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...