a Mosque, it is now respected as a museum by both religions (13). After we toured the church we went and saw the Philip Koutev National Folklore Ensemble sing traditional folk songs at the Sofia Opera and Ballet (10). The current opera house was built in 1953 however the original opera was founded in 1890 (14).
Bulgarian folk costumes consist of pants, shirts, and vests for men, and dresses and aprons for women. The aprons, dresses, and shirts are usually embroidered in regional colors and folk motifs. Red features heavily in Bulgarian folk dress, but black, green, and white are also a part of traditional clothing from Bulgaria's various regions (11) (As seen in video above) The Iskar Gorge
DAY 4 - September 24thOn the fourth day of our journey we left Sofia for Plovdiv the second largest city in Bulgaria. Plovdiv has less than a third of the population of Sofia of 340,000 (12). After checking into our hotel we went to see the Roman Amphitheater in Plovdiv. The Amphitheater was constructed in the second century A.D. when the city was under Roman rule and know as Philippopolis(16). While we were in the two cities we noticed that Bulgarians pass the time similarly to the rest of the world. We saw a lot of Volleyball men's and women's, wrestling, also they have many holidays which they celebrate with friends and house parties (19). RecentlyThe city of Yambol has had extreme flood warnings the last few days because the banks of the Tundzha River are likely to overflow soon. A state of emergency has been declared all along the River and the historic city of Yambol is on high alert.(18)(12)
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This is Carl and Nikita checking in from Athens International Airport. We're just finishing up our trip, and as frequent bloggers, we're gonna go ahead and tell you about our trip. We got the OK from the US Travel Advisory to come here. They say everything is peachy and perfect, aside from the 10,000 Euro payment to get out of the country. Every detail, exciting moment, and fun festival shall be known about! (7) Γεια σας! Γεια σας! Despite the formidable looks of these cryptic symbols, "Γεια σας" simply means "hello" in Greek, an expression we heard quite often during our trip. Some other translations are "Γεια", "γειά", "χαιρετίσματα", and "Τι συμβαίνει;". The Greek language is incredibly old, with written documents dating back as far as 1350-1450 B.C.E. It is likely more ancient still, considering much of the evidence could have been destroyed, and the language could have existed prior in spoken form. The original form of the language is "Linear B", a sequence of characters that is a syllabary rather than an alphabet. These characters represented syllables and sometimes entire words or ideas. Since the time of Linear B, the language has undergone many overhauls and dialects. During Classical Greece (5th and 4th centuries B.C.E.), for example, there were two major dialects, Attic and Ionian, which later intertwined to form the Attic-Ionic dialect. After this, Koine Greek was gradually formed and spread during the expansion of the Roman Empire. It became the first Greek "common language", because it was the only dialect at the time and was spoken by a vast number of people over a large territory. It is also known as "New Testament Greek" because it is the original language of the New Testament. This language continued until the demise of Byzantine in the mid-15th century C.E. From this language stemmed modern Greek, used today. Due to its long history, Greek roots are found in many other modern languages and Greek is used often in scientific nomenclature, along with Latin. (19) Greeks blithely enjoy many activities during their free time. Nightlife is very popular in Greece, with clubs and bars open until morning hours and active citizens awake late past nightfall, even during the work week. We spent some days with groggy eyes and stomach-fulls of coffee, not being used to the locals' idea of leisure. Tremendous mileage of coastline, totaling at 13,676 km, or 8,498 mi, allows for endless beach activities, which brings lots of tourists, including us. Sightseeing is also common among tourists, due to dramatic seaside cliffs, inland mountains, and beautiful beaches. Popular sports in Greece include, of course, water sports, but also soccer, and more recently, golf. Swimming, fishing, sailing, and surfing are some of the most popular water-related activities. Soccer is also very widespread in Greece, arising from its successful National Team, which won the 2004 UEFA European Championship, striking pride in all of Greece. Golf has recently become very popular as well, with more and more golf courses opening up. (3) Due to our lack of prior knowledge, we had a few embarrassing encounters with native Greeks. At some point, Carl was painfully admonished for using the American "ok" sign, directed to a waiter at a restaurant. Apparently, that sign meant something extremely vulgar and insulting, due to its resemblance to a body part. Who would've known? He sure won't ever do that again... ever (hopefully). Another taboo that, according to us, is over-emphasized, is the disputed name of the Republic of Macedonia. Nearly no Greek person would EVER call the Former Yugoslav Republic Of Macedonia (F.Y.R.O.M.) simply "Macedonia". There is a long, long political and historical background to this confrontation. Some other taboos include boys with ear-rings or long hair, as well as men who do house-work instead of their wives, and LGBT people, who are generally shunned as well. Luckily, we made it at a special time of the year! "Ohi Day!" This is the day when the Greeks refused Italy control of certain territories in Greece during World War II. Allegedly, when the Italians demanded permission, the Greek representative responded with a simple, "No!" A few years after the war finished, Greek citizen s came out of their homes and ran into the streets shouting "No!" with many other citizens, regardless of political affiliation and such. This marked a new holiday recognized by the Greek government as Ohi Day. PUT THE FIFTH REQ HERE. (5) While we were in Greece, we saw quite bit of ancient statues, as expected. Some images often associated with the Olympics are a statue of a man reaching his arm back to throw a weighted plate, called a "discus", and the olive crown depicted in art. All of these things actually came from Greece and were part of the Ancient Olympic Games. Discus throwing was popular sport during Ancient Greece, and an olive crown was bestowed upon the victor of the games as a symbol of honor. Originally, the games were a religious event meant to celebrate Zeus, the king of all Greek Gods, as well as other Gods. The very first games were held at an area named "Olympia" in around 