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Saturday, June 18, 2011

         I am currently sitting in my hotel room in Greece listening to Greek music blaring from outdoors and suddenly American rap starts playing its a reminder that you are never as far from home as you think you are (in spirit) and yes even Greeks like rap!
I have been so busy traveling and working looong 14 hr. field shifts that when I get to my hotel I cant even think about eating much less updating my blog. So tonight, the night before I return to Turkey, I want to catch up on what I've been up to.
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JUNE 13 2011
After our amazing tour of Istanbul we went on another bus ride and ferry ride through the countryside of Turkey in order to reach Canakkale Province where I stayed for 2 days. The archaeological site of Troy is located in Canakkale as well as a World War I historical site Gallipoli, where we also toured.



Troy was an of out of the world experience, like much of this trip has been. I found out that 90% of Troy is still under the ground meaning that they have only dug up 10% of the ancient city of Troy. Troy consists of many layers of civilization. The ancient greeks would build on top of their older buildings, so they basically built cities on top of cities. Archaeologists still debate which city layer contains the actual "City of Troy" that is attributed to the Trojan War and to references in Greek tales such as the Iliad by Homer. Out of the 9 layers that make up the Troy archaeological site layers 6 or 7 are the best candidates for the "Trojan War" era. Since much has yet to be excavated who knows what other cool things have yet to be recovered.
Just an FYI all these pics can be enlarged by clicking on them. These are a few of the pics I took, Im afraid if I uploaded all of them my computer would blow up.
                                This is just a replica of the Trojan Horse that is heard about in stories.
 These walls of the city of Troy are from layers 5,6,7 and 8. As more protection was needed or more space was needed, more walls were added to the existing reinforcement walls.
 This wall is from layer 7, believed to be described in Homers Iliad, which describes a wall just like this (its intentionally slanted so its harder to climb) when he is describing the siege of Troy.
 A really awesome Lepidopteran (butterfly) that was flitting about the ruins. Not sure of the genus and species yet.

Tons of ruins like this are everywhere. It's crazy to think about someone finding the stone, thinking up a design for it and carving it in 3000 BC-1st century BC! It blows my mind!

 Look at the detail!


These are one room houses from Homeric Troy located  within the city walls.
 A well dating 300 BC.
A ramp that would have lead to the gates of Troy.


 This is apparently where they would conduct animals sacrifices.

Ruins.

 Can you imagine not only carving this pillar but several just like it??
 The top of a pillar that has been broken off and worn away. You can still see the details though.




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Gallipoli is a site of a massive WWI battle. It was hard to believe that such a stunningly beautiful place could ever be the site of such a brutal and epic battle.

I took a lot of pictures of nature this trip that I loved! The place was gorgeous!
 A WWI bunker
 A type of evergreen or semi evergreen called a Broom is native to the Mediterranean..and smells soooooooo damn good!!! I want one in every room in my house.




 This is the first cemetery I haven't been afraid to step foot in. What a beautiful place to be laid to rest. These are all people who died during the WWI battles, sadly most of them where in their early 20's.
 Yeah here come my bug pics....
 A cute lil bee and her flower.
Commemorative Statue for the war
 On top of the mountains scenic outlook
 This outlook is atop a mountain where the bloodiest fight  of the campaign took place .

 Haha...I know this is out of place from all the other pics, BUT this was our dessert that night! Baklava with ice cream!

<3 M


5 comments:

  1. so beautiful! i miss you! xoxo -jess

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  2. This is amazing!! :D Thank you for sharing! Keep posting, we want to hear more about your adventures! ~Vanessa Espinoza

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  3. What a wonderful experience. I wish that all could have an opportunity to appreciate the Mideterranean as you do. I'm so proud of you and will continue reading your blog. It delights my heart that you enjoy a part of the world that has become my second home these past 12 years. Your blog - thoroughly enjoyable. Keep 'em coming. Your cuz' Ruth Yammine

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  4. Thanks Ruth! I love it here, it really will be hard to leave such a beautiful place.

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