The second week of my dig went by quickly. Because we had our makeup day on Sunday, Monday was our day off. I decided to go scuba diving in the black sea because my cousin and I have been talking about Scuba diving recently and I thought it was high time to try it again. … Continue reading My second week →

Saturday was our organized trip to Nessebar, a town about an hour from Sozopol. Nessebar was Ancient Apollonia's rival. Established about 100 years after Apollonia, it has a similar history of occupation to Sozopol. However, it is near the infamous Sunny Beach, where British and Russian travelers go for the summers, and as such is … Continue reading The weekend →

Well, I'm officially done with my first week! It's been absolutely incredible. I've learned some archaeology techniques, including how to use the tools, take photos of the artifacts, draw horizontal plans, and draw pottery. I've still got five more days of the dig, and I know that I want to do it again. Even though … Continue reading The end of the first week →

After the welcome dinner, the next morning we began our orientation. The leader of the dig, Teodora, and the Balkan Heritage Field School leader, Nayden, both gave us presentations of the past excavations on this site and the role of the Balkan Heritage Field school in the excavations, as well as telling us about some … Continue reading Beginning my dig →

Today wasn't as exciting as some of the others because it was a travel day. Still, I managed to fit a lot in. I tried to sleep in late this morning, but was kept awake by a loud snorer right above me in my hostel. Thankfully I will be staying in a two-person bedroom for … Continue reading The trip to Sozopol →

Today I went on another day trip, this time northwards to the Belogradchik fortress. It was a fortress built on a hill that had natural rock formations. The fortifications from the ancient times were built upon in the middle ages and the 19th century, so that there are three separate eras of construction. The Belogradchik … Continue reading Belogradchik →

It was an absolutely wonderful day! Because of a number of factors, including limited bus/train service in Bulgaria, my own time limit and desire to see things, and my laziness, I decided that in order to see everything I wanted to, I would take bus tours. Today, my tour was only me, my guide, and … Continue reading Plovdiv →

While the first leg of my journey went off without a hitch, I wasn't so lucky on my trip into Sofia. I'd been forced to check my carry on with all my clothing at the gate because of some miscommunication with the staff. I had a bad feeling as I handed over my luggage. And … Continue reading Sofia →

Well, while it's only 3 am at home, it's almost 10:30 in Vienna, where I have a few hour layover before I get to Sofia. It was an absolutely crazy week, and I was not prepared. I was in Milwaukee Wednesday and Thursday, and spent the weekend in Dayton, Ohio. I finished my packing with … Continue reading Travel day →