Italy and Greece 2012-New Jersey-Day 2

Today was nothing short of breathtaking. We had a great lecture from an expert on Greek mythology. We were able to hear about the characteristics of each god and decide which one fit us best! After grasping a background on the history we set out to see Athens National Park, the Parliament building, and of course the Parthenon set at the top of the Acropolis! While I have studied Greek mythology and seen many pictures of the acropolis, seeing it in person can hardly be described in words. For a moment when we first reached the top, my breath was actually taken away. To be able to see the whole city and the ancient buildings was a feeling and experience that can never be replicated! We are very lucky young women! Can’t wait for Olympia tomorrow! Pictures will come soon!!!
-Lit, NJ

The city of Athens was so pretty! The Acropolis and the Parthenon were gorgeous! The views were great. It was very windy at the top. After we went shopping at the little store. Everything there was so cute. Today was a fun and adventurous day!
-Jaclyn, NJ

Today we learned about Greek mythology and the characteristics of the Gods. Afterwards, our expert guide Georgina told us the history behind the Acropolis and the Parthenon. When we got inside the Acropolis, it was absolutely beautiful. We also went to little shops.
-Nicole, NJ

Today was my first Greek breakfast and it was surprisingly delicious! Afterwards, we learned about interesting Greek mythology and then climbed the Acropolis to the Parthenon. I was truly taken back by the beauty of the city of Athens that lay below. I could not get enough of the view! The little shops that we went to at the end of the day were adorable and I love Greek juice! Can’t wait for tomorrow’s adventure!
-Amanda, NJ

Today we learned about Greek mythology and then took a tram to lunch in the city and it was really good. Then we took a tour to the Acropolis and the Parthenon. It was up so high but the view was amazing. It was also really windy and it felt like we were going to blow over. I’m so excited for tomorrows day.
-Carly, NJ

Today we woke up and had a Greek breakfast. I was actually surprised how good it was! We got educated about greek mythology and how they relate to our lives. Then we took the public tram to the acropolis. Once we got up there, we saw the many structures including the Parthenon. Once we got up there, it felt completely surreal. The views were incredible and so were the buildings. It helped having background on them from our guide Georgina. It was a great day!
-Olivia, NJ

Today was so amazing , after our Greek breakfast we had a lesson on greek mythology;I learned what type of god and goddess I am. Then we took a beautiful tour of the acropolis I have never seen anything so magnificent in my life and I’m so glad I could experience it. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the rest of the trip.
-Erica , NJ

Today we had an amazing, fun filled, long day! Like all the girls said previously, our trip to the Acropolis and the Parthenon was beautiful. Then we got on the bus and took a three hour ride. We saw more parts of Greece, saw the sun set, and even had a little bonding time between the groups. We even did a little shopping 🙂 today was fact filled and the sights we saw were out of this world. I definitely have to come back!
-Ashanti, NJ

Italy/Greece discovery trip- Raytown High

Raytown  group is doing well ! 

Rachel C. -I began my birthday on an overnight flight from Chicago, IL to Frankfurt Germany . I was  probably awake for more of this birthday than any other! 

Larissa J. – I’m having so much fun so far. Greece is beautiful ! I’m excited to see more things and take photographs of everything ! 

Jordan S. Having a good time despite a couple of complications . We’re staying in the Athens Atrium hotel and heading to the Acropolis later today . The landscape is beautifuexams the city is very different. The food is also good . 

Karen J- The flight were great! I got the chance to learn Greek dances and eaauthentic Greek food! 

 

Italy and Greece 2012-New Jersey-Day 1

What a wonderful first day of travel! It was a long day of planes, airports, time change, yet still so full of tradition. After arriving in Athens, the girls had a few minutes to freshen up at the hotel, then boarded the coach bus to the 70th dance school where they were taught a few traditional dances. Olivia and Ashanti even had the opportunity to put on Greek dance attire and dance with the students and teachers at the school. We also attempted to be teachers and tried to show some dance moves; “the jerk”, “the dougie”, and “the cotton-eyed joe”. The girls worked up an appetite with all that dancing and were able to eat their first traditional Greek meal filled with olive oil, herbs, and very little ice :-)! All joking aside, the food was absolutely delicious and very healthy! We headed back to the hotel after dinner and got some much needed rest. Today will consist of educational information of architecture and Greek god mythology followed by hands on experience of both!
-Lit, teacher, NJ

Yesterday I enjoyed dancing with the Greek Dancers. They taught us a lot of cool Greek dances and even dressed me up in a traditional Greek dancing outfit.
-Ashanti, NJ

Yesterday, at dinner I learned that the Greeks do not put ice cubes in their drinks. Ant type of drink, they drink it plain with no ice what so ever. I thought this was very interesting and I tried it!
-Olivia, NJ

Yesterday was so much fun I learned how to Greek dance and I will keep that with me for the rest of my life. The dinner was good , there was not much ice so the drinks were a little warm but other then that so far so good
-Erica, NJ

