This summer was a different summer for me; since I was training for a big dragon boat competition, I could only manage 2 weeks home with my family. It was much shorter than I would have liked and my time home was quite busy. I spent time visiting with my family and trying to cram in visits with my friends in between time. It was not a relaxing visit as I was training every day and had managed to get a contact in dragon boating so that I could paddle with a team while I was home visiting. I had a great time with the team from home; they were so laid back and fun- I felt like I'd known them for a long time. We had some great chuckles and it was nice to paddle with such low key people. They were a good team and I got a good workout and learned some stuff along the way too!
Too soon it was time to leave and head back to Dubai...
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Seattle
In July, I spent a week in Seattle attending a conference as part of my training to become a certified Literacy Coach. It was a wonderful week; I am part of such a wonderful group of teachers and every time we meet together I feel like I learn so much from them! We were also privileged to meet several authors in the field of literacy and literacy coaching and to talk to them and question them about their literacy areas/ literacy practices. I learned so much that week and each conference leaves me feeling re-energized and raring to go!
While I was in Seattle, I managed to meet up with a couple of dragon boat teams and practice with them so that I wouldn't be too out of shape when I returned to Dubai to train with my dragon boat team. It was so cool to paddle on Lake Washington with Mount Rainier looming overhead. I felt so at peace there with the mountains, the greenery, the water all surrounding me. One thing the teams did is that they would stop half way through and let team members jump in the water for a quick swim to cool down; I couldn't even imagine doing that-- the water was freezing and was the overall temperature out on the lake! The guys would get back in the boat and I swear I could hear their teeth chattering the whole way back, but I guess it was something they enjoyed doing.
Cesky Krumlov
My 3rd day in Czech Republic, I decided to take a day trip to Cesky Krumlov. Cesky Krumlov is about 3 hrs outside of Prague and is a designated UN Heritage Site. I hopped on a bus and headed out of town. It was such a beautiful drive; outside of Prague there are lots of green hills with villages located in the valleys. Often, the bus would chug up a lush green mountain and as we hit the peak, I would look down into the valley.and see the most beautiful villages-- houses with orange roofs all nestled together, usually beside a winding river. Along the way the bus stopped at the village that was the original home to Budweiser; strangely, I didn't see any signs or anything denoting that fact.
3 hrs later, we pulled in to the bus stop at Cesky Krumlov. At this point, so many people had gotten on the bus that people were forced to stand in the aisles while we made our way through the countryside. We all piled off the bus and I began the short walk to the town. Coming up to the entrance to the town literally took my breath away; here was the quaint medieval looking town nestled by a huge winding river, surrounded by beautifully lush mountains. The town had cobblestone streets and the narrow homes you'd expect to see in a typical medieval town. I spent most of the day wandering through the streets, eating and investigating many of the shops and sights of Cesky Krumlov. The town is also built up a hill on one side of the river, so I crossed over and hiked to the top of the hill to Cesky Krumlov Castle. As I walked into the courtyard, I had a start-- across the courtyard I saw a Canadian flag. A Canadian flag in Czech Republic, in a historic site in Cesky Krumlov? I was really curious, so I walked up and took a look. There was a sign posted on a door announcing that Dalhousie University was conducting a summer course there-- a university from my home province in CR! I tried to get in to talk to someone, but the door remained locked and I couldn't get anyone to understand what I was asking.
I turned away and decided to hike up the tower and see Cesky Krumlov from its highest point. The walk up the tower was a bit tough as it had wooden staircases and was open on one side; being afraid of heights, it made me very nervous though I was proud of the fact that I didn't freak out and turn and yell at the person behind me to back off like I did when I took the stairs down La Familia Segrada in Barcelona. I think that lady in Barcelona is still reeling from my freaking out at her. Mind you, the woman was running up on my heels and trying to push me to go faster which freaked me out all the more. Anyhow, the hike up Cesky Krumlov tower was worth it-- the view was amazing. I had a 360o view of the town-- I could see the visitors walking across the wooden bridge over the river, people inner tubing down the river, people hiking up the hilly part of Cesky Krumlov, etc. I stayed up there for a while and just enjoyed the view.
After I came down from the tower, I headed in to the castle. I had a wonderful tour of the Castle, although the English tour guide was awfully hard to understand-- being a Czech girl she had a bit of a funny lilt to her voice which made it hard to figure out what she was saying. We were unable to take any photos of the inside of the palace but it was quite awesome for a small town castle.
I spent the rest of the day finding some good food and meandering down the alleyways of the town. Around dinnertime I decided to catch the bus back in to Prague. My Czech being nonexistant, I just guessed and hopped on the bus; wrong decision. Somehow I managed to get on the milk run-- the bus that stopped in every town along the way. On the one hand, it was great b/c I got to see lots of towns and villages however, I was really tired and wanted to get back so I could eat and sleep so I didn't necessarily appreciate the 4 hrs it took to get back to town.
