alright, alright

Before the free travel started we had a cruise down the Mediterranean. Now usually the HUG overseas group tours include Santorini and Crete, but that boat was being renovated and our boat we took was not going there. Oh well. Still WONDERFUL!!! We did go to Mykenos, Patmos, Rhodes, and Ephesus. It was really great. I almost got pecked to death by a huge pelican on Mykenos. When in Ephesus, I kept thinking how much Hank would have enjoyed this. So, I picked up a rock and will call it a paperweight. I hope he likes his new paperweight (rock). Maybe I should wash it for him first.

Berlin and Brussels:
These are my first two stops in Europe. Brussels was pretty and cool. I liked it there. They spoke French and I love French. Berlin, they only speak German here. Crazy kids. But, I have seen the remaining Berlin Wall, Reichstag, Charlie's Checkpoint, the famous TV Tower, and tons of other stuff. It's great here. Huge town, lots to see.
Venice was going to be our next stop, but we decided to go straight to Paris. Eh, who can blame us.

Home is where the heart is.

Whitney

After Israel

It's been about two weeks now and I am finally writing about it. I loved Israel. I thought it was great. We were in Jerusalem at the Waling Wall for Easter. Amazing!! We went to Masada and we went to the Dead Sea. When we swam in it, well you can't swim in it. You float. It's too dangerous to actually swim. If the water gets in your eyes it burns like nothing else in the world. Some people were trying to go under water but it wouldn't let them. If you don't know, the Dead Sea contains about 33% salt. Our ocean water has about 6% salt. It has about 30 sum minerals in it and would be toxic if you drank it. (and really really salty, I touched my finger to my tongue) I loved this. It's also supposed to be really good for your skin.
We also saw Petra. Which is where Indiana Jones and the lost crusade was filmed. I thought that was neat!

Going To Israel

Well, we are leaving for Israel Friday. We will visit places such as the Dead Sea (and swim in it), the Jordan River, Joppa, Jerusalem, Jericho, and Jordan. We are going to the same temple Indiana Jones went to in The Last Crusade. It is built into the side of a huge cliff. It's in the crescent moon canyon. (Watch the movie, it's great!) Anywho, I am excited.

We went to the same monastery the James Bond movie For Your Eyes Only was filmed. It was the highlight of my day. I grew up on James Bond. Love it.

Amy and I are alright. She rolled her ankle and went to the hospital here. So I've been waiting on her hand and foot, because she can't do things. The power has gone out here a few times because of strikes at the power company, so she has been stuck upstairs because the elevator doesn't work then. Our relationship has gotten better, but I still see her differently. Oh well.

When I'm in Israel we'll be gone for 11 days so I might not be able to write for a while. See you later!

Sex God

Sex God is a book written by Rob Bell, who is a pastor who also does the Nooma videos. He is pretty remarkable when you hear him. This book is talking about how Sex and God go hand in hand. How God created it but you're to use it in the settings he set out for it. The book is talking about people being connected with the world and God. It's a great book. You should read it.

In one section he says that the most comforting words you can hear are "me too". I completely agree with this. I have been home sick for a little while now and just needed a break from these people and this situation. Randomly one night while in Meteora I met two 20 year old guys who were back packing around Greece. They were from Greenville!!!! Thsi was a breath of fresh air for me. All I wanted was someone to talk to. They were from my home. They were in Greece and they spoke my language and I felt so comforted. I knew God had done this for all three of us. I guess where I was going with this is I need to trust God more. I am so glad he comforted me. After that, though, when I got home I had a wonderful package from my Amazing Grandmother with surprises for St. Patrick's Day and Easter. It made me cry. I miss her, a lot. She also gave me a puzzle. I remember when I was little, puzzles were my favorite. Is that why she sent me that, I wonder? Thanks Mom and Dad for my cards!

We just got back from Northern Greece. I saw the monestaries in Meteora. They were built high on rocks. Some the only way up is in a basket up the side of the cliff. How amazing!!!! I went to the monestary the James Bond movie, For Your Eyes Only, was filmed. Yes Sir, I Did!!!!! I also went where the real 300 took place. The battle between the Persians and Spartans. Also where they believe Paul and Silas were imprisoned. That was great. At that sight we met another Bible college group from the UK. (I meet everyone) Thessoloniki was cool too.

"Do not fear, For I am with. I have called you by name. You are mine. For I am the Lord, your God. I am the Holy one of Israel. Your Savior."
"Do not worry about tomorrow, tomorrow will take care of itself."
"Lay your burdens down."
Constantly encourage and uplift others.

