Family Vacation 2011
Jerry, Zuzanna, Gordon and Joy Low
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VACATION 2011 (May, June)
Left DFW Airport May 25th, around 3:35pm
We arrived in Amsterdam 9 hours later, around 7am Holland time. We had a 6.5 hour layover. Around 1:30pm we boarded and then flew to
Budapest. With only a 2 hour wait in Hungary, we then flew to Rome. By now we were so tired. For me it was hard to think, especially making
decisions. Finally we found our way to the tram/train station around 8:30pm. We were not sure how far it was to our stop but there was a lady on
the tram that helped us.
We got off at our stop alright but were having trouble finding the Bread & Breakfast hotel where we had reserved two rooms. Gordon and I decided
to go look for a phone. There was a taxi driver who stopped and asked if he could help. We thought he might be an angel because Susie had just
prayed for help. He spoke English and was actually from America. He helped us find the B&B. We rang the bell at the gate and the owner came to
meet us and took us to our rooms. The bed and breakfast situation was actually a couple that had an extra apartment that had two bedrooms
joined by a kitchen nook. It was really nice for the price. We hit our beds really quick.
Friday May 27th.
We woke up Friday morning and rushed around to get ready to go into Rome to tour all we could. We knew there were two major places we
wanted to see; the Coliseum and the Vatican. We decided to get tickets for one of the hop on-hop off buses and a tour of the Coliseum. So the tour
of the Coliseum was first to see because we had gotten off the metro at the Coliseum stop. (The B&B owner had given us good instructions on
how to use the train/tram system) We went on a guided tour of the Coliseum, the Cesar’s palace, the Forum and other ruins.
Being in the Coliseum where the early Christians had given their lives for Christ was special to me. I thought of how they were a witness by dying
for the truth. I envied them and thought of the day when I can thank them for what they did. The Forum was amazing also.
After the tour we went to catch the hop on-hop off bus. My head with its thin hair was starting to burn from the sun so we bought me a hat before
getting on the bus. The bus ride was great. These buses have the open upper layer where you sit up above the traffic and can see the sights. You
are given earphones where you can listen to information of what you are seeing. We saw many amazing sights and buildings, even passing the
Vatican. We saw a place that looked like a good pizza restaurant so we got off the hop on-hop off bus and went and ate some really good pizza and
calzone. Actually we passed the pizza place and had to get off at the next stop. As we were walking back we saw a place that was selling travel
bags so we bought me a nice one. We had to hurry to get to the metro so we could catch the last train out to the B&B where we were staying. We
had a hard time finding the place to buy tickets, but we made it in time. At one point we were not sure of which way to go because there were no
train route signs in the metro station we were in, so we had a plan to jump onto a tram and quickly look at its map. Well we jumped on when the
tram came, Gordon determined the tram was going the wrong direction so everyone got off but me. The doors closed and I waved bye-bye to the
family as the tram left. I got off at the next stop and went to the other side and caught the tram going the other way. Now this was a time when we
really appreciated the advice we got from Mimi Ribble to take walkie-talkies with us. Although we were apart we were still in contact. We got off at
our stop and walked to the B&B and went to bed.
Saturday May 28th.
We got up this morning and it took us forever to get ready and leave. We went to a nearby store and bought stuff to make sandwiches. We went
and caught the train, ate along the way, connected with the metro and made it to the Vatican about 1pm. Wow, the Vatican is amazing. You really
see how rich the Catholics are. We went through St. Peters Basilica. It is a huge church house; Amazing statues and paintings. We decided not to
tour the Vatican Museum.
We then got on the hop on-hop off bus and got off at the Trevi Fountain. It is an amazing fountain.
After the Trevi Fountain we jumped back on the hop on-hop off bus and went on around the city. Rome is not only full of historical sites but well laid
out also. We got off at the Coliseum, caught the metro back to the B&B and went to sleep after a tiring day.
Sunday May 29th – Catch the boat.
