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!

Some Days You Gotta Dance

When you live far from home for a long  period of time there are certain things your truly appreciate...

How easy it is to get things done

How a package is delivered in a timely fashion (kels I got it TODAY)

How people don't randomly park in the middle of the street to go into a store

How you don't have to drive a stick shift car

How you don't have to drive a car that is older than you

How people show up to practice

How people work hard, even when it is not asked of them

How you can watch the Olympics without a Greek announcer talking over them

How you can watch TV that isn't on yer PC, with headphones on

How you can dry your clothes in the dryer

How you can put your dishes into the dishwasher

How it doesn't cost $10 to make a 4 min phone call

How you can talk face to face with friends and family rather than over skype

How a taco at Tbell is less that $1 rather than 2 Euro

Its the little things about America you begin to miss and love..

So America... I confess my love to thee, You shall always be my one and only...and yes there may be the allure of other countries and lands far away with their seemly magical ways...but you America you are my true love... the one I will always be proud to be from and want to go HOME to.

And back to our regularly scheduled program...



Yes that's right it was Carnival here in Cyprus! This is the European version of Mardi Gras, but honestly reminds me a bit more of Halloween than what our typical opinion of Mardi Gras is back home on Bourbon Street. The parades were held of Valentines day which was also the night of our "I Love America" date with the American Basketball players (Trent and Brandon). OF COURSE we had to have dinner at TGI Fridays in order to show our Love for America! After some tasty Burgers, Fries (not chips as they say here), and Chicken Fingers...we went out on the main street down by the sea to watch the late night Carnival festivities!

 

Me, Brandon, Trent, Berks

Crazy Car Sufers!

 

Berks Running In The Streets With The Other Crazies

 

Best Group Outfit Of The Night!

With a volley update... Yesterday was our last regular season match. Now its onto the playoffs and cup. However play offs are a bit different than our single elimination bracket play we are used to in the US of A. We are some strange point system based on how many matches we won in the regular season and we can earn more points in the playoffs (which consist of the top 4 teams). However due to how the teams finished in the regular season we are stuck in 4th with a miracle run only placing us in 3rd.

We do have a (fair) shot at the cup finals however. We are in the semis and will play a two match series consisting of best of 5 set matches. AEL is currently 2nd in the league but are extremely strong. Our team is capable of beating them, but considering we have been averaging 6 people at practice (two of which are players who cannot compete with the team) it is... an up hill climb... to say the least. However, anything is possible and who dosen't love a good ol David and Goliath type fight?

Berks and I have been trying to stay on the chill end lately because we are saving up for a trip to Egypt! We are so super close and seeing the Pyramids is literally #1 on my list of things to do before I die, so its kinda essential since we are like a 30 min flight from there! I hope we can save up enough to make it work!

Anyway, I hope all is well back home (ENJOY THE USA! ITS THE BEST) I will try harder to keep the blog going at a faster pace. Love you all! Miss yall!

She;ll be comin round the mountian when she comes....

I am too lazy to write a new blog so check out Amandas....


www.amandaberkley.blogspot.com

hehe