Pafos: Ancient Ruin Climbing

I know that I tend to start ever blog lately with this, but I am sorry for taking so long to post. We have not been doing to much lately except tanning, relaxing, watching criminal minds (a show about the FBI), and hanging out in the "bat cave". This is the name for our room because of the amazing shutters that keep the sun out during the day for Criminal Minds Marathon-ing or late afternoon sleeping! All of this has been in the name of saving money for our trip to Egypt!

Last week however was an exception to our usual week, thus a new blog...

We had a few days off for Cyprus Independence day so Amanda and I headed out to Paralimni to spend a few days with Loizos, Kendra, and their friend Stephanie who is visiting from NC. We had a girls’ night out which meant Loizos was on "little one duty". Something tells me that he didn’t mind this much at all though. :) The girls went out and it was fun to get to know a bit more about Stephanie (she is 21 and goes to Gardner Webb). It is really awesome having another American our age here.

The next day Amanda and I went to the beach to get some sun!! Then we had a traditional Cypriot lunch at Loizos' family home. His mom is an excellent cook, and it was really cool to see where Loizos grew up as well as hear some really intriguing stories from his mom. I was so grateful for this meal, because it reminded me of what I fell in love with when I first arrived to Cyprus. Funny how we lose sight of the amazing things that are right in front of us sometimes.

Anyway... The weekend brought a road trip!!!! We went to Pafos, the birth place of Aphrodite! We stayed at a beautiful hotel and did a TON of site seeing. We saw amphitheaters, tombs of the ancients kings, amazing natural landscapes, beautiful handmade mosaics, everything from the sea to the mountains! I think the coolest part of all was the fact that we went back to the hotel and could look up the places we were visiting in the Bible! So much history it is hard to even fathom it all. The part that is the craziest of all is that they let you just wander around! We were climbing Castles from the 2nd century AD and lying down in the tombs of the kings (which really were not kings, because it was in a time period before kings, but they were really rich people…maybe why it was originally named that?)!

Here are a few of my fav pics from the weekend...

New Pics and Video Up...

http://aekcyprus.shutterfly.com/

"Baxter, you know I dont speak spanish, in English please...:"

So today I got to do what I do best...COACH! It was so much fun! I was a bit nervous going into it (which I never am coaching a new group of people). Why this change? Well, maybe it was because I was going to be along in a gym with 15 kids from ages 10-13 who speak GREEK! Yeah, that’s right...Greek. Keep in mind I speak hardly any. I know my numbers 1-20 and a few phrases. That is about it however.

Well, luckily for me I always coach with a lot of body language and demonstration. I really had to use that today. I didn't even develop a true practice plan because I needed to first asses their skill level. We did some basic ball control drills and games and then, while the girls were getting the balls and on break for water, I decided the rest of the practice.

I was a bit uneasy because there were a group of parents watching the end of practice. I am never a big fan of parents while I am coaching, because I just always assume the worst. I figure it is better that way, because if I get a compliment than it is a pleasant surprise. Anyway, after the practice one of the parents came up and introduced herself. She told me what a great job I had done with the girls today, how they looked like they were having so much fun and learning a lot. Then I heard that one of the kids asked if I could stay as their coach (I am just filling in while their coach is on vacation).

I guess that is a good sign that I am in the right profession, considering that I don't speak the language but was still able to teach. What a new and challenging experience, but it is one I am so thankful for! I loved working with the kids today and can't wait to work with them again tomorrow!