Woke up and our breakfast was waiting for us. The owner came down about 8am with information of when our train leaves. There was a train at 9:
20am and one about 10am. So we went into fast motion trying to make the 9:20am. Shortly realized we would have to take the 10 o’clock train. I
moved everything from my old carry-on bag to the new one. Since the old one was tore I took it out to the dumpster that was nearby.
We made it to the train carrying two pieces of luggage each. We had to struggle up and down stairs with that heavy luggage. My arm was about to
break. Switched trains somewhere in Rome. Bought tickets for this train but had to wait a long time before it came. As we waited we noticed more
and more people kept showing up. Many of them were headed for the cruise having also many bags like us. Then there were also many native
Romans. The train came and it was a mess getting on the train, everyone and their bags. The train was over full. Both Joy and I tripped over bags
and fell on people. It was a miserable, long ride. Before we left Rome even more people got on at every stop. As we started nearing the port we
realized why the train was so full. The native Romans that had gotten on the train earlier, all got off at a stop with a beach. So on Sunday mornings
many Romans go to the beach.
We got to our stop and got off the train. Dragged our bags down to the place where we caught the busses to the cruise ship. Went through the
check-in and made it to our cabin by about 2pm. We were so hungry so we went to the 11th floor to the buffet. We were amazed at the buffet, so
many varieties of food to choose from. Came back to our room and our luggage had made it up so we started packing things away. At some point
we went and made reservations for our evening meal. When we went to eat we were blown away by the elegance of the restaurant, the attention
we received from the waiter and assistant waiter, and the food was great.
After the evening meal I think we mainly walked around locating things and looking at all the amenities the ship offered. We spent a lot of time on
our balcony looking at the sea. None of us had been out on the sea before. I have been out on lakes in small boats, but not on an ocean.
Monday May 30th
The ship docked at Messina, Sicily. We got off the ship and went walking around. Gordon and Joy stayed on the ship. One of the staff on board had
told us that at 12noon there was a church in the town that had a special bell and moving statue presentation. So we made our way to this church
for the noon presentation. We were not disappointed; It was amazing, especially the Lion that would roar.
After that we did some shopping. We bought some souvenirs. I found a place where there was WiFi so Susie went back to the ship and I stayed to
use the WiFi. After getting back on the ship we had another fantastic diner. There is a theater on board with a show scheduled for the evening, so
we attended; a band, juggler, etc.
Tuesday May 31st
The ship did not dock today. We did different things on board but mainly laid in the sun on the top decks. I got a semi-burn on my chest. Thank the
Lord for Aloe Vera. I think I went to see a movie in the movie theater in the afternoon. We had another amazing diner with the same waiters. The
waiters are starting to know what we like and what we don’t.
Wed. June 1st
We are now in Greece, docked at the port outside Athens (Piraeus). We booked an excursion for Athens. It was a 7 hour excursion with a bus ride
through the suburbs of Athens to the Acropolis. We pasted the Temple of Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch. We passed the National Library and the
Parliament. While passing the Parliament, we actually saw the changing of the guard, (They wear weird boots and have a unique way of
marching). Then the tour bus stopped at the Pantheon Stadium, the site of the first modern Olympics in 1895. They were working on the stadium
so we could not go inside and could not really get good pictures. Then we went on to the Acropolis where we had to climb up to where the ruins
are. There we saw the Porpylea Entrance, the Erectheum, the Temple of Wingless Victory and the crowning glory of Athens, the Parthenon. The
Acropolis is really amazing, I wish we could have stayed longer. From the Acropolis you could see how vast Athens really is. I believe it has a
population of around 4 million.
After coming down from the Acropolis the excursion included 3 hours in the Plaka shopping area. The shops were unique and we were able to buy
many gifts. Gordon and I found a spot on a sidewalk where we read email and checked Facebook while Susie and Joy shopped.
After awhile we found each other, thanks to the walkie-talkies. One thing I noticed in the markets and stores was vile sexual pictures and figurines
being sold openly and at the level where children could see them. In my spirit I kept hearing the word “vulgar”. I felt the Lord was telling me that
Athens was a vulgar city.
