Israel. Hello and Goodbye.

I realize that it has been a while since I have last updated. I do feel as if I have an excuse though - hence the real reason I didn't bring my computer to Israel. :)

Today is my last real day in Israel before I head out for Jordan. It's a little bittersweet. I've gotten used to everything here and it seems a shame to leave. On the other hand, most people have already left for the states by now, so that makes continuing onto Jordan a little bit easier. A little bit. But the unknown is always difficult.

On the whole, I've enjoyed my 3 week stay here. Certainly a lot more than I thought I would enjoy it. We were kept very busy, fed very well, and we were continually wishing for more time in all the places we visited. I've discovered it's very hard to see a country in 3 weeks, much less appreciate it how it should be appreciated.

(Quick) Highlights:
1) The group. Our class was awesome, to put it simply. We had a wide range of people and each one of them made the trip interesting - I will not be forgetting any of them easily. It does make saying goodbye hard though, as I wish that all of them went to Gordon or were at least in the area. Really, I can't say enough good things about our group.

2) Our teachers who know everything. See, a lot of people think they know everything, but the Phillips' really do. And they are humble about it. Not only are they excellent role models, but they are just really amazing people with amazing stories, like many people on this trip.

3) Connecting locations and biblical passages. This was our class description in a nut shell, but our experiences were so much more. To put it simply, I will never read the bible in the same way that I once used to, and I'm really glad for it.

4) Riding a camel. See below.

5) The 3 nights on the Sea of Galilee. We definitely ended the trip on a high note. The accommodations were wonderful and these nights were the most relaxing, even if everyone was exhausted. Singing worship hymns on the beach looking out to the city of Tiberius was also special. It should really be counted as its own highlight. 

Those have been my highlights for the last 3 weeks. They have been tiring ones, but worth while ones. I am glad that I decided to come, but I am ready to be home. I know that the next 2 weeks will be challenging ones, but I have hopes that they will just as fruitful.

Signing off for a while.... but returning soon.

- Krystal

PS: No pictures for now; I do not have the technology or the time to upload pictures right now but, rest assured, much like last summer, I will try to do a series of posts when I get back.

Artsy, Artsy NYC

This time last week I was trying to sleep. But, let's be honest, I was lying in bed, unable to fall asleep, because I was so excited to be going to New York. That's right - the Big Apple. From 5am to 11pm I was on a whirlwind pace while my mind ran marathons trying to keep up. But it was worth it, I'll be the first to attest to that.

Just to give you a small taste of my nonstop day, here a just a FEW of the many photographic scenes and art I saw last Saturday.

Perhaps I should give you some background information, but before I do... pretty snazzy collage right? 

I finally had time to put effort into one of my blog posts, and I am pleased with how it came out. I am also pleased to announce that the process was simple enough that I can duplicate it - though perhaps with not so many photos. I do apologize if you cannot see each photo clearly, but there were just many that I wanted to share!

But back to the beginning. This NYC trip was not just a random trip where my friends and I decided to hop on a bus - and I do hope that if you are reading this, you would know me better than this than to expect that I would EVER do that - unplanned and on a whim - though I guess one can never say never. Anyways, this NYC venture was a trip through our art department. It is required of some Art Majors to go for their classes, however, it is open to the whole art department which, if you will recall, I am now a part of! My drawing teacher strongly encouraged our class to go on this yearly trip as the day promised adventures. I jumped at the opportunity to do something different for a weekend and, not having work, I signed up with a couple of friends. So that's the background information.

A (very brief) summary of the day then? Obviously the day started out as a very early morning. However, this was all rewarded. I chose to spend my time in the Chelsea Galleries - a tired looking part of town but thriving in art life. I can't even express how many galleries I saw last week, and we were only there for a few hours! Thankfully my art professor (and fantastic advisor!) was there to guide those of us in Chelsea and picked a great selection of post-modern art for us to view. While most of the group opted to go get lunch, I, and 3 other students stayed with Prof. Z and continued our whirlwind journey, after which we walked 5th avenue (and quickly stopped at Starbucks), to catch our bus at the MOMA, where the rest of our group was. 

