I was thinking that I wouldn't have much to post on since everyday is mostly the same. However as I started thinking quite a bit has gone on. Most of my reader's (mom and sister) already now about everything that I am going to write about, so I will try to keep my descriptions and everything to a minimum.
Anyway, we got a new instructor that arrived. his name is Dave and he is from England. He dove worked for Croatia Divers last year so everyone was really excited that he was coming back. The night that he came in we decided to have a BBQ at Billy's flat. I wasn't to sure what to expect but it ended up being pretty fun. We had chili (quite different from American chili) and some weird hot dog like sausages. It was good and I wasn't complaining about free food. Billy kept asking me how I liked it and that I would have to help him improve it, since Americans are supposed to KNOW about chili and BBQ. I ended up just telling them that my parents were vegetarians (or practically) so I had no experience with fixing good BBQ and chili. I wasn't about to tell him that it was not chili, but just a bowl of beans with some chunks of meat in it. It was kinda funny, because they all said how spicy and hot it was, and even the Petra (Finnish girl) started sweating. Let me tell you, there was NO spice in there. I almost asked if where the pepper was to season it a bit more. Haha. I think I will have to fix my mom's version of chili to show them how it is really done. Though they probably couldn't handle the heat (and there isn't much).
Anyway after we had a ping pong tournament, much to my embarrassment, and then they broke out the guitars. It was a quite nice, but the singing wasn't the best, since the beers had taken effect. They then proceed to get out this alcohol that Marcus had brought from Germany. His parents make it on their farm from plums and the alcohol content is around 60%. Quite potent! They had everyone take shots and surprisingly it was pretty good. Strong but with a good flavor. We finally called it a night and luckily I was able to hold myself together as I walked home.
I also finally got a day off. I got really situated at the house, like used the washer and got totally unpacked. Then I decided to go on a hike into town and around the hills to see want was around. I first started walking behind the intern house and walked for about one and a half hours. There was really nothing in that direction so I decided to walk back into town and over in the hills on the other side. Petra had told me about a walking trail that went up to the highest vantage point that had an amazing view. I thought I found the right trail and started following it. After hiking for two hours I was only halfway up the hill but roughly halfway on the other side of the hill. I finally realized that I had not taken a turn when I should have and instead I was on a trail that went to the other side of the island. Luckily, there was a trail ahead that cut back towards Vela Luka, which I ended up taking. So instead of a hike that was to last and hour and a half, it ended up being five hours. it definitely made up for all the chocolate and pastries I was eating. I made it to the top of the hill, which was really fantastic. You could see all the surrounding islands and even the mainland. Plus there was an old military fort on top which was rather neat to explore. I had to search for the hiking trail that led straight to town, and when I did I just thought it was a goat trail. There were some portions of it that looked like it dead ended. I seriously thought I was never going to end my hike. Finally I made it back and that night I rested quite easily.
After one particularly long day, I was craving seafood and asked if anyone knew of a good place to eat at. Everyone suggested this one place but said it was rather expensive. I managed to talk Petra into going with me and we ended up having a great time. We ended up ordering the seafood platter for two, a salad, french fries, and wine. Everything was so amazing. It was one of these places where they told you that their salad had been picked fresh from their garden that morning. We were going to try this traditional dish of Croatia, but they were out so they ended up bringing us a starter on the house. It was this dish made up of 8 fish fillets covered with a few vegetables, olive oil and balsamic vinegar. The fish fillets were raw, still with scales and bones. I was not to keen to try it, but when in Rome....(or Croatia)! I ended up being pleasantly surprised, the first bite was awful but with each taste it got slightly better. When the main course came up, it was a giant platter filled with mussels baked with cheese and garlic, a mound of lightly fried shrimp, four fried fish fillets, two langostinos (small lobster like creatures),and bacon wrapped shrimp.It was quite impressive and both Petra and I thought we could never finish it all. However, it was so delicious that we had no trouble at all. Everything was so amazing, and I know that I will have to go back.
Yesterday I went on two more dives. I am getting more used to the water and getting geared up for it. I was actually not too cold and I enjoyed it. We saw an octopus, several amazing anemones, and a couple beautiful nudibranchs (they are my favorite). So far I have seen these neon blue ones, white ones with neon pink and yellow spots, and bright purple ones covered in gills so it looks like dreads. They are so neat, but hard to find since they are so tiny.
I am still getting used to they way they run the dive shop. I am constantly being told that the way I am doing things is not just right and that I need to remember this and that. The owners are perfectionists to the point that nothing is good enough or just right. It is a little frustrating, but I will get used to it hopefully. It will be good for my diving though, and I know I will learn alot. The reason they are like this is that back in 2002, they were leading a dive in Sri Lanka and the boat captain fell asleep while they were down under. It was a drift dive and when they surfaced the boat was far away. The boat left them and they had to swim for shore. They were in the sea over 24 hours and at one point they were going to give up with one of them telling the other to leave them. They were eventually found, but now they are super cautious and serious when it comes to diving. They still enjoy it and have fun, but I know they are just a little more careful.
Well, I am starting my IDC course today, which is the first step in getting my instructor certification. I am really excited, but know how much work it will be. I will be in the classroom for 10 days and once we are out, we are to study and practice lots. Once I finish the course I will let everyone know.
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