776 B.C.E., near the beginning of the Archaic period. Contestants would participate in various sports The games continued in this fashion for 12 centuries, heavily influencing history, and, of course, inspiring today's Olympic Games. (6) Many philosophers originated in Greece. One of these was Socrates. Socrates was born in 470 B.C.E. in Athens, Greece. Although few know realize it, ancient philosophers formed a culture of thought with remnants presents in even today's world. Socrates' philosophy contained many themes, such as the use of logic and reasoning. Socrates believed that philosophy had many practical applications that would benefit the whole of society. However, at the time, his philosophy was opposing was conventional thought, and thus, along with supporters, Socrates gained enemies as well. Socrates was put to death by poison , due to "impiety" and "corrupting the youth". Surprisingly, Socrates swift fully accepted his fate, instead of seeking exile. He drank the poison without hesitation, because he was not afraid of death, which he described as "the soul leaving the body". (9) During our trip, we ventured among many different restaurant, each with a surprisingly diverse and unique menu. Due to Greece's long and rich history, there are many varying food items typically served. Some examples are "Lagana" bread, a type of flatbread topped with seeds, which is actually quite common to be served as an appetizer with oil, even at non-Greek restaurants, and the famous "Greek Salad", which although varies between cooks, derives its influence from Ancient Greek ingredients. Olives, which are cultivated throughout Greece, are incorporated in many different dishes. Various cheeses are also used often, such as Feta cheese. It is difficult to describe Greek cuisine in a short summary, because Greek is so diverse and detailed. (20) The most memorable attraction of our trip was certainly the Meteora. The word "Meteora" literally means "middle of the sky" in Greek, and that's no exaggeration of the awe inspiring cliffs. The elevation averages about 313 meters here, and is home to six monasteries. They are built on top of giant sandstone pillars. Rarely are such awe-inspiring sights seen. Greece is located in the Balkan Peninsula, along with bordering countries such as Albania, Bulgaria, and Macedonia. Turkey also borders Greece, and it has had a major impact on its history, as it was home to the Persian Empire, which led many raids into Greece. The easiest way for Persia to attack Greece was via the Mediterranean Sea. Using prior knowledge of how close Greece is located to the sea, we knew we would need to pack flip flops, board shorts, and short sleeved shirts. The Mediterranean climate also aids sightseeing, because of long daylight hours and little rainfall. Maybe something a little more mainstream would be more interesting. The Parthenon. One of the most famous architectural figures in the world. Located on the Acropolis of Athens, people flock to it every year to gaze upon its massiveness. Nikita and I took a good couple (thousand) of pictures of the structure, before moving onto the Church of the Holy Apostles. This church is a major establishment for the Easter Greek Orthodox religion, the major religion in Greece. All of the mythology stuff died out with the Roman conquest. You can imagine my surprise when I walked into town ready to worship the god Zeus! Not all traditional clothes consist of the quaint outfit pictured here! There is a tradition on the island of Skyros, where old men wear goatskins and bells, and run around the streets making as much noise as possible. Where this tradition originates, we may never know! What we do know, is that Nikita and myself would be sure to participate in this. Right Nikita? No? Alright never mind... Now for the interesting part of the trip. SPAAARTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!! Well, not the city of Sparta, but the Battle of Thermopylae, where about 1700 Greek soldiers, including 300 Spartans, held off the Persian invasion led by Xerxes I. This battleground, is the basis of many legends and stories, including the ever famous "300", a film depicting the epic battle of the Spartans, lead by King Leonidas, defending against the onslaught of the Persians. While Greece might seem like old news, there are actually quite interesting developments that are happening. Besides their economy constantly failing, there were actually ancient ruins found near an island named Delos. These ruins are being named "Underwater Pompeii." All archaeologists have found so far are a pottery kiln, and around 16 pots.
Hello there! My name is Tara Schmidtke, and I’m a freshman at Memorial High School in Houston. Since a young age my family has loved to travel to new places. I was born and lived in London for the earliest part of my life before moving to Houston. Between the ages of 9 and 12 I also lived in Melbourne, Australia. It was around then that my family started traveling even more. I really love traveling and have been to many places, mainly in the United States and Australia. Even so, I never really had a true “out-of-country” experience; even Australians, with their exotic accents, are a lot like Americans. Therefore I was feeling both intrepid and scared when I visited Ireland this last spring. This is a blog all about my adventures in Ireland, as well as some background information about it and travel tips if you ever want to go, which I highly recommend; it’s a beautiful country. Please enjoy! Firstly, as they say, location location location! Where is Ireland? Ireland is located off the northwestern coast of Europe. It is a small island southwest of Great Britain. Ireland is a predominantly catholic country, but their ancient Gaelic ancestry also heavily influences their culture. However, Ireland is not the sole country that can claim this scenic island. Northern Ireland, a part of Great Britain (and predominantly Protestant-Christian), also lays claim to the island’s luscious farmland, mild seasons, and rugged landscape. (1) Ireland is undoubtedly one of the wettest places I have ever been. Its rich soil, very frequent rain, mild climate, and overall lush (note: “lush” does not necessarily mean “warm”- don’t fall prey to the word choice!) environment have earned Ireland the nickname “40 shades of green”. This is due to the claim that you can see up to 40 different shades of green if you look at its satellite image. If you visit you can understand this even better. The green is was shockingly bright, even when it was raining. Making this “greenness” even brighter is the fact that the rest of the land tends to be relatively colorless and grey, even in spring when I went there. Most of the time it is raining (or on the verge of doing so), and Ireland’s