Extreme Travel Part V: Athens

Woke up from a mysterious phone call at 7:45am.  Somehow, we overslept my alarm set for 7 and had 15 minutes to get our stuff (and we have alot of it) downstairs and check out and grab what we can from our all-inclusive breakfast.  We were grateful that the unreliable shuttle company showed up late, giving us extra time to "snarf" down some food.  

At the airport check-in, we started pulling weight out of our suitcases again, and successfully checked-in free of weight charges. The smaller airport was easier to navigate with our extra carry-on baggage and we were able to have a more civilized breakfast, sitting a cafe tables.  We ordered our last Turkish coffees before leaving for Athens.  The man behind the counter gave us the password for the wifi (unsolicited, I might add) so we can look up his suggestions for our next trip to Turkey. We used it for other purposes.  

We arrived in Athens and head straight for Hotel Ava, located in a prime location between the Temple of Zeus and the Acropolis.  Besides its ideal location, our hotel staff was extremely friendly and helpful and the room was beautiful.  It even had a terrace that smelled delightfully of flowers. 

Hotel Ava

We dove into our itinerary and met ancient Athens.  We climbed up to the Acropolis and did a Rick Steves audio tour of the Parthenon, Erectheion, and enjoyed the breathtaking views from the Acropolis (meaning: high city).  

Parthenon 

We then headed for the Acropolis museum and started with the cafe.  Finally, a great meal! I had a delicious Greek dish that included honey, feta cheese, and puff pastry dough. Greece knows how to make me a happy girl.  We explored the sculptures and ruins from the Acropolis kept inside for preservation.  The antiquity of the objects on display really impressed us. 

After the museum, we listened to the Rick Steves Athens walking tour and saw the Roman Agora, Library of Hadrian, Arch of Hadrian, Temple of Zeus, and Monastiraki square.  

We went to the brand new Chabad restaurant, Gostijo, for dinner and enjoyed some Sephardi delicacies (go with it) that included a rice dish with lentils and caramelized onions and leek fritters.  We chatted with the people in Hebrew and English but left a little confused about the relationships.  As Katie wisely said: "Chabad is a wonder."  Before we left, they gave us these slices of a chocolate cake that strongly resembled my fathers' family's matzah cake.  Interpret that as you wish. 

Parliament guard 

Today, we started with a delicious breakfast of fresh Greek yogurt with honey, nuts and fresh fruit. We finished the Rick Steves Athens walking tour. We started with Syntagma Square, which is where Greeks have rioted for change since the times of Ottoman empire.  We watched the changing of the guards at the Parliament building, a building that used to be a royal palace.  We took pictures with the goofy-looking guards but were yelled at and banished when Katie couldn't prevent herself from stroking his tassel.  We then admired medieval churches.  During our walk, a sleazy man walking toward us stuck his head in our faces and said "woaaa" in an abnormally deep voice and Greek accent.  The best part: Katie didn't notice!  Dear Rick then gave us a tour of the Ancient Agora, the center of the Greek world at the height of the empire! 

Parliament guard 

We stopped for lunch at a lovely vegetarian cafe called Avocado and enjoyed a terrific meal! Finally, we ended our Athens experience with a tour of the Olympic Stadium.  I finally convinced a ticket counter to give Katie a student price even though she "forgot her ID."  Of course, I left the counter with our tickets to find Katie crouched behind the bushes, trying to look subtle and inconspicuous.  The stadium was especially awesome because it is the place of the original Olympics where gladiators fought.  It was then renovated and used in 1896 for the first modern day Olympics and again in the 2004 Athens Olympics.  

Olympic Stadium 

Completing our itinerary successfully, we raced back to the hotel to collect our luggage and go to the airport.  After racing like lunatics and finding time to change our last 2 Turkish Lira to 80 Euro cents, we got through security and realized the flight's scheduled departure is an hour later than we realized.  

 

Accidental relaxation time accepted. 