In general sum, that was my day. I throughly enjoyed gallery hopping - as I have never done that to THIS extent before - and I came back inspired and ready to produce great works... kind of. If you have not experienced galleries before I do recommend doing it once in your life. It is a very different experience than museums and there is free stuff involved. Not to mention all galleries are free to get into, fantastic right?! 

I appologize for my verbose post, but perhaps it will make up for my lack of posting recently. :) Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Europe: Rome pt. 2

And finally, finishing out the Europe tales of this summer. It's all really exciting I know. Especially since the tales of Turkey are still coming. Get pumped people.

Again, made even more awesome because of Dan Brown's writing. Or visa versa. Probably the latter one.

In conclusion, this was just a once in a life time trip. There's no other way to put it, because I really can't explain how wonderful this experience was. I can say that it fed my thirst for traveling even more. Overall, I'm just so thankful that I got to travel across Europe with a ton of students and some of my best friends. It will truly be one the experiences that I will remember for the rest of my life.

Europe: Rome pt. 1

Roma in a day = definitely not enough time. Unlike real life however, I will be covering Rome in 2 days. Lucky you.

What is this beauty?! I think I was literally in shock the whole time I was in St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican in general.

Apparently I composed myself to take one picture though. But don't let this fool you, I really did just stand in awe.

Rome was magical in a sense. I really just couldn't believe all the history that I was standing on. However, the thing that made this just an over-the-top experience for me was the fact that I read Angels and Demons a few weeks later. For those who don't know, it is set in Rome. It was just a really unique experience to read a fictional book but KNOW where all the events were 'taking' place and KNOW that I had been standing there just a few weeks ago.

Europe: Welcome to Pompeii!

So I realize that I never actually finished my Europe Series on the blog world. Fail Krystal. However, lucky for you all, I've remembered and I'm determined to finish. 

So this is Pompeii. 

I really can't get over how amazing these people were - modern day geniuses, by our standards. I mean, would you think to put marble pieces in the ground to reflect light at night? It's simply ingenious, the city in its prime must have been jaw-dropping.

Like seriously? They had multiple building stories? Santa Barbara doesn't even allow multiple stories in a building. Lame.

This is obviously not Pompeii. But Pompeii was our last day on the Amalfi Coast before we ventured to Rome. So really, I just wanted to share the beautiful coastline with you. Because it was just magnificent after a hot, dusty day in Pompeii.

Europe: Capri

Capri was amazing! Anyday, anytime, I would go back. No questions. We had the pleasure of renting our own Zodiac boat...

... and I got to drive! Mostly because I was the only one who had my license on me to give to the people... sketchy by the way. It was a day of trying not to get sun burnt, bouncing on the waves (Zaynah...), eating more good food bought from the local market (yay! fresh, fresh, fruit), losing our anchor because they gave us a dud, look it up! It's a tradition, if you ever go have at least 1 man on your boat! And speak Italian because that helps :) We also had A TON of gelato in Capri and afterwards tourist shopped in the cute little sea shops. All over-priced by the way. Unfortunately we did not make it to the Blue Grotto because the tides weren't right but next time... next time.

Keep checking back for updates on Hurricane Irene passing through sometime tomorrow, my first experience of actual weather! And don't worry (grandparents), Gordon has got this whole 'state of emergency' down.

Europe: Sorrento

First of all, another gorgeous place on this whirlwind adventure. Of course. Even Santa Barbara cannot compete. Sorrento was a nice break and a relaxing stay. We bummed around and ate (a lot) of food. It was some good living let me tell you. Mt. Versuvius on the skyline and daytrips to Capri and Pompeii only made this quaint, relaxing stay even better. My recommendation? GO if you have the chance. It's gorgeous and the "light operetta" is a good show. Close to many places with easy access it's a must stop by. 

gnocchi. or however you spell it. delicious naturally.

light operetta. don't even have to speak Italian to enjoy.