people call days when it rains all day “soft days”, and particularly miserable weather is “a day for the stool” (meaning a day so miserable the only thing to do is go to a bar). I cannot stress enough how much you will appreciate a warm, waterproof coat or shell. I myself packed a nice waterproof shell that lacked one important detail- a hood. Why designers would create a waterproof jacket without said feature is beyond me, but you really learn to appreciate dry hair after something like that. Even if you’re going in the summer, when it tends to be dryer, really consider packing waterproof or at least water-resistant shoes and a jacket. If you get colder easier, also pack scarves and other cold-weather accessories. (4) Above: The Irish flag. The green color on the flag represents the native people of Ireland (Roman Catholics) The orange color represents the British supporters of William of Orange who settled in Northern Ireland (Protestants) Below: Map of Ireland and all counties, capital, and roadways Being an island nation, Ireland boasts a reasonable fishing industry, though it is more popular as a recreational sport than a business. Without question, the primary economic factor in Ireland is its farms. Farming is major part of life in Ireland. Most people tend to visualize potatoes when they think of Ireland and farming, and there is truth in this. However, there are also a large amount of livestock farms. 4 million people live in Ireland, but 8 million sheep and 7 million cows also do! Because of the landscape’s incredible ability to regenerate, the land has been ideal for the cloven animals for generations. However, traditional family farming in Ireland is currently being threated due to “decoupling”- a system in which farmers are paid based on the size of their land rather than the amount of product they produce. This has led to many family farms being forced to shut down in favor of larger commercial farms, causing farming as form of employment to considerably decrease, and with it most likely the population. (2) When traveling to a foreign country it is always best to know what may be offensive to people there. In my travels in Ireland I found several “do’s and don’ts”, that I myself never would have never considered offensive, but in Ireland these things do exist and they do offend people. Firstly; hand gestures. The universal sign for “peace” (making a V with your extended index and middle finger) is actually a rude gesture in Ireland. Luckily I am not so inclined to walk up to random strangers and throw the peace sign in their face (beware, people of the 60s!) but it was good to know nonetheless. Second; like any native countryman, an Irish person does not particularly like being stereotyped based on nationality. This one is fairly obvious, as long as you don’t shove everything potato into their faces and make tasteless leprechaun jokes, you’ll be fine. Lastly, personal space. Jostling, shoving, brushing past someone, waving your hands adamantly while talking, and a generally relaxed attitude towards someone’s “personal bubble” is not looked kindly on in Ireland. While the people are kind and fairly relaxed, they are just not as touchy feely as us. They tend to value their space, and you will be more likely to come off as respectful if you tone your hand gestures down when you speak. With these few tips, you should know a little more about how to behave. Prove the “rude American” stereotype wrong and be sensitive to their culture. (3) While Irish people tend to all speak fluent English, their original language is Gaelic, a Celtic derived language found only in Ireland today. While it is not necessary, it would be fun and engaging to try and talk to the Irish in their original language. To say hello- “Dia dhuit”, to say goodbye- “Slán”, and as an extra that will probably not be necessary, but is fun “An bhfuil Béarla agat?”- Do you speak English? (7) Above: a simple cartoon illustration of the "peace-sign", with the middle and index fingers extended Below: the traditional gaelic alphabet that visually resembles the English alphabet with a few exceptions, mainly in the illustrations of G's, R's, T's, and S's In Ireland all international holidays are observed, including most significant Christian holidays, however there are some celebrations only celebrated in Ireland. One of these is St. Birgid’s Day, that occurs in the beginning of spring. In this celebration reeds and straws are gathered and made into a cross. Brigid is one of the few female saints in Ireland, but she is widely celebrated to this day. (8) Ireland has many customs and traditions, but one of the most unusual and singular traditions to the country occurs during marriage. Like in mod countries, the bride wears white to symbolize her purity. However, the men sometimes will wear a kilt that is patterned to the specific plaid of their clan, and traditional Irish dress. (10) Irish traditional dress for mean consists of woolen pants or kilts in plaid patterns which often (though not always) had some significance pertaining to their clan or group of affiliation. The women wore woolen dresses similar to the fashion of English women, but of much hardier fabrics (due to climate). Much of what we know of old Irish clothing is from the discovery of artifacts and preserved bodies in bogs. (11) When in Rome, err, Ireland, eat as the Irish do. Sometimes food says more about a culture than anything else. When traveling in Ireland, i always found that no matter what kind of restaurant I was in, it always offered some variation of stew, particularly "irish stew". This is something of a point of pride with the Irish; their ability to create a hardy, rich stew. The main ingredients are stock (usually chicken), potatoes, onions, lamb or beef (chopped), and whatever fresh vegetables may be seasonal. The stew is highly versatile and is a proper representation of Irish cuisine and its staple foods. It also happens to be delicious. Above: Representation of Saint Brigid by artist Nancy Oliphant Below: Irish Stew with lamb and seasonal vegetables The Great Potato Famine- In 1845, an unprecedented disaster swept across Ireland. Over 1 million people died and over 1 million people emigrated. This was the Great Potato Famine. In the 1590's potatoes were first introduced to Ireland. Given its climate, the root was soon found to thrive, and grow in popularity. It was much more nutritious and make to produce than bread, which was the staple food of most Northern European peasants at the time. By the 1800s potatoes had become Irelands staple crop. However this all changed with the appearance of an mysterious fog that swept across the farmland surrounding Dublin, the nation's capital. In its wake was left shriveled and black potatoes, unfit to be eaten. This