Extreme Travel Part IV: Pamukkale

Today we participated in a group tour of Pamukkale.  Katie was worried this morning that our day would be normal and that I would have nothing to blog about this evening but no such thing. 

enjoying breakfast at our hotel before the tour 

The bus picked us up at 8am sharp.  Apparently, we were the first ones the bus picked up so it preceded to spend the next hour picking up guests from other hotels before beginning the 3 hour journey to Pamukkale.  After about 2 hours, we stopped for bathrooms etc. Strangely, the bus was soaped and hosed up and down.  Then, about 20 minutes after re-boarding the bus, we stopped for lunch at an all-you-can-eat restaurant that was apparently included in our tour but they left off the "inclusion list."  

The restaurant had quite a few options but all the food was totally gross. I ordered Turkish coffee with lunch and one of the waiters offered to read my fortune but he was a poser and not nearly as legit as the driver from yesterday.  

At lunch came our second cue that something is strange about our tour.  2 of the other participants tried to ask us something... in Spanish.  They were on an English speaking tour and didn't speak English.  Apparently, neither did the Asian couple on the tour or the other Peruvians.  Out of 15 people on our tour, almost half didn't speak English, including the tour guide (kind of).  

Dr. Fish experience

We arrived in Pamukkale and were given 2 hours to enjoy.  We headed for the natural hot springs but took a detour and decided to first get Dr. Fish "pedicures."  It was the strangest feeling ever.  We stuck our feet in a pool of water with fish that ate at our feet, supposedly removing dead skin and leaving healing properties for the fresh skin to come in better.  It tickled and felt so creepy and weird!  

supply closet... shhh

Afterwards, we decided to hit the springs.  We needed to change into our swimwear (Katie upholds a strict "don't ask, don't tell" policy regarding what she wore) but the changing room lines were too long. We found an unattended supply close and snuck in there to maximize our time.  We swam in hot springs that contained remnants of ancient columns of Cleopatra.  Afterwards, we climbed on the limestone mineral deposits and through other hot springs overlooking a gorgeous mountainous view.  

standing on mineral deposits 

We were out of time and headed back to Kusadasi.  The tour guide said we would be stopping at a marble place, which we knew meant a tourist trap where they try to sell you things and the guide who brings you gets the commission.  We staged a revolt and I asked that we not go since it is likely that no one on our tour is interested.  We won.  The bus decided to make the same pit stop on the way back and again the bus was scrubbed down.  Perplexing... We had asked to be dropped off first since we were picked up first  and spent forever doing pickups and the tour guide agreed but somehow we ended up last and spent a over 10 hours on the bus and 2 hours in Pamukkale.  

Overall, we loved Pamukkale but were very dissatisfied with the tour company that basically provided a crappy shuttle service and no tour.  

Tomorrow we are flying to Athens so we decided to find a cheaper way of traveling to the airport than a taxi without shlepping all our overweight luggage on the public bus.  I found a shuttle service online and booked it.  Since it is a last minute reservation, I decided to call and confirm that they will be picking us up in the morning.  When I called, the man I spoke with asked if we took their tour today.  Apparently, it's the same disastrous company that took us to Pamukkale today! On the bright side, I was able to tear the tour apart to the guy on the phone, which saved me a nasty email.  Unfortunately for you, I don't have an entertaining email to share.  We are hoping for better luck with them tomorrow.

Extreme Travel Part III: Izmir, Ephesus, and Kusadasi

Another full day on the extreme travel adventure! We woke up at 4:45am to fly from Istanbul to Izmir.  We got to the airport knowing we would have a weight problem since domestic flights have a 15kg (33lb) limit and I have all my belongings from my Rome apartment with me.  We packed our carry-ons with our heaviest non-liquid items and hoped for the best.  Needless to say, we were still way over the limit.  Instead of paying 3 lira/kg for the 15 kg we were over (note: this is about $1.25/kg), we start tearing our bags apart, rolling items into tight balls and stuffing them into our carry-on bags.  Eventually, the guys took pity on us (this was made clear by their sad smiles combined with asking us if we are students) and allowed us to check the bags that were still a combined 23 lbs overweight.  We decided that we probably shouldn't return to the States since we feel way more popular in Turkey.

We were 2 hot messes marching through the extremely warm airport wearing my jackets, carrying over-stuffed and extremely heavy backpacks, rolling bags and totes, as well as 2 boxed breakfasts (from our extremely sweet hotel in Istanbul) and Katie's box of Kosher dinner that was leaking everywhere. We then decided that the gate would be a good place to eat our breakfasts of hardboiled eggs, oatmeal and juice.  We take turns peeling undercooked eggs over the garbage, and alternating asking the cafe for hot water, cups, and utensils for our oatmeal.  We also used the juice to take calcium pills to lighten our load and committed to taking 4 calcium pills each every day until the end of the trip since we don't believe in throwing anything away. 