You're awesome Hank.

Whit

Ode to You

MICHAEL BUBLE LYRICS
"Home"
Another summer day
Has come and gone awayIn Paris and Rome
But I wanna go home
Mmmmmmmm
May be surrounded by
A million people I
Still feel all alone
I just wanna go home
Oh, I miss you, you know
And I’ve been keeping all
the letters that I wrote to you
Each one a line or two
“I’m fine baby, how are you?”
Well I would send them but
I know that it’s just not enough
My words were cold and flat
And you deserve more than that
Another aeroplane
Another sunny place
I’m lucky I know
But I wanna go home
Mmmm, I’ve got to go home
Let me go home
I’m just too far from where you are
I wanna come home
And I feel just like
I’m living someone else’s life
It’s like I just stepped outside
When everything was going right
And I know just why you could not
Come along with me
'Cause this was not your dream
But you always believed in me
Another winter day has come
And gone awayIn even Paris and Rome
And I wanna go homeLet me go home
And I’m surrounded by
A million people I
Still feel all alone
Oh, let me go home
Oh, I miss you, you know
Let me go home
I’ve had my run
Baby, I’m done
I gotta go home
Let me go home
It will all be all right
I’ll be home tonight
I’m coming back home

This was Kristin Teets' and mine theme song before I left. I am definately starting to feel these words. I really am needing a break from these people. I would love to just be home for a week. There are plenty of great people here, but at the same time I don't want to be around any of them. I say that, but there are a few I don't mean this for. My roommate and I keep argueing. Which is making me upset. I will be free travelling with her. Just the two of us. So we really need to work out our differences. I know I can't play a card game with her. I am definately not that into it. I just want everyone to be happy and she gets way too competetive for me. Right now she is sick and she needs loving, but I just want to talk out an argument. She is great, don't get me wrong. I like her a lot. I just hate how things are right now. It bothers me so much.

Right now I am on the free internet in our hotel in Thessoloniki. The second largest city in Greece. There is a demonstration right now downtown(basically right where I am) because they believe that the statue of Alexander the Great belongs here and not where it is now. Of course if they get this statue back it will be a turning point for museums also. The Egyptian Museum wants their ancient artifacts from the Louvre and the museum in London. Every Museum everywhere will be sought out by the countries who have things in their museum and ask for it back, rightfully so. So, I doubt this will happen. Nonetheless, I'm in a town with a demonstration right now. So that's something.

I'm missing home and I'm missing you if you're reading this. I send you my love and I know you do the same.

You can go where ever you want, but home is always where you left it. There's nothing like it. I guaruntee you, everywhere you go, whatever city it is, it is just another city. But, you're home is your heart. Stay with those you love.

Whit

BEAUTIFUL!! and AWFUL!!

We went to the Pelopennesus a week ago and Epidaurus and Corinth.

We went to soo many castles and the views from the top were more than breath taking. The climb was well worth it. There were mountains upon mountains and then there were snow capped mountains too. Also there were bays. There were gorgeous ocean line. Here is a sunrise view. It was taken from our hotel room. The mountain view was great.

While exploring the castle I found the best spot. I had some God time and it was amazing! Unfortunately I didn't have my camera. The batteries died before the trip. Of course. Of course that would happen to me. So I have been relying on people whose cameras did not fail them.

Now onto the crummy story. Some of us decided to go back packing in the mountains for a few days. Well, I decide to go even though I love to sleep in my own bed at night. So I didn't have a sleeping bag neither did my roommate so we took our blanket from the Artemis and it was terrible! First it was about an hour and a half to find a spot to stay the night. Except it wasn't flat land. it was a huge incline and we couldn't sleep because we would just slide down and it stunk soo bad!! On top of not sleeping there were two dogs who kept harassing Amy and I. This was the icing on the cake. Well we started the fire again since we couldn't sleep and were cold. All night we were up. Taking our turns to keep the fire going. What a terrible idea this was!!! I knew I was walking back to the Artemis Hotel at around ten that night. I only had til sunrise to accomplish my wish. As soon as sunrise came. Amy and I left the other three to finish their 3 night journey. No sir was I going to do that another hour than I had to much less another night. Well that was that and we slept in our bed until 4:30 pm. It was magic. Well, that's all for now.

I hope you are are doing well!!

Whitney

I saw the PYRAMIDS!!!

We went to Egypt this past week for about ten days. It was an eye opener, that's for sure.

