the finale

For every beginning there comes an end.

The hardest thing I did: Climbed a mountain at dawn -Mt. Hymettos, the top of our neighborhood. It was the most strenuous and yet rewarding thing that I have ever accomplished.  I forgot to mention when we got to the top I found a bracelet (in perfect condition). It was laying in plain view on one of the bouldering rocks we were gripping onto for dear life. I don't know if someone left it on purpose but I'll take it as good luck and I haven't taken it off since.  Then throughout my travels I saw ladies on the metro with the same type of bracelet with charm on it.

Favorite place: Hard to say, everywhere was my favorite! Delphi, Mycenae, and Hydra are up there.

Felt at home when: I ran the streets of Agia  Paraskevi. Practiced yoga in Greek . Traveled on the metro without looking at the map. Drank a frappe or cappuccino freddo everyday.

Favorite meal:  I never got sick of a fresh Greek salad, tzaziki or moussaka.

Most precious moment:  At the monastery near Delphi-  Osios Loukas.  

"Don't ask to understand the secrets of the universe, but simply to know what this moment means." 

I will take with me the memories, sights, smells and the victorious feeling of living somewhere else. My ability to adapt to the inconveniences and even becoming comfortable in a new culture is something I will never forget and the feeling can never be taken from me.

Greece is unpredictable. Which turns out to be refreshing. I am the type of person who plans, plans out my day, and when you never know when the market will open or if the bus will be on time ( we waited for an hour one day) or how long the line will be for stamps, or if they will even have enough stamps. Surprisingly all these set backs have actually taught me to go with the flow in life. 

Along with this- I'm also the type of person that when I give someone my word I try my hardest not to let them down - those hours listed on shop windows might let you down.  But it's not like that once you get used to it, the Greeks are just more relaxed and people just understand. They understand about being late from doctor appointments, flat tires and even just not feeling up to it kind of days. 

I don't think I ever felt the culture shock, maybe that will occur when I go back home...when I won't be able to walk down the street for a frappe.

 This has been such an eye opening experience and I'm so glad I got the opportunity. But it is always nice to return home, to the familiar.

 Thank you Greece and to my professors for leading me throughout.  Transitioning back into reality will be a task but with new experiences behind me I feel I am more prepared for the roads ahead.

SUNRISE

We saw the sunrise in Athens, I couldn't ask for a better ending to an amazing adventure.

Last night I truly got to experience the Greek night life. 

Dream City, a VIP club was kind of hard to find in downtown Athens but when we made it our new greek friends showed us a great time. They spoke perfect English as they are classmates of my friend at DEREE.

In the states I'm so used to hearing the last song around 1:45am to have the place close at 2.  Here the tables didn't shuffle till around 5.  It was interesting to see their music taste= mostly American artists.  The girls definitely  wore "club" attire but I'd say they were more classy than the way girls dress to go out in the U.S.  (Granted I have been to only one club).

Back to the music - The usual club remixes were surprisingly fun to dance to - but our twin Greek friends Jenna and Kayla ( their names in english version) informed us that Greeks don't really dance full on at the dance floor,  just by their seats.

They seemed to be disappointed but this seemed perfectly fine with me!  I liked it better that way it was more personalized and we could just dance with each other. This connects with Greeks and their "in crowds" and only wanting to hang out with their friends and not branching out.  We won't talk about their drinking intake- a bottle of Russian vodka was shared among the table.

Us Americans attempted to dance the night away with our new friends...

When they started to play Greek music towards the end of the night, Jenna looks over and says "Honestly this is horrible for clubbing , they start to play bad songs at the end of the night to push you to leave!" 

What an an interesting tactic to shut things down! But this was one opinion of course.

Sure enough people started to scatter but not too many.

Our next stop : two words: GREEK MAC. 

Yep a Mac in a pita, Greek style.

I'd say my life as a local in Greece is pretty much complete now.

Time to pack!

Wrapping it up...

update: our days are numbered in Agia Paraskevi!   good news and bad news.

This is greeeat because this art history class at DEREE was my last credit to graduate! That being said it may have been the most difficult--- I'm not used to all this analyzing sculpture and pottery in the centuries that go backwards!! 5th to 4th... I'm getting it.  But seriously when there was no guidelines as to what to study... it was basically everything we ever saw in Athens and everything ever pictured in the book I was feeling defeated last night when everyone was attempting with note cards.

