Not really traveling in the physical sense...

Hello all!

This isn't to tell you all I'm travelling (at least, not at the moment) but rather what I'm up to.

I've been in school for just over a month now and things have been non-stop since the day I arrived. I'm consumed with thoughts of the present (classes, work, my Senior Honors Project) and of the future (Seminary, Candidacy, what I'll eat for dinner tomorrow). So I'm going to, hopefully, start updating my blog more often as both a way to keep you aware of just what I'm doing while I'm so far away, as well as a way to help me process just what the heck I'm thinking!

Seminary? you ask. Well, I should probably mention that one fairly soon...

After an amazing summer doing an "internship" of sorts, I felt affirmed in a call to public ministry. It's something that I've felt was a possibility from a very young age but, for a variety of reasons, it took a while for me to admit to myself. I've started Candidacy, which is the formal process of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) for people who want to join rostered ministry. It's a long story (which will continue for a long time) and I'd love to talk about it more...at a later time ;)

I really just wanted to update you all a bit and let you know I'm still alive. I'm hoping to post on the blog more often so you don't think I've fallen off the face of the earth. If you're really adventurous, feel free to follow me on twitter (which I usually post on daily) at www.twitter.com/CtyWeller.

Talk with you soon!

-Courtney

You're Really Dirty

That is what one of the PKAP directors said to me today, and quite fittingly so.

I've never been one of those get-in-the-dirt-play-with-mud kinda girls. If I ever played in the mud, as far as I remember, it was in a specific set of clothes and after carefully planning how dirty I would get.

You really can't plan much in archaeology as far as dirt is concerned. All that can be guaranteed is that you will inevitably get dirty; and in my case, very dirty. In this sense, I have changed quite drastically. It feels weird to not wear sunscreen and to not be covered in a fine layer of sandy clay.

Anywho, the past week has been a whirlwind: we've been digging 7.5 hours a day and had a field trip to the other side of the island on Monday. It's crazy how time flies, and that I'll be back in the States for a very large chunk of time in only 11 days. While I'm not looking forward to a ten hour plane ride, or being in a town without an easily accessible bakery (this is the most depressing), it will be nice to be home, and to settle down for a bit. Without homework. Oh joyous anticipation!

Dinner is in a few minutes and I am going to put pictures up on Facebook (soon I'll post them here too). Blessings to all!

And sorry Mom and Dad I haven't really called.

A week, already?

It's amazing how time flies when you're digging in the dirt eight hours a day!

Monday was our first day of digging (or preparing our trenches for digging) and it's been crazy non-stop ever since. I'm at the site closest to the coast (beautiful view, by the way) known as Koutsopetria (there are two other sites, Vigla and Kokkinokremos). There are six of us at the site, but only three in my trench: Sarah, our site advisor, and Nick, another student from Messiah, and myself. We're working on the western side of the site which is an annex to a Christian basillica (not really visible, but parts are). We're digging to figure out if a certain area of our trench is a room extension and, if so, what it might have been used for. Also, we're trying to figure out why the doorway was filled in and cemented over.

Or at least, that was the plan...

After a few days of digging (I've never had so much fun digging in the dirt before, it's glorious! Mom...don't get any ideas!) we realized two things which have changed our focus:

1. Our room extension does not appear to be a room extension. It actually looks more like the debris from a fallen wall. This hasn't been proven yet, and we're going down another 20 cm today to get even with another part of our trench, so that should give us a better idea of what is going on.
2. The cemented in doorway. Not so much. It's actually this really confusing compaction of dirt that appears to be cement. But alas, it is not! We'll get to this part next week and then I'll have more news on that.

So, as you can see, archaeological hypothesis really change. I've come to realize how very scientific archaeology is, which is strangely fun. Of course, finding ancient artifacts is pretty neat, too. Thus far we've found lots and lots of mortar, tile and pottery sherds. There are a few items we've sent in that are of interest, such as a few small stones that appear to have been worked (some type of bead or game piece, a small tool used for holding string and some fragment of a decorated stone object) but no dead bodies yet ;) Nick and I have had a lot of fun, and we've even come up with team names daily. Some of them have been: Trench Awesome, Trench Really Lazy (Tuesday and Thursday mornings were really tough), Trench Find Dead Bodies, Trench Better than Everyonce Else, Trench Really Really Good Looking, and Trench Humble. We even come up with theories about the person who resided in our trench, so far, this is all we have come up with (note: it's 100% most likely not true, but it keeps us mentally stimuated while sifting through dirt):

The man who lived in the room we are digging was a part-time bead maker (which explains all the pretty rocks) while his official occupation was groundskeeper for the basilica. He lived a happy life, taking care of the basilica and making beads in his spare time. Unfortunately, one day the Sea People came to Koutsopetria, attacking the townsfolk. In a show of great mercy, the King of the Sea People told the bead-maker that he would be spared if he could appease them. He went to make some beads, but was so nervous he forgot to put holes in the stones. Thus, the King was mad and stabbed the bead-maker with a bronze tipped stick (Nick wants to find a bronze spearpoint). The bead-maker stumbled back home where he thought he could tough it out and live, however, after setting a fire (to explain sections of ash we've found), he died. His house then started to burn, and the fire-brigade tried to put out the fire but accidentally poured too much water on the house (which explains large amounts of silt over one area, skipping another and then leading into the next area). Eventually the bead-makers abode fell into ruin and his wall fell (where we are currently digging), and on that wall were the stones he had yet to put holes in to make beads.

