Friday, 13 Apr 2012

Location: Heraklion, Greece

Sorry we couldn't make a post last night, we were on the ferry to Crete and about the only thing it didn't have was internet access!

We started the day with a visit to the local hospital/medical centre as we had one student very sick and vomiting. After a drip to rehydrate she was ready to rejoin the group. The doctor thinks it is a virus that is very common here and he expected that many in the group might get it. But so far only 2 have become sick and they are recovering much faster than the doctor predicted too. He didn't count on strong kiwi girls determined to see everything they could while in Greece! The healing power of talking to parents also helps so the two sick girls have made quick calls home. All other girls are well and we are hoping that continues!

Frances gave her highlight as the courtyards in the monastery and the sense of peace in the whole area. The monasteries at Meteora were fabulous and a great highlight for many. Specifically, the way they were built on the rocks with an almost seamless transition from rock to monestary, smiling nuns, the detail and the colour of the paintings in the monestary (even very graphic pictures depicting sin etc) , the nun singing from a sheet of symbols that didn't resemble music as we know it. The icon workshop before the monestary visits and getting over a fear of needles at the hospitals were also highlights.

The girls were reluctant to say goodbye to George and Paris but have lots of photos and a little catalogue book of George's art work to help them remember their time with him.

Good Friday today so not sure what will be open and what we might see but as everything is new it is all an adventure!