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The History of Geneva, as told by a Church
When I told my dad I was going to Geneva for the weekend, his reply was, “I’ve always wanted to go to Switzerland, and now you’re going there…in a way.” F for geography skills, Dad, because Geneva is in Switzerland. But, also, I know exactly what he means. It sure doesn’t feel like Switzerland. It just feels like a big…
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A+ for Annecy and the Alps
I took a whirlwind day trip to Annecy today, beginning at 5 am. It’s a process to get out of Aix; it’s a 35 minute walk to the bus station, and then a 20 minute ride to the train station…and then, finally, the real journey can begin. And begin it did. We had delays on our ride to Lyon, only…
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Carcassonne: a Castle Playground
Carcassonne is a French town in the Midi-Pyrénées region of France. It’s a 3 hour train ride from Marseille. This is my first time on a train (but not my last). And the whole process was made so easy by my Eurail Pass (thanks Mom and Dad!). Carcassonne is divided into two towns—the Bastide Saint Louis and the Cité. Our…
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My School Abroad: Institute of American Universities
The school in Aix is tiny and scattered among the winding streets. It is made up of four buildings—three of them in the old town and one outside of town. The one outside of town is the art school, so I never go there. I only have classes in 2 buildings: Manning Hall and CEF. Walking through the narrow streets,…
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If Even Popes get Castles…Why Can’t I Have One?
Avignon and Pont du Gard. A day trip spanning Roman times to medieval history to modern day. La Palais des Papes In 1305 Pope Clement V moved the papacy from Rome to Avignon. He did this because he felt unsafe in Rome, and also because the muggy weather didn’t agree with him. The palace that exists today was constructed a…
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Aix Marks the Spot: Exploring my Temporary Home
Aix en Provence is the city of a thousand fountains. Les Fontaines This is the Fontaine de la Rotonde at one end of the Cours Mirabeau, which is the Champs-Élysées of Aix. This is the Fontaine des Quatre Dauphins (Fountain of Four Dolphins). In many of the smaller fountains in Aix, the water is drinkable and my school recommends that…
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A Chateau and a Vineyard…I Must Be in France
IAU, as part of the Early Start Program, planned out a few French activities to introduce us to region of Provence. We began with a trip to petit village of Vauvenargues. Picasso bought a castle in this town at the base of the Montagne Sainte-Victoire in the 1950s. His family still owns the castle and he is buried on the…
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Day One: My Home Away from Home and a Hike with Aix’s Famous
My first full day in Aix-en-Provence, France. It was chilly today, a humid kind of chilly like January in Maryland. School activities and university orientation start tomorrow, so after wandering around Aix for an hour this morning, I returned to my host family’s house to unpack and get settled in my new room. When the first bit of homesickness (mostly…
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Ataturk in Ankara: Veneration of the Victors
As we wandered the Mausoleum and museum, it felt strangely Roman. Not in design, but in sentiment. In Ancient Rome, past Caesars were worshipped as gods. This enormous monument and the veneration in our guide's voice as he spoke of Ataturk held a similar resonance. It was a bit disturbing to view the abject worship of a man that I…
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Cappadocia: Land of Hidden Cities and Fairy Chimneys
The region of Cappadocia in central Turkey consists mainly of volcanic rock called tufa. The wind and weather shapes the rock into unusual formations. In Cappadocia, these formations are whimsically named "fairy chimneys." However, the most interesting forms made from tufa are man-made rather than weather-made. Think multi-level hidden underground cities and rock-cut churches with vibrant frescos.
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Between Konya and Cappadocia: Dervishes, Caravans, and Turkish Rugs
As we traversed Turkey, we followed narrow roadways over uneven landscape, tracing ancient trade routes and stumbling upon small towns nestled among the hills. We visited the monastery of Mevlana, a caravenserai, and experienced demonstrations of stunning Turkish artisanship.
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Pamukkale: Sunken Cities and White Travertines of Healing
Everyone loves a good spa. Especially one with magical healing properties. Pamukkale, in the coastal Aegean region of Turkey, is one such place. Well, the magic is hear-say, though I found it magical. With white stone, perfect turquoise water, and roman ruins beneath my kicking feet--it's about as magical as one can get.
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Kusadasi: Seaside Getaway with a Hidden Face
Kusadasi, on the Turkish coast, is a seaside town with beautiful views. Bargain beach hunters flock to Kusadasi in the summer months, but, it’s not just a beach town. Truly magnificent history lies only a few miles away… But first, some relaxation! And now, the sites! House of the Virgin Mary Mary is believed to have spent the last years…
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The Ruins of Ephesus: A City Out of Time
I've never seen anything like Ephesus. I've never seen a Roman home with original tiling. I've never seen rows of shops with the original carved signs detailing the shops offerings. And most importantly, I've never seen it all together, so well preserved as a single city. That's Ephesus, a true step back in time. A true city preserved like no…
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Healing and Horrors at a Roman Psychiatric Hospital
Perhaps it's only because the United States is so void of ancient cities and archaic remnants that I am so enamored with ancient things. I wonder about the people living in Turkey. Is it meaningful to them that they can throw a rock and hit yet another gorgeous ancient ruin? Or it simply another thing that hardly warrants noticing, like…
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To Breach the Walls of Troy
1000 ships. 10 years. 1 hollow horse. Luckily, I only had to wait in line for 10 minutes to breach the walls of Troy. I grew up on myths. I remember reading a child-friendly version of The Iliad in the fourth grade. As a school project, I created a home video of the Twelve Labors of Heracles, including putting a…
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Istanbul: Jewel of the Empire
It signifies that the Romans were intrigued by past civilizations, as I am. And, like colonizers, were adept at stealing cool cultural monuments to display in their own country rather than leaving them where they belong.
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Along the River Danube: Ancient Fortresses and Fearless Kings
I was doing an excellent job of clutching the trappings of Romanticism tight, so I hardly needed help, but the beautiful countries of Eastern Europe continued to prop up my escapism. After all, now we were starting to see castles!
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