When all I studied was the pottery periods and a few sculptures and then barely any of that material was an essay choice... let's just say I was more charming than factual in my writing.

I think my British professor will appreciate this though.  I think I know he just wants to know if all the sculpture and art we have seen gave us a "warm feeling," in a sense.  This man lives, eats, breathes archeology. The way he has passionately preached to us for these last four weeks I'm sure he will be satisfied with our answers---  As long as the knowledge of being here and witnessing all the amazing history has made some sort of an impression on us American students.

SO I wrote all that knew even if it didn't apply to the picture in question.

We took a picture with him after our horrid exam today-  He said with a smile, "You were a pleasant lot to teach."  He's was a good professor.

Sadly, we are starting to have our lasts in our little neighborhood and on campus where we have called home for these last 5 weeks.

 Today after our last exam, me and my roommate had our last swim in the awesome olympic sized pool.  It makes me feel good that I have tried to take advantage of the facilities on campus. Also it is like the campus experience I never had, except I have had one but this has been more rememberable.

Tonight may be our last yoga session on our lawn. Tomorrow morning will probably be our last run through our little neighborhood, our last time we will get weird looks from the locals- "why are they working out?"

We are free to celebrate our time here and our last hoorah dinner Monday night will be in Kolonaki.  Where we will climb Lykavitos, the highest point in Athens!

Don't worry my last frappe or my new favorite cappuccino freddo won't be till minutes before we depart!


it's not over YET!

Check!

This morning I checked the one thing I wanted to do off the list! I went to a yoga studio, -well in a gym membership kind of place a yoga class all the same- in Greece!  We got  there 25 minutes early, just to make sure, that's on time, American time. The teacher was awesome and spoke a little english- "You do realize I'll do the class only in Greek," and I replied, "Yes, it's what we've been waiting for! We will catch on!" She looked as us like we were crazy- but looked happy we were interested in her power yoga class.


Yoga could be universal like laughing is in any language. Yoga derives from sanskrit so familiar words came about during class; when she said "savasana" boy was I happy it was time for "resting, dead man pose."  Also the art of watching someone else, observational learning helps in any situation really.  Now I feel like I could do yoga in any country.  Even though I haven't seen any Greeks running in their neighborhoods or riding bikes- walking to the bus/metro is good enough, it's nice to know some people use their free time to work out in the alternative ways.  More Greeks should do yoga esspecially in this economic crisis- there would be less stress! Then have a frappe!


The class was actually hard=felt great.  During class I realized it would have been useful to have looked up words like- "jump forward", "right leg" , "left leg" and so on... to know a little of what to listen for! But as things were getting repeated I started to recognize sentences- ohh thats what that means... it was really neat.  

Trip complete.  


Just kidding but close.


I forgot to tell you our last site visit was to the island of Hydra.  It was beautiful, as every place we've seen here.  But it was quaint, with no cars except for garage and water trucks.  The sea taxis are everywhere to take you around the island's coast for different beach spots, but walking was better to take in the scenery.  I also learned that it would take 6 hours to hike to the highest point.

Looking for the perfect rock.

My favorite part was the beach of course.  There's nothing better than a round smooth rock! I collected more than a few- hey they aren't ancient ruin rocks so it's okay.  But the Aegean sea is every shade of blue and clearer than clear and that says a lot since I'm from "Clearwater."  It was a fun relaxing day and I could have rode a donkey again-but decided to pass on the opportunity again. 

"The Clouds"

Last night we set out on a two hour journey to Epidaurus to see an ancient Greek play. Yes, all in Greek! 

It was an experience.  So aside from it being 98 degrees outside even after the sun went down we sat in the ancient theatre where performances were performed who knows how long ago! The stadium was built in the 4th century. B.C.  Crazy.

The whole time I paid close attention- (trying to understand of course) and I'd say I understood about every 45th word...that's better than nothing though! ha.

It was a comedy. You'd be surprise how funny it was even though I didn't know what was going on. Watching the other people's reactions in the crowd was interesting and enduring to see them enjoying themselves, appreciating their history's form of entertainment. 

I should go back and read the play... but there were moments where I was sure I knew what was going on.  It is all about the body language of a person, I live for observing a situation on how someone presents themselves.  No matter what language is being spoken, laughter is understood by all.  And most other forms of emotion.  

