Trip Log: Ultimate Field Trip!
This log records the events of the 2004 Rome-Greece Trip. During transit it will follow Group One. All times in this log will be set from the time in the current time zone. On the airplanes the time will be stated in the time zone of the last airport.
By Harrison Dreves
7:56 AM June 2, Wednesday Day 1 Nashville International Airport
Our group is here at gate A-3 waiting for our plane. We all met up successfully around 6:30 at the baggage check. From there we headed through security and reached our gate. At 7:20, several people, including myself, went to get coffee or other morning beverages at the "Coffee Beanery". After returning, things have quieted down at the gate. Our group is currently sitting at the gate waiting for the plane. Several people are doing things like playing gameboy or listening to music. There are plans to take a group picture around 8:45. The plane is expected to board at 9:00. However, I expect there will be the usual delays. After arriving in Washington we will fly to Frankfurt and then on to Rome.
1:35 PM June 2, Wednesday Day 1 Dulles International Airport
We arrived in a small plane. Not being high enough to reach the big walkway. Therefore, we had to exit onto the runway and entered the terminal on foot. To get out to the concourse that our plane was at we rode a large transport truck. Once there we found our gate and "took over" a seating area. After we were set up we headed off to lunch. Everyone is back from lunch now and we are mainly sitting around and reading, playing cards, or games. 3 hours till group 2 gets here.
9:05 AM June 3, Thursday Day 2 Main Terminal Frankfurt International Airport
The long flight across the ocean is over. We flew with Lufthansa, a mainly European airline. The difference between their planes and American planes was stunning. It was little things that made the difference. Things like the 10 different radio stations built into the arm rests. Whenever something was not playing on the TV screens they showed maps that plotted our course and stats like altitude and outside temp. For most off the flight the TV was showing something like News, Cartoons or Music Videos. Most of us tried to sleep. However, few succeeded. I was one of those and was told I slept for about 3 1/2 hours. Most people got about 1 hour's worth. For dinner we had either Lasagna or Chicken for our main course. The Lasagna was definitely better. Several people felt quite queasy, and believe the chicken was behind it. We landed in Frankfurt around 7:30, and are now about to go, right now. Gotta run..
1:08 (AM) June 4, Friday Day 3 Hotel Room in Rome
I'm probably the last one up. I need to get to bed. We had a big day today. After everyone arrived we met Elvira Ferrari. We checked into our hotel and discussed our situation. With Bush visiting many things are going to be closed tomorrow. Therefore, we decided to see as many things as possible today. We loaded onto the tour bus and got to go see the Catacombs outside Rome. We then came back for dinner. After dinner, we took a ride through Rome on the bus and got to get out and walk. We got to see the Pantheon and the outskirts of Vatican City. After having ice cream we came back and went to bed. Goodnight...
11:37 PM June 4, Friday Day 3 Hotel Room in Rome
Today, our last day in Rome, was a big day. After breakfast our group went to Vatican City. With the President visiting many areas were closed off. After traveling through several museum galleries we reached the Sistine Chapel. Several minutes after we entered the chapel it was shut off. After many tense minutes we were allowed out. Once outside we made our way to St. Peter's Basilica. We got to go in and look around. Later, most of the group left. However, a few stragglers remained behind. Suddenly, they locked down St Peter's not allowing anyone to enter or leave. The reason soon became apparent. THE PRESIDENT'S MOTORCADE PULLED OUT FROM THE POPE'S RESIDENCE AND DROVE RIGHT PAST US. After he left St Peter's opened, and reunited, we headed off to have lunch. After Lunch we walked to and toured the Pantheon. We then walked to the Spanish Steps where we were given free time. Most people shopped while a few walked. After this we headed back to the hotel for dinner and bed. TO GREECE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
11:46 PM June 5, Saturday Day 4 Ferry on the Ionian Sea
We are here on the ferry. Today we got up and headed out on the bus for Pompeii. After about 3 hours of driving we got there. We toured the city and later had pizza at a near by restaurant. After lunch we got back on the bus and drove 4 hours to the port where our ferry was. We boarded the ferry and had dinner. After dinner we sat on the back deck and played cards late into the night. Tomorrow.. Greece..
11:54 PM June 6, Sunday Day 5 Hotel Room in Tolo
When we got up this morning the group met and had breakfast. By then we where arriving in the harbor. After disembarking we boarded the bus and headed off to Olympia, the site of the ancient Olympics. At Olympia we toured the grounds and temples. Before we left for lunch we ran races on the ancient stadium. After lunch we got on the bus and drove to Tolo. After dinner at the hotel some of our group went to swim in the Mediterranean.
June 7, Monday, Day 6
The next morning in Tolo the group got up, had breakfast and boarded the bus. We drove for several hours to Epidarurus. Epidarurus is a site that contains an ancient hospital and theatre. After touring there we drove to Mycenae. Mycenae is an ancient city dating back to BC. It was from here that the invasion of Troy was launched. After visiting Mycenae we drove a short distance to have lunch. After lunch we drove several more hours to the Corinthian Canal. This canal was dug a hundred years ago and allows ships to bypass the Peloponnesian Peninsula. We again boarded the bus and drove to Athens! That evening our group got to watch and perform traditional Greek dancing.
June 8, Tuesday, Day 7
The next day our group headed out for the Acropolis. While we were getting our tickets we met Demetria Kalodimos, our local news anchor. She was doing a story on the Olympics. She interviewed our group as we toured the Acropolis. After descending the Acropolis we had lunch and visited the agora or ancient marketplace. After that most of our group went shopping. The group came back to the hotel in little clumps through out the rest of the day. That evening we went swimming on the roof of a nearby hotel.
June 9, Wednesday, Day 8
The next day was a big road-trip. After breakfast, we all piled onto the bus for a drive to Delphi, the location of the ancient Oracle. There we saw the temple where the priests would put the questions of the "mortals" to the oracle. We also saw a temple to Athena and the Navel of the world among other things. After visiting the site, we all had lunch and headed back to Athens.
June 10, Thursday, Day 9
The next day we flew home. Group three got in without any trouble around 6:00 PM Nashville time. However, due to bad weather groups one and two didn't arrive until around midnight.
We had some parts of the trip that didn't run smoothly, but thanks to Elvira and our great group leaders (and sweepers) most of it turned out to be an adventure I will never forget. Thanks for the great trip!
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