was later proved to be an airborne fungus introduced by traders in the capital city. It took many decades for Ireland to recover. Meanwhile the Irish emigrants found new countries in which to live and spread their culture around the world. (5) Above: The Potato Famine Memorial in Dublin Below: Emigrants Leave Ireland, an engraving by Henry Doyle depicting the emigration to the United States because of the Great Famine in Ireland. The two largest cities in Ireland are Dublin and Cork. Dublin is the capital and boasts a population of 1,024,27, and Cork is a seaside city of 190,384 people. (12) While in Ireland I visited the Irish Jewish Museum. While this seems like an unusual place to go considering that 98% of all Irish people are Catholic, it was fascinating to witness the way a minority lived in such a dominant country. Sadly, the Jewish population is in decline and it is likely only a matter of time before it is gone. I was glad to get the chance to witness this small community's history. It even had a preserved synagogue and traditional kitchen made ready for the Sabbath dinner. Having no real religious affiliation myself, I always feel rather awkward entering any sort of religious place, like I'm somehow intruding on whoever is in there. However, the people here were really open and accepting, eager to show us their culture. (13) I also went to see the Proclamation Sculpture, a memorial to Irish martyrs. This permanent outdoor structure was full of irony; located directly across the street from one of Ireland's most notorious prisons, it stands as a tribute of remembrance and sorrow. This actually gave me chills and I refused to stand with my back to the prison the whole time we were there. (14) The only time we ventured out of Dublin was to visit the mound of earth and dirt known as, yes- the Hill of Tara. I don't think I could resist going there. It is a burial mound of ancient kings, morbidly fascinating to me and of course being named after me I had to go. It was rather unimpressive from the ground but then we went on a helicopter ride (my first ever) and were able to see how beautiful and sculptural it looked, though I almost regretted my decision to ride the helicopter once we landed. My ears were ringing incessantly from the noise! If you have never been in a helicopter before and don't like loud noises, you have been warned. (15) One of Ireland's most infamous prisons was built in 1787 directly on the gallows - where public hangings had already taken place for years. These executions continued throughout its existence both inside the gates and out, including those that were the catalyst for Ireland's emergence as an independent nation. It is called Kilmainham Gaol. It was a little chilling to visit, because it just felt cold and empty. I always get this melancholy numbness whenever I go through a place like that. You could almost feel the weight of the lives lost around you. Anyone who has a fear of ghosts, this place is not for you! (16) Above: Hill of Tara aerial view Below: Kilmainham Gaol interior However when I went there political relations with Ireland and the Great Britain had been a little shaky of late, and Ireland’s inner turmoil did nothing to alleviate this stress. They were recently forced to arrest the head of their Irish Nationalist Sinn Fein party, for the suspected murder of a woman who disappeared over 10 years ago. Meanwhile, Ireland's age old problems prevailed; British loyalists pushing for unity with England, clashing with Irish nationalists and reformation parties alike. The social tension between these three types of political parties was palpable while I was there, and I strongly suggest not bringing up any issue regarding this subject in casual conversation. It's highly sensitive to all involved. After all, would you ever feel entirely comfortable if a foreigner was trying to make casual conversations about your country's deepest problems and issues? Issues that have a violent history of suffering, no less? Most likely not. It will not affect your travels, however. Just don't bring it up if you can help it. Article Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/16/opinion/irelands-troubled-peace.html?_r=0 A popular pastime in Ireland today is the old and much beloved sport of Hurling. Hurling is an outside sport and played on a 137m long grass pitch. It is like a cross between lacrosse, hockey, and soccer. It can be brutally violent, just like american football. Watching violent and heavily physical sports like that always remind me of the ancient Roman gladiators, dueling it out to the roar of a crowd. The game is relatively simple. Two teams of 15 players compete between two goal posts positioned at each end of the pitch. There are a number of different leagues within Ireland such as the National League and the All-Ireland League. Teams come from each region, county and the four provinces. It is very popular and aired on television weekly. (19) However, my overall my favorite part of the trip was meeting all the people! I loved being able to interact with them and talk to them. They were very forgiving of any of my ignorances and tried to be polite when I was clueless. The Irish are charming and have a great sense of humor. I highly recommend visiting and getting to know them and their country! (20)
Hello dear reader, this is Madhat A. and Qais Z., We will be giving a brief summary of our trip to France. We had to travel to France, in order to learn about the country, and write an article. For those who don't know, France is geographically positioned in the Northern as well as the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. France is bordered by the countries of Andorra, Belgium, French Flag Luxembourg, Germany, Italy, Monaco, Spain, and Switzerland, as well as the British Canal, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Mediterranean Sea. (1) When We arrived to our destination, We were surprised by the politeness of the people of France, a lot of people were willing to lend us a helping hand, especially for language problems, We instantly learned how to say hello and goodbye, the words are "bonjoure" and "au revoir" (7). French Map After We checked into the hotel, We went to our room, and used our relaxation time to read about the French culture, and taboos. We learned that the traditional clothing for men is composed of: Chemise: A knee length cotton or linen shirt, it is considered to be undergarment. Culottes: A pair of knee length pants made of wool or linen, they button around the knees, and a cloth is worn over the loins. Hose: A pair of cotton or wool knee high socks. Mitasses: A pair of protective garters worn over the lower legs. Capote: A heavy coat with large cuffs worn over everything else, We noticed that it was like