Our site (and our speecific trench) advisor humors us and tells us it's good to get thinking about why things are like they are, but I think it's a last-ditch attempt to deal with all of us ;)

Holy Chickies and Pete's!

Ahhh, Cyprus.



It's really quite amazing here. After many hours on multiple planes, we finally landed in Larnaca (Λάρνακα) on Friday. It was, as we expected, very warm and very Greek (at least, since we are in the southern half of the island). After packing our suitcases into a few rental cars borrowed by the PKAP (Pyla-Koutsopetria, our project) staff, the nine Messiah students (four guys: Matt, Nick, Kyle and Alex; five girls: Caitlin, Melissa, Becky, Rachel, and myself) packed into three different cabs and set off for the hotel. It really is a shame that you weren't in the cab, Mom and Dad; you never would have complained about my driving ever again! To summarize the drive, let's just say we were pushing 90mph and weaving in and out of traffic on lanes and city streets that were narrow, at best. White-knuckled, I arrive at the quite amazing hotel that I will be calling 'home' for the next few weeks.

Our hotel, Petrou Bros. Travel Apts, is pretty nice. The five of us girls share a three bedroom apartment which has a full bathroom and small kitchen/dining area. We each have a balcony as well, which overlooks the city streets below. This is a blessing in disguise, of course, since it can get quite noisy, especially on the weekends. There will be a festival in a week or so which will last about a week, which we've been warned about. It WILL be noisy. Noisy is probably an understatement. The nice thing, though, is that, so far, I've been tired that very little will wake me up. It's a great feeling just falling into bed and not being kept up by anything. *Ah, this is the life.*

Another cool thing about our hotel is that the roof is accessible. We've had a few socials up there already; it's a great place to just sit and chat. You can see a good distance and there are even some plastic lounge chairs for our use. Good deal!

So what have I been up to, besides, of course, sleeping? Well, you'll be happily suprised to learn that I've tried to not nap all the time, although today after church I couldn't help but take a few hours long nap. We've been on the move a lot, though. Friday we had a small tour of our surroundings by our professor, David Pettegrew. After dinner, the undergrads (there are ten of us, Messiah students and a guy from UPitt, Justin) went out to explore, in search of fruit. I was so excited...I was on the search for a mango! Unfortunately, we didn't manage to find a place that sold fruit, but I did find some comfort food...a Mars bar and some orange soda! So delicious! Of course, we stopped by a bakery and picked up some dessert, too. Many of my comrades bought baklava, but, being a detester of nut products, I took a nut-free apple baklava, which I named applikava (although, Nick likes to call them all sugaklava because they are *VERY* sweet...almost too sweet for me....almost).

Yesterday wasn't too busy, at least, not that I can remember. I've been trying to keep up with my journal, but there is so much to write down that I often fall asleep before I can finish an entry. I've been keeping tabs though, so I know what to write when I get back to it. I figure I'll catch up on that when I'm done writing to you!

I do remember that we did a scavanger hunt for a good portion of yesterday. We recieved a certain amount of points for taking pictures of various things. I'm not sure how well this was thought through, since we probably looked a bit sketchy taking pictures of multiple ATMs, public buildings, post office boxes, and churches/mosques. It was a good opportunity to orientate myself to the city. I know where a few things are, the important things (bakery, market place, beach, internet cafe), but I never quite know where the hotel is. Luckily, I don't need to go far for anything, and if I do, I always go with a buddy (see parents, I am responsible). With all that said, Larnaca (or Larnaka if you are Turkish) is a very safe city. Not that I will, but if I had to go somewhere on my own, during the daytime of course, I would feel very comfortable doing so. Luckily, there is always someone willing to go out for something. It's a great deal.