It was worth the two hour drive on the winding roads through the mountains.  It was beautiful!

Conquering Athens

I know I keep saying this, but today I really felt like a local.

 Okay more than the last time I said it.


 This morning we had another semi-unbearable, heat of the sun site visit, to the Agora.  When our class/ field trip came to an end- the streets of Athens were our playground.  Shopping anywhere gives you crazy adrenaline to keep on going when your feet thought you couldn't go another step.

We roamed the streets, shopped and made friends with the shop keepers.  After snagging a quick frappe and hopping onto the metro for home, I realized how comfortable the day had been. Looking back I felt as if I was shopping in Jacksonville.  Localized.  It is the coolest feeling ever, the feeling of conquering the city. Everything is at your fingertips. Just a metro stop away.

My Greek is getting better and the people are actually starting to recognize my desire to learn.  The old man we made friends with in the leather shop taught me some new phrases today.  He also helped me "connect the dots" on how most of our language is from Greek. "80 percent of your language comes from Greek," he says.  Of course it does.  Reminds me of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding." Hilarious. By   the way we have watched  that movie on the internet here and our experience here  puts it into a totally different light.


But this goes to show that old Greek men do have a soft spot. Again it depends on who you meet but from discussion and some observation, most of the elderly keep to themselves in their all men cafes with their worry beads in hand.  But the deeper you dig; I have witnessed a smile or two and friendly replies after my attempt to greet them.

I've been told the Greeks live a hard, stressful life. On the surface you would never expect it- with the afternoon naps and frappes every hour, (pretty much)  it all seems anything but stressful.  But from the years of the suffering Greek economy it has taken a toll on the people as well.  So all their time and energy is put in to make a living for their family and all their free time is put into their family time.  So learning one thing from our one greek friend "Greeks are boring they only hang out with each other, they don't step out and meet people!"  Because they spend all their time embracing their family, loved ones and the people they have already put their time into.  Seems selfish but it's easy.

"Never enough thyme."

Basically time and family is precious to the Greek's so when there is time to relax, it's with the people they love.  The thought of introductions to new people can add stress that isn't needed for the Greeks. More time for building trust that is already embedded in their communities.  So they stick together.

Baklava

OKay so when you look up Baklava in the dictionary it will most likely say: heaven on earth, the art of swimming in honey or floating on top of flaky phyllo dough... okay maybe not but pretty close.

It is probably my all time favorite sweet here.  But I'm not gonna lie I still haven't found anything close to how my Aunt Rosanna makes it.  True statement.  Maybe it is just the goodness of having it homemade with love.  But it is all tasty; the nuts are finely chopped while swimming in honey between many layers of buttery, flaky phyllo dough.  I should learn how to make it here, so then I won't have to beg my aunt to make it for me every time I see her.  I know she loves it though.






Something that is also good that I have tried here is Halva.  Made of grits with fruits, nuts and probably some more honey in there, it is a weird texture at first but it's delicious too.

Speaking of desserts and such the Greeks tend to eat family style most of the time.  We were talking about the pros and cons as a group and they only thing is -if something is really popular at the table like fried zucchini flowers (haven't tried yet) and only three comes on a plate, it is unfortunate for the rest of the table! So ordering three of the same dish is the solution.  Also eating family style is probably healthier, I've noticed that by getting a little of everything you get to just the right fullness compared to eating an entire bowl of pasta myself=over stuffed and regretting it.

There should be more family style eating in America, I know there are select places and families do when making dinner at home, but the oversized portions at restaurants maybe contribute to the obesity crisis in some states.

One thing annoying about the sharing is sharing the bill as well - there are little to zero places that will do separate checks for a meal.  Talk about complicated for 8 people a table. But that's part of it all.

There's my food update for now.

 On to... art history site trips, checking out the Greek yoga life, and eating more baklava.

The Greeks and family time the other day

To recap from a previous post of the Greeks being "unpleasant" not my words by the way.  We passed by a man in a shop in the plaka the other day and he welcomed us in.  Usually we would keep walking but we entered.  He asked us where we were from and when the answer was obvious, his reply had been what I was looking for.


"The Greeks mix politics with the people of America. But then they wear American clothes, listen to American music, watch American movies but don't like Americans, it is all a misunderstanding!"  