Izmir historical elevation lookout 

We finally arrived in Izmir and met our tour guide and driver who would be taking us to Ephesus. On the way, we stopped in Izmir for a caffeine fix and to see the Beit Israel Synagogue.  They took us up to a beautiful terrace overlooking Izmir where we enjoyed coffees.  I got a Turkish Coffee and the driver (whose wife is a fortune teller) read my fortune from the cup while the tour guide translated for us.  He said that there is a guy who is jealous of me and he is one of two enemies of mine.  We are still trying to figure out who it could be.  

Bet Israel Synagogue, Izmir

We then went to the Shul.  Izmir used to be a majority Jewish city.  The shul was stunning and we spoke to the man who showed us around. First, he

 spoke Turkish to the tour guide and he translated for us but we eventually discovered Hebrew as our common language and were able to communicate directly with each other.  Unfortunately, my Hebrew is a tad rusty.  I meant to ask if we can visit the house of Shabtai Tzvi and accidentally asked if we could burry Shabtai Tzvi.  His strong reaction made sense to me when I realized in the car later, that I used the word "likboa" (to burry) instead of "livaker" (to visit).  Whoops. The shul had really old Jewish artifacts collected over the years on display including a 100-year old wedding dress and suit, a wedding book that recorded marriages in the community from the 1200's, some megila scroll covers, bar mitzvah candy baskets, etc.  

Bet Israel Synagogue, Izmir 

Afterwards, we drove to Ephesus for a tour of the ancient city and saw amazing remnants of sculptures, monuments and infrastructure, and were especially impressed by the advanced plumbing and heating systems they employed.  

Ephesus entrance to amphitheater 

Ephesus ancient columns 

relaxing on the beach 

After Ephesus, we checked into our all-inclusive hotel in Kusadasi (so fun) and relaxed at the beach until dinner.  We seem to pass out for a power nap at every opportunity.  I wonder why... 

Extreme Travel Part II: Istanbul Continued

Today we woke up very early to be at the Topkaki Palace before it opened.  We experienced the public transportation here - not so efficient or intuitive. The palace was stunning. There was a whole section on jeweled items that belonged to Sultans including thrones, swords, water carriers, etc. Katie obviously had a blast looking at an 86 carat diamond. We also explored the Harem, the area where the concubines and wives of the Sultan lived.

After we covered the palace (making excellent time, of course), we had lunch at a recommended restaurant.  Okay, I know we don't eat fish so maybe this isn't fair to say but Turkish food < par.

Afterwards, we went to the Hagia Sofia.  It's a Byzantine Church from the 6th century that was later converted into a Mosque and then to a museum. It is made of all recycled materials from other monuments  and some of the oldest marble pillars date back to 2400 years ago, around the time of the second beit hamikdash! We got on the longest line of the century to buy tickets and then a guy came by offering to give English tours that would also allow us to skip to the front of the ticket line. #win!

Hagia Sofia

Hagia Sofia 

The tour guide was awesome and gave us a better understanding of this awesome structure - in the truest sense of the word - than we ever would have gotten without him.  10,000 workers completed the Hagia Sofia in 5 years which was an incredible accomplishment since it is the (one of?) highest free standing domes ever! Interestingly, as a church, it faced Jerusalem and when it was converted to a mosque, they changed the point of focus slightly South to face Mecca instead. It was a truly unbelievable building!

Afterwards, we went to the underground cistern, which was built in the 4th century.  It was incredibly cool! There are 2 mysterious medusa heads inside and the cistern still has water in it. And huge fish!

Cistern

Next on the schedule was the spice bazaar.  We asked a man for directions and he was going nearby so he took us there himself! We chatted a bit but his accent was difficult to understand. The spice market was a whole new experience.  The man we bought tea and perfume from fell in love with Katie. He gave us make overs and eye liner, love tea, and tons of Turkish Delight tastes.  He made tons of comments with sexual innuendoes and had Katie giggling and red.  He decided that Katie's butt is nicer than JLo's.