a suit coat (11). Traditional French Clothing We also found a lot of information about Napoleon, apparently He was very popular in France, the book mentioned that He freed the French citizens from the kings's injustice, it also says something about him controlling most of Europe for a while (6). Napoleon Bonaparte While we were at the restaurant we checked out, some of the important cities in France, Paris was the capital, some of the major cities were Bordeaux the wine capital of the world, and Aix-en-provence which was built on hot springs (12). www.mapsoftheworld.com/france/facts/major-cities.html City Of Bordeaux Finally it was lunch time, We were starving! We took our adventure to the streets, where we searched for a place to eat in. The weather wasn't bad at all, the temperature was balanced, not too hot, not too cold, We concluded that the temperature was moderate year round, but in some parts of France winter can be snowy, We also had a plentiful mix of rainfall, good thing we pack both heavy and Iight clothing, we also packed an umbrella, which proved very helpful (4). After struggling to make a proper French sentence, we were finally able to get directions to a restaurant nearby. We walked in, and we got a table immediately, we looked on our menus, we picked a meal called "magret de canard" it was basically duck breasts, the waiter also suggested a glass of red Bordeaux, but we said we were too young to drink wine, the waiter told us about the delicious yogurt cake, which we tried and loved (9). www.buzzfeed.com/marietelling/44-classic-french-meals-you-need-to-try-before-you-die
After our meal, we were getting ready to pay our bill and leave, suddenly a stranger walks up to us and greets us, He said his name was Joseph, He spoke English to us, we took advantage of the opportunity and asked him what one of the native customs of the French, his answer was "Fete Du Travail" which was a basically the French version of Labor Day, except people give bouquets of flowers to their loved ones (10). people celebrating Fete Du Travail
During our trip we noticed that the French use many nuclear plants to produce energy which produces a lot of smoke and chemicals, those can greatly harm the environment and the wild life of the area, they can also contaminate the water and cause many diseases to the humans, a positive French interaction with the environment is the fact that France is part of the Go Green Program (2). We also learned much about the French Revolution, It helped the government by providing equal justice to all people (5). We also went to the Eiffel Tower which is a major cultural attraction, the tower was built by Gustav Eiffel as the entrance arch to 1889 world's affairs (14). We planned to visit Mont Saint Michel, a tidal island just off the coast of Normandy, Norman Benedictine Abby of st. Michel stands at the peak, surrounded by the winding streets and convoluted architecture of the medieval town, but unfortunately we weren't able to pay this amazing natural attraction (15). We visited the Catacombs of Paris which was a scary creepy-ish experience, the catacombs of paris were a set of underground quarries housing around six million human skeletons dating back to the 18th century (16). www.historyvius.com/historic-sites-in-france/pl31
Halló (7) there reader! Iceland, the Land of Fire and Ice, is an island approximately 1,362 kilometers North West from the United Kingdom and 1,210 South East from Greenland. (1) On my trip (in mid-winter), I learned that the rock and glacial terrain creates problems with building and transportation. Also, all the rivers and bodies of water contribute to the major fish industry in Iceland. FIsh is a huge part of their cuisine today. Icelanders have also turned to eco-friendly hydrogen cars in effort to lower the amount of pollutants being released into the environment. (2) Due to the large masses of water surrounding Iceland, the climate is much milder than the south artic location would imply. I brought an array of clothing, but most importantly, a rain jacket. Low pressure cyclones sweep across the North Atlantic Ocean exposing the South coast to heavy precipitation. (4) The Financial Crisis of Iceland was an economic dilemma caused by the crash of three important banks in the country. (5) Björgólfur Thor Björgólfsson is a billionaire entrepreneur specifically famous in Iceland. (6) Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, was the first city I visited. Tourism is most concentrated here than any other city in Iceland. It is the economic center of Iceland, holding most headquarters of major companies in this country. Kópavogu, which was the next city I visited, is historically important due to the meeting that took place there in 1662. During this meeting, a document was signed that confirmed the King to have total control over Iceland. The final city I visited, Akureyri, is an important port and fishing centre. (12) WHile in Reykjavik, I visited the famous religious attraction of Hallgrimskirkja, a church completed in 1986; nearly 40 years after construction began. (13) Also in Reykjavik were the Asmundur Sveinsson Sculptures in. These are a series of sculptures in a museum depicting ordinary working people, myths, and folklore episodes. (14) On the way to Laki mountain, my tour guide describes to me the Norse holiday of Þorrablót. this holiday, commonly spelled “Thorrablot” is an Icelandic mid-winter festival originally in honor of the norse god Thor. (8) During this occasion, feasts of Þorramatur food are eaten. This is a selection of Icelandic food usually eaten during Þorrablót. Some of the dishes consist of cured meat and seafood, including putrefied shark, pickled ram testicles, and singed sheep head jam. (10) Svid is also served during this occasion. Svid is an Icelandic delicacy that we would simply call sheep’s head. Svid is commonly served with mashed potatoes and/or mashed turnips. (9) When we reach our destination, we are introduced to the Laki Craters. The Laki Craters were by far my favorite physical feature in Iceland. This field of craters was created when fissures opened up on either side of the Laki Mountain and basalt lava poured from them. (15) The next day we leave for Vesturhop, Iceland. On the way, the tour guide and I discuss some of the taboos in the area. People always address each other by their first names; even their teachers, elders, and president. Smoking is prohibited in public as well. (3) In Vesturhop, we see Breioabolstaour which is the church that was the site at which the first laws were written. (16) The U.S. travel advisory states that there is no terrorism in Iceland and that there is little crime. It does state that Iceland is very open and vulnerable to terrorist attacks, although none have happened yet.
