The end is here....shit

So I haven't posted for a long time and SO much has happened. It's 12:30 a.m. right now and I have to get up at 5. Yowza. My trip is over. I don't know where the time went. It went really slow and really fast all at the same time. I've seen so much: Delphi, Napflia, saw an orchestra at Odeion Herodes Attikos, Kerameikos, Ancient Agora, etc and on the list goes.

This trip has been amazing. I've experienced so much, seen so much, learned so much, and really have grown as a person. I've become more independent than I was before (during this past year I've grown more independent too). I planned trips to Napflia (the old capital) and Delphi on my own. Everyone canceled going, so just my roommate and I made it to Napflia (two hour bus ride) and I went alone to Delphi. That was an amazing weekend. Everything I saw was completely unreal. This whole trip has seemed surreal. I can't believe it has happened. And now it's over. I still can't get over it. It does not feel real.

My roommate has turned out to be so awesome! I love her so much. I'm so glad to have gotten to know her and wish we lived closer to one another. She is definitely someone I will have to stay in touch with.

I made a couple friends in Greece. One was Canadian, the other from the U.S. So, they're not really from Greece, but it was still pretty awesome to branch out and make a couple of friends.

I've never really had an art class, so having this class was quite the learning experience. I made progress each day; it's evident in my work. I'm glad to have had this experience. My teacher was wonderful. One of the most rad ladies I have ever met. She is such a great person and was helpful with things in class and outside of class. She took us so many places and helped us so much. I will miss her and am so glad to have met her.

Today was our last day. We had an art exhibition, which was weird for me since I'm not an artist. There was also a poetry reading from the poetry students, which was great. Then we had a wonderful going away dinner. We had so much fun during dinner. The food was great. The wine was great. And we laughed hysterically a lot of the time, yet I couldn't help but feel a little sad because I didn't want it to be over. Saying goodbye to my four other classmates was really sad when we got back to our apartment tonight. My roommate and I have the same flight and were able to get seats beside each other. Window seats. Just a row of two, so that will be awesome for our 11 hour flight. I'm going to be really sad to say goodbye to her in New Jersey tomorrow. She rules.

So our bathtub drain was SO clogged today. It took like an hour to drain. Our showers are even the hand held kind, so you rinse off. Turn the water off. So you barely use any water.... and it still took forever to drain. So gross!! But we were adventurous (okay, so my roommate was), and she took a spoon and cleaned out our hair from the drain. I held the bag she put it in... and threw the spoon away in. it was gross. But pretty damn funny. We've had a lot of funny experiences this trip. I am so glad I have done this.

Anyhow, I'm glad to have done this and am sad to say goodbye to everyone. Traveling and being young and having these opportunities is great. I definitely hope I get to student teach at the U.S. army base in Germany this upcoming spring... won't find out until late fall if they accept me!

Leave Athens at noon tomorrow. Land in New Jersey at 4 p.m. Layover there. Leave at 8 p.m. and land in Indy at 10:18. Whoa. Long day of travel. Thank goodness I've got Alora until she flies out at 5:30. :) Great trip. Bittersweet to leave.

"Shit, what the fuck just happened?" a.k.a. OPA! moments

-Getting lost on the tram for almost two hours and going to its complete end.

-Trying to figure out how to get home via bus from the port. Being sent here, there, and yonder to buy tickets when tickets couldn't even be purchased.

-Creeped on by creeper man on train. Would not stop touching me and Brooke.

-Dinner at taverna with endless foods after ordering nothing.

-Being given one slice of cheese, also known as "a chunk."

-Raki with (or without) honey--free shots always.

-Polio crutchers. Meghan has tendinitis in her foot and must use crutches. They look like polio crutches. haha

-Danielle tried to feed a dead cat.

-Cat stuck up on scaffolding at Acropolis.

-Secret affair with buttcheese lovers.

-Four-way balcony session between swinger couples on nearby balcony in Spetses. One man had a black speedo, the other one a white speedo. These people kept going in and out of the door onto the balcony and doing things, like hanging up laundry, rubbing down with oil, then putting clothes on... during a span of about 30 minutes. wthf.

-Woke up late for Spetses. My yell of "Fuck!" heard downstairs, through a shut door. Open door to Danielle who hears scurrying, sees clothes and tampons flying.

-Cockroachs--bug and boat form

-Danielle Pacelle Taco Bell (Pacelle was Danielle's mom's maiden name. I said the name Danielle Pacelle and Brooke heard "Taco Bell." Then we all craved Taco Bell).

-Mating pigeons. Everywhere.