Katie and her Spice Bazaar boyfriend

After our adventures in the spice bazaar, we took a boat tour on the Bosphorus river.  I was exhausted and fell asleep during the relaxing ride in on the sunny river.  When we finally arrived at the hotel around 6pm, we discovered that the Turkish bath place was still open and we raced over for a Turkish experience.

Well it was certainly an experience! We arrived at this place and they sent us to a women's area.  There were old ladies in funny patterned hospital-looking gowns who didn't speak English but led me into a room and said: "everything off. Shoes. Towel. Keys." Hoping that we had deciphered the meaning of her message, we undressed (in transparent glass rooms), wrapped towels around us, stepped into awkward wooden shoes and locked our belongings in the rooms. We were led into a steamy room with a large marble slab in the center.  There was a woman lying naked on one edge of the marble slab and a naked old lady (in her underwear) scrubbing her with soap.  One lady motioned for us to leave our towels by the entrance. Of course, we burst into giggles. Nay, hysterics, completely changing the mood of the room.  We lay down, completely naked, on 2 other edges of the marble slab and cannot stop laughing.  Everyone was walking around naked (or in their underwear but we didn't get the memo that you could keep it on) or lying naked on the marble slab.

When our turn for the soap massage came, the old naked women with saggy boobs scrubbed us with an exfoliating glove and then had us go to a sink and pour water over ourselves. Then, we were returned to the marble and soaped down.  It was the strangest sensation having a light, fluffy, wet, substance poured on my body.  It was like a wet cloud landed on my back.  The soaping was actually quite relaxing, although also totally strange. Afterwards, the lady took me to a sink and I sat between her legs while she shampooed my hair, and then braided it. Katie and I agreed that the experience kind of felt like our old, Mediterranean grandmother (who doesn't exist) was bathing us.  It was a cool and totally weird experience!  Of course, after our Turkish bath, we had to return for a real shower because the bath was far from clean.

Extreme Travel Part I: Istanbul

I arrived in Istanbul yesterday afternoon. Katie and I had no means of communicating once we arrived in Turkey. The fool proof plan was to meet by a taxi stand right outside baggage claim in the airport.  My flight arrived late but my bag came right away.  Immediately outside is a taxi stand. Great. I go outside shlepping all the belongings in had in Rome with me and don't see my sis.  I try asking the drivers waiting outside with signs if they've seen a red head but they don't speaking English.  After some funny hand gestures and loud enunciating in English and Italian (my Turkish skills are zilch), they report that they have not seen Katie.  Well, it turns out that we arrived in different airports.  Off to a great start!

We finally meet up in our hotel and after big hugs and squeals, I go up to our room. Then comes faux pas #2.  Katie follows me to the room a few minutes later with my carry on bag I left in the lobby.  Only, I didn't leave my carry-on bag in the lobby. Katie just brought someone else's carry-on bag to our room thinking it was mine.

Top of Galata Tower 

Okay, priorities: we first take stock of the food we brought. Obviously. Then, too cool to rest, we run off to the Galata tower.  We explore Taksim Square and the area and arrive at the tower.  We are disappointed to learn that we had to take an elevator to the top and could not climb the massive tower for the view.  We ambitiously decide that we'll have more time for something else before shul. We get to the top and accept the view as a welcoming to Istanbul.

Galata Tower 

When it is time for shul, we try to get directions from the front desk of the hotel... fail. We walk and walk and walk and ask tons of people for our landmarks. Eventually, we see intense security and know we have arrived at the Sisli Synagogue.  We had to preregister with the Rabbinate and email copies of our passports in order to get permission to visit a shul.  The security guards ask us questions and Katie responds that we are "Americani." I don't know what that is or where that came from. He asked: "American?" Oh Katie. Eventually, they accept our proclaimed innocence and one of the guards led us 100 meters away to another building where he checks our passports and leads us through a metal detector and allows us to enter the Synagogue.