We met up with our tour bus and headed back to the ship.
Now a lot of what we did on the ship was eat, sleep, look out from our balcony at the sea and passing land, lay in the sun on the upper decks, and
read.
Thursday June 2st.
We arrived in Turkey. We had docked at Kusadasi, near the ancient city of Ephesus. This is the first time I had been to Asia; also the first time for
Joy. Now Gordon didn’t get off the ship so it doesn’t count for him. This was the first time for Susie to be in Western part of Asia, about eight years
ago she went on a mission trip to East Asia.
We did not have a plan for Turkey. We thought the ship’s excursion to Ephesus was too expensive. From the ship we could see the ship we could
see a sign of a tour agency so we thought that when we went ashore we would talk to them. First we went to the shopping bazaar (it was set up as
a sure trap for tourist. The sales people (only men) were aggressive, even in the street or walking area engaging everyone. They were skilled at
drawing you into their stores. I bought a belt by bartering the salesman down from $20 to $12. Susie and Joy bought some things. One thing about
this bazaar, they prey on the naive. I guess they are sort of honest, there is a sing at the entrance that says “Genuine Fake Merchandise”. I guess
that is to reassure you that you need not worry about buying fake fakes.
We came out of the bazaar headed in the direction of where we had seen the tour agency. We found it and ask them about a tour to Ephesus. They
wanted $45 each for the tour that would last about 4four hours. While we were thinking about it a couple came in that also wanted a tour to
Ephesus. We all agreed on the tour and they dropped the price to $40 per person. This was not much less than the ship’s tour but it was just 5 of
us tourist on this one.
Within minutes the van and the tour guide arrived and we were off to Ephesus. Now Ephesus is all ruins now but it once was the second largest
city in the Roman Empire. We toured the ruins and were told that actually a small percentage of the ruins have been excavated. It was an amazing
place to see and you could tell it was a big city at one time. There was marble walk-ways and to could see where ancient stalls in the market
places. In Ephesus they made drainage pipes out of clay which was exposed in many places. The tour guide said that because of a series of
earthquakes, the city was destroyed.
After seeing Ephesus, the guide took us to a family rug factory. The owner gave us some history of their rug business and how the patterns in the
rugs have special family traits. He showed us how the rugs are made by hand and explained how long it actually takes to make each size. A 7x10
rug can take up to a year to make. The fact is there are many hours of labor that goes into making a Turkish rug. Now I know why they cost so
much.
We were back at the ship by 3:00pm because the ship was to set sail by 4.30pm.
Friday June 3nd.
We woke up in Chania, Crete. Crete is the largest Greek island. We signed up for a trip to the beach. We had lots of fun at the beach. Like many of
the Greek beaches, it was a protected beach; more of an inlet or cove. So we enjoyed the sand, waves and climbing on the rocks. We saw some
small sea creatures.
No shopping in Chania, just to the beach and back to the ship where we rested for the evening.
Saturday June 4th.
This day we sailed all day. We mainly laid around in our room and went to eat. We were feeling sad at times because the cruise was ending
tomorrow. Also we were ready for a change and looking forward to the week we would spend in Serbia.
Sunday June 5th.
Up early and went to eat our last time on the ship. At 8:45 we exited the ship and a bus took us to the train station. The cruise line was eager to
bring us from the train station to the ship free but we had to pay for them to take us back. So we caught the train there at the port of Civitavecchia to
the main train station in Rome. Now we needed to take a train to the airport. We bought the tickets and found out which train. Got to the air port,
found the correct reservations desk and there was a really long line. The amazing thing was that the line was actually about three lines all merging
together. People were not sure which line was which and feelings were getting edgy as basically we had to push and wiggle up to the gate there
were people that come long after us but were able to press themselves ahead. I really do blame the Alitalia airline for not organizing the line. We
were in line for an hour and a half. By time we got to the gate the plane was already half way loaded. If we had been a half hour later we would not
have got on board. After we got to Serbia we talked with a friend that said they had recently missed a flight on Alitalia because the line was so slow.