Europe: Florence

Florence was so gorgeous and a very welcomed HOT from our previous foggy, foggy days! City of art and mind blowing architecture this definitely is at the top of the list of places I would like to see again. We spent a few days here which was also a welcomed rest from our fast pace city - hopping. 

Children advert your eyes, it's The David. Well, a copy really. Notice how out of proportion the head and hands are?

Famous Duomo. THE original dome. Gorgeous. St. Peter's Basilica? Yeah, modeled after this.

City of Firenze!

Europe: Lake Como

Lake Como & The Bellagio. But like, the REAL Bellagio. Just a small stay on our way down to the south of Italy, but so incredibly gorgeous! It was like a vacation on vacation. Though there wasn't much touristy stuff, minus the Bellagio, to do, my friends and I enjoyed strolling through the town and running away from local boys (probably in a gang?) who were chasing us, because we just make friends everywhere apparently. But the food was fantastic, of course! And the stay was refreshing from our marathon days in Paris. 

The (rather large) Lake

Houses and Shops of the Bellagio

Europe: Paris

Have to admit, I didn't really think that I would enjoy Paris as much as I did. Of course, fun friends helped. No but seriously, Paris is an amazing city that tops my list of places I would visit again. The food was pretty much fantastic, the building and architecture blew my mind, and I would love to go back and spend some quality time in all the art museums. Because, I'm kind of in to that stuff.

eh. with something famous. i guess the view from the top was ok.

in front of the palace of Versailles. pretty much my favorite palace that I've seen so far. everything was spectacular and over the top and amazing, I mean, look at the ceilings that were in like every room. not to mention those gardens....

the louvre! one of the places i actually knew a little bit about before I went to Paris, thank you dan brown. not that it helped because really, I'll confess, we didn't go inside. hey! not enough time. but the pyramids were still amazing. 

So the other place I knew about beforehand, and the one place I actually really wanted to see, was the Catacombs. Unfortunately they were closed. Because apparently on Mondays they are closed. We found this out after circling the block many times asking confused Parisians for directions. So that was a really big bummer. Actually the worst thing that happened on the trip. But even that was so bad because we had a really yummy lunch instead and got to relax from our whirlwind pace. And, oh darn, I guess I'll have to go back and see them one day...

Europe: Normandy

Normandy was... well amazing. It was awesome to see the sight of so much history and life changing events. And equally amazing to stand on the sand where so many lost their lives. One of the more solemn days of the trip, it was almost unfathomable to see such a beautiful place now, and imagine all the ugly that had happened there before.

Europe: London

After a grueling journey... we were, well, tired. But happy to be in England. The best part is, we never really caught up on sleep until we got to Turkey. Nonetheless from beginning to end it was a fantastic, unforgettable time.

Highlight number 1? Les Mis. By far the best cast that I have seen perform it, and I have seen this play many, many times. It could not have been better cast and I had a great seat near the front. Like close enough to see the actor's faces front. I am so grateful that I had this opportunity

Highlight number 2? Meeting new friends. Especially when they are basically hysterical and stick up for you and say just the right things.

HOME.

Yes, that's right folks, I'm finally home. Only 4 planes, 34 hours later and did I mention that this was my first time flying by myself?

More detailed posts to come...

Summa Time

To all 3 of you that actually follow me: you're probably wondering why I have been MIA for so long - right? No probably not. But I will tell you all anyway in case you do not know. I'm in Europe. Well Turkey now. And let me tell you - it's a lot harder to find wifi than you might think. Those free internet places? Usually not free. Or they're just inconvinient. Really. And there's the fact that I can't work my phone. In the wifi department as well as I really just can't figure out my phone and why it feels the need to be so difficult. I want my old phone please! İ don't care if it was disfunctional!

Sadly I can't share any pictures with you right now. The beauty of not having my own computer. But I promise! Pics when I return. Also commas when İ return because I can't for the life of me figure out how to do a comma on a Turkısh keyboard.

And rest assured - when I return I will be doing lots of blogging to make up for being gone so long. And so when I'm 80 I can remember the things I did.