-Bill walked in on Alora using the bathroom at Christopher and Corey's apartment when she was pulling her dress down after peeing. Bill continued to be awkward and avoid her for the rest of the evening. He saw nothing. It wasn't a big deal. Did I mention he's probably in his 60s?

Tuesday June 22

Today we went up to the little village of Anafiotica at the base of the Acropolis to do a watercolor. Went pretty okay. Long freakin hike up there. Then went to Odeion of Herokes Attikos (Herrod Atticus Theater.... ancient Roman theater) to do a couple contour drawings quickly. Also near Acropolis, so there's a little peeping of the Parthenon at that site. Pretty neato.

Saw some milk being drained down the gutter of the street when walking back. Odd.

Judy took us to her favorite little bakery near her house (which is near where we were for class). I was starving, so I bought a delicious little sandwich and a little triangular shaped spinach pie. Super yummy. Topped it off with an orange Fanta. Yum. Fanta here is so much better than in the U.S.

Took a little nap at the apartment, then all six of us headed to the beach. It was about a 40 minute tram ride, but we didn't get lost this time! Spent a couple hours at the beach. It was nice. Btw, lots of men wear speedos here. haha.

Went to a local taverna. Many of us ate at least a little bit in our rooms so as to avoid getting a meal, but just a drink and/or appetizer at the taverna. Our plan went awry. We sat down and ordered nothing but were brought a pitcher of wine (well, maybe that was ordered), a couple plates of tzaziki and a Greek Salad. Okay....? Then we were brought this fried cheese stuff and meatball things and fries. Then we were brought these cheese and ham rolled up things. We were also given zucchini balls and some pork thing. It was so strange, but so delicious. Gotta love cultural differences and language barriers. You just gotta learn to roll with what's happening and laugh about it. It was a funny event. But we had tons of fun and so many laughs. The past couple of days have been really really great.

Finally feeling settled in

Today was such a good day.

Used watercolors in class. Very frustrating. I felt like I was totally effing p the colors. Judy helped me and had me use ink to bring out the drawing part. It turned out decently, I guess. Kinda abstract.

After class, went to buy fruit at little market by the bakery we go to almost daily. Did laundry this afternoon.

Got a frappe and nearby coffee shop and then went shopping in Syntagma.

Meghan has tendonitis in her foot, so she had to stay back while we went shopping.

Visited Temple of Zeus. Badass. Huge.

Had such a good time with those girls.

Great weather today. Was hot, but bearable in the afternoon. Perfect temperature in the evening. Got windy after dark.

Went to the local restaurant in Varnava. Had a Mylos beer. Waiters of course gave us free shots, but insisted on taking one with us. I just couldn’t get it down, I knew (I’m not a beer drinker, so I was feeling grossed out already cause that beer was pretty big). No one noticed I dumped in my empty beer mug, which I had in my lap. When the girls realized what I did they found it really funny.

Those waiters wanted us to go to a club with them tonight, but we wouldn’t even leave until 1 a.m. Brooke and I went to the bathroom and when we were gone the others apparently made a deal that we’d go to a club with them Friday. Oy. We’ll see how it goes. But did have so much fun with them tonight and had lots of laughs. Today was a really good day.

Spetses

June 19, 2010

Started the day off by oversleeping. Woke up when Danielle knocked on our door at 6:30 because the taxis had arrived to take us to the port. Apparently I yelled “fuck” and she heard me… Brooke and Amelia were downstairs and they heard me too. Haha. Whoops. Luckily we’d packed things already and were out the door in three minutes. Alora’s alarm had gone off at 5:45 but I apparently told her I was getting up in 10 minutes (evening though I was actually going to get up before then, but had set my alarm wrong) haha.

Got to the port quickly and picked up our tickets for the hydrofoil ride to Spetses. Bought a delicious pastry and a Coke.

Alora and I each took a motion sickness pill at 7:30. Boarded around 7:50. Sway got to us. Took another pill. Adjusted to sway. Left at 8:30. Felt sick again, but adjusted. Some boy from a group of six talked to us. He’s going to Boston University next year and those kids were going to Spetses too.

Arived at 10:30. A man and his father met us at the port and each took one of us on their mopeds to our loding (the younger man owns the place and our coordinator arranged where we’d stay and knows him, etc). Danielle and I went first. I rode with the younger guy. It was fun.

Me, Alora, and Amelia roomed together. When we got there, I was in our bathroom and a cockroach came out. I screamed and Alora killed it when I ran out of the bathroom. Then, another one came out too!!!!! GROSS!

Went to the beach. There were some nasty, slimy, shelly things at the bottom in certain parts. Freakin sick. I got some cool rocks, 1 shelll, and some pieces of terra cotta.