The big thing was that while standing in line I noticed my billfold was not in my back pocket. It was not in any of my pockets. I had been pick-
pocketed. I think it had actually happened at the train station where I had taken out my billfold to pay for the train ticket and I automatically put it into
my back pocket like usual. I had been putting it in my front pocket to avoid the temptation to thieves. First I had that sinking feeling and then I was
just mad. I just did not have the victory at all.
We made it to Budapest, Hungary by 6 or 7pm, rented a car (Fiat van) and drove to our hotel. The hotel/apartment was really nice; two bedrooms,
sitting room, kitchenette, and best of all a protected garage to park the car. We were hungry so we decided to go eat. Joy was sick so she stayed in
the apartment while Susie, Gordon and I went to eat. We found a Hookah bar that served food; we ate and took carry out for Joy.
Monday June 6th.
We got up and I went to get some pastries and milk. Then we left to see the city. Now Susie and I have toured Budapest many times but Joy and
Gordon hasn’t. I have always just did the walking tour and never taken a car. It was nice having the car because we were able to go to all the
places we had time to visit. It was raining off and on so that was troublesome at times. Finally about 5pm we decided it was time to head to Serbia.
It took us an hour and a half to get out of the city. We only had a map of just the downtown area so we spent most of that time going around in
circles in the center of Budapest. It was crazy, it was rush hour traffic and the street names were hard to find. We finally found a freeway headed out
of town but we knew it was not the one to Serbia. We pulled off at an exit and found a taxi driver. We ask him how to get to the road to Serbia and he
told us we were a way off. We were headed to Russia. We followed his directions and found the road we needed.
On the way to Serbia we found a Super Center and bought food to take to Susie’s mother’s where we were staying. We got to Susie’s mothers
around 9pm. Susie and I were staying at Susie’s mothers but Gordon and Joy were staying at Viktor and Ksenija Sabo’s. So we took them to the
Sabo’s around 10:30pm.
Tuesday June 7th.
Got up went and picked up the kids, stopped for Burek and back to Susie’s mothers for breakfast. Busy day; Gordon, Joy and I went to the Sabo’s
to use their Internet and Susie and her sister went to register us with the police (all foreigners have to register where they are staying) and then
they went to order Internet for Susie’s mother’s house. We wanted Internet installed so for the future we could Skype (camera phone) with the
family. In the evening we went to see Susie’s oldest sister, Esti, her daughter, Babuci and her husband, plus their son, Norbi. Gordon, Joy and
Norbi picked cherries and we ate a lot of them.
Wed. June 8th.
We got up and left for Belgrade, the capital city, around 9:30am. Susie’s nephew, Edward met us just inside the city and took us to Susie’s sister’s
townhouse. This is Susie’s second sister, Judit. She had an amazing lunch for us. Her son, Vlado and his girlfriend came by and we talked for
many hours. Vlado’s girlfriend, Mariana told us about the online business she started to help students find tutors. She has the only business like
hers in Serbia and is expecting to go worldwide. Then Judit’s daughter, Ana, came and we ate some more. We decided to spend the night in
Belgrade. Actually we had decided that before we got there so we took the car to a guarded parking garage to stay for the night because someone
may break into it if it is left in the townhouse parking lot.
Thursday June 9th.
We got up and Judit, Susie and I took the bus to a shopping area where they have good burek at a cheaper price. We got some burek, other
pastries, bread and milk and caught a bus back to the townhouse. After eating we said our goodbyes, went and got the car from the parking
garage and headed back to Subotica. Now Edward was riding back to Subotica with us. We were traveling along, talking and just having a good
time in the car. Forty-five minutes down the freeway we notice ahead of us the traffic slowing down. We seen what we thought at first was toll
booths but as we got closer we notice it was a control station. Then we realized we were at the Croatian border. We realized we took the wrong
freeway out of Belgrade. We had went west rather than north. We drove up to the border control station and tried to explain to the lady in the booth
our situation. She started laughing with us and showed us where to turn around. We then stopped at the first gas station and got a map. We saw
that we could cut across some mountains and not have to go all the way back to Belgrade.