We started in Cairo and went to the Pyramids at Giza and saw the Sphinx. Then we saw the Step Pyramid in Dzoser. We went on a three day cruise down the Nile river. Which was great. I laid out for 4 and a half hours and got burnt. However, now I am tanned. So, who's laughing now?

We rode on night trains two different nights and that was alright but definately not a comfortable arrangement. I didn't mind it as much as the others, plus they fed us dinner and breakfast.

We rode a camel to a Nubian villiage and got henna tattoos and they surprised us with baby alligators. Not so bad. At least they didn't bite us when they put them on our heads! What a relief right?

We went to so many temples that they sort of all seem the same to me. But amazing! The detail of the carvings in the wall and the original color from the Egyptian Pharaoh's, it was awe inspiring. And in one place the Early Christians plastered over a scene of the Gods and Pharaoh's and painted the Lord's Supper painting. This was my favorite by far. I just thought it was so funny they did that!

I went to the Luxor temple where Moses was most likely schooled. It was emotional for most of us. We went to Valley of the Kings. Which is where most of the Kings of Egypt were buried after they stopped thinking Pharaohs as Gods. If you were a God you were buried in a pyramid, but as time went on they quit that way of thought.

The Egyptians are ridiculous when it comes to selling things. In America if we want something we will go and get it. In Egypt they will pester you and give things to you as a "gift" only you have to pay for it. They trick you and deceive. It's like they are scoundrels. It's crazy. They made my roommate cry. This is when I stepped in and got ticked. I left her with other people and I shouldn't have. She can't stand up to people. I don't mind saying no. When I came back to her she was red in the face and I could see she was about to lose it. I got her and kept her on the outside towards the water and i was on the side of the crazy market men. All I said for five minutes was no. It was a nice outlet for me. Ha! They were way too persistent. I didn't appreciate them much.

Egypt was an interesting land. It was sad because it was a 3rd world country. But, to see the desert and the green land next to each other was a beautiful contrast. The Nile was very polluted and there was a lot of trash around. Alexandria was beautiful though! I am glad i had the opportunity to go there.

Sorry it took me so long to sit down and write. Talk more later!

My Big Fat Greek Experience

Well, this first part is for the Murphy's in Am. Sam.
We have wild dogs here. They do follow you. but they are not viscous. The exact opposite really. If they ever see you when you're walking they will follow you forever. In fact, our first night we had 7 dogs sitting outside the Artemis Hotel. I happen to like them. Except for the fact they probably are caring every disease and flea or tick a dog can, they are cute and they protect us. If only Speedbump were here. What a dog. I like Nike and Titus too.

Well, we have done a lot in the past few days. We went to the Temple of Poseidon and watched the sunset. It was majestic!! Really cool how this thing is still standing! I have pictures put up on facebook. Let me know if you can't see them there.

Yesterday we went to Athens for the day. It was flippin busy. And I went into a bakery with a friend and some woman pushed us out of the way (at different times). I was trying to get out of the way but it was small in there. I don't understand why they like hard bread. I love soft bread. Not a fan.
Then we walked around and saw a Greek Orthodox church which was beautiful inside. I snuck some pictures. And I lit a prayer candle, it felt right. I think i was supposed to pay. I didn't realize it until later. I'll pay next sunday.
As we walked around the streets I saw a painting I wanted to have so I bought it. Go me.
There was this sandal maker everyone was talking about and so we checked him out also. His father made shoes for John Lennon, Barbara Streishand, Jackie O., and Susan Luchie (whoever she was). Sparky will probably kill me for not know her name, since she's a old movies fanatic. Sorry kid.
We went to church at 6pm because the other launguages were during the rest of the day. We had a Bulgarian who did not speak English lead us in songs. I laughed sometimes. For the prayer, one of our guys said it in English, Tony said it in Persian, _____ said it in Egyptian, and _____ said it in Bulgarian, and then finally I forgot his name said it in Greek. And that was our prayer. It was neat listening to the languages. The preacher half the time went off telling stories but it was a good sermon. Good experience.

My roommate and I were chosen randomly to be roomies and we found out we were born on the same day and both of our favorite movie is Ever After. Lucky for us. When we can't sleep at night we watch it on my computer until we fall asleep. So now, the movie's permanent spot is my disc drive. I love it! Tonight will make it night number 3.