Here are my photos from Cesky Krumlov:
3 hrs later, we pulled in to the bus stop at Cesky Krumlov. At this point, so many people had gotten on the bus that people were forced to stand in the aisles while we made our way through the countryside. We all piled off the bus and I began the short walk to the town. Coming up to the entrance to the town literally took my breath away; here was the quaint medieval looking town nestled by a huge winding river, surrounded by beautifully lush mountains. The town had cobblestone streets and the narrow homes you'd expect to see in a typical medieval town. I spent most of the day wandering through the streets, eating and investigating many of the shops and sights of Cesky Krumlov. The town is also built up a hill on one side of the river, so I crossed over and hiked to the top of the hill to Cesky Krumlov Castle. As I walked into the courtyard, I had a start-- across the courtyard I saw a Canadian flag. A Canadian flag in Czech Republic, in a historic site in Cesky Krumlov? I was really curious, so I walked up and took a look. There was a sign posted on a door announcing that Dalhousie University was conducting a summer course there-- a university from my home province in CR! I tried to get in to talk to someone, but the door remained locked and I couldn't get anyone to understand what I was asking.
I turned away and decided to hike up the tower and see Cesky Krumlov from its highest point. The walk up the tower was a bit tough as it had wooden staircases and was open on one side; being afraid of heights, it made me very nervous though I was proud of the fact that I didn't freak out and turn and yell at the person behind me to back off like I did when I took the stairs down La Familia Segrada in Barcelona. I think that lady in Barcelona is still reeling from my freaking out at her. Mind you, the woman was running up on my heels and trying to push me to go faster which freaked me out all the more. Anyhow, the hike up Cesky Krumlov tower was worth it-- the view was amazing. I had a 360o view of the town-- I could see the visitors walking across the wooden bridge over the river, people inner tubing down the river, people hiking up the hilly part of Cesky Krumlov, etc. I stayed up there for a while and just enjoyed the view.
After I came down from the tower, I headed in to the castle. I had a wonderful tour of the Castle, although the English tour guide was awfully hard to understand-- being a Czech girl she had a bit of a funny lilt to her voice which made it hard to figure out what she was saying. We were unable to take any photos of the inside of the palace but it was quite awesome for a small town castle.
I spent the rest of the day finding some good food and meandering down the alleyways of the town. Around dinnertime I decided to catch the bus back in to Prague. My Czech being nonexistant, I just guessed and hopped on the bus; wrong decision. Somehow I managed to get on the milk run-- the bus that stopped in every town along the way. On the one hand, it was great b/c I got to see lots of towns and villages however, I was really tired and wanted to get back so I could eat and sleep so I didn't necessarily appreciate the 4 hrs it took to get back to town.
Here are my photos from Cesky Krumlov:
Monday, August 11, 2008
Prague, Czech Republic
From Barcelona, I went to Prague. What an amazing city! Prague is like a fairytale city-- cobblestone roads, old, narrow homes and it is so relaxed and laid back. There are some minor vestiges of the communist era there but for the most part it is relatively unscathed and I often forgot that Prague had been under communist rule.
I managed to see the major sites while I was there-- Wenceslas Square, the Astronomical Clock, the central/historic square, the Charles Bridge, Mala Strana and Prague Castle. The eeriest place for me was walking through what used to be the Jewish Ghetto. It is now full of high end stores but during WWII, the Nazis had preserved this Ghetto, intending to turn it in to a "museum of an exterminated race". It gave me chills to walk through this section and realize how close that became a reality.
I spent 3 days wandering around Prague, enjoying the sites and sitting at cafes watching the world go by.
I managed to see the major sites while I was there-- Wenceslas Square, the Astronomical Clock, the central/historic square, the Charles Bridge, Mala Strana and Prague Castle. The eeriest place for me was walking through what used to be the Jewish Ghetto. It is now full of high end stores but during WWII, the Nazis had preserved this Ghetto, intending to turn it in to a "museum of an exterminated race". It gave me chills to walk through this section and realize how close that became a reality.
I spent 3 days wandering around Prague, enjoying the sites and sitting at cafes watching the world go by.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Barcelona- June 2008
Lori and I ran away to Barcelona to celebrate the end of the year and to say 'hello' to summer. We stayed near Catalunya Square and La Rambla. Our 4 days included lots of walking around, viewing historic sites and museums-- my favourite was the Picasso Museum. We ate lots of tapas which were so yummy. My favourite were the chicken croquettes-- Mmmm... We also lucked out in that we happened upon a human tower competition, something which occurs more in the provinces than in the city.
Barcelona is such a neat city and Lori and I quickly turned to the European way of life. We slept in, had a later breakfast, wandered around the city for a bit, had tapas and sangria, then wandered back to the hotel for an afternoon nap, then around 10p.m we'd head out for dinner. I could totally get used to this type of lifestyle!
We got to see some neat architecture by Gaudi such as La Segrada Familia. La Segrada Familia will be etched indelibly in my mind as it was there that I caught my shoulder on a piece of wrought iron fencing as I tried to hop it. I was left with a nasty gash which has now turned in to a nice scar about 3-4 inches long along my shoulder. That'll teach me to try to hop fencing that has modernist art attached to it!
