tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42461788306978176932024-02-19T17:06:58.570-08:00A Time to TravelI am a recent graduate in my early twenties, so I have decided to take advantage of my flexible schedule and do some traveling. In August 2007, I studied Spanish in Mexico for one month, and in the spring of 2008, I studied English literature in the British Isles with my university. Thanks to a supportive family, and God's provision, this truly is a time to travel! Check in again for upcoming adventures.Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04384276668649886959noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4246178830697817693.post-77848364710155126702008-09-21T21:27:00.000-07:002008-09-21T21:27:48.103-07:00The Late and the Great- Roma, Oxford and College Graduation<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFshN3Ko-pqRPH0tSj0rfOgZw5tzFmYSry2IPjrQFvt23WQsiBuLZM34om1ymp6Gt52uTKLyVp3dBxrRFsphdeWicFzas7Z8Ezj_cpIcQ7OqvmwnmfTCAl_TgKJPyxHY7jQ7lIUbQTJvY/s1600-h/Rome-+Trevi+fountain+2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231243225647958322" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFshN3Ko-pqRPH0tSj0rfOgZw5tzFmYSry2IPjrQFvt23WQsiBuLZM34om1ymp6Gt52uTKLyVp3dBxrRFsphdeWicFzas7Z8Ezj_cpIcQ7OqvmwnmfTCAl_TgKJPyxHY7jQ7lIUbQTJvY/s200/Rome-+Trevi+fountain+2.JPG" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231242434834078866" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioNBgXyuzs2To2LtqPhSJCdPmOc3BC5_DA_ORWcZieXuGhX-MlVlON8qVT_z7KOd0PvdRvugUEWhHQJarvnox20IBD6_-EwMhaUmFrhxfV7ttwKBoIJESZSPpGp7K50kvdkmlPxnIx1iQ/s200/Rome-+Trevi+fountain.JPG" border="0" />For those of you who may have been wondering, I did in fact return from the British Isles last spring. Despite whatever visions you may have had of European kidnapping scandals, or romantic elopements, the truth is that I just did not make it around to publishing my final post until now.<br /><br />My bank holiday weekend in Rome, Italy was one of my favorite times during the trip. Two of my friends (Katherin<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZqY_1h90hrzfCTLVossj5IFi3rE-LJzmoq-E-PVaU-2MdR8dmIt3fwKpZO0-lU4hxmYLz6JtIOq5bpXGJSIgFzgMxRIvJ0W265zgcJ067z0Y3GmVWOsYG8keOnQyYsLM-lSTr-8v8tz8/s1600-h/Rome-+pasta.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231242441575764482" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZqY_1h90hrzfCTLVossj5IFi3rE-LJzmoq-E-PVaU-2MdR8dmIt3fwKpZO0-lU4hxmYLz6JtIOq5bpXGJSIgFzgMxRIvJ0W265zgcJ067z0Y3GmVWOsYG8keOnQyYsLM-lSTr-8v8tz8/s200/Rome-+pasta.JPG" border="0" /></a>e and Kelsey) joined me in the adventure, and we enjoyed ourselves immensely, despite the fact that it was the weekend before traveling to Oxford to take final exams. We found a central, family-run hotel called Hotel Emmaus which was literally a few blocks from the Vatican, so we were in a lovely part of Rome. The tree-lined street outside our window was filled with traditional Italian restaurants so the air was always fragrant with the cuisine that Roma is famous for.<br /><br />During my time in Europe, I developed a love for carbonated <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU4HabTodq9uEg8tCryXuGrvZ6oKEQLyOblhBz2gl9X5w9p2qWlAFQMSUIk8KiATPnzN-9nluJZTOy1-yTJ_SldsNY2Tfxhcv7XcY0eG_utE1kFYQZauADE7DMOIRrWEAmHbcv8leTHcw/s1600-h/Rome-+motorcycle+alley.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231242439280452162" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU4HabTodq9uEg8tCryXuGrvZ6oKEQLyOblhBz2gl9X5w9p2qWlAFQMSUIk8KiATPnzN-9nluJZTOy1-yTJ_SldsNY2Tfxhcv7XcY0eG_utE1kFYQZauADE7DMOIRrWEAmHbcv8leTHcw/s200/Rome-+motorcycle+alley.JPG" border="0" /></a>water, and I rarely drank anything else. In Italian, carbonated water is called "acqua frizzante" which makes ordering it at a restaurant even more enjoyable as it somehow seems more elegant. I was also thrilled by the amount of motorcycles in Rome. Due to the traffic congestion, motorcycles are the choice mode of transportation, and incredibly, almost all the women that I saw were riding in either heels or tall boots.<br /><br />We did a fair amount of sightseeing while in Rome, but we also took a lot of time to just rest and have some fun. We toured the Coliseum, St. Peter's Cathedral in Vatican City, threw coins into the Trevi fountain, as<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ieT3Hwq3MzCXBrBXlmaA4CWsSbNkQXrjjzYPVWhy0BzwV8nSyzUyPuJ7xuRJu1tH2MCj3-sTQ6q58eKjU_e7lDuUz_fU-GMYyf79JQK5YxiFdKne0je-Nv_sGZJkVXpJjn6zx6kzSvo/s1600-h/Rome-+ruins.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231242858083069378" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ieT3Hwq3MzCXBrBXlmaA4CWsSbNkQXrjjzYPVWhy0BzwV8nSyzUyPuJ7xuRJu1tH2MCj3-sTQ6q58eKjU_e7lDuUz_fU-GMYyf79JQK5YxiFdKne0je-Nv_sGZJkVXpJjn6zx6kzSvo/s200/Rome-+ruins.JPG" border="0" /></a> well as explored many of the quaint "piazzas" that fill the interior of the city. The only low point in the entire trip was that we missed the Sistine Chapel. We saved it for the last day as admission was going to be free, but we failed to notice that the closing time had changed for that day as well. It is said, however, that you will one day return to Rome if you throw coins into the Trevi fountain over your shoulder, so I will have to see <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdNCZbC1uAMw4-yx4veP6j0U-GTY_1FeKfZHTxRVDwjQYwRNsf5K_3AeAA3wOUb030SbZuXGxJmtltHTdRoMmevCNy_2ryF7S14vkVePbGYmbtkHaKiIqODo8jhZU191p4cFn_BbZwoM/s1600-h/Rome-+Trevi+fountain+front+(20).JPG"></a>Michelangelo's creations on my return to Roma.<br /><br /><br /><p align="right"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNtg22tJRcieW5iqb0dEtcbBdKGsU26By3ltXCnA0dhJQVjnyVmZ_9DQN1U_ISgfw-5dUC0BAJyJuHatvjK3OStrWg4ee3qp9NhEXtfXCQDH4GyLOpyQlloC_u2Ul12ZTImwDUmEXiqiU/s1600-h/Rome-+acqua+frizzante.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231242430298883778" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNtg22tJRcieW5iqb0dEtcbBdKGsU26By3ltXCnA0dhJQVjnyVmZ_9DQN1U_ISgfw-5dUC0BAJyJuHatvjK3OStrWg4ee3qp9NhEXtfXCQDH4GyLOpyQlloC_u2Ul12ZTImwDUmEXiqiU/s200/Rome-+acqua+frizzante.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP8V2skDxjvcUyftrHNw6eBMphmyHbPNM88Ns1izkL2qzrgZQysLrlkKzcaQuuqz2BcqKZZZ4ilPUNRsgJPynqkA5oXZ7ftGuAhRHXeM6sOpfSAld5lsnqq_yzwoT8TZ6QQJxD9-3S7pE/s1600-h/Luigi+2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231242851587648130" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP8V2skDxjvcUyftrHNw6eBMphmyHbPNM88Ns1izkL2qzrgZQysLrlkKzcaQuuqz2BcqKZZZ4ilPUNRsgJPynqkA5oXZ7ftGuAhRHXeM6sOpfSAld5lsnqq_yzwoT8TZ6QQJxD9-3S7pE/s200/Luigi+2.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmIBsHQ73jUAm1dNNBcZwH-YqQ3Gd-X0Sk3WOV1epc8Mus_FrBBcbWC8808mFzR_jaxZUtMEMv31lERFFlzlozslDN8AgnMBtlmvAdTByVka2szn8dp5mu_OSRgh3TYnu4r3-D15QrJgI/s1600-h/Rome-+viewpoint.JPG"></a></p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmIBsHQ73jUAm1dNNBcZwH-YqQ3Gd-X0Sk3WOV1epc8Mus_FrBBcbWC8808mFzR_jaxZUtMEMv31lERFFlzlozslDN8AgnMBtlmvAdTByVka2szn8dp5mu_OSRgh3TYnu4r3-D15QrJgI/s1600-h/Rome-+viewpoint.JPG"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmIBsHQ73jUAm1dNNBcZwH-YqQ3Gd-X0Sk3WOV1epc8Mus_FrBBcbWC8808mFzR_jaxZUtMEMv31lERFFlzlozslDN8AgnMBtlmvAdTByVka2szn8dp5mu_OSRgh3TYnu4r3-D15QrJgI/s1600-h/Rome-+viewpoint.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:78%;">Pictures:</span> <span style="font-size:78%;">Our friend Luigi whose family ran Hotel Emmaus; Acqua frizzante </span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><span style="font-size:78%;"></div></span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><div align="left"><br /></span></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-Ta_Jq2ZWaY0sPf_3OAUUkSy8IByLeSDPiiriLTKq2-9J4qrtp4r9cJcSDAgJS7ggc-b8bv_SMNJkH2ZcZiYiO4GHeQ5Oj9Itx7RkrwuY5n1jOuEG_HNvgovdXr_Twdt6cf66_HnydM/s1600-h/n42902610_31227587_479%5B1%5D.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248692944331066834" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-Ta_Jq2ZWaY0sPf_3OAUUkSy8IByLeSDPiiriLTKq2-9J4qrtp4r9cJcSDAgJS7ggc-b8bv_SMNJkH2ZcZiYiO4GHeQ5Oj9Itx7RkrwuY5n1jOuEG_HNvgovdXr_Twdt6cf66_HnydM/s200/n42902610_31227587_479%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The girls and I arrived back in Oxford just in time to work for the next few days on finals preparations. I ended up not feeling well the three days following Rome, so I spent almost two days straight in bed studying. As a result, I did not see a whole lot of Oxford, but I did make it to the Eagle and Child Pub- the famous site of J.R.R. Tolken and C.S. Lewis' meetings- as well as take a tour of Lewis' home, the nature reserve preserved in his name, and the graveyard where he is burried.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaW1ADtcTvYP648Vu3c4zd0iVV-2_bE_5xtN2Zn7SL6kuOLo-ayvRkdnUE5gLyDVhlfouwMJOzpx__U949Kv6VVNxl9nYkbhI-QIys23yyWNXJnr4xoIwGTdoZTWSsnWi83nZ8TfZVcX8/s1600-h/Oxford+(81).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248692952680906754" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaW1ADtcTvYP648Vu3c4zd0iVV-2_bE_5xtN2Zn7SL6kuOLo-ayvRkdnUE5gLyDVhlfouwMJOzpx__U949Kv6VVNxl9nYkbhI-QIys23yyWNXJnr4xoIwGTdoZTWSsnWi83nZ8TfZVcX8/s200/Oxford+(81).JPG" border="0" /></a><br />There was a group of about five of us that decided to tour Lewis' home, so together we made the pilgrimage via bus out to the part of Oxford where Lewis lived. When we arrived at the house, however, it was a bit of a shock to knock on the door of a traditional, English cottage-style house in the middle of Oxford, and be greeted by a petite, American woman with a Southern accent. This sweet woman ended up being a Christian who had self-taught herself Lewis' entire personal history, and had been hired to live in the house along with he<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaU5qNCkTeCxQrmS2yp8ekLbrn57BwYpqTi6RMcZW8jo5WjmoEXvntlJ53cCxpnehHTTtpQptCRoQGj9v_AzhWKpSE0w6xY-xN4zJhheIAm010vsGW8GUXWbeHtC5IyKWIFlxcBBtS0UA/s1600-h/Oxford+(29).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248694181184981810" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaU5qNCkTeCxQrmS2yp8ekLbrn57BwYpqTi6RMcZW8jo5WjmoEXvntlJ53cCxpnehHTTtpQptCRoQGj9v_AzhWKpSE0w6xY-xN4zJhheIAm010vsGW8GUXWbeHtC5IyKWIFlxcBBtS0UA/s200/Oxford+(29).JPG" border="0" /></a>r husband and act as host for the several grad students who were given the honor to live in Lewis' home while they study and write their doctoral theses. After inviting us to come in, our tour guide insisted on us sitting down to tea before taking the tour as this was how Lewis would have entertained any guest who would have entered his home. After tea and a tour, I was amazed to find that Lewis' house was in lovely condition, thanks to the efforts of the organization that returned the house to its original decor and character after an unfortunate bout with the 1970s and shag carpet.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTyVznMRWKnMjSM8Ka87935U2tMlyYhysixw6-anGS12kF2hMoaIhV_Ke-O73jdvpBPKMniSQqkxY3uA1ie7-GlCeeTD0a9ZHHeVPfPW5aB1L3DdAkVPtA-STqx36dxco201UOnL0qA1I/s1600-h/STA60035+Rotated.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248692945171822194" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTyVznMRWKnMjSM8Ka87935U2tMlyYhysixw6-anGS12kF2hMoaIhV_Ke-O73jdvpBPKMniSQqkxY3uA1ie7-GlCeeTD0a9ZHHeVPfPW5aB1L3DdAkVPtA-STqx36dxco201UOnL0qA1I/s200/STA60035+Rotated.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />For the last final exam of my college career, I gave a verbal presentation on Charles Dickens' legacy as a novelist which seemed a fitting end to my time as an English literature major and then the group of us jetted back to Seattle for one final week of college life. With only a matter of days in-between returning from Europe and graduation, my time at university was over shockingly fast. In that last week, I had some wonderful last hurrahs with friends, celebrated with loved ones, and packed up for Portland. In fact, my life <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7XK_WakAg1NgVVBgRZMnt9sIAodbSjT4MwLeRcf6TyA1Lv35m_nr9TllZzQECpU_vaGZ2q3o5INs2SCD1fbmzTAjs4Vi-Tse3K_qYqqhvjgqONFTnx9hytRiFUw6w0P8ytmejqis0UfI/s1600-h/gradweekpic.jpg"></a>transition happened so quickly that I began a new job in a new city one week after my college graduation.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK__Sy7otrkHc8SkfPTXfs-aRaHPyXzCGQGvWZvXa1MHGCdSZvqPAsTPqzhC2lHx-JpA9hBzEgBNAho5KdfHQnhPIoqrdrGEULkXW_ajR8hBLyZKQ5EKHKE0wd8_Y6jp0V63IgZYmfWHA/s1600-h/Seattle-graduation+051.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248692941020869922" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK__Sy7otrkHc8SkfPTXfs-aRaHPyXzCGQGvWZvXa1MHGCdSZvqPAsTPqzhC2lHx-JpA9hBzEgBNAho5KdfHQnhPIoqrdrGEULkXW_ajR8hBLyZKQ5EKHKE0wd8_Y6jp0V63IgZYmfWHA/s200/Seattle-graduation+051.