OH! I almost forgot to tell you that there is a jewelry store here whose owners help out Harding students with whatever they need. They are very nice people. I wanted to look at their stuff so I did. At one point, a ring got stuck on my finger and Chris the owner told his wife Valerie to get out the windex and spray it on my finger. I thought it was so funny, so did Amy. It reminded us of the crazy father in My Big Fat Greek Wedding. She was laughing and I almost did. I kept my cool. Word.

Talk to you later!

Whit

First few days

Well, jet lag stinks. In Am Sam I could at least sleep in until whenever. But here We all have to get up and have class. Super. Just super. Some of us went to the World War II bunkers yesterday and took pictures. Beautiful place. I have pictures!

At the water there was a man fishing for squid. When he caught one, he would slap it against the rock to tenderize it or something. But I saw him throw it back in. So, not sure where his head was at. Crazy Greeks.

My friend John and I really wanted to go to a cafe by the water. So we did but, forgot we don't have euros yet and we ordered a coke. (it was the only word we recognized on the menu) They let us have it but we're going back today to give them the rest of the money. It was VERY embarrassing. He was like "just take it, no problem" and then we tried telling him we'd come back and all he'd say is "don't understand" and shke his head. No very smart of us. So dumb. The food our chef makes is amazing!!! It has been great every meal. The food here is by far better than american food. it's so genuinely delicious. Instead of american food processed and fake. Blah...

Well, it's noon:17 here and we jsut got done with classes. Lunch is at 1:30 and I can't wait!

Love,
Whit

GREECE

Hey Everyone!!!

I have finally made it to Greece. It is 8 pm here and I am so tired I could pass out at any moment. Jet lag no doubt.

It started out great. I really haven't been over excited about this trip and I am sure it is because I knew what it took to get here. Long rides on airplanes drag me down. The first ride was great. Lacey got stuck with some lady who talked a lot and kept her busy....but in the lady's defense, she was a nice lady. Lacey ended up falling asleep with her mouth open on that trip. Which proves she is super cool, as we all have already known. I'm glad she didn't drool. Maybe the nice lady would have helped her clean it up. As for me, I got both seats to myself. Heck yeah! I tried to read, couldn't. I tried to sleep, couldn't. Well, not very well at least. So we get off in Detroit and Lacey and I have 7 hours until everyone else from our group shows up. Lacey is feeling nauseated right about now so after walking around and seeing the most amazing underground tunnel ever!!!, we got something to eat. We chose a place called National Coney Island something and I had a very over priced hotdog with chili, cheese, bacon and mustard on it. Get it while I can, right? We find the others and but not before we rode the air tram,........terrible idea, I even got nauseated, stay away from it!

Getting on the next flight, I get go my seat and I have a stinkin remote that controls the tv on the back of the seat in front of me!! Not only can I choose my music channel and whatever movie I want to watch but, if I want to play a game I turn the remote sideways and it's a game remote control with a joystick and everything....wow....that's cool! I like this flight except for the fact that the girl next to me was russian and talking to her was embarrassing for both of us...you should have seen it, it was sad both of us trying to and then getting frustrated with ourselves. We watched our movies in peace. I saw someone watching The Office!!! I couldn't find it though, so I was sad.... Also, someone around me kept passing gas and I was stuck by the window.

Amsterdam airport was huge and kinda cool. The charged me 8 dollars for a starbucks grande coffee....exchange rate....not worth it. But still great coffee, white chocolate mocha iced. Got on our plane to Athens and sat in the middle of two men. Who I was thinking didn't speak English. I knew I wasn't going to be comfortable this flight. I tried to sleep and got woken up by the stewardess to get organic food. Woo hoo! Most of it was good, to be honest. Then the man to the left of me asked where I was from. I found out at the end of our trip his name was, well, for short...it's A J ....that's what we'll call him. He was Dutch and spoke English well. We talked about God, traveling, careers, God's plan, his girlfriend of 4 years ( and I suggested marriage...that was another story), books we like to read, he tried to teach me Dutch...which you could imagine went realllly well!! Haha.

At Athens we put our luggage down in our rooms and went on a walk to the beach. Beautiful! (pictures to follow, sometime) When we came back we had a few minutes and then we had a genuine Greek meal prepared for us. It was delicious!!! I loved it! Real Greek olives Dad!! Alot better than Piggly Wiggly's, let me tell you!

Also, on the flight one of the movies to choose from was Brother Bear and I thought of Shannon. Love you Pita!!
The movie The Brave One made me think of someone else.....Love you too!!

I am exhausted!! So tired and it's only 9 here!

Love you,

Whit