Sunday again!

Hello all!
We've inched back up to another Sunday, which means its been more than two weeks here now. And a most fun two weeks it has been so far! Work went along pretty much as usual. We've mostly finished up the pieces from last year, and have been working on cleaning plaster pieces which is a somewhat slow task, just because they are so delicate. The evenings we have mostly spent lazing about.

The Lab

Pachia Ammos at Sunset

 One evening there was a food festival in the neighboring town of Irapetra, and some of the ladies from INSTAP were there doing a Minoan lentil cooking demonstration. So they used Minoan style pots, and cooked lentils and flatbread over an open fire, which was pretty cool to see.

Lentils in the making!

 Other than that, Pachia Ammos is a pretty as ever! It's such a cute little village.

Beach umbrellas have appeared for the summer.

Baby pomegranate!

 On Saturday we had a short day, and that afternoon a bunch of us went over to Irapetra to enjoy the beach, as it is much cleaner on that side of the island.

On the bus to Irapetra

The beach at Irapetra

Yay beach!

 Before we left Brett and I stopped in at a little cafe for juice and shade. Sunday had its own set of adventures, but as I have not gotten the pictures up yet, those will have to wait for next time! Loves to all, hope all is well!

Brett at the Cafe

Waffles. I don't know why, but waffles and ice cream are a universally necessary treat at any and all cafes here. I have yet to try them, but I look forward to it!

Puppy! We were walking along on the way to the bus and this little guy stuck his head out to greet us. He's about at  head high anyways, and was ever so excited to get attention.

Hello all! So I left you last with Thursday, I do believe. Business went along as usual on Friday, and on Saturday we had the day off, though we had to go in for a brief meeting with Kapua, one of the coordinators who had just recently arrived. From there we took a brief trip to the site of Gournia itself and talked to various trenches about what they were working on so that we have some idea of where the finds we treat come from.

Gournia! 

Gournia is one of a number of Minoan palaces on the island of Crete, settled on a low hill, and once had a harbor at the water's edge a short walk away. Gournia is a really interesting palace, though, because it is one of the only palace sites that has had its surrounding city excavated. Often the palaces themselves are excavated, but not the regular houses around them. 

On Saturday afternoon, Brett and I went over to Irapetra to find an ATM, as there are none in Pachia Ammos, and it was a cute little city. We shall have to go back soon and spend longer there to be sure.

This cute little church was in one of the other villages we passed on the way to Irapetra.

 And that was most of our Saturday. A bunch of the dig people gathered in L and L that night, which is the one little bar here in Pachia Ammos, and we had a party, which was nice because there are more than 90 people here this summer involved in the excavation, and I was (and am) still working on meeting all of them.

On Sunday we slept in, yay!, and then that afternoon went over to Agios Nicholas, which is the other big city nearest to Pachia Ammos. There we went swimming, as their beach is faaar cleaner than ours, and then wandered around the city and had lunch before heading home again.

We saw these guys on the way to Agios Nicholas. I know it's hard to see, but there's the two guys on the bike, and sitting up front in the foot space is a dog. Not a lap dog, but a big ol' German Shepard sized dog. I can't believe they all fit on that little bike!

A church in Agios Nicholas.

This is a statue of Europa and the Bull, one of the myths associated with Crete.

I'm not sure what this was, but it was cool, so I took a picture with it!

And now to Monday! Today was just a usual work day. I put together a part of a pot, and learned how to clean plaster pieces, which is rather difficult and incredibly slow. I have to say  prefer the pots to that so far! Other than that all is well, hope it's the same at home. Loves to all!

Thursday!

Hello all!
So we've made it to Thursday. I can't believe its already been a week! Time really goes by quick. Today we worked on more pots. I got to try my hand at doing plaster fill on a couple of them, which is that stuff that they put in between pieces so that the pot won't fall apart. I have decided, though, that it is something which requires a bit of practice to get the hang of. I did get to put almost a whole pot together, though! So far I have decided that conservation is all too fun. Not much else is going on. Since we're just in a little village it is hard to do much, because that would require hopping on a bus elsewhere, but Saturday I think my roommate, Brett, and I are going to head over to Irapetra, one of the bigger towns on either side of us. And on Sunday we shall do a bit of traveling to a nearby site and museum. Hope all is well at home, love you all!

