By Marselle Kovarsky
Over two months ago, I said goodbye to my parents and America when I boarded my plane for the Bahamas. I was pretty excited, and a bit nervous, for my adventures that awaited me. I was going to visit seven countries over the next nine weeks and earn nine school credits, a pretty sweet deal! I didn’t know any of the other 800 students aboard the MV Explorer, but I was ready to make new friends. Ironically enough, my roommate Ginny is a Gamma Phi Beta at Loyola New Orleans, so we instantly hit it off. It took ten days to sailacross the Atlantic Ocean, and living at sea was a pretty easy transition. The cabins are decent sized dorm rooms with private bathrooms, and maid service comes every day. The food is edible, but by day 59 I’'m sick and tired of potatoes, pasta, and bread (I can’t wait for some chips and queso from Fuego!)
Naples, Italy was the next port we docked at. Margarita pizza from Naples is hands down the best pizza in the world. The city was pretty crowded and dirty so I’'m glad I was only in the city for one night. For five days, I went on a “field trip” to Florence, Pisa, Assisi, and Rome. Florence was a great city with a lot of rich architecture and Roman Catholic culture. I was able to see the Duermo and Michelangelo’'s David, which is so much bigger than I expected! I spent a few hours in Pisa taking the typical touristy pictures with the leaning tower, but there isn’t much else to do in that city. Assisi was by far my favorite place in Italy; this small hill town is the epitome of the Tuscany countryside. Rome was the most crowded city I have ever been in… there are 5 million people living there plus 1 million tourists. I threw two coins into the Trevi Fountain, went inside the Pantheon, saw “aTm” carved in the walls of the Coliseum, and walked through the Roman Forum. The next day in Rome I visited the Vatican where I experienced the Sistine Chapel (which is smaller than I expected) and the marvelous St. Peter’s basilica. St. Peter’s basilica is the largest church in the world and it is one of the most memorable places I’'ve seen during my travels. The last day I learned to make pasta and tiramisu in a local Tuscan winery. Overall, Italy was a beautiful country with wonderful food; I will definitely be going back. I had little knowledge of our next port Dubrovnik, Croatia, but this port became a wonderful beach vacation filled with kayaking, swimming, and cliff diving! For the day I also drove to Montenegro, which is the most picturesque country where the mountains fall straight into the clear blue water and the orange tiled houses are nestled into the valleys.
My last port was Casablanca, Morocco, and, yes, I went to Rick’s Café! The first day I stayed in port and visited the Hassan II mosque, which is the second largest mosque in the world with a minaret larger than the Washington monument! I spent the remainder of my days in Marrakech where I rode a camel, played with a monkey, bought Aladdin pants at the bazaar, and got plenty of henna!
Our first port stop was Barcelona, Spain. Being an Architectural History minor, I was super excited to see all thewonderful works of Gaudi. I visited the Casa Mila, La Sagrada Familia, and the Picasso Museum. Gaudi’s La Sagrada Familia was overwhelming; it was by far the largest and most spectacular church I had ever seen. At night I enjoyed walking around with my new friends exploring the main street, Las Ramblas, and experiencing the fast-paced lifestyle. I even tried my first olive, tomato, and glass of wine (all Spanish must-have’s). Spain was a great first stop since it wasn’t too much of a culture shock; it eased us Americans in to the European culture.
Naples, Italy was the next port we docked at. Margarita pizza from Naples is hands down the best pizza in the world. The city was pretty crowded and dirty so I’'m glad I was only in the city for one night. For five days, I went on a “field trip” to Florence, Pisa, Assisi, and Rome. Florence was a great city with a lot of rich architecture and Roman Catholic culture. I was able to see the Duermo and Michelangelo’'s David, which is so much bigger than I expected! I spent a few hours in Pisa taking the typical touristy pictures with the leaning tower, but there isn’t much else to do in that city. Assisi was by far my favorite place in Italy; this small hill town is the epitome of the Tuscany countryside. Rome was the most crowded city I have ever been in… there are 5 million people living there plus 1 million tourists. I threw two coins into the Trevi Fountain, went inside the Pantheon, saw “aTm” carved in the walls of the Coliseum, and walked through the Roman Forum. The next day in Rome I visited the Vatican where I experienced the Sistine Chapel (which is smaller than I expected) and the marvelous St. Peter’s basilica. St. Peter’s basilica is the largest church in the world and it is one of the most memorable places I’'ve seen during my travels. The last day I learned to make pasta and tiramisu in a local Tuscan winery. Overall, Italy was a beautiful country with wonderful food; I will definitely be going back. I had little knowledge of our next port Dubrovnik, Croatia, but this port became a wonderful beach vacation filled with kayaking, swimming, and cliff diving! For the day I also drove to Montenegro, which is the most picturesque country where the mountains fall straight into the clear blue water and the orange tiled houses are nestled into the valleys.Our next stop caused a bit of concern; Athens, Greece, has been experiencing riots and the government is going through a lot of economic problems. My only interaction with this unrest was the taxi riot that shutdown traffic for a whole entire day! The first day I visited the Acropolis and my architectural side was so happy to see the famous Parthenon! I spent the remaining days island hopping, visiting Hydra, Aegina, and Mykonos. These islands had the stereotypical blue and white houses that characterize Greece. On the islands, I enjoyed another beach vacation riding donkeys and playing on jet skies. I even tried my first mussel!
Varna, Bulgaria was a last minute addition to our itinerary once Egypt was removed due to the political unrest there. I was bummed about not being able to go to Egypt and the pyramids, but Varna turned out to be my second favorite port! Like Croatia and Greece, Bulgaria was a beech vacation; every night I laid on the beach and had a nice relaxing time with my friends. One day I even went to a local salt lake and mud bath where I covered my body in black “healing” mud!
Istanbul, Turkey was my favorite port! Minarets tooe over the dense skyline, and my first mosque experience was great. I had to cover my head with a scarf and remove my shoes before entering, and the blue tiles inside made beautiful geometric patterns on the walls. I visited the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and multiple palaces. I was a smart shopper in the Grand Bazaar and walked away with great souvenirs! I also experienced a Turkish bath, which is better than any spa treatment you can get in the States! I even had lunch on the Asian continent one day. Istanbul was my favorite because there was so much to do and the culture was so different from the Western world.
Istanbul, Turkey was my favorite port! Minarets tooe over the dense skyline, and my first mosque experience was great. I had to cover my head with a scarf and remove my shoes before entering, and the blue tiles inside made beautiful geometric patterns on the walls. I visited the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and multiple palaces. I was a smart shopper in the Grand Bazaar and walked away with great souvenirs! I also experienced a Turkish bath, which is better than any spa treatment you can get in the States! I even had lunch on the Asian continent one day. Istanbul was my favorite because there was so much to do and the culture was so different from the Western world.
My last port was Casablanca, Morocco, and, yes, I went to Rick’s Café! The first day I stayed in port and visited the Hassan II mosque, which is the second largest mosque in the world with a minaret larger than the Washington monument! I spent the remainder of my days in Marrakech where I rode a camel, played with a monkey, bought Aladdin pants at the bazaar, and got plenty of henna!
Now it takes eight days to cross the Atlantic and arrive back in Boston. I think I’'m in for a culture shock when everyone around me speaks English! While at sea, we are finishing up our classes, taking finals, and writing papers. Heading home is very bitter sweet: I’m excited to get back to my friends and family, but I will also miss traveling the world! I can’t wait for when I return again to these countries though!
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