After shul, we go to chabad for dinner.  It was us and this other American girl who is in Istanbul teaching English.  To give you an idea of how strange she is (note: this will by no means do it justice), she responded to the Rabbi's comment that he should have brought a key to shul with: "No! You should observe the law" (meaning eruv).  After she asked where I go to college and I said Cornell, she squealed "Waahoo!" and then to Katie going to Brandeis, "Yippee!"  She was stunned to find that I had cleared her plate without her noticing and asked if I work at a cafe.  To that, the chabad wife was so weirded out she responded with an eye-popping "Okay...?" Overall, the kids were cute, dinner was nice, and the food was good.

The next day, we returned for lunch. We had a hard time finding their apartment by day and asked some Turks along the way for help.  One kind stranger, walked us to the front door and rang the bell.  Awkward... Lunch was nicer than dinner. There were 2 men who we didn't speak to and 2 women with their daughters (who go to school with one of the chabad kids): lots of cute little ones running around. We learned all about the school for Jews in Istanbul and their maids and then had a heated conversation about the American presidential race before benching.

After lunch, we power-walk to the Spice Bazaar and the Grand Bazaar.  Neither of us have ever had so many pick up lines used on us in a row in our lives.  It felt like we walked into a movie scene and every man used these ridiculous lines on us.  Here are some examples. (Disclaimer: this is not a comprehensive list.) To get the full effect, imagine these said in a thick Turkish accent.
[step in front of us, hand to chest] "Heart attack" 
"Excuse me, you dropped something." [Turn around] "My heart!"
"I know you." (used about 12x from 12 different men)
"Do you know honey? You are like honey. I love you."
"I want to come back to America with you."
[Moves face very close to my face] "Why are your eyes so beautiful?"
"Where are you from?" (America). "I am from Chicago!" (Me: "No you aren't...")
"Why you so hairy?!" (We think he meant "hurry")

You get the idea. It's as if they all read the same book of lines. But truly, everyone we have met so far has been so kind. The men are Middle Eastern but not scary.  

After the markets, we go to the Blue Mosque, which was exquisite. We had to remove our shoes at the door and put on long skirts and head scarves. I just love that Katie wasn't dressed modestly enough to enter. What has gotten into that girl?!?! 

Next, we looked for the Hippodrome. We met a Turkish man along the way and he gave us a tour of the area. Then he brought us to his carpet store and sat us down on the couches and served us tea.  One of the employees came over and asked us what our heritage is. Katie replied that our grandparents are from Poland and Germany. He goes, "Oh, so you are Ashkinazi! I'm Sephardi." Stunned, that he pegged us, we delved into a chat about the Jewish community of Istanbul before he taught us more than we ever thought we would know about Turkish carpets and showed us a large sampling of their collection. 

Taksim Square 

Finally, the day was coming to an end and we headed back to the hotel. We weaved through the crowds at a pace we recognized that no one else we could travel with would tolerate, and arrived back at the hotel in record time.  

Stay tuned for more on the dream team adventures! 

To Italy, From: Heaven; Pompeii, Sorrento & Capri

I braced for a rainy trip.   We arrived in Pompeii and the sky was grey and the clouds ominous but fortunately, the weather held out and the rain stayed away.

I never sat down and thought it out, but I think I expected to find Pompeii looking like an old but modern-ish city so well preserved and functional that it could spring to life at a moments notice.  It wasn't exactly like that but I was not disappointed. Pompeii is ancient but it is well preserved.  And there aren't ancient humans frozen in place just chilling on the streets.  But they were behind glass cases. And while the city was far from modern, the ancient technology is remarkable! We saw a concession stand, and shopping avenue, and stepping stones that turned into a bridge to cross the street when the streets flooded, and speed bumps, and a bath house, and a bakery, and the beginnings of a GPS system - concepts that I have always considered to be modern and advanced.

Concession Stand

We also saw gladiator training grounds and an amphitheater - things I associate with Ancient Rome - and things I expected to stumble upon. But the most shocking element of Pompeii was the multitude of penises.  Yes, you read that correctly.


The penis frenzy begun when we saw the ancient graffiti outside the gladiator barracks and discovered that an adolescent boy who lived over 2,000 years ago sketched a penis on the stone wall.  Okay, we all know adolescent boys so that shouldn't be such a shock. But we then went to see Pompeii's red light district.  On the way, we passed the beginnings of a GPS system: penises were carved out of stone into the city walls and streets to indicate to men where they can find prostitues.  Then, at the brothel house, sex positions were pained on panels along the walls so men could make their selections without speaking to the woman they just hired.