Yesterday was so much fun. The Greek dancing was a lot more fun then what I was expecting. The dinner last night was really good, we got cucumber and tomatoes in oil and vinegar, a cheese platter, and then chicken with baked potatoes. I’m having so much fun so far.
-Carly, NJ

Yesterday we learned how to Greek dance. It was a fun and easy day after 10 hours of traveling. After learning all of the dances, we went to dinner. The food was so good. We had tomato and cucumber salad. I also tried grape leaves stuffed with rice and meat. The feta cheese
here is different, its creamy and has shredded cucumber mixed in it.
-Nicole, NJ

The Greek dances were so much fun and I learned so many cool dances. After we went to dinner. It was cool to explore their different foods. Since the traveling was so long we went to sleep right away. I can’t wait to see what we have next to do.
-Jaclyn, NJ

Yesterday, we went to learn how to Greek dance. It was interesting to see how different islands and parts of Greece had their own traditional dances. After we went to a restaurant and the food was delicious, I tried everything. I can’t wait to see what else they have in store for us. So far I love Greece!
– Amanda, NJ

Italy/Greece – Ezugo

Having a wonderful time and the food here is great!The dancing is very hard but is very fun too.

Italy/Greece – John B

I had more fun dancing at the dance school than I though I would. The food here is great! I’m having a lot of fun already!

Italy/Greece – first day in country

what an amazing trip….did local custom dancing last night and daniel really made us proud…stepped up when they asked for volunteers and danced 6 traditional dances in euthentic greek dress with olivia and ashanti from new jersey …first greek meal was amazing…heading out to the acropolis today!

Mrs. Conover

Italy/Greece King George – Mrs. Kirsch

We arrived to meet Heike our travel manager who is awesome and will be spending the whole time with us in Greece and Italy. Hardly anyone slept on the first flight, but by the time we made it through Frankfurt we were exhausted and slept on the flight to Greece. Upon arrival we went to the hotel to put our luggage down and then immediately went to try some traditional Greek dancing! At first the steps were hard, but once we loosened up we had a great time.  We felt like the dead walking as we made our way to dinner, which was delicious! I mean it parents… this picky eater was in heaven. Mmmmm

We are so proud of our 8 students. The were troopers the whole way throughout travel, even when they were so tired.
Mrs. Kirsch

Italy and Greece 2012 DesMoines Discovery from Dawne

Good Morning All,
We are up and packed and ready to load the bus for the airport…with the exception of the boys who won’t wake up. Mr. Garvey is on his way to get an extra room key so he can get them to wake up. Just a few things…
1. Many of the students have quite a few bug bites. We purchased some anti-itch medicine at the pharmacy and that has been helping but you will need to check your child as some have more than others…for example, I have three and Mr. Garvey has a least 30! Must be all the sugar he got to eat from eating my desserts. 🙂
2. All students had the opportunity to blog Tuesday night and Wednesday night. It was his or her choice. If you haven’t heard from your child, it his because he or she did not want to blog…don’t worry, they are all with us.
3. We did not have an ability to do any laundry. We were off and running each morning no later that 7am and back no earlier than 8-9pm. So…unpacking suitcases should be interesting.
4. Quite a few students owe Mr. Garvey and Dawne money because they either forgot to bring $ with them certain days or their credit/debit csrds would not work in some of the places we went. I will pass out the slips to each. Discovery indicated it is not prudent to make purchases for or to give cash to a student. However, situations arose that justified our assistance, plus we know we will be paid back.
5. Students need to get all their forms, photos and passports from us upon arrival to Des Moines so please don’t leave until you receive.
6. Since we had a very difficult time posting photos, Mike and I will make a photo CD for any parent who wants one. We will use our SD card because it has about 300 photos and most of the photos with all of the group shots.

I think that is all…see you in less than 24 hours!

Costa Rica photos

Sea turtles, sloths, and sandy shorts! It was a grand ol’ time in beautiful Costa Rica. Take a look at some of our pictures:

• Trip Pictures
• Canyoneering
• White water rafting

Italy and Greece 2012 Des Moines…from the Garvey’s

And…so it ends. We had a great last day in Rome, visiting the Coliseum and the Pantheon, then we ate lunch and began our 5 hour scavenger hunt through the streets of Rome. Mr Garvey led Team Gelato and Dawne led Team Mozzarella. We were given questions to answer and a map of Rome and off we went. The goal was to solve a puzzle that would provide an answer to location of our final destination. We had to be there by 5:45 pm or be disqualified. The students picked a map reader, question reader, photographers and banker who held on to our money. Long story short, Team Gelato made it to the finish line first at 5:30 and Team Mozzarella made it at 6:00 pm. However, Mozzarella got really lost, and spent a few hours shopping so we had an excuse…and in the end, Mozzarella actually answered all of the questions and finished all of the tasks and Gelato did not…so, maybe a tie? Our final destination was Hard Rock Cafe in Rome…burgers, fries and ice cream…how fitting! Now, we are packing and getting ready for a 6 am wake up call. Our flight leaves at 11:15 am. We will call the phone tree when we land in Chicago. See you very soon! Mike and Dawne