Andie
Our day started with a vocabulary brainstorm on the bus. We had run out of adjectives to adequately describe the scenery of the places we are visiting; beautiful was being overused and sometimes did not feel sufficient for some of the breathtaking views. We came up with an extensive list which I am sure we will put to good use.
Our first stop was in the seaside town of Poreć where we toured the historic town and the Euphrasian Basilica, pictured above. This was an enormous structure that had intricate mosaic tile images above the alter area in the chapel. After our tour, we traveled to Old Town Dvigrad, an area the plague decimated multiple times. In Europe there were three plague epidemics, which occurred around 542, 1347-1348, and then in 1664. The plague is caused by a pathogen which is transmitted via burrowing rodents, including marmots, squirrels, prairie dogs and rats. The microorganism which carries the disease is transmitted from rodent to rodent through fleas. Of these rodents, the black rat was of most concern as it was a good climber, and it does not shy away from humans.
During the epidemic of the 1340’s approximately 30-60% of all people in Europe died of the plague. In Dvigrad, the residents left when the plague came, and then returned when it was no longer present. They did not understand the way it was transmitted, nor did they understand the need of hygiene, sanitation, and isolation. They treated the plague with blessings and the involvement of the church because they felt it was caused by the wrath of God. Dvigrad was deserted one final time, and the town has become dilapidated. The group spent time learning about the history of the town and then took time to explore the ruins. After a while we moved on to have lunch in this beautiful little spot along the river.
After lunch we traveled to the Bioaramatica, an agricultural products company which grows natural herbs. We toured through terraced fields of lavender, grapes, cypress trees, and various herbs, which are pictured above. The owner, Mr. Boris Filipaj gave us a guided tour and instructed us on the various plants and their uses. His excitement over the various uses of the products was infectious, and many of us were eager to explore his shop to experience the amazing, natural products he created.
After touring the agricultural facility, we continued on to our final destination of the day, Rovinj. Here we toured the town, making our way to the church at the top of the hill, overlooking the sea below. The town was picturesque and the attached photo does not do it justice. We learned the history of the church, and the miracles associated with it. We were warned to be careful on the walk back down the hill as the roads are made from limestone, which after years of use have become smooth and slippery. There were no handrails to assist in the descent, so we all took it slow and steady to prevent any injuries. Once our time in Rovinj ended, we headed back to the hotel (pictured in the distance at the top of the hill behind the group) for an evening of free time. It was a beautiful day with perfect weather. We have been so fortunate this trip with the fantastic weather, and we are hoping it continues! Until next time!
No comments:
Post a Comment