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />A few months later, I feel incredibly blessed to have a job that I love in a city filled with people that I love, but I will admit that I am still in shock. It is difficult to grasp the fact that my entire social realm in Seattle has dispersed to the far corners of the earth as my friends travel and take jobs in other states. While I know those relationships remain in tact, the realization that I can never return to that part of my life will take some adjusting to.<br /><br /><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><br /><div align="left"></div>Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04384276668649886959noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4246178830697817693.post-86948768302216885872008-05-21T08:57:00.000-07:002008-12-12T22:39:29.248-08:00Roman Baths, Tudor Houses and the River Cam<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsNSjle_tysPRFM6RWAcv9wI1usknR4fv66fqsgsaIwQAgKTXy4T7qBUhEP-KGaCNBHL_aS5MrQPMoClQy9qrcCD0_LPGKHeQXno-SrB27inQXHiXw7Xf0VmA8PQqfh2BOrb2-msYEB3k/s1600-h/Roman+baths.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202866960201298514" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsNSjle_tysPRFM6RWAcv9wI1usknR4fv66fqsgsaIwQAgKTXy4T7qBUhEP-KGaCNBHL_aS5MrQPMoClQy9qrcCD0_LPGKHeQXno-SrB27inQXHiXw7Xf0VmA8PQqfh2BOrb2-msYEB3k/s200/Roman+baths.JPG" border="0" /></a> Hello, hello!<br /><br /><br /><br />As my title indicates, I have traveled to Bath, Stratford and Cambridge since my last post. That means that there is a lot to cover, but it is going to have to be the shortened version because I don't have a lot of time.<br /><br /><br /><br />So... Bath was wonderful. It was incredible to see first-hand the baths that the Romans built and used so long ago. The most incredible part was the fact that the Roman plumbing is still working!<br /><br /><br /><br />While in Bath, some of the girls and I treated ourselves to high tea in the pump room at the Roman baths. It was my first high tea since I have <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyJmZ1_6I3AomCjD4eIlW4MeFc9YXgKBmw2szL5X6nJRqF6d7pJM5PNUKRdxbKbAqqaiBvN82KRIKtoWUfCANkuafRGlrAZMDU61As1alFHES4Wmt4-szj87-IYofra5SSOcc1dsACF6Y/s1600-h/High+tea+in+Bath.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202866393265615378" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyJmZ1_6I3AomCjD4eIlW4MeFc9YXgKBmw2szL5X6nJRqF6d7pJM5PNUKRdxbKbAqqaiBvN82KRIKtoWUfCANkuafRGlrAZMDU61As1alFHES4Wmt4-szj87-IYofra5SSOcc1dsACF6Y/s200/High+tea+in+Bath.JPG" border="0" /></a>been in England, and it was well worth it. The atmosphere was lovely- the pump room felt a bit like a ballroom due to the chandeliers and live piano music!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RvhyphenhyphenopUlotl02FfqINM5w5DbwfiylHVRIkNpOJP3O8apw724bGatDtDTjnP38W7f9MhZy3GLUIPCFDlROXeukt5_qYbdpqEzNtorfrpcXFQUc5UtUSACuVJSUF138eTX-uWTktBzR3I/s1600-h/Sunny+day+in+Bath.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202866985971102354" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RvhyphenhyphenopUlotl02FfqINM5w5DbwfiylHVRIkNpOJP3O8apw724bGatDtDTjnP38W7f9MhZy3GLUIPCFDlROXeukt5_qYbdpqEzNtorfrpcXFQUc5UtUSACuVJSUF138eTX-uWTktBzR3I/s200/Sunny+day+in+Bath.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />While in Bath, our cultural fund paid for a side trip to Stonehenge and and a little country village as well. We got to Stonehenge rather early in the morning so we were some of the only ones there and the weather was gorgeous! It is kind of hard to take in so many sights with the full appreciation of how old they are and their significance in history, but I have been trying to reflect on the importance of everything I am seeing as much as possible.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGabnFjdev893pW1w6HzeyyIqc09smfPUxAdkyLza2LmJUzKYXWRekNS_LjcVA6vTsI6hLt6EkfS0_JKKQ5UY5IrGPZeE_VXAUmSSmCjdA63S1MHmaOIyQFAORNon1wCtSpqIGW_7euMA/s1600-h/Stonehenge.JPG"></a><br />We had some of our nicest weather of the whole trip in Stratfor<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGabnFjdev893pW1w6HzeyyIqc09smfPUxAdkyLza2LmJUzKYXWRekNS_LjcVA6vTsI6hLt6EkfS0_JKKQ5UY5IrGPZeE_VXAUmSSmCjdA63S1MHmaOIyQFAORNon1wCtSpqIGW_7euMA/s1600-h/Stonehenge.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202866973086200434" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGabnFjdev893pW1w6HzeyyIqc09smfPUxAdkyLza2LmJUzKYXWRekNS_LjcVA6vTsI6hLt6EkfS0_JKKQ5UY5IrGPZeE_VXAUmSSmCjdA63S1MHmaOIyQFAORNon1wCtSpqIGW_7euMA/s200/Stonehenge.JPG" border="0" /></a>d. After visiting all of t<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqD-fwQednbTDhyphenhyphenfETT4wXzBIev7Swci6RbczecKXxaXV5FJruAh5dLq0cmGGKYgwxm1XhrrEHolSr4gx0jw6GuX4uyrwsw9eHGNqvFtZr_HU9drHhx1DYK2RWOFIIyQMhJ7gy5wp4j08/s1600-h/Stratford+reading.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202866977381167746" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqD-fwQednbTDhyphenhyphenfETT4wXzBIev7Swci6RbczecKXxaXV5FJruAh5dLq0cmGGKYgwxm1XhrrEHolSr4gx0jw6GuX4uyrwsw9eHGNqvFtZr_HU9drHhx1DYK2RWOFIIyQMhJ7gy5wp4j08/s200/Stratford+reading.JPG" border="0" /></a>he important sites such as<br />Shakespeare's house and grave, we mostly spent time reading in the sun. We also went to see "A Midsummers Night Dream" as part of our Shakespeare class so that was pretty fun. It was a great production, but I am still partial to the performance of the play that I <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6a_J9DdX3u8JqTJDYUf7N1ViHMAihULXXXSajVCvBxVXRBDYHwhv31SlP9-M1vMzZSlw6f0CAb7AwlFyN83_Gw8_q2vBEujJUsGF9GbwlG9K7QPc3q24Wg1y6y_SbwQ9RdOTYOskD1w/s1600-h/Stratford+boats.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202866964496265826" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6a_J9DdX3u8JqTJDYUf7N1ViHMAihULXXXSajVCvBxVXRBDYHwhv31SlP9-M1vMzZSlw6f0CAb7AwlFyN83_Gw8_q2vBEujJUsGF9GbwlG9K7QPc3q24Wg1y6y_SbwQ9RdOTYOskD1w/s200/Stratford+boats.JPG" border="0" /></a>saw in Ashland over spring break.<br /><br />And finally... Cambridge has been nice as well, although we have had a lot of studying to do, so I have probably seen the inside of more coffee shops in Cambridge than I have the actual sights. We did rent bikes for the week, though, so it has been great to bike around instead of walking everywhere. One of the days, my friend Elyse and I biked to the orchard (a tea garden) to read and have tea. The orchard was very peaceful, but my favorite part of the adventure was the beautiful scenery that we saw on the way there on a bike path that cuts through fields and farmland.<br /><br />Those are really all of my updates for now. Katherine, Kelsey and I are leaving for Rome at 3am tomorrow morning. It will be a long day, but we are really excited! We will spend 4 nights in Rome, take one day trip to Florence, and then meet up with the group in Oxford for finals week. I can't believe that my trip is so close to its end, but I am definitely getting excited to come home and graduate.<br /><br />Best wishes to all!<br /><br /><strong>Pics of Cambridge</strong>:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiUsRxWhKtKs1oMlltscrm8tUJd9x1g9p0sjwePOBCIGMI59_J7_AzWw1yJHOhVwvl29T7p4wulG_L4EgAErjCEAp5tD7Abqa8K0dGlIpETrk2cFUs55FsQne90FlWRbzZa7RTSwydr-Q/s1600-h/Cambridge+punting.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202865873574572530" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiUsRxWhKtKs1oMlltscrm8tUJd9x1g9p0sjwePOBCIGMI59_J7_AzWw1yJHOhVwvl29T7p4wulG_L4EgAErjCEAp5tD7Abqa8K0dGlIpETrk2cFUs55FsQne90FlWRbzZa7RTSwydr-Q/s200/Cambridge+punting.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgdUpCQVllgzZHcCg8X7Bj9qFFbqGgtgLErPYP-FW2Bfuw9LWqrzUHjt1z8DkohHK_BQp1P8VO0WWJI47xvDxULSuxhtLBkoe4wbDrkRI-_0K8p5V3eZ-VCfH2epsdKg8Bf0iCx7LOstU/s1600-h/Garden+in+Stratford.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202866388970648066" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgdUpCQVllgzZHcCg8X7Bj9qFFbqGgtgLErPYP-FW2Bfuw9LWqrzUHjt1z8DkohHK_BQp1P8VO0WWJI47xvDxULSuxhtLBkoe4wbDrkRI-_0K8p5V3eZ-VCfH2epsdKg8Bf0iCx7LOstU/s200/Garden+in+Stratford.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8yvU5x0f5C3HNDsi13hR-H0Nx_xL-fcnvNloh7BHwKxnNiEuWkw4Gm7-tAVfnkAAvfn49f6vQjf6q3rvpt80vfvgy-lCtZ0JBTM6e62k6CQeHmEbLkck_um5N6oPG64_LFhFYiHjGJoQ/s1600-h/Cambridge+cathedral.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202866397560582690" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8yvU5x0f5C3HNDsi13hR-H0Nx_xL-fcnvNloh7BHwKxnNiEuWkw4Gm7-tAVfnkAAvfn49f6vQjf6q3rvpt80vfvgy-lCtZ0JBTM6e62k6CQeHmEbLkck_um5N6oPG64_LFhFYiHjGJoQ/s200/Cambridge+cathedral.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8yvU5x0f5C3HNDsi13hR-H0Nx_xL-fcnvNloh7BHwKxnNiEuWkw4Gm7-tAVfnkAAvfn49f6vQjf6q3rvpt80vfvgy-lCtZ0JBTM6e62k6CQeHmEbLkck_um5N6oPG64_LFhFYiHjGJoQ/s1600-h/Cambridge+cathedral.JPG"></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZ2mgH_-mZMJ52r2pjlOBenizO5pn3RFZ3ct60NF4AQk0VfBFjpUh6r6T6wQHf8_TGhEILqKAi6qytCTvgmWqLg02__ii2kD0vvMCrnBCDmOgyJgWkgP1QZLOLn4lCNsuAb8Zi0zqSiw/s1600-h/Holy+Trinity+Stratford.JPG"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizDeicAHm-SF4hkXODZg1htFc_DOkUX9CKpvzfHth6XA5JcfgRRwIJ8D7LpQUvpgtIo3q2TsU59a2geWrDTPTCW3iCwKX8d7nJcknKuQgORI1MhTXqoqH7ANlm6e_NpYHc-NC0ieW7wns/s1600-h/Roman+baths.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div>Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04384276668649886959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4246178830697817693.post-35497251861661283302008-05-05T06:29:00.000-07:002008-12-12T22:39:31.051-08:00Beer and Bratwurst<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6yfF3dtwwXPKXYCN9d5ctpbRQAVqopq07Ic-Nlo14vBZ12F_nF-fxXqDQ66PA_7Xs_R3pEj77c66-oT-4Qb1Jq5ZDdhz5Vsibki2MtQOr64uelz4h5Yeki00nu0XZXoEq3fH496P6mk/s1600-h/Berlin+Tower.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198046159384291554" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6yfF3dtwwXPKXYCN9d5ctpbRQAVqopq07Ic-Nlo14vBZ12F_nF-fxXqDQ66PA_7Xs_R3pEj77c66-oT-4Qb1Jq5ZDdhz5Vsibki2MtQOr64uelz4h5Yeki00nu0XZXoEq3fH496P6mk/s200/Berlin+Tower.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I have just experienced Germany at its finest.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj047xlF-uZjjkV38-j-qAKxy5rFE-igu1XVM9imQ-jEYJVDi6I3iJb7tN9CcZcMQixLfLYNjGMiadxxQ-dOzUauK6BnDEdbxrO3SyukR8cqT4g0yVcNjI_RKVgnhHPcWvHGJU3T-UROw/s1600-h/Berlin+Tower.JPG"></a><br />For the bank holiday weekend, I flew from London to Berlin to visit my friend Robert and his family. The Hoffmanns were incredibly good to me and gave me the best tour of Germany that I could have asked for.<br /><br />I flew into Germany early Thursday morning, so Robert and I spent the day sightseeing in Berlin. I hadn't eaten a proper breakfast yet, so we decided to grab something in a local shopping area. We were trying to decide what to eat when Robert suggested pie and informed me that pie is a perfectly acceptable breakfast food in Germany. I think that this may have been when I first realized how well I would get on in Germany. After <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFNfRoHZddKBAYhyVduM9ktThpzdvYBrSZScTQGKOZpxVfZgPzc1BMEqRfF-FNgMD636P0unpaigS_j9N8A3Jw2xahFhewmmzLvYQrevrKPYvXQAmUe-PhYhlwEAu4AP50T20NK8rPz2E/s1600-h/Berlin+wall.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196886611557504258" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFNfRoHZddKBAYhyVduM9ktThpzdvYBrSZScTQGKOZpxVfZgPzc1BMEqRfF-FNgMD636P0unpaigS_j9N8A3Jw2xahFhewmmzLvYQrevrKPYvXQAmUe-PhYhlwEAu4AP50T20NK8rPz2E/s200/Berlin+wall.JPG" border="0" /></a>our dessert breakfast, we went up to the top of the Berlin Television Tower which has incredible panoramic views of the city, visited the remainder of the Berlin wall, and saw the local government buildings as well. <div><div><br /><div>The day we were in Berlin was actually a German holiday called "Men's Day," the main event of which, as far as I could tell, consisted of men drinking large quantities of alcohol and generally making merry. We saw men riding around on bikes with baskets attached that were overflowing with beer, as well as men in boats singing what seemed to be manly, German songs. It was great fun to watch. The Hoffmann's actually live south of Berlin in a quaint, German village called Lübben, <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-uGgXMmnyIxLOsPYEYOBStAXxUJjpnBDPLKKYxifhNl_KSlGpzMZdq1-GmTKQPHIgST29OWDBW5dnLqLKF8VtgCwiUDrIyEVcOw8Cf5EdymhxQpalPUtQvvnqoyJ-iDkMeAoTTkRKBHU/s1600-h/Luebben+walkway.