So we crossed the Fruiska Gora mountains and caught the correct freeway just above Novi Sad. Fruiska Gora is the only mountains in Northern
Serbia. There was many villages and hillside farms with striking views. We made it to Subotica in the afternoon.
We called the Sabos about 4:30 and found out they were waiting for us because the dinner was ready. They had a special meal of meat and
cabbage that they cooked in a pot over an open fire outside. It was really good.
Friday June 10th.
Today we went to Pacir. Pacir is about 30 miles to the west of Subotica and is the original home town of my mother and father-in-law. My mother-in-
law’s sister still lives there. Her house is like a farm house but near the center of town, sort of on a hill. It is just a special place. She has a blind
dog that barks a lot, chickens, a deep well, an old corn bin and a big raspberry bush out back.
Everyone was talking Hungarian so Joy and I decided to go walking around town. It was about 4pm and there was almost no one around. The post
office was even closed at 4:00. It was real peaceful. At first we thought there was only one store open but we found a coffee shop later that was
open. A bus came through and some people got off but otherwise there was no one out and about. In the center of town there is a fountain, it is the
ugliest fountain I think I have ever seen.
Back at my mother-in-laws sister’s house there was these four elderly women that dropped by. It was fun just watch them all talking and joking
with one another in Hungarian. Then we went back to Subotica.
Saturday June11th.
This was a big day. We went to a reunion mainly of people that had been church workers in the Pentecostal churches in Subotica over the years.
This was really remarkable that we could be here at this time and be able to attend this reunion. We seen many people we had worked with when
Susie and I were missionaries here in the 80s. It was great remembering old times and encouraging one another.
Sunday June 12th.
About 5am, Susie’s oldest brother and his wife arrived. Susie hadn’t seen him in ten years. I think I laid in the bed another hour or so before I got
up and greeted them. I went to church around 9am but Susie and the kids stayed home. Actually I got there late after the worship time and the
pastor, Viktor Sabo was about to preach. There was a bright young man, Robert, that translated for me. I talked with him after the service and heard
about what God is doing in his life.
Back at my mother-in-laws for lunch and visiting with my brother-in-law and his wife. It is so sad when you both can’t speak the same language.
Later Susie’s niece who is actually a little older than Susie came over with her husband. We had planned to go walking in the city so we went to
the center on Subotica and walked around. Then we went out to the lake in Palac, near Subotica, and walked around some more. There is a
special place where we got some ice cream.
In the evening I went to church again. Susie and the kids didn’t go because they were packing. I got up and greeted the people and gave a
testimony.
Monday June 13th.
We slept about two hours. Got up at 12 midnight and left for Hungary to drop off the car and catch our flight back home. We could have left earlier if
we had known the border crossing was going to be so easy. Everyone was telling us it would be backed up at the border. So we got to Budapest
with time to spare. Before turning in the rent a car, we grabbed something to eat at McDonalds. The car rental place was closed but there was a
man who was there to meet us. He drove us to the airport, but it was the wrong terminal. We had to take a taxi over to the right terminal.
Returning we flew to Amsterdam, changed planes and then to Dallas. Arrived on schedule, about 2pm. Jozef, Susie’s brother that lives here,
picked us up and we were glad to get home.
Summary
Over all it was a good vacation. It was a well deserved vacation because we haven’t been on a family vacation in about seven years. It was just sad
that Asa wasn’t with us. With the cruise, all the remarkable places we seen, visiting Susie’s family and the reunion in Subotica, it was a once in a
lifetime dream vacation. Actually I think of it as a gift from God. We have been working hard and being faithful to the things God has put before us
and He just decided to bless us big-time.
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