There are lots of stray cats along the beach restaurants, this one will actually let you touch him!

The view from our hotel.

Hallo!

Hello all! Still no pictures yet, I am working up to it! We've been doing much the same thing in the lab these past two days, cleaning, mending, stabilizing and piecing together various pottery items. I have lots if pictures of them because they're awesome... But unfortunately you shall all have to wait until I get home to see them. I'm not legally allowed to post them anywhere vaguely public... Etc. and so forth. Yay copyrights! Or, rather, publishing concerns. But yes! All is well. Pacheia Ammos is a lovely little place. The beach is less than a full block from our front door, and the weather has been absolutely stunning the whole time we've been here. Now if only the ocean were a bit cleaner! Loves to all!

First day!

Hello all! So today was our first day of work. I have a few pictures to contribute, but those will come along later. Today we just got set up in the lab, acquainted with everything, and were given cups to piece back together! Which was super awesome, cept my cup was missing about 75% of its pieces... Oh well!

Loves to all!

This is the street running along the beach.

This is a little church not too far from Pacheia Ammos.  

This is the view down into the valley from where we work...

... I couldn't make it put these two side by side.

Evenings and afternoons are often spent lounging near the beach. These wind surfers are out almost every day.

This is the conservation lab where I work!

Saturday!

So today we didn't do much. We went up to the center this morning and washed some pottery from last year for a few hours, then had lunch, and proceeded to sprawl upon the beach and read for a while. Fun times! I think I shall be off to visit with people now, and tomorrow we shall get around to having an orientation type thing. Loves to all!

Pacheia Ammos

Crete! Yay ^^

So I have made it to the town where we are staying, and I shall try and post something more this evening, but for now I thought you all needed a report on the awesomeness of the bathroom. Because there is nothing like sitting with your feet in the shower (which, I might mention, has no shower curtain). Yay Greece!

But anyways. So today I got up and wandered around Heraklion for a bit before I met up with people to come to Pachia Ammos. I took a peek at the old Venetian fortress that sits in the harbor, and then I went over to the natural history museum since I didn't make it there last time I was in Heraklion.

This is a Venetian remnant of some sort...

And here's the fortress itself!

And the lion which was its symbol

And look what's infesting the harbor! Nothing like a nice sea urchin invasion now and again.

The Museum was pretty cool, and they were having a Dino exhibit which was also cool. And there was an earthquake machine. Also fun. ^^

Yay dino!

But I think the best part was that they had a "living museum" section, which was pretty much a mini zoo. And there were some cute things and some toothy things! 

This is a horned viper. It's actually got little horns above its eyes!

And this is a Dabb lizard, who was chilling and waiting for his close up.

And this is a fat-tailed gerbil. It's so fluffy!

Eeee! So cute!

But after that, I met Alexis and Carly at the airport, and we hopped on the bus to head over here, which took a couple hours. It was a nice ride, though, all in all. And... Now to bed, we're getting up in the morning to do something at the center. Love you all!

Crete!

So I have made it to Crete, and am in my hotel. And look! There was even a butterfly ^^

So maybe you have to imagine a bit, but it's the thought that counts really!

But yes. I am here and alive, and tomorrow we shall be headed over to Pachia Ammos. Loves to all!

Another airport!

Hello all! I've made it to Athens for those who are concerned (mother ^^). Just waiting on the flight to Crete now!

Sitting in an airport, yay!

So I have made it to Charlotte and found out there is a blogging app! So then I decided I had to try it out. Hopefully this shows up somewhere! ^^

Hello all!
As I did the summer before, I plan on keeping a blog for my travels this summer. It's a bit easier than keeping track of a bunch of emails and a whole lot easier to stick full of pictures! So tomorrow I shall be off, and I'll see if I can track down a reasonable internet connection when I arrive. Don't blow Tallahassee up while I'm gone!