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196888935134811506" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-uGgXMmnyIxLOsPYEYOBStAXxUJjpnBDPLKKYxifhNl_KSlGpzMZdq1-GmTKQPHIgST29OWDBW5dnLqLKF8VtgCwiUDrIyEVcOw8Cf5EdymhxQpalPUtQvvnqoyJ-iDkMeAoTTkRKBHU/s200/Luebben+walkway.JPG" border="0" /></a>so after spending the day in Berlin, we drove back to Lübben where I got to meet his parents, Karsten and Sylvia. That night, they made us an amazing dinner of grilled steak and bratwurst, along with vegetables, fruit, and much more.<br /><br />Friday morning, Robert showed me around Lübben which is absolutely gorgeous. We walked through a wooded park to his old high school where Slyvia is the choir teacher. We stopped in to say hello while she was giving a lesson, and then continued on to the <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtfJnQ3DUdhovxlMJMv4R5_Tl1sIDV5gCrztdNWjlYyo9qaT3nO_udFOvon6u3XX7UraTwPD-1kh7YeVNlm_DhJionphycKMaQNo75pV7F1ZBbpc7LPN7pawjOru38erPelCHDgsQJYPs/s1600-h/The+Hoffmanns.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196888905070040386" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtfJnQ3DUdhovxlMJMv4R5_Tl1sIDV5gCrztdNWjlYyo9qaT3nO_udFOvon6u3XX7UraTwPD-1kh7YeVNlm_DhJionphycKMaQNo75pV7F1ZBbpc7LPN7pawjOru38erPelCHDgsQJYPs/s200/The+Hoffmanns.JPG" border="0" /></a>"down town" area. Lübben is actually famous for its pickles, so we stopped for a fresh one on the street, and I have to say that it was the best pickle that I have ever eaten. The Spree river runs directly through Lübben so we visited "the island" which is a park area that is surrounded by the river on all sides.<br /></div><div>After walking around town, we met up with Karsten and Sylvia back at the house, and then drove to the nearby city of Dresden. During the war, Dresden was almost <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshFtA4EKdnxXljVHMpBPcGMmEGUTnwPfYzd_NR4qHlGAH3Ak_F2JQH5-_1widotg8Vu2KSazE9rrgq4E3Bvc1Quj4rhTfNFnHiQ3fj5XN4q3EZ3ipPRvN1d4CiwL_Eg9yFakNXiXYuTo/s1600-h/Dresden+fountains.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198041276006475954" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshFtA4EKdnxXljVHMpBPcGMmEGUTnwPfYzd_NR4qHlGAH3Ak_F2JQH5-_1widotg8Vu2KSazE9rrgq4E3Bvc1Quj4rhTfNFnHiQ3fj5XN4q3EZ3ipPRvN1d4CiwL_Eg9yFakNXiXYuTo/s200/Dresden+fountains.JPG" border="0" /></a>completely destroyed by bombings, but was later rebuilt to its original grandeur- cathedrals and all. It was amazing to see. We had dinner that night at what I would call a traditional German restaurant, complete with waitresses in German barmaid outfits. It was great. On the way home that night, we stopped in at Sylvia's parent's house, and I got to meet Robert's grandparents. His grandmother is a part of a singing group that dresses up in traditional German dresses and sing German folk songs. She came home while we were there in her full outfit and even let me try it on! Robert's grandfather was hilarious and kept us fully entertained while we were there. The only three words/phrases in English that he can say are "goodbye," "money money," and "tipsy." We had a lot of fun joking around, even with the language <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198046142204422354" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZCcQep-RWTM27wYXU45YMI0PlHlgnUqNvAoRzloUHKSpGq5QopLFGz0i7cxDCZObB6xRGYi8sKhCXijyzZfXvuENguXT_F3q1fHFDgozsd2KGg6CvstUi_WzBxizJp60PyF0slTmU2tU/s200/Dresden.JPG" border="0" />barrier. Actually, both Karsten's and Sylvia's parents live in Lübben, so I had already met Karsten's parents on Thursday. I have decided that I really like the idea of families all living close together. I don't know if it will ever happen with my family, but it certainly provides a close sense of community.</div><div></div><br /><div>Saturday was perhaps my favorite day. When I first arrived at the house, I was thrilled to discover that the Hoffmanns had motorcycles as I ride them whenever I have the chance. You can <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3IcdSLXybasJHC04f9HpQ9j77BYiTEjSbNplhDqKyo5qnboJhxzANefr0UrsLCWEbsdpaKSaIfvkveBE4hsfyrfjNOsseKl3-zkYOmyCvPv7dnS6yz1-V90uIN10DPIGgQt8vMpu1W6g/s1600-h/The+tropical+island.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198044733455149250" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3IcdSLXybasJHC04f9HpQ9j77BYiTEjSbNplhDqKyo5qnboJhxzANefr0UrsLCWEbsdpaKSaIfvkveBE4hsfyrfjNOsseKl3-zkYOmyCvPv7dnS6yz1-V90uIN10DPIGgQt8vMpu1W6g/s200/The+tropical+island.JPG" border="0" /></a>imagine my excitement, therefore, when they told me that we were taking a motorcycle tour of all the surrounding villages in their area on Saturday morning. I forgot to mention that the weather was fantastic the whole time that I was in Germany, so you can imagine that we had a lot of fun riding around all morning. At every site, they would stop so that I could take pictures, and then off we would go. One of the most interesting things that we saw was what they call the "tropical island." It looks like a massive green house and was originally built by the Russians to build <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFpggyOnHZjXOTfFKkMMWYu3fEzAI9znh4L6-mRYuTFHRdnwqhcUefGr-fSEQ_4tLqbg0iE77rcHYrPxt2Us_9BzLqEXpaXwLTksksSkxZA7NMIgXfiDvyW_M60pcsi-nDM7quqvGtg0/s1600-h/Motorcycle+ride.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196888913659974994" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFpggyOnHZjXOTfFKkMMWYu3fEzAI9znh4L6-mRYuTFHRdnwqhcUefGr-fSEQ_4tLqbg0iE77rcHYrPxt2Us_9BzLqEXpaXwLTksksSkxZA7NMIgXfiDvyW_M60pcsi-nDM7quqvGtg0/s200/Motorcycle+ride.JPG" border="0" /></a>aircraft and submarines, if I remember correctly (see picture). Now they have made it into an indoor tropical climate with palm trees and pools, and you can come for just the day or even camp there.</div><div> </div><div>After grabbing a quick lunch, we headed out with his aunt, uncle, and a family friend for a picnic boat ride on their family boat down the Spree river. I can't remember the last time that I so thoroughly enjoyed myself! We ate, laughed, relaxed, and had a <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOV0IVPr-9IGOChf0LeIE-kUQE4rnp7vEFPwn_5UXC0yiNML-d0fJNpleKx1Rubi1xmaNlXcBz3zlLMj3gaSoCUWSpNbjDkk7XUblFbA5Ud1ftH7cDxmUo5fZm6_iMQL4AOH3z_cbagI/s1600-h/Luebben+boats.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196888926544876898" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOV0IVPr-9IGOChf0LeIE-kUQE4rnp7vEFPwn_5UXC0yiNML-d0fJNpleKx1Rubi1xmaNlXcBz3zlLMj3gaSoCUWSpNbjDkk7XUblFbA5Ud1ftH7cDxmUo5fZm6_iMQL4AOH3z_cbagI/s200/Luebben+boats.JPG" border="0" /></a>wonderful time. At dinner time, we stopped at a really nice beer garden/restaurant for a delicious dinner and then headed home. </div><div> </div><div>As you can tell from my lengthy blog post, my weekend in Germany was one of my favorite memories from the trip so far. I absolutely love visiting new places in the company of people who actually live there because they always know the best activities to do and places to visit. The Hoffmanns were so good to me, and I truly cannot imagine having enjoyed Germany more.<br /> </div></div></div>Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04384276668649886959noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4246178830697817693.post-86502243839093419472008-04-30T14:00:00.000-07:002008-12-12T22:39:31.857-08:00London Town<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQNmqehN69yj9ZbhY6WkgTGO4b8JmMueM89oL8PMP8sukS8WPtFCnOPAkCHEGsHfkAd4bRqzGKRQqOxj4TjVqwkISWb61FVhcewjYAIWrOlRmRHI-whUUd5PhiMNwn5wbCBR3zblQu9gY/s1600-h/London+bridge-+up+close.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196884485548692642" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQNmqehN69yj9ZbhY6WkgTGO4b8JmMueM89oL8PMP8sukS8WPtFCnOPAkCHEGsHfkAd4bRqzGKRQqOxj4TjVqwkISWb61FVhcewjYAIWrOlRmRHI-whUUd5PhiMNwn5wbCBR3zblQu9gY/s200/London+bridge-+up+close.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioXAWgKUDSk3SITWlxaIPXL9Ec8vCi_K7G8jprRuo9QnQl9GqVlNqpDwVMT244-onm8WnvQp5c1uke_8E8VHj3O2l4YaZx4RhDX_XN-VXpSDh8wbK6sAa-BX0NKb3eAF89UbNdpg502wM/s1600-h/Katherine+and+I-+the+Thames.JPG"></a><br />We have had a few foggy days in London town over the past 2 weeks, but there have been beautiful ones as well. We take a coach to Bath tomorrow, and although London has been amazing, I am excited to downsize cities.<br /><br />There is so much to do in London! It has been a bit of a challenge in fact to manage my time in a way that allows me to do and see everything that seems important. In the end, I decided to focus on enjoying my time here versus feeling pressured to see everything. Not to mention that I do study occasionally, and that takes up some time a<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioXAWgKUDSk3SITWlxaIPXL9Ec8vCi_K7G8jprRuo9QnQl9GqVlNqpDwVMT244-onm8WnvQp5c1uke_8E8VHj3O2l4YaZx4RhDX_XN-VXpSDh8wbK6sAa-BX0NKb3eAF89UbNdpg502wM/s1600-h/Katherine+and+I-+the+Thames.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196884489843659954" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioXAWgKUDSk3SITWlxaIPXL9Ec8vCi_K7G8jprRuo9QnQl9GqVlNqpDwVMT244-onm8WnvQp5c1uke_8E8VHj3O2l4YaZx4RhDX_XN-VXpSDh8wbK6sAa-BX0NKb3eAF89UbNdpg502wM/s200/Katherine+and+I-+the+Thames.JPG" border="0" /></a>s well. :o)<br /><br />One of my favorite things about London is that we were able to unpack our suitcases because we have been living in flats (apartments). There is something about the simple act of hanging up your clothes that makes you feel more at home. Here are some events that I have enjoyed while in London:<br /><br />* Seeing The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty's Theater- the very theater where the musical was first performed.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGKfebZYNbdzTO9iaj7UlsI5eSTYgObAJBfqInN7yYgSB_q3VtjeU6so2fsqlaas_BZxcAiOT-Yi-syNhIWRogqrnEmRfIUqwycgLL_u7yvao5KGSnUo5-OQwy-wn6jjn21GOg9ZsfgXI/s1600-h/The+Globe.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196884498433594578" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGKfebZYNbdzTO9iaj7UlsI5eSTYgObAJBfqInN7yYgSB_q3VtjeU6so2fsqlaas_BZxcAiOT-Yi-syNhIWRogqrnEmRfIUqwycgLL_u7yvao5KGSnUo5-OQwy-wn6jjn21GOg9ZsfgXI/s200/The+Globe.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><strong>* </strong>Taking a river cruise on the Thames<br /><br />* Attending a performance of Shakespeare's King Lear at The Globe Theater- We were there on its opening night for the season (which happened to be Shakespeare's birthday as well).<br /><br />* Attending Henry IV Part 2 at The Round House theater<br /><br />* Having a picnic with friends in Hyde Park <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpb7ABUP0Vun_rFagmbx9cfnMGQRjEus7-cYCNU0J91IdBLeTb_BGIPEWjdQqFqin1q0lNL4BLB8Zjboim36HOWnNDKbiP-XjAG2iVCkH4YXWa_6Pwa9RzgbsdX2rSFIaH-3bhyWnfo90/s1600-h/Trinity+Square++Gardens.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196884494138627266" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpb7ABUP0Vun_rFagmbx9cfnMGQRjEus7-cYCNU0J91IdBLeTb_BGIPEWjdQqFqin1q0lNL4BLB8Zjboim36HOWnNDKbiP-XjAG2iVCkH4YXWa_6Pwa9RzgbsdX2rSFIaH-3bhyWnfo90/s200/Trinity+Square++Gardens.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />* Shopping at Camden market and bartering for clothes<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJmj96mvh_ODLrthX5_WH-GVy4isGSLuI5npsz8lWkzHwkBbP8ZVRQ8pYB29IL0aZXfscYAIyhpOK8MjlZknV3VyvTXfgQdWhaddsA88fOWGaEClM4BX_A35x60fratNOy_6QW39rBTE/s1600-h/St.+Paul"></a><br />* Visiting Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, St. Paul's Cathedral, and many other sites.<br /><br />* Attending church at Holy Trinity <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Brompton</span>- it was so nice to be in church. I have been traveling on most Sundays so church is an exciting event. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJmj96mvh_ODLrthX5_WH-GVy4isGSLuI5npsz8lWkzHwkBbP8ZVRQ8pYB29IL0aZXfscYAIyhpOK8MjlZknV3VyvTXfgQdWhaddsA88fOWGaEClM4BX_A35x60fratNOy_6QW39rBTE/s1600-h/St.+Paul"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196884507023529186" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJmj96mvh_ODLrthX5_WH-GVy4isGSLuI5npsz8lWkzHwkBbP8ZVRQ8pYB29IL0aZXfscYAIyhpOK8MjlZknV3VyvTXfgQdWhaddsA88fOWGaEClM4BX_A35x60fratNOy_6QW39rBTE/s200/St.+Paul%27s+Cathedral.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />One of my very favorite times was just this past weekend when I went to visit my friend Robert in Germany- see my next post for all the details.<br /><br />Cheers!Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04384276668649886959noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4246178830697817693.post-86068824222399606532008-04-16T04:36:00.001-07:002008-12-12T22:39:33.611-08:00The Luck of the Irish<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdySlUUklat058D32-5_CsrRvod75hLXjnPuMDsisX_MR1KfilTvJgolV7mPjGfZWj_WMh8jLFPzXvB6vOtx7zf3tCL7MeFUghTLfHXC9vroIqdG4j88gJ37VBv-Lu9p-4OPBG2GAT2s/s1600-h/Cliffs.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189816135486483458" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdySlUUklat058D32-5_CsrRvod75hLXjnPuMDsisX_MR1KfilTvJgolV7mPjGfZWj_WMh8jLFPzXvB6vOtx7zf3tCL7MeFUghTLfHXC9vroIqdG4j88gJ37VBv-Lu9p-4OPBG2GAT2s/s200/Cliffs.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The phrase "the luck of the Irish" has taken on new meaning for me as I have found the Irish countryside to be one of the most enchanting places that I have ever visited.<br /><br />Dingle, Ireland is perhaps my favorite spot so far. It might be a tie between Dingle and Edinburgh. Somehow, we managed to visit Dingle during a week of incredibly rare, warm weather. The last two days were absolutely gorgeous- perfect weather for exploring a coastal town full of ancient ruins and rolling countryside. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189816144076418066" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnPh0KyFGVpw2wF6PNtZt_wlMyfK1xdxEcdThBeuKNokp9Yrp3wntjSdarR7Q3BjqQMFU2TmCNbHee4ZLMF3Bx9_gveQZ0La-Jwl5_g4F7RFyvgjzMEiLilTJ5OB1JCHg-kZTsr4PjdyQ/s200/Model+pose.JPG" border="0" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6jFSnCaFEwVIsSIoKa2XkjNPAuHIWkH_cy3vb3RR_TkUd3NfYJfmfCR7SceR1sHH0rgDAuBrYSv3uKiweSl1xJqwdWMqVrfDyqJQUDA84IQlqLm605Y2xxPQO4sgToS0ws0Srb7VnGo/s1600-h/Countryside.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189816131191516146" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6jFSnCaFEwVIsSIoKa2XkjNPAuHIWkH_cy3vb3RR_TkUd3NfYJfmfCR7SceR1sHH0rgDAuBrYSv3uKiweSl1xJqwdWMqVrfDyqJQUDA84IQlqLm605Y2xxPQO4sgToS0ws0Srb7VnGo/s200/Countryside.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />On Monday, our first full day, our tour guide took us on a 6 hour tour all around the Dingle peninsula (Slea Head Drive and Connor Pass) to the major, must-see spots. I believe that I said my fair share of prayers as our happy-go-lucky, Irish guide swung around the corners of the very narrow road in our massive tour van, with sheer cliffs dropping into the ocean right outside my window. He didn't seem the least bit nervous to drive at such a speed, dodging other cars, sheep and even dogs, but the rest of us were gripping our seats at several points throughout the ordeal.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiudQKbKIy4wZGgWp307GFHGW66F1pobclJwZ1MgTbOwO0WViPKE2jGy84I30UywHDEOVBqVtlxmzEvfTWjpGYP0969kWRDcSGRo7vyGd7Zwya8-rN8huKUOl8x_-Og1wg0gBN72e2Of20/s1600-h/Kilmarkedar+Church.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189816126896548834" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiudQKbKIy4wZGgWp307GFHGW66F1pobclJwZ1MgTbOwO0WViPKE2jGy84I30UywHDEOVBqVtlxmzEvfTWjpGYP0969kWRDcSGRo7vyGd7Zwya8-rN8huKUOl8x_-Og1wg0gBN72e2Of20/s200/Kilmarkedar+Church.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVkNsbU1aDPOBi8uMSuQt0hNubm3yLd8x4ByHp_hmKH0iHT0dW_UeHR0_DwOPiqY-O0paMmhgk5fD7MDHre0jActOi_dipcuyZGjvWQw2BkznWgZv6XavRIZ34829iIofQhnYnxcM8ges/s1600-h/Gallarus+Oratory.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189816118306614226" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVkNsbU1aDPOBi8uMSuQt0hNubm3yLd8x4ByHp_hmKH0iHT0dW_UeHR0_DwOPiqY-O0paMmhgk5fD7MDHre0jActOi_dipcuyZGjvWQw2BkznWgZv6XavRIZ34829iIofQhnYnxcM8ges/s200/Gallarus+Oratory.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Other than serving to further solidify my relationship with my Maker, the sights of the tour were spectacular. The Dingle peninsula is home to several, ancient ruins from early Christian times- it was amazing to see. The Galarus Oratory- the ruins of an early Christian church- is the oldest Christian relic in Europe. We also stopped at Kilmarkedar Church which is one of the most important Christian sites on the Dingle peninsula as it houses a 6th<br />century stone carved with the Latin alphabet. Outside of the church is a graveyard, and Ireland's first clock- a sundial. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmPS9BjR9GspWhReO4oLYrIE4AafMGt8T7yzzVy4ZT6XB-rsLjLJkZE-zL-JWeDX1jNzHyyuL0pZUqpDRJOgfTTBsCBvSlLqVM9ZGqKdvYtdwtPOnQyUYK_WK7QC7EDf6PP7ZZBn6KIlo/s1600-h/P1010009.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189818278675164194" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmPS9BjR9GspWhReO4oLYrIE4AafMGt8T7yzzVy4ZT6XB-rsLjLJkZE-zL-JWeDX1jNzHyyuL0pZUqpDRJOgfTTBsCBvSlLqVM9ZGqKdvYtdwtPOnQyUYK_WK7QC7EDf6PP7ZZBn6KIlo/s200/P1010009.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Yesterday was my favorite day of the entire trip thus far. Immediately following morning class, three other girls and I rented bikes and set off along the waterfront peninsula that we had toured the day before. The weather was perfect- not too hot, but not too cold- and as we had about 6 hours, we took our time stopping at several spots for rest, lunch or just sightseeing. It felt so good to be active after about a month of travel, and we estimated that we rode somewhere in-between 10-12 miles total. Although Kelsey and Sarah ended up riding much further than my friend Taylor and I <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1t5k4VYop26EFRs0YRXAbY9QNGU23N6RObEmMJyIMjkXcKh9a0ddTV1hVok_hPbp1yvoDWAiyFOn-9T_SMg68dQ8mdm2fXk-RqyjWTRAkNWamCu-t0gganEvzzWzz-loQvqEzFpCeDdE/s1600-h/P1010016.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189818287265098802" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1t5k4VYop26EFRs0YRXAbY9QNGU23N6RObEmMJyIMjkXcKh9a0ddTV1hVok_hPbp1yvoDWAiyFOn-9T_SMg68dQ8mdm2fXk-RqyjWTRAkNWamCu-t0gganEvzzWzz-loQvqEzFpCeDdE/s200/P1010016.JPG" border="0" /></a>(about 31.5 miles!), the sore muscles that I have today indicate that I did about as much as I should have.<br /><br />The best parts of the bike ride were definitely our lunch spot- a secluded, grassy ridge over-looking the ocean, and the little, country church that Taylor and I stopped in on the way home for some silent prayer and reflection.<br /><br />Early tomorrow morning, we are driving about 2 hours north to Shannon airport and then flying to London where we will be staying for over 2 weeks. More updates to come!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2wY0oa9AWU_0DWZfvc-ITbnJpDbRIuzsaGa2JJuhzCICBuC8yp15V1rtYczGLCL_Y3CuhQIad4g6w6Z1LwT0xh3TtweX1RjTKQ2pfVeWTf4uY6KhkWn6sC-OFCThVP8iiZMHKOTZfk6Q/s1600-h/P1010040.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189822534987754610" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2wY0oa9AWU_0DWZfvc-ITbnJpDbRIuzsaGa2JJuhzCICBuC8yp15V1rtYczGLCL_Y3CuhQIad4g6w6Z1LwT0xh3TtweX1RjTKQ2pfVeWTf4uY6KhkWn6sC-OFCThVP8iiZMHKOTZfk6Q/s200/P1010040.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvROcjyycBgPQMMx0RunNxt19DRIN303vSxFD75v3ydJEPJUoNiqeDc6uKfjnd_GBQZD7XVHiJtmUXHxOm3SMmzU1rT5PRXfx90ZCKBfykePTy6vPktyfhQYtcQRIextxq-YixOLhRoDE/s1600-h/P1010022.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189818291560066114" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvROcjyycBgPQMMx0RunNxt19DRIN303vSxFD75v3ydJEPJUoNiqeDc6uKfjnd_GBQZD7XVHiJtmUXHxOm3SMmzU1rT5PRXfx90ZCKBfykePTy6vPktyfhQYtcQRIextxq-YixOLhRoDE/s200/P1010022.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE0RXpAulOqFwjCYMkLHuq0PfidH3EiVLq3xz2bo-Q2FAiYmlFsZ282igPi-JA5xn_2kehiOzU67Uc8DGAR5YETHrURupamVmx5A4eZqYQuU2pBQQxugV9H-rQ5JVM-KHhwmk2H3sBpO8/s1600-h/P1010032.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189818300150000738" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE0RXpAulOqFwjCYMkLHuq0PfidH3EiVLq3xz2bo-Q2FAiYmlFsZ282igPi-JA5xn_2kehiOzU67Uc8DGAR5YETHrURupamVmx5A4eZqYQuU2pBQQxugV9H-rQ5JVM-KHhwmk2H3sBpO8/s200/P1010032.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Pictures</strong>: Spring lambs/ The country church/ Our bike ride viewBethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04384276668649886959noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4246178830697817693.post-18913445283600954622008-04-14T04:35:00.000-07:002008-12-12T22:39:34.306-08:00Beatlemania and Dublin<span style="font-family:times new roman;">Hello again!</span><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></div><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Since my last update, we have once again traveled from city to country. Following the Lake District, we drove down to Liverpool for one night in order to pay tribute to the Beatles, and then flew out of Liverpool to Dublin the next morning. After spending five days in Dublin, we drove across the country (6 hours) to the countryside village of Dingle on the western coast of Ireland.</span><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Liverpool was a much bigger city than I had imagined, and a bit run down as well. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPFzbKezptrcAu0vm8MJOS1pnSoMRzPqOAjDCMSNtPf2H-4xhQ1ltXW4bGGjEiFEGAMg5R2uAz0yhyphenhyphen19T8YiYtkwK95eh2qhBYiWoZi1HIYpR3Uj8iQaLPrnfh6BguYMigK6TDl9jCjw4/s1600-h/The+Fab+4+Store.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189069068875017122" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPFzbKezptrcAu0vm8MJOS1pnSoMRzPqOAjDCMSNtPf2H-4xhQ1ltXW4bGGjEiFEGAMg5R2uAz0yhyphenhyphen19T8YiYtkwK95eh2qhBYiWoZi1HIYpR3Uj8iQaLPrnfh6BguYMigK6TDl9jCjw4/s200/The+Fab+4+Store.JPG" border="0" /></a>It is currently undergoing improvements, however, as it was named this year's European capital of culture, and was therefore given funds to renovate. I've never been a huge Beatles fan, but I enjoy their music, so it was fun to explore the Beatles museum- mostly because it is interesting how famous they were able to become. Liverpool is definitely proud of their rock and roll heritage, and the city is decorated with monuments to the Beatles.</span></div><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">We stayed in apartments while in Dublin which turned out to be the best possible arrangement because of how expensive the city is. It was unreal how much money even a simple meal cost, so it was nice to be able to buy groceries, and save some money. Dublin was much different than I had anticipated. I was a bit disappointed at first because it just felt like any other large, multi-cultural, metropolitan city. In fact, there were so many foreigners in Dublin that it was hard to find the Irish! I later found out that there has been tremendous immigration into Dublin ever since Ireland joined the European Union two years ago. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">One of my favorite nights in Dublin was when I went to visit Liberty Community Church- the church that my Portland pastor- Bob Mihuc- used to pastor. It was so fun to meet people that know and love my pastor and his family. Two girls from my trip went with me for the Wednesday night service, but it ended up being cancelled so we chatted with those that were there for worship practice, etc... Mostly, it was just nice to be in a Christian community, hear their stories and fellowship.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Other highlights of Dublin were the shopping, visiting the Yeats museum, and admiring the architecture. Here are some of my tourist pics:</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFTOh_BvxlCcY14iU6KBlHRnJklBelC6l_KbCJcMCpCmB1nER30Zv2-zuUVv7JJbYQ8ikHlwD064TZfl3LOS-mztMn9Sh9iuv5aE4r8OVTsRrM4LvL5aRiEchtQlwhDpr-VV2U8aq9ok/s1600-h/Oscar+Wilde-the+rogue.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189082383273634738" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFTOh_BvxlCcY14iU6KBlHRnJklBelC6l_KbCJcMCpCmB1nER30Zv2-zuUVv7JJbYQ8ikHlwD064TZfl3LOS-mztMn9Sh9iuv5aE4r8OVTsRrM4LvL5aRiEchtQlwhDpr-VV2U8aq9ok/s200/Oscar+Wilde-the+rogue.JPG" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189083087648271298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihNFyr-gxOKM7tc38mdgAuIgx8gzPV7LSa3it7rpfdUwjOAFIDVFtyIH4UamudpOohwH7LEQLc91k4FgSQPEUi2SeFL6iUfm8HPLPX83QDHiMYk3W_gA00R-6LmfXt6xoDmAwPBQuNqRQ/s200/Trinity+College.JPG" border="0" />The rogue poet- Oscar Wilde and Trinity College<br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">As you may be wondering, I am in fact in Dingle, Ireland now. There is simply too much to write for today, however, so I will cover the beauty that is Dingle in my next post. Cheers!