How is the food, you ask? Why, thanks for asking! Our eating schedule is a bit different from what it is back home, due to our work schedule. We eat breakfast in our rooms (food that PKAP buys us- kelloggs cornflakes, yum!) and are out usually between 8 and 9. Lunch is on our own, but typically around 2 or so, earlier depending on what day of the week it is. Dinner is provided by PKAP and prepared by "the cook", Dalton; this is usually around 7 or 8. Yesterday, however, we went out for dinner. I had chicken souvlaki (pretty much chicken kabobs, but you can put it in a pita with tomatoes and cucumbers and onions; I kept the onions out; and then there is a sauce, which was DELICIOUS). Tonight dinner is here at the hotel, but later around 8. It's surprisingly easy to eat at such an odd schedule; I might have a snack here and there, but usually there is so much food that I'm stuffed. As horrible as it sounds, I didn't have time for breakfast today and even though I woke up at 7:30, I haven't eaten (although that might be a lie, I had a little applikava a little while ago) and it's already 4:12pm. I have a mango upstairs that is calling my name though, so I might have that in a while, before dinner at 8.

Today, being Sunday, a group of us went to church. We went to Ayios Lazarus (The Church of Lazarus) for an Eastern Orthodox service. It was a really neat combination of formal/informal practices. It lasted maybe around 2 hours, although we weren't there for the very beginning. People came and left as needed, although a large group arrived towards the middle, during the preparation for the eucharist. People walked around the inside venerating each of the icons, and children participated, too. It was amazing seeing little children that had, more than likely, just learned to walk, kissing the feet of Jesus on the icon.

Since I am on a friend's computer (I decided not to bring my laptop in order to reduce my stress) I am going to get going. My mango is ripening by the minute, I'm sure.

I'll try to check in in a few days! Much love from the Middle East!
=)


[pictures (from top to bottom): a panoramic shot of Larnaca, taken from the roof; the first "official" roof social for PKAP, (l-r) Nick, Matt, Kyle, Alex; Ayois Lazarus.]

Reflecting on Southern Hospitality

Greetings from the South!

In just over 24 hours I've managed to fall in love with Southern hospitality, sweet tea and the beautiful, warm weather I've encountered. Needless to say, and much to my parents delight, I am not ready to stay...yet ;)

I've enjoyed the campus here at Southern, and last night I was able to go out to dinner and see a bit of the town. Today we had our orientation for Project Connect, the organization in charge of my Immersion. To give a little background, my summer Immersion will take place in Castleton-on-Hudson, under the supervision of Pastor Amber Malone, who has a two-point parish (about 7 miles apart). I'll basically be shadowing her, getting to see first-hand what a pastor really does throughout the week. I'm really excited; today we were able to sit down and figure out exactly what types of things I'll be able to do: give two sermons, give multiple children's sermons, help out with the Senior High Camp and Confirmation Camp, and I'll be taking a lot of control for the Vacation Bible School. I am, as you might imagine, unbelievably excited! I'll certainly post more blogs on my Immersion as the summer progresses (I'm thinking of turning Wanderling into my permanent blog since it has the most followers...thanks =) ). I met a lot of cool people at the orientation and had just a great time. I usually cringe at these types of events- they seem like continuous getting-to-know-you events that I usually find to be irksome. However, I felt right at home with all of the people I met and I'll be Facebooking them shortly.

Tonight I'm meeting up with one of my good friends from Oxford, Dabney, who lives south of here, in Georgia. I'm so glad her and I are getting to meet up, not for long, but it's better than nothing! So having to come down to Southern instead of going to Gettysburg or Philly has been all around very much worth it! Of course, the fact that I'm lounging around in summer clothes isn't too bad either!

As for the next few days...
I'll be up before the rooster crows to be at the airport for my 7:25am flight. Amber is flying on a different plane to NYC for a meeting (calm down mother, I will be able to fly to Philly just fine ;) ) and I'll be flying into Philly to meet up with my group from Cyprus. From there we will fly into Athens (about a ten hours flight...sedate me now, please) and then from there we fly into Larnaca, Cyprus. I'm incredibly excited! I can't stop smiling.

For those of you who worry about airline security, rest assured everyone is doing their job. I have on suitcase which has in it a box of archaeological gear (sharp objects, random things) and not only did they inspect my luggage, but then inspected and then reinspected my box of gear. At least I can pass this information on to my friends going on the trip.

I must be off to figure some things out and do some reading. I'm trying not to stress out about anything too much. In a few days, once my Fellowship application is sent off to England (more about this at a later time) I will be stress free, living it up in Cyprus!

Please continue to keep myself and my archaeology group in your prayers.

Blessings!

LTSS in Columbia, South Carolina

I am currently relaxing outside of my four story guest apartment at the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary here is SC. After a few hours of flying (both flights left and arrived early), I was at my destination with Amber, my Project Connect supervising pastor, in the early afternoon. We've already had a quick tour and I'm working on some reading ("Echoes from the Dead Zone" about Cyprus) before the orientation tomorrow and then my flights to Philly and then Cyprus on Thursday!! I'm very excited, but right now I'm trying to make the most of my visit to LTSS. The weather is gorgeous so I think I'll go see to that...

Much love and more photos and updates from across the world soon!