This was such a nice way to come down from the end of the year and begin enjoying summer. From Barcelona, I went on to Prague...
Barcelona is such a neat city and Lori and I quickly turned to the European way of life. We slept in, had a later breakfast, wandered around the city for a bit, had tapas and sangria, then wandered back to the hotel for an afternoon nap, then around 10p.m we'd head out for dinner. I could totally get used to this type of lifestyle!
We got to see some neat architecture by Gaudi such as La Segrada Familia. La Segrada Familia will be etched indelibly in my mind as it was there that I caught my shoulder on a piece of wrought iron fencing as I tried to hop it. I was left with a nasty gash which has now turned in to a nice scar about 3-4 inches long along my shoulder. That'll teach me to try to hop fencing that has modernist art attached to it!
This was such a nice way to come down from the end of the year and begin enjoying summer. From Barcelona, I went on to Prague...
Monday, March 31, 2008
Istanbul- Day 2
I sat bolt upright, blinked and tried to look around the pitch black room. What time was it? How long had I been asleep? Had I slept too long? Suddenly, a voice pierced the darkness, loud and melodic (in a mournful kind of way), followed by a second, and another and another. It was the voices of the mullahs of the nearby mosques doing the call to prayer. I turned on my light and looked at my alarm clock-- 4:37 a.m. Are you kidding me? I was so tired but the call to prayer continued on. I started wondering if he was doing some kind of a sermon (I don't think the call to prayers in Dubai are this long! Really!) but he kept 'singing' so I knew it couldn't be a sermon. Funny how the call to prayer sounds so different in different countries. In Dubai, I'm assuming because of the environmental noise (construction, planes, etc.), I never hear the morning call to prayer unless I happen to be awake and laying in bed; then I'll hear 1 mullah after another start their calls-- it's actually kind of neat to hear the faint voices call out over the quiet-- it signifies the start of the day (at least to me)-- a kind of 'wake up and get going' call for me. In Bahrain, I don't remember hearing anything and in Jordan they were loud enough to partially wake up but it still seemed to be in the distance somewhere. This was like the speakers were right in my room. Of course, the Blue Mosque was directly behind my hotel so that probably made it seem even louder.
I managed to fall back asleep and work up at 7:30-- 10 hours of sleep-- fabulous! I don't remember the last time I slept that long. I went to breakfast on the hotel's rooftop restaurant- what a breath takingview! I could see the massive structures of the Blue Mosque and Aya Sofya looming over the old homes in Sultanahmet. As I looked at the Blue Mosque, I noticed the Egyptian obelisk in front of the Blue Mosque. This is when I realized I was in the heart of the action (historically speaking).
After breakfast, I grabbed my gear and went to see what used to be the Hippodrome. Major events are no longer held there as there's nothing left, but it's still a popular are having been turned in to a park. I started by visiting the obelisk; it's a massive structure and has a base that's made out of marble and has Egyptian reliefs carved in it. It is believed to have been made in 1500 BC and the base was believed to have been made in the 4th centure AD. It was wild to see this almost perfectly preserved Egyptian marker in the heart of old Constantinople. Next to the obelisk was the Serpentine Column or what was left of it as the serpents' heads were lost some time ago. This particular column dates back to 479 BC. The last column at this particular end of the Hippodrome area was the Column of Constantine Porphyrogenitus, a column that was restored in the 10th century AD.
From there, I walked back across to the north end of the square (close to Aya Sofya) and saw the covered fountain which was built to commemorate Kaiser Wilhem II's visit to Istanbul in 1898. I then crossed the street, bought a cheap scarf and headed to the Blue Mosque.
I managed to fall back asleep and work up at 7:30-- 10 hours of sleep-- fabulous! I don't remember the last time I slept that long. I went to breakfast on the hotel's rooftop restaurant- what a breath takingview! I could see the massive structures of the Blue Mosque and Aya Sofya looming over the old homes in Sultanahmet. As I looked at the Blue Mosque, I noticed the Egyptian obelisk in front of the Blue Mosque. This is when I realized I was in the heart of the action (historically speaking).
After breakfast, I grabbed my gear and went to see what used to be the Hippodrome. Major events are no longer held there as there's nothing left, but it's still a popular are having been turned in to a park. I started by visiting the obelisk; it's a massive structure and has a base that's made out of marble and has Egyptian reliefs carved in it. It is believed to have been made in 1500 BC and the base was believed to have been made in the 4th centure AD. It was wild to see this almost perfectly preserved Egyptian marker in the heart of old Constantinople. Next to the obelisk was the Serpentine Column or what was left of it as the serpents' heads were lost some time ago. This particular column dates back to 479 BC. The last column at this particular end of the Hippodrome area was the Column of Constantine Porphyrogenitus, a column that was restored in the 10th century AD.
From there, I walked back across to the north end of the square (close to Aya Sofya) and saw the covered fountain which was built to commemorate Kaiser Wilhem II's visit to Istanbul in 1898. I then crossed the street, bought a cheap scarf and headed to the Blue Mosque.
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