(17) November 12, 2014- Scientists spotted rifts and sinkholes near the volcano of Bardarbunga. If this volcano erupts, it could delay the air traffic in Europe depending on which way the ash blows. (18) Handball- Often referred to as the nation’s sport, Iceland's team is one of the best in the olympics. (19) The final night of my trip was the most exciting; the sky was crystal clear and, according to my tour guide, we had a chance to see the Aurora Borealis. Although it only lasted a mere 15 minutes, we did catch a glimpse at a pink aurora; the rarest color to be observed. (20) Bless! (7) Buna! (7) This blog entry is about what we learned while visiting Romania! Romania is occasionally spelled as "Rumania" and formerly spelled "Roumania". The capital (and biggest city) of Romania is Bucharest. (12) Bucharest is the 6th largest city in the European Union (EU). The size of Bucharest is 88.03 sq. miles. Another major city that we visited was Constanta. Constanta is 48.22 square miles. One other city that we visited was almost half the size of Bucharest, but it was still very interesting. We visited Timisoara. Romania is a country in Eastern Europe that is located below Ukraine and above Bulgaria (1). It has a very diverse culture and is economically based on agriculture. Romania is filled with castles, old churches, beautiful mountain ranges, and lakes. Romania was once a communist country but the communist government was overthrown in 1989 during the Romanian Revolution (5). Over 1,000 men died in their effort to free Romania from its communist oppression. Day 1: After landing in Bucharest, Romania, we researched some safety advice on visiting Romania. The U.S. State Department travel advisory said that Romania is largely free of terrorist attacks and credit card and internet fraud are two of the most common crimes regarding tourists. (17) We did not worry much because we had only cash and planned to not use much internet during our trip. After arriving at our hotel, we were very jet-lagged so we went straight to sleep. Once we woke up, we got ready to explore Romania. Our first stop was a restaurant (of course), to eat breakfast. We did not try Romanian food so we went for a regular American breakfast. Once we finished, we visited the Romanian Patriarchal Cathedral (13), a cathedral located on the Dealul Mitropoliei (Roman for Metropolitanate Hill). Since it was on a hill, we had to walk for about 5 minutes up the hill. Our tourist guide, Luca, informed us of many things about this old cathedral. He said its structure began in 1654 and was completed in 1658. The cathedral is said to be the center of Romanian Orthodox faith and also a national symbol. In the massive church, we saw many pieces of artwork such as beautiful frescoes painted on the walls. Because we visited Romania in November, we experienced St. Andrew’s Day. (8) St. Andrew’s Day is on November 30th and is celebrated because of Saint Andrew. Saint Andrew is the patron saint of Romania and was the first apostle called by Jesus. During this day, people have the day off from school, work, etc. Some Romanians bring out garlic to ward off ghosts and some eat a special type of salty bread in hope of dreaming of the person they will marry. While in Bucharest it was around 41ºF. We packed long sleeved clothing and warm jackets to bear through the cold. The cold temperature made the celebrations somewhat less enjoyable because I forgot to wear long pants our first day (4). We also saw this man on T.V. a lot, and found out that he is the President-Elect of Romania! His name is Klaus Iohannis and is going to be the President of Romania, starting December 22. He won with the help of social media and is the most popular European Politician by Facebook followers. (18) Our internet was filled with articles about Klaus Iohannis. It honestly got pretty annoying. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/romania/11249449/Romanian-presidential-election-does-Klaus-Iohanniss-victory-prove-social-media-can-win-an-election.html Day 2: We woke up bright and early in Bucharest because we needed to get to Timisoara. While walking around in the streets of Bucharest, we saw a woman in sunglasses and a hat with men surrounding her. Austin wanted to know if she was a celebrity of some sort. So Austin “asked her for directions”. He found out that her name was Alexandra Stan. We searched up her name and saw that she is a Romanian singer and model (6) One of her accomplishments as an artist was that her song “Mr. Saxob eat” sold more than 10,000,000 copies in less than a year! We started driving to Timisoara in the early afternoon after we had a bowl of ciorba (9). Ciorba is a soup with a sour taste. it consists of a vast assortment of meats and vegetables. I (Austin) didn't enjoy it very much but John loved it. On the road we stopped at Retezat National park to see Taul Tapului Lake (15). This is a glacial lake located in the Retezat Mountains also known as “Land with Blue Eyes”, because of its many lakes. We played a quick game of Romanian football (soccer) by the lake. Soccer is a very common pastime of Romanians. Romanians enjoy many sports such as soccer, basketball, and rugby. (19) On our way to Timisoara we noticed a lot of wooden carriages. The rural natives haven’t changed their lifestyles in quite a while so they still travel in more primitive forms (10). We also noticed people dressed up in some weird clothing. We assumed it was Romanian traditional clothing. I (John) asked the people to explain the clothing. The men were wearing Căciulă, Romanian fur hats. They were wearing 3 different types of Căciulă. (11) Căciulă țuguiată, cușmă rotilată, ăciulă joasă. Căciulă țuguiată is a high conical cap made of four pieces joined together. Cușmă rotilată is a round low cap made of a long band forming a cylinder and a round top sewn to the upper edge of the cylinder. Căciulă joasă is a cylindrical fur cap with the top greater than the base. This is also called a mocănească, rotată, retezată or turtită. Once we arrived in Timisoara we decided we wanted a little Romanian culture so we decided to stop by Liberatii Square (14). Liberatii Square is filled with monuments and fountains dedicated to the Romanian Revolution. It is also filled with many plants and is covered by a ceiling of umbrellas. after walking around for a few minutes we decided it was getting late and we needed to rest up for the next day. Day 3: There was a very big and buff man we asked for information from. While talking with him, I (John) looked away at times, feeling scared, but he told