</span></div>Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04384276668649886959noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4246178830697817693.post-18272406632464537952008-04-01T07:49:00.000-07:002008-12-12T22:39:36.746-08:00From City to Country<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh78Y5pfzXFc5exBW2dUM_ohyTUbslCpiz6N3snZsRPF91uLWo0TsW4OXIZrMpu9ZVocx5K5IjX9ExtAqqLBXMvn-ODqkn9-c7Eq8lFY0f3li-uNKeVlZLd34yJYvYjHa_gmuUqbQIb9vQ/s1600-h/EDINBURGH+KESWICK+045.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185332709463524642" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh78Y5pfzXFc5exBW2dUM_ohyTUbslCpiz6N3snZsRPF91uLWo0TsW4OXIZrMpu9ZVocx5K5IjX9ExtAqqLBXMvn-ODqkn9-c7Eq8lFY0f3li-uNKeVlZLd34yJYvYjHa_gmuUqbQIb9vQ/s200/EDINBURGH+KESWICK+045.jpg" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">On Monday we left the city streets of Edinburgh and traveled by coach (bus) 3 hours south to the Lake District of Northern England. The prospect of almost a whole week in the country was a bit daunting at first, having just left fast-paced city life, but I was thoroughly enjoying myself by the second day. I didn't realize that I needed to slow down until I was forced to do so, and I have especially appreciated having time for solitude and prayer.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">On our last night in Edinburgh, some of my friends and I celebrated my 22nd birthday with a night on the town. Kelsey and Katherine treated me to dinner and dessert, and then we finished up the night with a game of pool.</span>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4wMajN_s0SfA6O9sI7M9lyn17ATVM3yQTNvdLK8Ngpr1nutTi41XFa34teB4SIp0s6W9vNfWOhXNrzDX6mXOUoaqdI_ZXt3FC43Hhej5fx__6KPUvUPveFhZcGBHKJ4YvtfsOYZE0fk/s1600-h/EDINBURGH+KESWICK+046.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185332713758491954" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4wMajN_s0SfA6O9sI7M9lyn17ATVM3yQTNvdLK8Ngpr1nutTi41XFa34teB4SIp0s6W9vNfWOhXNrzDX6mXOUoaqdI_ZXt3FC43Hhej5fx__6KPUvUPveFhZcGBHKJ4YvtfsOYZE0fk/s200/EDINBURGH+KESWICK+046.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaHYd_OUzL2cIzy1rBMT7xVhSiB1YkhQHWSCjs-hqdKca5yfAYOEsnz04uImaQFJ3SbyBHj7zQpgpaPVgIzaqiQhIo2st6XkUHoANZ18Xoou5m4aadb_rN4ObLRAJKlKgPhT0gKp_MNEQ/s1600-h/hostel.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185339980843156818" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaHYd_OUzL2cIzy1rBMT7xVhSiB1YkhQHWSCjs-hqdKca5yfAYOEsnz04uImaQFJ3SbyBHj7zQpgpaPVgIzaqiQhIo2st6XkUHoANZ18Xoou5m4aadb_rN4ObLRAJKlKgPhT0gKp_MNEQ/s200/hostel.jpg" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">The youth hostel (see pic) where we are staying is an old mansion where the Romantic poet Samuel Coleridge once stayed. The mansion overlooks Derwentwater Lake and is surrounded by beautiful forest, pastures, and waterfalls- one waterfall is actually outside our dining room window. The scenery is breathtaking. </span><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Wordworth, another Romantic poet, actually grew up in the Lake District so it has been fun to read his poems describing the surrounding lakes and hillsides.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Our hostel is just 3 miles outside of the quaint, tourist destination of Keswick (see picture), so on nice days we often walk into town, and the nasty ones we take the bus. Yesterday we walked about 2 miles the other direction from our hostel to the tiny English village of Grange. I've never seen such beautiful landscape or such a pastorally perfect <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGhNLzMGQsd0ny3el5zWVoQyoqfkKMAW_sVxqjfbPEmhavslgktZKiYE9Rmbreq54k68tG6L_c82PagccHHrZvpW34WmXziizwNzCCif5yk1cdqNsaFB0dhIMcM9nNLLAf_IP-N95qRXs/s1600-h/P1010120.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185326765228786882" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGhNLzMGQsd0ny3el5zWVoQyoqfkKMAW_sVxqjfbPEmhavslgktZKiYE9Rmbreq54k68tG6L_c82PagccHHrZvpW34WmXziizwNzCCif5yk1cdqNsaFB0dhIMcM9nNLLAf_IP-N95qRXs/s200/P1010120.JPG" border="0" /></a>town. We had tea at Grange Bridge Cottage (see picture)- a family run restaurant/cafe, and spent some time reading. It was lovely.</span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfB2UBSSYYirvw5S7NcMEF4kFWoKs2VFrYguicrc8uU8LRa8rk5bnBLw2SUIw0ZbrmwzMN6p8q0Npzb70Czfg6LE3uNK_gUFF-r5u_t6xcd1jCL9XvJB7byRcMA00N0GXdSLHKbJWRhiQ/s1600-h/P1010112.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185326769523754194" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfB2UBSSYYirvw5S7NcMEF4kFWoKs2VFrYguicrc8uU8LRa8rk5bnBLw2SUIw0ZbrmwzMN6p8q0Npzb70Czfg6LE3uNK_gUFF-r5u_t6xcd1jCL9XvJB7byRcMA00N0GXdSLHKbJWRhiQ/s200/P1010112.JPG" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">We leave the Lake District on Sunday and head for Dublin. It will be fun to be in the city again, but for now I am enjoying my time in the country. The main thing that God has been teaching me this week is how to be comfortable being myself when those around me live differently- this is something that I have had to re-learn. Also, I am discovering that I needed this time in Britain to not only reconnect with God, but to rest up a little, and allow Him to revive me spiritually. Dr. Chaney once told my sister Erin that every 7 years, farmers let their fields rest so that can absorb needed nutrients for future harvests. The same is true for us spiritually- we often need a time of rest where we are not actively engaged in ministry, but simply take time to remember our relationship with God as it is the source of our strength. I have realized that it is time for me to be a fallow field for awhile, and I have been amazed by God's faithfulness in blessing my time of spiritual rest.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Here are some more pictures of the Lake District:</span>
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<br />Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04384276668649886959noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4246178830697817693.post-65071188648780791112008-03-28T05:58:00.000-07:002008-12-12T22:39:37.844-08:00An American Accent<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxznuX6cn4ckPiEIe177Rt8BR1mb1kKquYnOu66ESCnS5t-CUiDIkzZ6wJo7TIF4vUssOPrzci3omrS_p8OCMppar3fH_cbl7STHJc6fmgXooakwFC7zLzlhsY4_nnuSdWGCzqg6kq5uw/s1600-h/pub+dinner.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxznuX6cn4ckPiEIe177Rt8BR1mb1kKquYnOu66ESCnS5t-CUiDIkzZ6wJo7TIF4vUssOPrzci3omrS_p8OCMppar3fH_cbl7STHJc6fmgXooakwFC7zLzlhsY4_nnuSdWGCzqg6kq5uw/s200/pub+dinner.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182784664280597474" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> Friday was the first day of class. It was somewhat strange to enter into an educational environment after spending the last couple of days solely enjoying the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">hospi</span></span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">tality</span> of Edinburgh, Scotland.<br />In order to get to our rented classroom, we walked through an affluent neighborhood that reminded me of the posh, Queen Anne neighborhood in </span><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Seattle, except with houses made of stone that</span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> probably date b</span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ack</span> hundreds of years. The classroom space that we rented was in a quaint hotel across from a beautiful, stone church with</span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> a bell that rang on the hour- it was all very European.</span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> In class, we discussed the unavoidable experience of feeling extremely displaced when first arriving to a foreign country- even a Westernized one like Scotland. People inevitably treat you differently, and that isn't always a good thing. It is also very strange to be the one with the accent-people often ask me to repeat myself, even when I am </span><span style="font-family:times new roman;">speaking <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">slowl</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDTw5a6QELh9mz_3hpbeJwBtbnmMavr6MQ7GIRrxMQs9HxyseD5FA1a4e1M9UG0mMbb8lPuoowbScLZzahLBrsnHzmFV_zdAbMTWCfAIP6rU_eiTowxaF4g3FyrO9-9BZKhk-MsMFtggU/s1600-h/dungeon+door.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDTw5a6QELh9mz_3hpbeJwBtbnmMavr6MQ7GIRrxMQs9HxyseD5FA1a4e1M9UG0mMbb8lPuoowbScLZzahLBrsnHzmFV_zdAbMTWCfAIP6rU_eiTowxaF4g3FyrO9-9BZKhk-MsMFtggU/s200/dungeon+door.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182786717274965106" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;">y.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEN5YljpRuEgXvueOdi-5m1dlDDdlgUuZXl47Z_KbS8bsCeM0gfiq0sjMbMl-FhRoPBb1WqkcpoMK1AkusTb3_O3nVXpaQNAC1Nia6-Ps2LPOCFS9HHO48qYaaHbY3UQ-grqZWriB5dRg/s1600-h/castle.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEN5YljpRuEgXvueOdi-5m1dlDDdlgUuZXl47Z_KbS8bsCeM0gfiq0sjMbMl-FhRoPBb1WqkcpoMK1AkusTb3_O3nVXpaQNAC1Nia6-Ps2LPOCFS9HHO48qYaaHbY3UQ-grqZWriB5dRg/s200/castle.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182786558361175138" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">On Thursday, we <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">spe</span></span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">nt</span> a </span><span style="font-family:times new roman;">c</span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">ouple</span> of hours on a walking tour of Edinburgh, the highlight being <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Edinburg</span></span><span style="font-family:times new roman;">h Ca</span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">stle</span>. It was odd to explore the dungeon, and realize that the Scottish</span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> were quite feared in y</span><span style="font-family:times new roman;">ears past, and there was even an engraving of an Amer</span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">ican</span> flag on one o</span><span style="font-family:times new roman;">f the prison doors that was carved by an American prisoner (see picture). On the way home from our tour, Katherine, Kelsey and I got a bit turned around, and we ended up taking the scenic route. It is suffice to say that I don't know</span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> how many miles we walked, but we had a</span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> good appetite for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">dinn</span></span><span style="font-family:times new roman;">er that night.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Here are a few more of my pictures so far:</span><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">The yellow flowers were growing all over downtown- they smell like co</span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">conut</span>!<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdLBSLYr20JX9OOq1HJBXxq_k-KNvkhGeQ6MgWnoyP_Go7IUjYRAkXVyqaUKXAlylzAFE3LuuIhGzWFVPsGu9jKnFQLAX2FIvrB3e8jDmYXWm46tmgRtj76GH03artSbxsCYizlossK2k/s1600-h/yellow+flowers.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdLBSLYr20JX9OOq1HJBXxq_k-KNvkhGeQ6MgWnoyP_Go7IUjYRAkXVyqaUKXAlylzAFE3LuuIhGzWFVPsGu9jKnFQLAX2FIvrB3e8jDmYXWm46tmgRtj76GH03artSbxsCYizlossK2k/s200/yellow+flowers.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182785360065299458" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">The little cottage was at the end of a large garden space downtown, I think that it may be the gardener's cottage- I took this picture for you mo</span><span style="font-family:times new roman;">m!<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXFFje2JTwyA4WlE7lMk4yM8c0J6wYvSCKtdpiBPcw8XJkL-AHrEh_23zT56W9kiq26SQiv2_AKTs9sqIgxFSvqJrbkIClvtyMpktm1_q_Pp5AEDsnE4UiyBmuB4hZ_v2UePoMn17N3A/s1600-h/Garden+keeper%27s+house.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXFFje2JTwyA4WlE7lMk4yM8c0J6wYvSCKtdpiBPcw8XJkL-AHrEh_23zT56W9kiq26SQiv2_AKTs9sqIgxFSvqJrbkIClvtyMpktm1_q_Pp5AEDsnE4UiyBmuB4hZ_v2UePoMn17N3A/s200/Garden+keeper%27s+house.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182786446692025426" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp5inCctSJHbWfZiNqgFEc2EQAjlRvHzhduQCIDd-7xp-RBEE6IzfiVFroEuWp0cQJfio9pT4usCOA0S2CPP4FojH7iiyNfOEDKMyIXxYGNlUffrZBJWbel49Mb5aYGc0a1mgJQN_v54A/s1600-h/Scott's+monument.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp5inCctSJHbWfZiNqgFEc2EQAjlRvHzhduQCIDd-7xp-RBEE6IzfiVFroEuWp0cQJfio9pT4usCOA0S2CPP4FojH7iiyNfOEDKMyIXxYGNlUffrZBJWbel49Mb5aYGc0a1mgJQN_v54A/s200/Scott's+monument.