Well that's just one opinion but still.


I still don't know what it is but maybe it's a stereotype of Americans.

"Greek affection is possessive."

Even though we are distant cousins through my aunt's husband's family, being related in anyway makes you family. Because of this the smiles grow brighter and you are treated as one of their own.   

After playing phone tag and facebook tag I finally got a time and place to meet my Greek cousin Katerina and her family.

 

It's a pretty cool feeling to meet up with family you haven't met before and who live is such a different place.  My roommate and I put our brave faces on and set on nearly an hour trek by metro for a frappe in her neighborhood plateia; the main square of the neighborhood, where the children play and the adults socialize about their day.  When we spotted her and her mother with her two boys, I knew.  At first glance the started out saying "You look most like..." and I finished for them, "Pia! We look the same!" "Ahh...yes !"  Pia is my cousin and their cousin all the same but I see her more often back at home.  This was the first moment of familiarity.

After taking 15 minutes to figure out the family tree we conversed about the connections of our lives. 

I hope we can meet up again in this fast pace time we have left here.  

Didn't see that coming

When I ventured to Omonia a while back (well it feels like it now) I didn't mention when we saw illegal immigrants lined against the wall surrounded by police men.  Arabs, Africans, Indians and other I didn't notice, but my professor said they were being deported. "Almost for their own good," then she explained the violence of the Greeks beating the immigrants to literally get out of their country.  "So they either stay here in a horrible life or they go back to their horrible life." This has been a problem in European countries for a while now, I came here expecting to see as many "gypsies" as in I did in Italy.  But it doesn't seem as bad here.

The scenario I really didn't see coming:

So apparently cute Greek cop=bad cop.

I was waiting at the bus station and so were these two Indian guys.  My friend noticed a cop car circle around twice and then they pulled over.  The cute cop, sorry he was, asked the two men for their passports and when the one friend or brother didn't have one, he took him by the arm into the cop car.

These were fairly well dressed men by the way.

The older brother (I'm assuming) has a look of sadness and concern as he asked the cop if he could come with them.  Of course not.  The man in the car- also looking of despair and longing, listened through the glass as the brother (I assume) said something along the lines of "I'll come meet you," or "I'll see you soon."

It was crazy to see all that happen in front of us.  Real life.

I knew I wasn't home sweet home when...

Happy 4th of July- today we  celebrated it right, a trip to Sounion to see the Temple of Poseidon. Then hit the beach! Where the water was cold and refreshing and the people were entertaining in their bathsuit(s) of choice.  I'll let you fill in the blanks.

I've recently had experiences and frustrations  annoyances that won't last...but happen on these kind of life changing experiences. After all its been said that life begins at the end of your comfort zone?

Greek post office experience:

So all we wanted was some stamps and in the end we were still stampless.

We are talking a 45 minute wait for people sending packages- I just wanted some stamps though, where’s the second check out? There isn’t one. 

So coincidently the kiosk outside this Hellenic Post office sells stamps too along with newspapers, snacks and all that stuff.  But guess what--- it wasn’t open yet at 9:50 in the morning. So we asked someone when they thought it would open- “10 am, I think” think being the main word, a nice guy said. Okay, it was 10 till we decided to wait it out. We are some patient Americans I’d say.

 Then it never opened so we asked a shop lady if she knew and she said, “Well it was closed yesterday…so maybe they are on holiday?”  TYPICAL.

So that is one thing about the Greek culture- they open shop when they want and close shop whenever they want for siesta time everyday or for random “holidays”.

Sorry everyone you might not get your postcards in this lifetime. I’ll try again.

Anyway the days are running together even more now but we are definitely in a routine. And that routine is non-stop movement and also movement swaying away from sitting down and studying! 

But things are also starting to come up that I’m missing from home:

 More than a few friendly faces when walking down the street.  People did say the Greeks were unpleasant people (hey it says "mean" in my travels in Greece memoir) and I didn’t believe her (the narrator) at first but now my opinion is it depends on the Greek. An example is the little things- my professor said when she used to live here in Greece and she hurt her leg, so she was on crutches – taxi drivers wouldn’t pick her up because they knew they would have to help her and put the crutches in the back and so on.   Can you believe that? A cab would sacrifice his meter pay to avoid the extra effort in helping someone.  Note: This isn’t generalizing the whole population of Greeks.  Not to mention the only Greek friend we have made so far happens to have the most negative outlook in general and on America, too.  Been one of those days.

