Ask the Oracle

20 February 2008
Yesterday, we explored the ruins of Delphi as well as the museum. Delphi was where the ancient Greeks went to get advice from the Oracles, who channeled the gods and stuff. I found it really amusing that in reality, the Oracles were really inhaling Methane Gases and giving advice and predictions that were vague as horoscopes and the people were really serious about it. We arrived in Athens late last night and did a little exploring, but we had a guided tour of the acropolis planned for the day. Today was sunny, warm, eventful and exhausting. We were followed by a couple of stray dogs as the guide led us up the hill. The walk was beautiful and the view from the top, even more so.
What can I saw about the acropolis? I was just so excited to by outside in the sun, but the fact that I was exploring a famous landmark and historical site made it even cooler. After exploring the acropolis for a while, we caught to metro to the National Archaeological Museum where we saw sculptures, from the Mycenaean to the Greek Hellenistic eras. It is pretty amazing what humans are capable of—even that long ago.
The guide left us and I grabbed some lunch with Allison, Catelyn, Milan, Linda, Sarah C., and Clint. They all had gyros, but I only had cheese fries and the food I’d stolen from breakfast. We each had shopping goals and wandered around the modern day agora until the stores began to close. We went back to the hotel, exhausted. I snoozed for an hour or two before dinner, which was an entertaining meal because we discussed movies, Disney movies, and politics. Now, I am going to sleep, excited about tomorrow. I am going to Aegina, a nearby Greek island, renting a moped, and being reckless!!!

Animal House

18 February 2008
Yesterday, we were in Meteora, visiting some Greek Orthodox monasteries. They were on top of these tall, narrow buttes and looked like a Dr. Seuss book, come to life. We visited three monasteries and admired the icons as Anna explained them and told us a bit about the Greek Orthodox denomination. We also played with the many cats that were wandering the monasteries.
For lunch, I ate a huge pile of cabbage and drank some wine. Then, I looked around the city of Kalambaka with Allison, Denise, Milan, Catelyn and Sarah B. It was very cold and we were all wearing skirts (a requirement). We eventually decided to get a coffee at a little café and wait for the bus.
After dinner at the hotel, us crazy UP kids had a toga party. Getting ready was more fun than the actual event, but that was OK. We did our very best to imitate Greek statues and had numerous photo shoots in our togas. We are such nerds.

Another Lonely Night in Amsterdam

16 February 2008
I have been awful about keeping my blog updated. As I write, I am in a hotel in Rome, Italy. Three weeks ago, I was in Amsterdam. I had flown up on Friday morning, then checked into the hostel and walked toward the van Gogh museum. Unfortunately, we are mere mortals and hadn’t eaten all day, so we stopped in a little pancake house. I enjoyed a small plate of pancakes, coated in powdered sugar and butter. They were delightful.
The van Gogh museum was amazing—just as I had expected. I spent a few hours on my own, taking in as much as I could. Maybe it is just “trendy” to like van Gogh, but I do because his style, though not realist, is unique and intriguing. There is also a little to be said for his tragic life.
On the tram up to the Plein, I listened in on a Dutch conversation. I am not a fan of Dutch for two primary reasons. Firstly, after studying German, there are moments when I think I can understand them, only to be mildly frustrated that it’s not German and I can’t understand them at all. Secondly, it is one of those really throaty language, even more than German (or at least Austrian German).
True to form, we ended up wandering quite a bit. I bought some Ben and Jerry’s chocolate chip ice cream (yummmm) and saw the “coffee houses” and souvenir stands before taking our time when walking back to the hostel. We went to bed really early because it had been such a long, exhausting day.
The next day, I insisted on renting a bike and looking around a bit on my own. Having a bike was the best idea of the trip because I could get pretty much anywhere quickly and with ease (though the traffic was a little intense at times). I rode up to Anne Frank’s house and took the tour. As I went through, I constantly thought of Natalie. She would have loved the place, I thought. At the end of the museum, there was a little place where you could learn about new civil rights issues around the world and vote on what you think should be done about them. I was there for about an hour!
I spent the majority of the afternoon cruising on my bike and exploring the city. Around 4, I decided to check out the Bols Bartending Academy and Museum. It was my favorite part of the weekend. Basically, I could go through the museum and learn about all the different flavors of liquors and genevers that the Bols brand had to offer. Then, I answered a few questions and was recommended a Double Dutch Cosmopolitan. It was tasty, classy, and ice cold. The bar tender even informed me that it was a “very healthy cocktail” made with natural, organic cranberry juice. Well…what more can you ask for? After drinking my cocktail, I was allowed to sample as many flavors of genevers as I wanted. I tried a few and chatted with the (very cute) bartender for a while.
Then, I rode my bike back to the rental place (my time was almost up), and met up with Joe and Val. We agreed to get some dinner and head back to the hostel early because we had to be up by 4 am for the airplane. We arrived back in Salzburg happy, healthy and unscathed.
The next weekend, I went tobogganing in the Alps. It was amazing and very fun. Mid term week went by, fairly well. I feel that it all went on…
Then…SPRING BREAK BEGAN!

Herr Salzburg

SALZBURG, AT

Tension and excitement penetrated the air in the Frauhaus and Penthouse this last Thursday night as young women from all accross the United States gathered for the big event. VIP, Father Jim Connelly also put aside his important duties as director to see what the fuss was all about.

No. It wasn't the Vienna Opera Ball.

It was the Mister Salzburg Competition, 2008. The theme being "step yo' game up" and the fine young lads of Mannerstrasse certainly did that.

The mistress of ceremonies, Valerie Vernale, kept the crownd in suspense as the men prepared for the Evening Wear portion of the program. As the competetors were introduced, the crowd could hardly contain their excitment. They became even more undone with Isaac Otto's shirt buttons. Joe Hanson-Hirt owned this segment of the competition, sporting a vinyl overcoat and looking suave as could be.

Vernale conducted the interviews, covering many importatnt topics: philosophy, world policy, interpersonal relations, and UFOs. The audience was thrilled to see the deeper, more sensitive side of the competitors. Smooth operator, Clint Niehus impressed the judges the most with his interview skills.

As is to be expected, the talent segment of the competition was the most exhilarating and eventful. Otto shared a beautiful and graceful ballet to Swan Lake with the lovely and talented Seonaid Squires. Niehus came forth with a rap full of angst and brutal honesty. Aaron Ragsdale melted the hearts of the audience with his original song, "Does She Know?" It is certain that every single girl in the crowd secretly wished he was singing to her. The audience was soon dazzled by Hansen-Hirt's well-executed ribbon dance. Finally, Kevin Mowery exhibited runway technique that would put even Derek Zoolander to shame. Mowery took home the prize for most talented.

Vernale kept the crowd entertained as the men prepared themselves for the Beer Chug portion of the competition. Not only were they judged on their frat house skill but also their class. Otto came out on top in the beer chug, though Hansen-Hirt certainly brought the class.

As the judges tallied the points, I overheard Hansen-Hirt exclaim, "I told them to step their game up...and they actually did."Otto came out as runner up in the competition, but Ragsdale took home both the Mr. Congeniality and the Mr. Salzburg awards.The dining room was cleared out and the beer pitchers washed and the UP center threw an after party that would put Sean Combs to shame.*

*major exaggeration