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182785695072748578" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Finally, the tower with the spires is Scotland's monument to the author Sir Walter Scott who was native to Edinburgh. Prior to Scott's writing, traditional Scottish bagpipes and kilts were outlawed by the ruling English, but his novels managed to popularize Scottish culture and heritage in England. King George IV was so inspired that he not only repealed the oppressive law, but also visited Scotland wearing a kilt himself.<br /></span>Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04384276668649886959noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4246178830697817693.post-660865904272988322008-03-23T23:23:00.000-07:002008-12-12T22:39:38.628-08:00Gearing up for BritainLife as I know it has been turned upside down.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR1k79okxy3eBL3U4e1kCqwe4HdgZZWhSNAWIbx-Xlf9Akx3MA5jNCgEBghgJtueB3BBNwSesNnuYk5HaK94PVzDQ7HVhDEtL68kTr2nMlcTAQ9g_SXGIj8vDGApHhK-kHY9MLvMrGqrg/s1600-h/britain%5B1%5D.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181204936654422898" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" height="261" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR1k79okxy3eBL3U4e1kCqwe4HdgZZWhSNAWIbx-Xlf9Akx3MA5jNCgEBghgJtueB3BBNwSesNnuYk5HaK94PVzDQ7HVhDEtL68kTr2nMlcTAQ9g_SXGIj8vDGApHhK-kHY9MLvMrGqrg/s320/britain%5B1%5D.gif" width="253" border="0" /></a><br />I have spent the last two weeks packing up my life in Seattle, moving all my earthly possessions to Portland, and preparing to spend the next 9 weeks studying with my English literature program in Britain and Ireland. I will be graduating college within a week of my return to the states, so I have been forced to bid farewell to being a college student, to being a nanny, to a wonderful church community, and to the majority of my Seattle friends as we seem to be scattering to the four winds after graduation. I am, of course, excited to see Europe and have many amazing adventures, but change is often hard for me, especially when I am enjoying life as is.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">In the last two weeks I have:</span><br /><br /><br /><strong>- </strong>Celebrated my birthday twice: with both my Seattle housemates and my family<br />(I will be in Scotland on my actual birthday)<br /><br /><strong>- </strong>Survived finals week (after dropping and breaking my lap top)<br /><br /><strong>- </strong>Celebrated my nephew's 1st birthday a month early ( I will be missing his birthday as well)<br /><br /><strong>-</strong> Said goodbye to my nanny family of four years- very sad<br /><br /><strong>- </strong>Taken a mini road trip with college friends from Seattle, Washington to Ashland, Oregon<br /><br /><strong>-</strong> Attended an amazing play at the Shakespeare festival in Ashland with Gitta and my aunt and uncle<br /><br /><strong>- </strong>Burned myself out on shopping (for travel essentials)<br /><br /><strong>- </strong>Learned to ride a motorcyle- kind of :o)<br /><br /><strong>- </strong>Enjoyed the company of good friends with fun activities such as the Portland Saturday market, swing dancing, and an edge-of-your-seat game of spoons<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181209974651061202" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1qH8EKBMTQAqsC2w0KsPnui_ADhYkzdsAMBnrgvkRJtbDSsYTxgyspaDC8T2XfLb20Fw4SIjqEKdoE2jqU_l-oV6X1KAm5zvDFpzGkmBpkhwbfD9MMxrzEgO9YlMQLtcK51G4fdZCwfs/s200/Bethany+and+Micah.JPG" border="0" /><strong>-</strong> Celebrated Easter and the gift of divine grace<br /><br /><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181208230894338962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="119" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ95500Or00wmX_FGXAX40xDMirygP1k-3PFc4eI7fUn3ici91_7X0imMbwc-u8dKym8MVUPwQRnjIqdsAVTZNnvIgRlBrcJO6ExPaICGK583m_zCmRw9U40MA8rLl3DCaWz5dxd3cHNU/s320/Birthday+cake.JPG" width="149" border="0" /><br />Having never been to Europe before, it is hard to know what to expect, but I am pretty sure that I am going to have an incredible time. The group that I am traveling with seem like a lot of fun, and I am looking forward to learning under one of my favorite professors for the whole nine weeks. Also, I am planning to travel to other European countries while abroad, and I have already planned one trip to visit a friend in Germany so that will be fun.</p><p>One hope that I have for this blog is that it will serve as a means of accountability. I have been in a pretty dry place in my relationship with God recently, and I have determined that this trip is going to be a turning point for me. To put it plainly, God has been faithful and I haven't. It isn't that I have been living wrongly, but I simply have not made Him a priority in my life as of late, and the realization that the lack of relationship with God only leaves you with religion has inspired me to make some changes. I'll keep you posted on how it goes.</p><br />Wish me luck as I embark on a new adventure!<br /><br />As always, I would appreciate your prayers.Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04384276668649886959noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4246178830697817693.post-85033081571696765032007-09-19T15:07:00.000-07:002008-12-12T22:39:40.081-08:00Home again, home againI am in Portland.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhusDvqAx5OLijc30uUNFQ0wisM0kbyZv40hmOpWYp790XtoWcfHVMfZynaN9zQsnGlPG6RJ9wclMUMZ5dXVK7dQu0eQdmPc7sDZJliHSmAIJZvxCTUfVwWybOKP5P0fzVAFijTMOyl_Fo/s1600-h/CIMG2346[1].jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5112042343670282658" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" height="243" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhusDvqAx5OLijc30uUNFQ0wisM0kbyZv40hmOpWYp790XtoWcfHVMfZynaN9zQsnGlPG6RJ9wclMUMZ5dXVK7dQu0eQdmPc7sDZJliHSmAIJZvxCTUfVwWybOKP5P0fzVAFijTMOyl_Fo/s320/CIMG2346%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" border="0" /></a><br />I flew home on Monday night, and have received an amazing welcome from my family and friends. My parents have been feeding me delicious, non-Mexican food, and Portland is experiencing an early Fall season which is okay by me after the heat of Mazatlan.<br /><br />My time in Mexico was amazing. I definitely recommend immersion if you want to learn Spanish. I have so many wonderful friends south of the border now, and I can't<br />wait to go back and visit them all. For now,<br />however, it is nice to be home.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Gitta</span> and I had a lot of fun during our last weekend in Mexico. On Friday night we took a bus 30 minutes out of the downtown area to visit our friend Jesus' family (see picture below). Jesus met us in our neighborhood, and we boarded a bus that was filled with locals who were heading home after work. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Gitta</span> and I got some strange looks as we got on the bus- it was headed to a much poorer area of Mazatlan, and I get the feeling that there aren't many to<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidCwi0bwoSARR_xNneJQxUmtz_DayZ2htDbb2KR7d6O0P_y1Uw_TqHg4cCPXk9QCeeJz48zG5cGUw9hA5NpRJgVwq4AfcLSIBT1MvFxETxw-CiL-p1zxOi9fhJG4RQcPlbnZwGeJ072uw/s1600-h/P1010111.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5112042335080348034" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidCwi0bwoSARR_xNneJQxUmtz_DayZ2htDbb2KR7d6O0P_y1Uw_TqHg4cCPXk9QCeeJz48zG5cGUw9hA5NpRJgVwq4AfcLSIBT1MvFxETxw-CiL-p1zxOi9fhJG4RQcPlbnZwGeJ072uw/s320/P1010111.JPG" border="0" /></a><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">urists</span> who venture out in that direction. Jesus' neighborhood was a different part of Mexico than we had seen before, but I would guess that it was a more authentic representation of how most Mexican people live. His home was a little blue house that he shares with his parents, his four sisters, his brother-in-law, and his two year old nephew. His married sister lives in one half of the house with her family, but the part that I saw was made up of three rooms: the living room, a hallway/bedroom where they all sleep, and the kitchen. I am pretty sure that the bathroom was outdoors. It was humbling to see how happy they all were while living so simply.<br />We received an incredibly gracious welcome from his family. His mom started laughing when she saw us because she hadn't believed Jesus when he had told her that he was bringing two American girls to visit. They sat us down in the kitchen, and insisted on feeding us Jesus' favorite food- fish cake. Before we had left, our host mom told us that it was important to eat what they offered us, so we ate a good amount of the food and then looked through stacks of family pictures with his family. The whole time that we were sitting in the kitchen, little neighbor kids were running in and out of the house, and there was the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">occasional</span> adult neighbor as well. It was fun to see such a communal way of living. I guess it would be hard to be lonely while living in such close quarters with your family and neighbors. :)<br /><br />Mazatlan is a city with culture. There are statues, fountains, museums, and theater performances all available for public enjoyment. During the last two weeks that I was there, a collection of a photographer's work was on display in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Machado</span>- a historic courtyard in <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8nUEQAA6FO8jXze0REnaOaEYSYPZ5v61CyENwUDFZaBvhm6eoS32o48TF8-1mxPq0p3x1VU1eWpePRBMG6valbf6IwMf_pZM0EF0FgzZwcTbgLVrnt5yPx5W8ChJOMyY0DO80_E3wh4o/s1600-h/P1010129.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5112041428842248562" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8nUEQAA6FO8jXze0REnaOaEYSYPZ5v61CyENwUDFZaBvhm6eoS32o48TF8-1mxPq0p3x1VU1eWpePRBMG6valbf6IwMf_pZM0EF0FgzZwcTbgLVrnt5yPx5W8ChJOMyY0DO80_E3wh4o/s320/P1010129.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiayhj5jphaw87xDs99vq95McX9vNNFFR8CKQg8Oc3sml8DIZr1ZtQY8yWHVHvE_lzy4DiASlVOB2_LQCqjon_9UHZWF4wmqmi7ncxJdzp2XC0xx7N8hwPduf8p3lgRBezPnmJxv_jkYXs/s1600-h/P1010087.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5112041403072444722" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiayhj5jphaw87xDs99vq95McX9vNNFFR8CKQg8Oc3sml8DIZr1ZtQY8yWHVHvE_lzy4DiASlVOB2_LQCqjon_9UHZWF4wmqmi7ncxJdzp2XC0xx7N8hwPduf8p3lgRBezPnmJxv_jkYXs/s320/P1010087.JPG" border="0" /></a>the middle of the city. The photos were absolutely stunning, and I took a picture of my three favorites (see picture on right). The Mexican Independence Day was also during our last weekend in Mazatlan so on Saturday night, the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Machado</span> was completely filled with people celebrating the holiday. It was kind of exhausting to push through all of the crowds, but there were tons of food vendors, and traditional Mexican dance performances so it was worth the effort (see picture). <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Vive</span> a Mexico!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQx9pou7ZnZ1qiNV-pT-wLpPRaGvFcJMqRmsL8K_OKU36eTF6ewk20VfMFVXUViHIF2lr3ZbFGbQ4Xw3KV1wwldwC-1tkcWMATWOzTGVKNDbR4AgxFPOf_3_XTdraFjUJGTlVzJMIv-g/s1600-h/CIMG2391[1].jpg"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaUIxwLA61IGrZmyweaKW7i9wIZi7m7fpWkNPf5w9Q3Go2pwz2udikREp-QKSTeoZ3wcS8EPfrSPVHy_nT-Pfsx9SSNQpxKZgE5TB00wYOYgotchNNleJbd5dILcJiGWuZ14utLurEKOU/s1600-h/P1010104.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5112041415957346642" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaUIxwLA61IGrZmyweaKW7i9wIZi7m7fpWkNPf5w9Q3Go2pwz2udikREp-QKSTeoZ3wcS8EPfrSPVHy_nT-Pfsx9SSNQpxKZgE5TB00wYOYgotchNNleJbd5dILcJiGWuZ14utLurEKOU/s320/P1010104.JPG" border="0" /></a>My school in Mexico was also a great experience. A gentleman named Verne who has an insurance business in California ended up being at the school for the same weeks that I was, and he was a lot of fun. For the first three weeks of school, Verne and I were in a class by ourselves, and then a girl from Virginia, Ashley, came and joined us during the last week that we were studying. The teachers in the school were wonderful, and I got along with all of my classmates really well (see picture for a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">reenactment</span> of a typical class session).