But back to that extra effort, it is totally put forth in the U S of A. 

Free water.  I’m really thirsty these days and slim to no restaurants serve tap water. Alternative is buying the big bottles for the table.  I know it is like this in other countries I’ve been to but, being here with all these other thirsty people makes for spending more money or just being thirsty.  And drinks are just really expensive. Crazy. 

24 hour stores. Having regular store hours and no naptimes even though the quiet time is a good idea. But it stinks on the days where the near by grocery doesn’t re –open after quiet hours. No making dinner for you. 

These are just minimal frustrations  annoyances that occur whenever you are somewhere that isn’t home.

My friend had shared a quote that stated "Wherever it is that you may be, be there." Somewhere along those lines.

So here I am,  I'm here.

Corinth, Mycenae, Nafplion...checking it off the list

Yesterday was an early morning start to our busy/jam packed day excursion...of taking it all in!

First stop Corinth! Our professors have a friend who digs on the archaeology site and has married a Greek man and lived here for 25 years!  She showed us around like she lives there and she does.

After we walked up the hill and around the corner for tea and cake at her lovely home in the village!  Her three little Greek children were so adorable and they live in paradise.

Then on to Mycenae- may be on my list of favorites.

 We are talking bronze age ruins of burial sites- grave circles A and B. This is all dated back to the 7th century! The massive stone blocked walls- they had to have had a pulley system, I'm convinced, or cycloptic men.

When you get to the top (which happens in most places around here) the scenery changes your mood to content and peaceful.  I have seen a lot of sceneries lately and maybe they are all starting to run together (never) but these mountainous countrysides have something about them.  Not to mention there are fig trees everywhere but they are never ripe...

Then we ventured to Nafplion. A little beach town on the coast.  After a long lunch and an even longer walk through the shops we were about ready to hit the road again.

One of our assignments is to pick a cafe and spend 30 minutes observing our surroundings of the Greek culture.  My group picked a middle aged cafe where the more sophisticated but not old people hung out.  It was interesting to sit back and really see what goes on in a different culture.  While enjoying a frappe (of course) we noticed the Greeks' body language and how they spend their time socializing.

Tonight is Italy vs. Spain futbol.

Forza Italia!

The heart of it all

Today one of my roommates and my professor and I went on an adventure- we explored Omonia.  For her class each of us has a site in Athens that we have to research and visit to make a pamphlet to persuade our fellow students on why they should go there.  My site is the Bazaar Meat Market in Omonia.


It is all about the experience so this should be easy.  Talk about the heart of Greek culture! It was an intense experience. Granted I have seen meat markets in Italy but this was a step above.


So we started out "tame" through the vegetable and fruit market which led to streets full of spices in huge barrels- then we got to the "gruesome" part:

Imagine two dark street alleyways with all of the butchers at their meat stands in their white coats stained in blood.  The men were yelling at the top of their lungs- this may seem intimidating, and it is for an average culture-shocked American, but even though the men seem super aggressive really they wouldn't hurt a fly, they are just so passionate about their meat being the freshest and best quality that they have to yell at you to buy it.  The men, old and young,  yelled  "Έλα!"- "Come on!" That's all I really understood- that and "Come beautiful girl..." Yeah right.


 The smells and sounds of the market place were exhilarating to the senses or maybe that's not the right word- stimulating! Yes definitely woke up the senses. Not to mention the visuals! -Of the lambs heads with the eyeballs still looking at you and pigs feet more repulsive than displayed in American grocery stores and livers of every kind of animal just hanging out about to be dripping blood on my feet at any second.

My site project happens to be in the heart of it all, of the Greek culture. 


There wasn't a tourist in sight and I loved it.


All of the commotion and hoopla was electrifying--- it made my heart pound, I don't know why maybe because there was so much to look at. 


It was exciting to be in the heart of it all. This is how the Greek communities live -  they survive on buying their meat here everyday. Then on to the fish part---talk about more stimulating of the senses and fish juice flying everywhere! I need to wash my chacos ASAP.  We're talking squid, octopus, every kind of fish which look like big sardines to me, crabs, shrimp, you want it you got it.  And FRESH.  