me that eye contact is important in Romania. It is taken as a sign of respect. Looking away is taken as rude. After informing me, he also said that in Romania, most people are very reserved and formal with strangers. So he said to not be too “over the edge” with strangers because they do not trust other strangers at first. (3) On our way to Constanta we decided to see an old Transylvanian castle. There was one in our root called Corvinilor Castle (20). it was near the city of Hunedoara which used to be a huge iron exporter in Romania. the castle was built as a fortress for a powerful family in Romania and it “somewhat resembled the castle of Hogwarts to me” (John). It was a very interesting tour and we learned about the powerful families of Romania. After visiting the Corvinolor Castle, we also stopped by a small village called “Copsa Mica” because it is known as one of the most polluted places in Europe. And that title was very accurate! The cause of the pollution was because of two factories located in the village. Because of the pollution, the life expectancy rates dropped about 10%-20% in the last 7 years the factories have been open. That made us not want to live in Romania as much as before. (2) Day 4: On our last day we visited Constanta by the Black Sea. After about an hour of frollicking on the beach, we decided to see the old Roman mosaics next to the National History Museum. They were created in the 4th Century and have been decaying over the years. Only about one third of the original mosaic is still in the city, the rest was destroyed over the years. (16) There are now more than 9,000 square feet of mosaics even though there was originally around 3,000. We flew home from Constanta at 2:15 in the afternoon and returned home very satisfied. We hope you had a fun time reading (7) about our Advent ure in Romania! Adio!!! About the Authors: John Kang: Blogger John Kang was born in Seoul, South Korea and currently lives in Houston, TX. He would like to explore Asia in the future. He attends Memorial High School and is uncertain of his future career. John enjoys listening to music, watching TV/movies, and procrastinating on the internet. Austin Norris:
Austin also lives in Houston,TX. He enjoys long walks on beaches with the people he’s closest to. He is currently attending Memorial High School and is on the Junior Varsity B soccer team. He thoroughly enjoyed his trip to Romania and would love to go again. How’s it going? Or as they say it in Bulgaria “Как върви?” (7). That’s right! During summer break we went to Bulgaria and had a blast. Now if you’re wondering where Bulgaria is, its next to Serbia, below Romania, and above Greece (1). Before we traveled to Bulgaria, we were advised to watch out for pick-pocketing in crowded areas and to be careful for frauds (17). The summer was hot and dry, so we had to drink a lot of water to stay hydrated. They also had a nice highland climate(4). Back in Houston, the summers would be hot and humid, so we were somewhat prepared. While we were visiting this incomparable country, we visited a museum in Sofia, the great capital of Bulgaria (12), and learned about the great history of Bulgaria. Before we went to Bulgaria, we had no knowledge of their history, but when the museum tour guide told us the history, we felt so exhilarated to know more. Also, we heard about the tragedy that happened on October 2, 2014 (18). An explosion completely destroyed a factory, killing 15 people. This brought the country to wonder if arms disposal was worth the risk. One of the amazing things the tour guide told us about was Spartacus, a gladiator of the Thracian Tribe which was a tribe that were the earliest inhabitants of Bulgaria, he was born in 109 BCE. (Picture 1) This maps shows where Bulgaria is located, its capital, and 4 other cities. The tour guide said that in 73 BCE he escaped from a gladiatorial training school at Capua with other gladiators, soon slaves joined them. They refuged on Mount Vesuvius and the gladiators taught others basic combat skills. Spartacus was believed to be the leader of the revolt. Rome did not highly regard the slave army as a major threat,so they didn't send their front lines to attack them. Therefore it resulted in the slave army defeating the first four forces. Soon more slaves started to join, and at its prime the slave army had about 90,000 to 12,000 soldiers. (Picture 2) A drawing of a scene from an attack of the slave army against one of Rome's forces (Picture 3) Spartacus and the slave army in its prime with about 90,000 to 12,000 After our trip to the museum, we went to go to a festival to celebrate Bulgaria's independence day on September 22. We were told by our tour guide that on September 22, 1908 Bulgaria declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire (8). (Picture 4) The city of Sofia which we went to a festival and celebrated Bulgaria's independence day Next, we visited the Boyana Church which was spectacular (13). The church walls were very interesting and unique. What made this church different was that the walls were covered with paintings which gave the church a high artistic value. The location of the church made it even better. It is located at the foot of Vitosha Mountain and is isolated from all the noise created by busy cities. It was relaxing, especially after all the walking we did. The Asenova fortress was outstanding. The view from the fortress was breath-taking. According to our tour guide, the fortress gained importance during the Middle Ages. It was used as a border fortification against Latin raids. It also gave travelers protection (14). Milen Tsvetkov a local food store. He is famous because he is a TV host and a journalist so it was great that we were able to meet him (6). On Sunday, we passed by a church and was able to hear the traditional church singing (10). It sounded amazing! If you ever go on a vacation to Bulgaria, you have to visit Rila National Park. Although it wasn't easy walking all the way there, it was worth it. The place was truly beautiful. Here, you can really appreciate nature to the fullest. It was quiet and the sound of nature was peaceful. It was heaven on Earth (15). The tour guide told us about the many factories polluting the country (2). The factories result in air pollution, which has a negative affect on nature. While going back to the hotel, we met The Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak was outstanding (16). It was mostly known for its well preserved examples of Thracian artwork, which was surprising because of how old the artifacts are.