<br /><br />Although I am ashamed to admit that I only blogged once after <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Gitta</span> arrived in Mazatlan, it was so much fun to have her with me. It really wasn't safe to venture out at night by myself, so prior to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Gitta</span> flying in, I spent a lot of evenings watching Mexican soap operas with m<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_h-Vtad4HN_NmFnn7i8gUdeoqkuJWhLf5Hm_qYZsNrKYDk3ot7HN29eHwTKgo1P-uEWpwUvVPg59gbhXkYJb7e0cPXPZnjDfOp0_UsLnHvaTPbBpvNuPpqAwpuIVQQqJR8buTZ8QZRM/s1600-h/CIMG2391[1].jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5112171287178443186" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_h-Vtad4HN_NmFnn7i8gUdeoqkuJWhLf5Hm_qYZsNrKYDk3ot7HN29eHwTKgo1P-uEWpwUvVPg59gbhXkYJb7e0cPXPZnjDfOp0_UsLnHvaTPbBpvNuPpqAwpuIVQQqJR8buTZ8QZRM/s320/CIMG2391%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" /></a>y host mom. That was an important cultural experience, I suppose. The actual Mexican independence day is on Sunday, so a ton of family came over and we had a bit of a fiesta. Ana, a family friend, and Veronica, our host mom's daughter were also having a birthday the next week so we had cake as well which was a treat. We were so welcomed and looked out for while we were living with our host family, it was amazing. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Lupita</span>, our host mom, is in the picture on the right in the yellow, and our host brother, Ernesto, is in the blue. The other people in the picture are <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Lupita's</span> two daughters, Dora and Veronica, their children, and then family friends- Marta and Ana.<br /><br />I have so many thoughts bouncing around in my head about my time in Mexico, but there are perhaps two main "topics of discussion." First, I have been thinking a lot about American privilege, or Western privilege. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Gitta</span> and I have so many friends in Mexico who want to come visit the United States and can't. Strangely, it isn't even an issue of money, although having money helps. If you are a young adult, particularly a young guy, it is extremely difficult to enter the United States because they are afraid that you won't leave when you are supposed to. The only prayer that young adult males have of entering the U.S. is if they come from a rich family or can prove that their life is in Mexico (this is accomplished by having a lot of money in the bank, a business, a family, etc...). I had this conversation with our friend Jesus, and when I asked why he doesn't visit the U.S., all he could say is, "I can't," and it's true. Everywhere I went in Mexico, I was aware of an unearned sense of privilege. Just because <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Gitta</span> and I were white, we could walk into any resort in the city and use their pool, beach area, etc... Furthermore, I can travel to Mexico anytime I want because Americans mean money in Mexico, but the majority of my friends cannot come visit me simply because they are Mexican. It just seems wrong.<br /><br />Second, God has been teaching me the importance of giving my life completely to him. Before I left for Mexico, I did some research online about the different Christian organizations in Mazatlan, and what opportunities there might be for ministry while I was living in the city. I ended up getting in contact with the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">YWAM</span> (youth with a mission) base in Mazatlan, and was invited to drop by for dinner some night to discuss ministry opportunities. Once in Mazatlan, however, I neglected to follow up on this invitation for the first 2 1/2 weeks that I was there, and only got back on the ball after <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Gitta</span> arrived, and I started to feel guilty. We headed over to the base on a Saturday, and I soon regretted my procrastination. I was incredibly impressed by the ministry, philosophy and people of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">YWAM</span> base in Mazatlan. The base has a house right in the historic, downtown area, and they seem to practice a lot of ministry through relationship. Anyone is welcome to come for dinner in the evening, and they have an entire room full of food, drinks, and supplies in case anyone walks off the street needing help. They build houses for people in Mazatlan year round, as well as having a weekly skateboarding outreach, and a weekly outreach to "the zone"- the drug and prostitution area of the city.<br /><br />I loved what I saw at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">YWAM</span> base, but sadly I only had one week left to join the wonderful work that they are doing after getting my act together. I have learned, however, that God may open doors for you, but He won't push you through them. He put it on my heart to look for ministry opportunities, put me in touch with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">YWAM</span>, and then waited for me to follow His leading, which of course I ignored until almost the last minute. I am excited by how God might use me in the future, especially regarding my desire to speak Spanish. One of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">YWAM</span> leaders told me that I would be welcome to come back next summer and teach English at the base which would be amazing. I am not sure where God is calling me after graduation, but I intend to actually walk through the next open door that He gives me because He knows what I will enjoy doing, and where I will best be able to serve Him.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVvnGLAgYdo4BdFpvx3-0YaWQFHDSIHg_xenR0smzHs0YYjQttbXCi2O0zPVvWqIsPENnQWXMjhF5eVUynWn6F5I7tkU-GPLelBqzEWrhrEewOqAtkV8hGylP9pemVk0UemLI44G6w0o/s1600-h/P1010088.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5112358457558235602" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVvnGLAgYdo4BdFpvx3-0YaWQFHDSIHg_xenR0smzHs0YYjQttbXCi2O0zPVvWqIsPENnQWXMjhF5eVUynWn6F5I7tkU-GPLelBqzEWrhrEewOqAtkV8hGylP9pemVk0UemLI44G6w0o/s320/P1010088.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgExZFzckV25Gx6s3qiCpifY9QCO9BBv3dH68r0waFVBrEXZxVxBJR7i7QceTsve_MI5a9PWkCPbDmq49ZU_GyvUHZ3VbE9-DOZS5xaD3ak4tMwifx3zpVz4VcbMRNwpu4LOEu_BjF9tWU/s1600-h/P1010101.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5112358448968300994" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgExZFzckV25Gx6s3qiCpifY9QCO9BBv3dH68r0waFVBrEXZxVxBJR7i7QceTsve_MI5a9PWkCPbDmq49ZU_GyvUHZ3VbE9-DOZS5xaD3ak4tMwifx3zpVz4VcbMRNwpu4LOEu_BjF9tWU/s320/P1010101.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Here are a few more of my favorite pictures. :)</strong><br /><em>On the top</em>- Our friends Rosie, Patti and David. Patti is our American friend who works at the U.S. embassy. This is from a day when Patti took us on a little trip to a small town outside of Mazatlan for breakfast.<br /><em>On the bottom</em>- Our friend Edgar from Rico's coffee letting Gitta make my latte.Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04384276668649886959noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4246178830697817693.post-82444643433547583092007-09-04T18:17:00.000-07:002008-12-12T22:39:42.105-08:00Tropical Times<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0HFFx1x2erMovleifthqjV3bYffxspxnDoW4SDgIc3jBu-bHYANwLk8ZSmay38vNW9MPBLvIHlMhzuBn2eFu1m-UiG2n_yEau9RZ_YBf59LiSVzvO8zQXi9J2op-OciVJSKs_Db-m5Zk/s1600-h/us.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5106523617312567842" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0HFFx1x2erMovleifthqjV3bYffxspxnDoW4SDgIc3jBu-bHYANwLk8ZSmay38vNW9MPBLvIHlMhzuBn2eFu1m-UiG2n_yEau9RZ_YBf59LiSVzvO8zQXi9J2op-OciVJSKs_Db-m5Zk/s320/us.JPG" border="0" /></a> Hola!<br /><br />Well I have just enough time for a few updates.<br /><br />First off, Gitta is here! She arrived on Thursday, and has quickly adapted to the Mexican way of life. :) I am so impressed by her ability to pick up languages. She was already conjugating verbs during her very first class session, and she has never had a Spanish class before! We have been having a ton of fun seeing our friends, and spending time with our host family. It is nice to have her here.<br /><br />Another interesting tidbit is that I am officially an illegal alien in Mexico as of today. The director of our school suggested that we check our documents to see how many days they gave us to be in the country, and it turns out that my time is technically up. I was only given 18 days and today is day number 19. Whoops! I should be fine, however. I am planning to make a trip to the U.S. consulate tomorrow to get it straightened out. If I don't make it back to the States, however, please divide my things equally amongst yourselves. :) I've had a good life.<br /><br />Ok, in other news, school was cancelled for tomorrow because we have a tropical storm headed our way. Hurricane Henrietta hit Cabo today, and we should be getting some of the wind and rain tomorrow. No one seems to be expecting a hurricane, but technically anything could happen, so people are preparing for the worst just in case.<br /><br />Overall, I am having a great time, speaking a ton of Spanish, and trying to avoid sunburns.<br /><br />Love to all,<br />BethanyBethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04384276668649886959noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4246178830697817693.post-27570284479243737442007-08-27T16:26:00.000-07:002008-12-12T22:39:42.249-08:00La Gringa Mexicana<div><span style="font-family:georgia;">I am slowly becoming more and more Mexican. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;">To begin with, I am proud to report that I made my first joke in Spanish the other day, and it went over very well. I was explaining to a group of ladies that I wear contact lenses when someone comented that it must be difficult for me to see "hombres guapos" (handsome men) without my contacts, and I responded that without my contacts, all men are handsome! They thought it was pretty funny. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;">Second, I am beginning to conquer my fear of large insects, out of necessity I suppose. A few nights ago, I opened my bedroom door and found a cockroach in the hallway, much to my horror. Since then, I have had several cockroaches in my bedroom, and one in my bathroom- all of which I have handled myself with courage that should be commended. In the fray of one of these battles, the hunted cockroach decided to seek cover in one of my tennis shoes that was on the floor. Luckily, I discovered where the nasty little thing was hiding, but it still makes me gag to think that it was in my shoe. My host family's house is well-kept, but I think it is pretty much impossible in Mexico to avoid a few cockroaches here and there. </span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JChy_2UxfEw/RtNZ_6cO8gI/AAAAAAAAADM/KYlmDPanpz4/s1600-h/P1010051.JPG"></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3NdpxwrsK5kT7D_3loX29Sk_OHf9ONg1zKshrFCpZyVP2cZnQc7AsdkkYoo0Bea4TMemewDgRXJ8mjxOfcrE4oz9KrsIWKgqEVLOLDf6GNuXyuSGnkV6sUJjWNybJ51hQK0V4ZySU65s/s1600-h/P1010051.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103526417334727186" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3NdpxwrsK5kT7D_3loX29Sk_OHf9ONg1zKshrFCpZyVP2cZnQc7AsdkkYoo0Bea4TMemewDgRXJ8mjxOfcrE4oz9KrsIWKgqEVLOLDf6GNuXyuSGnkV6sUJjWNybJ51hQK0V4ZySU65s/s320/P1010051.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;">Third, I have now hand-washed my clothes! My host family has a washing machine, but for some reason they hand-wash their socks and underwear so when I did laundry yesterday, I learned to use a scrub board. :) It seems that Sunday's are a big day for family in Mexico so Lupita's daughter, Dora, was over yesterday with her two boys, Geranimo (3) and Sebastian (2 months). Geranimo has become my buddy so when I went wash my unmentionables, he pulled a bucket over to stand on and went to work right next to me. It was pretty funny to see a three year old boy washing my underwear, but I'm pretty sure that he was better at it than me (see picture). </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;">Fourth, my Spanish speaking skills are quickly improving. I need a ton of practice still, and a lot of instruction from my teachers, but it is encouraging to be able to communicate a little bit better. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;">Other than that, I have really been enjoying spending time with the people here, and I really like my school. My teachers at my language school teach entirely in Spanish, but they are really good at communicating the lesson in a way that we can understand. I have also had the opportunity to see my friends from Pueblo Bonito (the resort that I have stayed in), so that has been fun, and I made a new friend from my school- a Canadian girl who is studying Spanish while she is here with her husband for his job. Although I have been having a lot of fun getting to know people, I am really looking forward to Gitta's arrival this Thursday. It will be nice to explore the city with a good friend. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;">Thanks for the comments everyone! It is fun to hear from you all.</span></div>Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04384276668649886959noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4246178830697817693.post-37329798843395212152007-08-24T08:22:00.000-07:002008-12-12T22:39:43.211-08:00Just Ask the LocalsHello friends!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRUB3T21JGE7GcwIQ5keLTlGYrG44UEcKIdgUJZDMZsnY27rMe0TzA5EDebC_lKU6FUZgwmH-k-g03OOvK2Y1ImWfxDqpupG3EGAD8ax3HnJuyeBKB3yr3oOSOtp-4bbWg6XGQvBgxvks/s1600-h/P1010028.JPG"></a><br /><br />I have a blog post already written that I am going to hopefully post today, but here are some pictures for now. Ernesto, my host brother, took me on an amazing tour of Mazatlan yesterday. I am can't believe that I have been to Mazatlan twice before now and never once went to any of these places. I guess it pays to know the locals.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUPr-yJ_1TrDGEqsbto-Kxmj5il_XYCRMG7OeREAsh69KwFQoxx8Kw-6bf1ZqoMrPEH0Auw4TdLMOHp2S7_KnrMYFhVwPPHpZNrW0WBMUIOTg8etlqxaFxruBrpeJ8z_kr7KneEJZhnss/s1600-h/P1010017.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNOe_s-X2Ldi2iO15VYqi-Jm3X_UiEkG3bMB3ERDpf_bC5x1Xzw-JfdohzaxRqeM1lhD_obwxYUC0Wm78CXOxXcDi83MsPlzPwiSLO9lsJccbOEKFZ704Z8OBeMdlVGvWAh3ljzxG3TSk/s1600-h/P1010019.JPG"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiICUTLIavabKYW0R4RuS03cCIZ73KmLuQDjwXFCFiCIYMZsDab1xV2CGCyHyh3unjEpBOzux18WVn00kzcdP6UkvBJB9XvSpW4xSpJBvmrAT-XBKQ_Cz4-RvsErqN3OMQOMTMQ29tEXl0/s1600-h/P1010021.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5102399937607299426" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiICUTLIavabKYW0R4RuS03cCIZ73KmLuQDjwXFCFiCIYMZsDab1xV2CGCyHyh3unjEpBOzux18WVn00kzcdP6UkvBJB9XvSpW4xSpJBvmrAT-XBKQ_Cz4-RvsErqN3OMQOMTMQ29tEXl0/s320/P1010021.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiICUTLIavabKYW0R4RuS03cCIZ73KmLuQDjwXFCFiCIYMZsDab1xV2CGCyHyh3unjEpBOzux18WVn00kzcdP6UkvBJB9XvSpW4xSpJBvmrAT-XBKQ_Cz4-RvsErqN3OMQOMTMQ29tEXl0/s1600-h/P1010021.JPG"></a><br />This first picture is 1 of 3 canyons left over from when the Spanish were in Mexico. It is extremely old, and situated on a cliff overlooking the ocean. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdSuomW9M0rihTU6mFvfq70XHatNEqJWjBeob4RC4wv2pT0AgPEGietDWjA3RNwMaJHleOdAPPXO27SynfA2IkFfhyfnjk-4cTdptj5OvCQevZJz6xnAGFTy9-tTG1lGRr0JoU1SeUtx4/s1600-h/stairway.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5102406375763276242" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdSuomW9M0rihTU6mFvfq70XHatNEqJWjBeob4RC4wv2pT0AgPEGietDWjA3RNwMaJHleOdAPPXO27SynfA2IkFfhyfnjk-4cTdptj5OvCQevZJz6xnAGFTy9-tTG1lGRr0JoU1SeUtx4/s320/stairway.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We walked for a long time along the beach in the historical section of town where there are a ton of beautiful lookout spots. At one lookout point, there is a floating stairway up to a platform over the ocean where every hour on the hour, a man jumps from the platform into the ocean. It is quite a drop, and definitely not the safest part of the ocean, but it was quite impressive to watch. I looked over just in time to see the guy jump, or I would have taken a picture. I was there during the afternoon, but apparently at night they jump with lit torches.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHLwivrlB5IyVd3GGqyPX4X0vW-7ks5A56mgskcErtTWUQ_qmUIdcD382WTEnPVUODWlrI6yMpzTXavDD_YaPDaUBRqrTliWi11Ll1hZ9N9tzrk1nBmK9hhNaBrYbLvOooydzEqd8RoXI/s1600-h/P1010039.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5102399967672070546" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHLwivrlB5IyVd3GGqyPX4X0vW-7ks5A56mgskcErtTWUQ_qmUIdcD382WTEnPVUODWlrI6yMpzTXavDD_YaPDaUBRqrTliWi11Ll1hZ9N9tzrk1nBmK9hhNaBrYbLvOooydzEqd8RoXI/s320/P1010039.JPG" border="0" /></a>Hey, remember when I described the weather in Mazatlan as being ¨as hot as hades?¨ Well apparently I wasn´t too far off in my description because it turns out that the entrance to hell IS in Mazatlan! And you all thought that I was just being dramatic. Apparently, ¨hades¨ is an underground tunnel that leads to the market downtown, but it isn´t in use anymore because it is too old, and apparently dangerous.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRUB3T21JGE7GcwIQ5keLTlGYrG44UEcKIdgUJZDMZsnY27rMe0TzA5EDebC_lKU6FUZgwmH-k-g03OOvK2Y1ImWfxDqpupG3EGAD8ax3HnJuyeBKB3yr3oOSOtp-4bbWg6XGQvBgxvks/s1600-h/P1010028.JPG"></a><br /><br />This next picture is a house that was built by Mazatlan´s mafia two years ago, but it was never completed because they were caught. It is massive, and has an amazing view of the ocean, but it is entirely abandoned. Ernesto said that it belongs to the State owns it now, but I have no idea why it isn´t being used or at least sold.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSwHc_FvwipCCdUOh5ofbx-BvDMEYE_PqBLfoy5JOX70oEuBfrEDAAh1tKkaukXHbO8yl8obvr_RHTTDCZRJovoPZ9mQUrKHoEZ7Sb-2EU8ew7EMXdDdS66SZ70Iw-1V3OJ2BdJ7u88a0/s1600-h/P1010038.JPG"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIc7W5p6Hc0DED7gJyF0OZB_bXHA_82wZA1qTyYGPYWsLpoVDnCOYldL4NSQmJO0gS1CmTSl6Gmsnox7q_RUC3fSfyvt-iUboJBR2S9_FqIJXD8W3TWbP4FjrkRMN5agzm92SjUwlZWMo/s1600-h/P1010042.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5102404245459497378" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIc7W5p6Hc0DED7gJyF0OZB_bXHA_82wZA1qTyYGPYWsLpoVDnCOYldL4NSQmJO0gS1CmTSl6Gmsnox7q_RUC3fSfyvt-iUboJBR2S9_FqIJXD8W3TWbP4FjrkRMN5agzm92SjUwlZWMo/s320/P1010042.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRUB3T21JGE7GcwIQ5keLTlGYrG44UEcKIdgUJZDMZsnY27rMe0TzA5EDebC_lKU6FUZgwmH-k-g03OOvK2Y1ImWfxDqpupG3EGAD8ax3HnJuyeBKB3yr3oOSOtp-4bbWg6XGQvBgxvks/s1600-h/P1010028.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwsVXJC6Otm7vTjSXoT-WyrfxFe1_Bj7Hz7wU3Dh3CMy94vsWdsylEpgKOBOsbydOkF2N-Fm4JMYQytckdi0QuElqNULnbnooi39JDZX_Iif69HZyvOYYpqS7JQBXw0wYPsWAAuFGH-Hs/s1600-h/P1010047.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5102404258344399298" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwsVXJC6Otm7vTjSXoT-WyrfxFe1_Bj7Hz7wU3Dh3CMy94vsWdsylEpgKOBOsbydOkF2N-Fm4JMYQytckdi0QuElqNULnbnooi39JDZX_Iif69HZyvOYYpqS7JQBXw0wYPsWAAuFGH-Hs/s320/P1010047.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Finally, at the top of this incredibly beautiful cliff is the 2nd tallest lighthouse in the world, El Faro. I haven´t been up there yet (I guess it is quite the climb), but the view from where I took this picture was so beautiful that I couldn´t think of any words in Spanish to describe it when my host brother asked me if I liked it. Of course I have the vocabulary of at Mexican 3 year old at this point. :)Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04384276668649886959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4246178830697817693.post-19264498049409394132007-08-18T16:28:00.000-07:002007-08-18T16:50:37.427-07:00The beginning of an adventureHola mis amigos!<br /><br />Well, I have survived my first 2 days in Mexico! It's a good thing that life here in general is pretty laid back because it is quite a transition thus far. The trip here went great, I had no problem navigating the airports, making my planes or getting through customs. I caught a taxi to my host family's house and was greeted by the granddaughter of my host mom, Aspasia, who ended up being a lot of fun. I taught her a few card games last night, and we had a lot of fun. my host mom, Lupita, is very gracious and thinks that I don't eat enough. :) It's true that I'm not eating my normal amount, but that is because of the heat. Oh the heat. The day I flew in, it was so hot that I began to question whether I wanted to stay and risk death or turn around and go home. I'm not even being dramatic- it was as hot as hades. Fortunately, however, I soon found out that it was only that hot because there was a massive thunderstorm brewing which turned out to be nothing like the thunderstorms that I am used to. I normally really like thunderstorms, but this was a whole different level of rain, thunder and lightening. About 2 in the morning, I awoke to booming thunder, torrential rain and flashing lightening that was centered right above the house. There was absolutely no time in-between the thunder and lightening- it was centered directly above us. Needless to say, it was quite the event, and actually quite frightening. Due to the storm, however, this morning was much cooler- still hot but definitely bearable.<br /><br />Ok, moving on. I have to make this quick because I am using my host brother's computer, and I don't want to monopolize it. I didn't expect to have internet access in the house, but Ernesto (my host brother) showed me that if you put the computer in the window of the living room, you can pick up wireless internet for free. It is pretty high tech here in Mazatlan. So anyway, I went to orientation this morning at my language school, and I was really impressed with the people there. I didn't meet any of my teachers, but the women working there were really nice, and it was great to speak English for awhile. It is unbelievable, by the way, how much practice I have had just living with my host family. No one speaks English, so it is a pretty Spanish-intensive environment. :) I can't space out for a minute or I've missed an entire sentence that is crucial to understanding the person speaking. It is really good for me though. I will be a lot better at Spanish after a whole month!<br /><br />That's it for now friends, I'll write again as soon as I can!Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04384276668649886959noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4246178830697817693.post-80226606638231161682007-08-16T11:31:00.000-07:002008-12-12T22:39:43.474-08:00A Month in MexicoI am currently in a unique stage of my life- my early twenties. At 21, I am not yet responsible for a family, a full time job or mortgage payments. In June of 2008, however, I wi<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWlnRgqwVSs1Wt8gOlJsIqgIBrU9xEEQYuf9Kpr4zlByMGfievTg7GSKsOhtB2H7f5SCFkOkD8YReDbRBfCwJn74LdnIxeL-SdAQAsYfxWS3BUH41_vw0bpUzWdKEURFFQdmrObIRS-b8/s1600-h/CIMG1988.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099377100969668738" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" height="205" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWlnRgqwVSs1Wt8gOlJsIqgIBrU9xEEQYuf9Kpr4zlByMGfievTg7GSKsOhtB2H7f5SCFkOkD8YReDbRBfCwJn74LdnIxeL-SdAQAsYfxWS3BUH41_vw0bpUzWdKEURFFQdmrObIRS-b8/s320/CIMG1988.JPG" width="276" border="0" /></a>ll graduate college and will begin to pursue a career, a permanent living situation, and an independent life for myself. This last year of college, therefore, is my last chance to live and study abroad for any significant length of time, and I have decided to take it. Tonight I am leaving for Mexico, and I will be studying Spanish there at a language school for one month. I had three years of Spanish in high school, but it has been 5 years so I'm a bit rusty. My Spanish is decent enough that I'll be able to get around okay, but I am really looking forward to an intensive review of verb conjugation, etc... Seeing as my host family does not speak any English, I should get a lot of practice in! This is going to be quite an adventure.<br /><br />Tonight my family is going out to dinner to celebrate my sister and dad's birthdays. It is also a send off dinner for me although I won't be getting any presents. :) At 12:30 am, I am catching a red eye flight, and I should arrive in Mexico about 10:00 am. I am really excited to have such an amazing opportunity, but traveling alone does make me a little nervous. For the last two weeks that I am there, however, my close friend Gitta will be flying down to study with me. It will be so wonderful to have a friend! We were both in Mexico this past April on vacation with my parents, so it will be fun to catch up with the friends that we made.<br /><br />Wish me luck, ya'll! I'll post pictures as soon as I can.Bethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04384276668649886959noreply@blogger.com7