  It was totally awesome.


I pretty much wrote my site project just now but I guess I will add more informational facts.

After our 4 mile expedition through the districts of spices, fabrics and cooking supplies( which didn't feel like 4 miles since it was so fun taking it all in)---we had to make our way to boring class... I mean... great 2 hour long class...did I mention that we have it everyday?? Fourth day in and I'm not complaining at all!  It was an eventful day -favorite part so far.  

Living the dream

Today my roommate and I started the day off right.

After a 75 minute power yoga session at 8 am on the lawn we were ready to gO.  It was our first run through our little neighborhood up to the campus, and we were clearly running off adrenaline since I only got  four hours of sleep last night! When in Rome  Greece...But it feels good to do my daily routine in my new home for five weeks!

Home away from home.

I think all our walking we have done on our group trips (we are averaging 9 miles a day) has worked up my calves to run up hill! It's exhilarating making it to the top!

But it was funny- we ran by our greek friend twice on campus and he thought we were crazy- "you guys need to relax! Drink some coffee, have a cigarette! Live fast and die young!"  We laughed at him but this seems like a classic theory of living in the Greek culture.  Sitting back and relaxing is harder to do for some Americans (me) I feel like I always have something I should be doing. Where as here they make time to socialize and relax not to mention the 2-5pm siesta time.

But I can get used to taking the time to relax...drinking the coffee- can't get enough of the frappes already.


Tomorrow our power will go out in our neighborhood from 11:00-16:00 for "electrical testing"I've never heard of this happening in places before.  I guess I'll have to go eat everything out of our fridge now.  Kidding.


On to the start of homework/class/ more frappes @ our cafe.  Living the dream.

It's about to get rough folks

Kalispera!



Yesterday we went into central Athens and it was another hot, fun filled day, I enjoyed walking around the Plaka and of course seeing the Acropolis.  We rode the bus to the metro station from our little neighborhood into the city.   It was fast and easy. I appreciate the efficient transportation systems in Europe, and for once I feel comfortable switching lines and riding underground, well now I really am becoming a local I guess!  My pops would be proud.

 For lunch we ate at our professors' (they are husband and wife) favorite family style restaurant that they have been going to for 20 years!  I love these kind of "hole in the wall" type places that will always be there when you take a trip back and they remember you!

It was our best meal yet, we got 10 dishes per table and everyone got to try more than a little of everything it was perfect.  Some favorites: Moussaka mmm so delicious, kind of like lasagna but without the red sauce, with zucchini added in there and I have tasted a bit of cinnamon- so savory, then there was local sausage, saganaki ( fried cheese), sauteed greens with a touch of lemon, tzatziki with everything and the list goes on!

Now when I say rough I mean= school work... Today was our first day of classes!

So we are taking a crash course in Greek- survival greek, I'm excited to learn how to say more things and write in Greek. Favorite class so far.  Then we are continuing our summer course with our professor in our dorm lobby.  We have been reading Dinner with Persephone, a memoir of travels in Greece. Interesting.  Our main class on campus is Art History and our professor is British! This was unexpected but he is hilarious and should be a good class. This doesn't sound like a lot but it is!

 So yeah it's about to get busy and I'm kinda over this whole reading and writing papers thing but this is the last sha-BANG.  I'll enjoy it.

Going into downtown Athens tonight to see the night scene with our new friends from Texas and Egypt we met in the dorm!


I'll keep you posted.

Brutally honest in Delphi

Today we took the two hour ride to Delphi, I know I told you that was later but the Greek schedule is a little more that "lenient."

But to recap on last night: we watched the soccer game (futbol) Greece v. Germany - it is such an awesome feeling to be among the locals. When they cheer you can feel the pride that they have for their country. I know it is like this in all places with major sports teams but I am an emotional person and being in the atmosphere I feel like I'm one of them because I am in their country, at their cafe watching them score a goal. wooo! But Greece didn't win.

Before that we visited the campus - it is so pretty! There are a lot of hills, so with all the stairs we climb here and hills and not to mention just the walk to campus -yep I'll either maintain my weight while here ( because I am a lover of food) or lose some! On that note I swam laps which is outside by the way so I am glad I brought my two piece speedo so I can get more tan!  But anyway it was great and I forgot to mention that Michael Phelps trained in this pool for the Summer Olympics 2004! 