After admiring the ancient city and seeing plastered molds of people who died there, we ended up at the exit and it seemed that I left penis-world and entered lemon world.  There were lemons growing on trees and massive lemons at modern concession stands.  There was also an endless selection of limoncello, a gag reflex-inducing Italian liqueur that is fun to force down after meals.

Later, we arrived at Sorrento, a cute town by the coast, and spent the evening there.  During a pre-dinner girl talk, a first-time occurrence this semester, my roommates and I giggled and drank wine while building up our appetites. Sorrento is known for its buffalo mozzarella. Enough said.

We went to the only club in Sorrento with my entire program and saw our adorable Italian waiter there who offered to buy me a drink.  I politely declined but I won't deny that I loved it.

We woke up early the next morning to catch a ferry to Capri.  It rained alot overnight and it wasn't clear if the ferry would run.  Fortunately, the ferry braved the storm - AKA what looked to me like gorgeous blue skies and clear water. Well API didn't recommend that people buy travel gum (to fight sea sickness) for nothing.  About 100 severely hung over college students boarded the rockiest ferry ride I have ever been on.  I partly wished the Marks were there because that always makes a funny story.

Not to worry though, dear Marks, plenty of people played your part.  While I was squealing for joy like a delighted toddler as the rocking boat made my stomach leap and jump, dozens of less than happy campers were heaving over the back of the boat.  Sucked for them! I wished Katie and Adam were there because they would have been loving it with me.   I finally found people who claimed to enjoy the ride as much as I did to sit next to for the ride back but unfortunately, the sea was calmer and it was just another ferry ride through the clear blue waters of the Amalfi Coast.

On the boat tour

Capri is gorgeous!! When the ferry docked, we got onto a smaller boat for a boat-tour of the island.  Breathtaking. Afterwards, I sampled more of that buffalo mozzarella that they are so famous for. Delicious. Then, I explored the island with some friends. Most the girls chose to shop for custom made sandals - apparently thats a thing. I went hiking. Obviously.

Taziano

We climbed to Villa Jovlin, an archeological site with incredible views. On the way, a dog decided to befriend us and joined us for the hike.  We named it Taziano after the hotel we stayed at during our orientation.  Eventually, we forgot that he wasn't actually our dog and would reprimand him for peeing on restaurants.  (Apparently Italian dogs do that.) "Andiamo Taziano, come on."

When coming up with names for our dog-friend, one boy suggested "Celevra." I didn't think anything of it at the time and assumed I didn't understand his reference.  It wouldn't be the first time something went over my head.  No one commented and obviously we settled on a different name.  However, later when recounting our experiences to some others, he repeated his suggestion and added that his priest named his dog that and that it means "bad dog" in Hebrew.  I told him that it is two words pronounced "kelev ra." Everyone in our train car turned to me and asked if I speak Hebrew and if I am Jewish. The latter question was followed by, "wait, both of your parents are Jewish?" When I answered affirmatively, I was told: "that's very cool."  These kinds of encounters are not so unusual here and make less of an impression on me now but when I stop to think about it, I think its very cool that I am here and having these experiences with new people who I may never have otherwise met.

The train stopped at the port and eventually, the gorgeous day came to an end. We collected pretty rocks on the beach and then took the calmer ferry to Naples, where our bus met us to return the group to Rome.

Admiring rocks on the beach

Always Connect In Zurich

I give you this advice with the upmost sincerity. The Zurich airport is a combination of massive goodness that can only be described the best of an airport, a mall, and the future.  It is far cleaner than the main airport in Rome, which I shall not name. The shops are beautiful. The restaurants, Swiss chocolate shops, and markets (yes, I said markets) are mouth-watering.  There is also a day room for over night stays and long layover naps, which I didn't get to check out. It's such a nice airport that I almost wish I could stay longer, but I reminded myself of how excited I was to get home and see my family and a special friend of mine (Sophie, of course).

Like I said: always transfer in Zurich. Or alternatively, make Switzerland your final destination for your vacation.

Countdown to the seders. If you are wondering, I'm singing "Don't sit on the afikomen" round and round in my head. Beware Grange Road, my vocals are warming up too!