Miles Griffin Period 5 Denmark Denmark's flag. (4) The clothes I packed for Denmark, were pants, long sleeved shirts, a couple sweaters, mitts, and a jacket. The weather in Denmark at this time was fairly cold and vaguely snowy. This affected my trip by making it a little difficult to travel, in Denmark, because of the mounds of snow that sometimes covered the roads, especially after snow storms that occas ionally occurred. (8) Denmark's Liberation day, May 5th, is a national holiday of Denmark that is significant because on May 5th 1945, Denmark had been occupied by Germany since 1940, and on this day the liberation of Denmark was announced. On this day, I noticed lit candles placed at the windows of people's homes that I drove by. (6) A famous person in Denmark was a Danish politician, Thorvald Stauning, who lived from 1873 to 1942, who spent most of his life as a Danish politician and influenced Danish politics. He was the first social democratic Prime Minister of Denmark, and he helped transform the social democratic party from a class party to a popular party. He served as Prime Minister from 1924 to 1926, and served again as Prime Minister 1929 until his death. (3) Cultural taboos that I noticed and discovered in Denmark: • Don't call somebody by their first name until invited to, when greeting someone. • Don't give expensive gifts, when giving gifts. • As a visitor, don't arrive more than 15 minutes late. • In a conversation, don't mistake a Dane for being Swedish or Norwegian. • Don't start eating at the table until the host says "Skol". (15) A physical attraction that I visited in Denmark was the distinguished Egeskov Castle. Egeskov Castle is located in the southern part of the island of Funen, in Denmark. The castle was built by Frands Brockenhuus and was completed in 1554. It was built in the middle of a lake on a foundation of oak pilings. This beautiful house consist of two long houses connected by a massive wall. Even though the castle looks so peaceful and beautiful, it was actually built for defense purposes. Originally, the only access to the house was across the drawbridge. Ever since the park was open to the public, there have been a few changes made to the castle's grounds. One significant change was the opening of the Veteran Car museum in 1967. (1) Denmark is a Nordic country, that is located southwest of Sweden and is south of Norway. Egeskov Castle in southern Denmark in modern times. One grand room in Egeskov castle. (5) As I learned much about the history of Denmark on my trip, one significant event in Denmark's history is the ratification of the Danish constitution of 1849. This event occurred on June 5, 1849 and has been celebrated by the Danes ever since, as a national holiday. The introduction of the Danish constitution of 1849 terminated the absolute monarchy in Denmark. The constitution was drafted by Ditlev Gothard Monrad, which he drafted based on the collection of constitutions at the time, and was signed by King Frederick the 7th. The Danish constitution of 1849 has been amended four times since it was signed. The fathers of the Danish constitution assemble in Copenhagen in 1848. (9) In Denmark, I noticed a lot of Danes, for lunch, eating these sandwiches called Smørrebrød. This food consists of a piece of buttered rye bread topped with pieces of meat, or fish, cheese, or spreads. Smørrebrød in Denmark. (12) On my trip in Denmark, I visited the capital of Copenhagen, and I visited the cities Aalborg, and Odense. Copenhagen is important, because the Danish constitution of 1849 was signed in this city. In Odense, the Odense Steel Shipyard has been Denmark's largest shipbuilding facility since 1996, and closed in 2012 as a result of international competition. In Aalborg, the first European Conference on Sustainable cities and towns took place, in 1994. Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark. (19) The Danes do many things in their spare time such as: • Danes go to visit the nearly sixty zoos, parks, and aquariums in Denmark including the Copenhagen zoo, Botanic garden of Copenhagen, and the Blue Planet. • Families can enjoy seventy amusement and theme parks. • Danes can go to any of the three large circuses in Aalborg. • Hiking • Bicycling • Fishing • Golfing • Water sports • Beautiful scenic drives. (13) Denmark is one of the world's most "secularized" countries in which Christianity plays only a minor role in public life. The Evangelical Lutheran church is Denmark's People's church, and is supported by the state. These churches are known as the Brenderup church. (14) The culture of Denmark is very rich with history and artistic heritage. It includes distinguished astronomical discoveries, and advances in technology. The famous Hans Christian Andersen fairy tales are danish, as is the Nobel laureate, Henrik Pontoppidan. Also, Denmark is famous for the symphonies of Carl Nielsen, and Danish films are internationally known. Carl Theodore Dreyer is one of the world's greatest film directors. Juleaften is a Danish word that means Christmas eve or Yule eve, which is an important aspect of Danish culture in which a traditional dinner is served, and the Danish Christmas tree is decorated with homemade ornaments and real candles. (17) The U.S. State Department's travel advisory for Denmark includes a valid passport, if you plan on staying in Denmark more than ninety days. The U.S. State Department recently re-issued a worldwide caution about the potential for terrorist attacks in Europe. It reminds tourists to be cautious, aware, and to avoid downtown Vesterbro and Norrebro late at night (areas in Copenhagen). They are also saying for tourists to stay away from areas where public demonstrations are taking place. The U.S. State Department suggests tourists to be careful of pickpockets and purse-snatchers, especially in train stations and crowded busses. The Danish equivalent of the American (911) emergency line is (112). You do not need any special vaccinations to go to Denmark, but if people have a medical emergency, they can dial (1813) for medical advice in Denmark. Brenderup Church in Denmark. (11) The traditional costumes of Denmark vary from region to region but are all made by hand and consist of fabrics that are either wool or flax. All the material is made with vegetable dyes. Women wear hats or “bonnets” that have a linen material under it that hold it on their head. These bonnets have lace and embroidery on them. They wear shirts and “petticoats” covered with white aprons that are also embroidered. Their white blouses have hooks and laces and sometimes a vest on top. Men wear clothes made of similar fabrics but they wear knee breeches (like shorts that go to the knees) with white woolen stockings that go over the knees. Both men and women wear clogs (wooden shoes) and sometimes the men leather boot toppers. The men wore several layers of shirts with tin buttons. The wealthier men had shirts with silver buttons. Danish traditional costume. (20) The most memorable place that I visited in Denmark was Egeskov castle, because it was built on a foundation in the middle of a lake, it is four hundred years old, and it is so majestic. (7) The normal way to say hello is "HEJ", which means hi. If someone calls you, but you can't hear them, in Danish you would say "hallo?". This is the way you get someone's attention. The traditional way to say bye in Danish is "Farvel!" (2) Denmark obtains it's power by 20% of in renewable energy (windmills) and they want this to be 100% by the year 2050. The Danish love to use their bicycles, and their cities are becoming crowded. Urbanization is leading to "environmental degradation and global warming." In 2010, Denmark had the fourth highest global footprint (greenhouse gas emissions). Meat is very expensive, because of the scarcity of grazing land, which is important to the country's economy. (10) One custom, is to be on time. Danes are punctual. Guest remove their shoes before entering a house. Table manners are important. The Danes eat with the fork in the left hand and the knife in the right hand. Guest do not begin eating until the host toasts with "Skol". Women are highly respected in Danish society, they receive equal pay, and can get really good jobs. Copenhagen (urbanization). Danes's pastime.
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