SO we went to Delphi and visited the Temple of Athena and then climbed to mountain to the top of Delphi. Somewhere in there we talked to the Oracle about life's discoveries, well some of my classmates did for fun.  But then abruptly the guard lady sitting in a booth on the next platform of rocks above (sorry ancient rocks,) whistled loudly and yelled at them to stop their "play, theatrical act" as if their "pretending" was mocking the ancient times.

In a way I can see where she was coming from but also it could be just a superstition. Reenacting the  sacred times isn't going to hurt anything but maybe because she thought they were doing it wrong, in a joking way, she had to intervene.  In America I feel like we wouldn't care about something like this from tourist unless something was being vandalized. Here the site is more than just history, it's their heritage and something they are proud of and believe in, so respect should follow.

"You gotta know the rooster."

So we then attempted to visit the museum on site, we were told by George our college headmaster that students get in free. But when the lady at the entrance we just so happen to go through had no idea what the American College of Greece even was, she wouldn't let us in.  Even when our professor told her what was expected. It's funny because our other professor got in just fine with other students. It's all about who you know or the right person at that time.

In Greek culture there is a story when eggs are sold at the market and someone asks, "How do you know if these eggs are good?" the typical scape goat answer from the Greek is, "You gotta know the rooster." Doesn't really have an answer.  So in this case you gotta know the right person - the lady at the door wasn't the right person.

We got in for half price.

We then had lunch in the little ski town which was quaint and quite. Can't get enough of the Greek salad and tzatziki sauce.

Our last stop of the day was to the Holy Monastery of Osiou Louka. Wow was it beautiful, surrounded by absolutely nothing but the peaceful mountainous countryside.  

When I entered the Virgin Mary Church which seemed to be the main chapel, I suddenly got   "heavy boots" something heavy in my heart, I don't know why exactly, it was unexpected.  This quotation is from one of my favorite books "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" which is now a movie (and it is actually good like the book which is rare) but he says he has heavy boots, a heavy heart and he doesn't know why either. It is a little boy genius who is autistic and has an answer for everything.

Anyway.  Maybe this feeling came from capturing all the events in my life at that moment and the self realization of how far I have come and the feeling of not knowing what is next. A feeling of nostalgia for some reason, the fear of change. I was brought back to my faith and was reminded of my time spent in the Monastery of Taize, France where I learned how the monks live. Self discovery is supposed to happen on these kinds of trips right?

 I lit my candles like my mom and I always have and went out to take in very drop of the serenity.

The Mountain!

So today was an experience of a lifetime- we didn't visit central Athens...yet but instead our professor had the idea climbing the mountain Hymettos at 5:30 am this morning for summer solstice! Let's just say when he said "mountain" I didn't think he literally meant climbing UP the mountain!  We climbed some serious hills for an hour or two but then we got to the treacherous part - I'm talking climbing vertically up the mountain! We must have gone two miles up and towards the top I swear we should of had some climbing gear , we were so high!!! It was probably the most difficult hike I've ever been on but when we got to the top it took my breath away.  Also I'll admit I was terrified about getting down! Our shaky legs succeeded at getting us down after I fell only one time (man down) but I made it and it was so worth it !

Who can say they hiked 5.5 miles up and down a mountain all before 9 am...in GREECE!!?? It was great and I just had to share it with you - but even though I started the day out right I have to be honest and tell you I took a three hour nap when we got back to recover! We climbed...we saw...and we definetly conquered that mountain! Not to mention that the UNF group that went last year ended up turning around before they got to the top. Challenge is now complete.

Pictures coming soon and also some on facebook.

Last night was our first dinner in our dorm kitchens and I cooked Rigatoni all Carbonara for my roommates - it was the best I've ever made considering I couldn't find Parmesan cheese at the market but the closest thing to it worked great! We are going to take turns cooking dinner, it was fun shopping at the market. I'm feeling comfortable in our little neighborhood and I guess I didn't think I would totally adjust like I am.  Then I took some friends down to this perfect patch of green in out backyard for a yoga session.  They may be hooked now, it was the perfect way to end the day.

Tomorrow we take a tour of our campus-to get acquainted with where things are and I can't wait to check out the Olympic size swimming pool! Definitely going to swim laps while I'm here.  I'm nervous to see what my art history course will be like, more like I'm dreading having to do homework and study... I think we go to central Athens Sunday to see the Acropolis and then to Delphi soon after that.

It just keeps getting better and better.

I'm here!!

Welcome to Rhodes...

Lindos Acropolis

Yiassou!

So I have been MIA from wifi connection while in Rhodes, our first stop on this adventure ! We spent five jammed  packed days exploring to the extent that everything has sort of run together that I feel like I've been here for weeks!

Where to begin?

After arriving to Athens we dropped our bags off at our dorms, The American College of Greece (known as DEREE) is hosting us here. The apartment style dorms are 5 star!! I can't wait to cook some pasta in my little kitchen!

We then took an overnight ferry to Rhodes- on the BLue star ferry, and to me it's pretty much a cruise ship! All it's missing is a pool and the buffet.

First stop in Rhodes : Lindos, where I saw the most breath taking view of the Mediterranean sea it was looking every shade of blue,  and crystal clear of course.  So refreshing that it changes your mood!   The  "acropolis" is at the top of every city, our first capture of one was  Lindos and it was amazing ! Walking up the mountain so to speak was exhilarating but we could have rode on a true Greek donkey  up the slippery rocky slopes , for the price of 5 euro! I decided against it for the fear of falling off the clumsy donkey and plus the work it took getting to the top was well worth it .

A side note for travelers: I love my custom made chaco sandals ! For once in my life as a traveler, my feet were more than semi-comfortable throughout the rough terrain and heat of walking! I highly recommend them !  The water and sand soles work (mine) but the hiking soles would be just right!

Going down back towards the bottom of the city led us to the winding pebble stone road alleyways full of shops , mostly tourist shops but a few unique ones. All the buildings are all in white, some with the accent of that true blue, it is just as beautiful as I have imagined it.

We ate our first lunch on a terrace looking down over the sea and quaint residences, it was absolutely lovely.
After the first day feeling like two days in one,  we had four more to go!  We then toured around old town Rhodes which is really interesting with all the history and the castle still standing! The streets of markets were fun to walk through and new town was more modern- catering to the beach tourists and the other half locals.

The beach!! Our hotel was ocean front view ! I love the rocks instead of sand - I collected a few, nothing better than a small smooth rock.  Again the water is just indescribable , so BLUE!!

So discomforts so far - "the "no flushing anything down the toilet here" rule! Who says Greece's plumbing can't take it?? Just my view on this but I'll get used to taking more trash out everyday? Gross.

Also in Rhodes having to pay for AC in our rooms, (we didn't)  that should be included! It was 6 euros for 24 hours then it would have shut off until we paid again...we decided to sweat it out. The random cool breeze at night made it a little better but still.

I am happy to be back in Athens in our little neighborhood: Aghia Paraskevi where the market is up the street and cafe around the corner. I also found a yoga studio too to check out. I could get used to this! Classes start Monday, I'm almost a local.

Tomorrow we scout out central Athens.

Αργότερα

At the edge of the Abyss

So I stand corrected: when looking up the word "abyss" in the dictionary you get-

" figurative the regions of hell conceived of as a bottomless pit : Satan's dark abyss.
• ( the abyss) figurative a catastrophic situation seen as likely to occur : teetering on the edge of the abyss of a total political wipeout. "
Well  that's not what I was really going for, when I nominated the name "Into the Greek Abyss" for this blog I was interpreting it as a new place, exciting, a glorious expedition into a unknown territory..an adventure into an abyss!!
Now that that's settled.
It is the night before I leave and I am feeling emotions of excitement but also mixed feelings of nostalgia and anxiousness.  I guess these are all normal things to feel when leaving your familiar home and community "bubble" where comfort is found.  But with the anxious feelings I am also anticipating my adventure abroad.  I know once all the goodbyes are said all the details of my new expedition will open my eyes to how lucky I am to be going to live, experience, eat, smell, see, hear all the sites of GREECE.   

Counting down for departure

As I start to pack for my 6-week adventure,  I am getting excited and nervous all at the same time. The first part of my summer has gone by so fast! It is almost time to live in another culture!  I am wondering about all the experiences I will encounter and I am anxious to see how different things will be than I expect.  Hoping I won't forget anything on my packing list and that my bag stays under 50 pounds! Will review my thoughts more before we leave...