Ate lunch at some seaside awning-covered place. Got the house special hunterfish with a marinara sauce, tomatoes, and herbs. Pretty good. Not quite warm enough, though.

Then we shopped around in harbor area. I bought a bracelet and a cool hat.

Went to a different beach. Water was beautiful and pretty warm. First beach water was warmer. Breeze off sea feels so nice.

Went back to room and showered. Drank some Smirnoff on balcony watching some neighbors on their balcony…. Pretty sure these were two swinging couples… kept coming out on the balcony and doing stuff like rubbing each other down with oil. I can’t really explain it all, but it was so weird. Haha.

Boys right next to us kept looking up at us and asked where we were from and our plans for the night. So annoying.

Walked to pizza place in harbor and got the Greek Special in regular and a super size. Very good. Demolished it fast.

Went to a bar called Socrates Club. It was awesome. Had a Spetses Summer and a Sex on the Beach (first time ever had that). It was Happy Hour there. Bar is way fun. We were challenged to a game of beer pong by the guys at a nearby table. We were going to play, but were tired and everyone in there was watching a World Cup—Cameroon and Denmark—game. And it still had 20 minutes left….plus set up for beer pong and we were exhausted, so we didn’t play.

Walking back and heard lou music. Walked to it (Danielle and I wanted to) and it seemed to be a restaurant/bar thing. The other walked away ad we started to walk up to it when I realized it was actually a wedding reception. Haha.

Went back to room then. Had lots of fun. Wish we could’ve had more time in Spetses…. Our program was originally supposed to be in Spetses, but it got moved to Athens.

Sunday June 20

Got up at 8:20. Got ready real fast and ate breakfast. Probably the best breakfast I’ve every had—yogurt with honey, a huge fresh croissant, freshly squeezed orange juice (oranges in Greece are amazing!), a frappe—iced coffee. Can have milk and sugar. I was obviously sans milk. You also choose level of sweetness. I had medium. So good.

Went to a store called Lollipops, bc Amelia and I both saw purses we wanted the day before. Purchased it. So cute.

Ran back to apartment/hotel place. Amelia called the man whose name we don’t know to come so we could pay him and return keys. We grabbed out stuff and ran out bc Alora, Amelai and I were taking a bus to the other side of the island. Danielle and Brooke were going to rent mopeds, but no one would rent one to them so they ended up getting bikes.

The other side of the island is so pretty. The beach we went to was great. Hardly anyone there, calmer water, prettier, the rocky beach was not as painful on our feet. It was about a 30 minute ride to the other side. Steep edges on a curvy road. Lots of trees on Spetses. Gorgeous water. Just a great place in general. We also keep hearing the other Greek islands are better. Whoa.

Bus left at 11:04. Spent time on beach. Had lunch at the one place there. Just got some tzaziki. Probably one of my new favorite dishes. I have a recipe and will have to make it for ppl when I get home. Got a lemonade to drink. When you order that, it’s actually a soda, like a Fanta or another similar brand. So good!! Very lemony and carbonated. We were given watermelon for dessert. I’m not a watermelon fan at all, but this was quite good. Fruit and vegetables here are just amazing.

Took the 3p.m. bus back. Picked up ferry tickets and got some icecream. Ferry left at 5:30. It was one of the so-called “cockroaches”….tiny, horrible little thing. Took two pills over an hour before 5:30…. Still felt so sick. The swaying was just so ridiculous. I about flipped out for a while. Alora and I tried to just talk a lot to keep our minds off of it… ended up having some good conversation. J

Got back around 7:30. Had a hell of a time getting back. Couldn’t buy bus tickets, were being sent everyone to try to buy a ticket….language barriers suck fyi. Had to take a train….. some creep kept putting his hand on mine and rubbing his arm against mine. Finally was able to move away from him a little bit and Brooke held onto my arm so I wouldn’t have to hold onto the pole… bless her soul. Then took a metro for just one stop to Syntagma and walked back to apartment. That was the Readers Digest version of our trip home… it took us two hours to get back from the port. O.M.G.

Stopped at a payphone and called Dad… no answer. Left a voicemail. Called my mom. No answer. Left a message. Then finally got internet access. Wonderful.

End of week 1

Last day of the first week here (of school). Crazy! I fell like this week, especially the beginning of the week, was going so slow. Kinda homesick and a little just…uncomfortable. Maybe a little culture shock? I’m not sure. But things are getting a little more familiar and comfortable now, so time will probably go by faster. I mean, it’s already the first weekend and we’re going to Spetses! Taxi picks us up between 6:30 and 6:40 am. Ferry at 8:30.

In class, just went to the Athens Center’s courtyard to deal with the heat. Now quite as hot today. Cooled down a lot in the evening. Anyhow, we worked with colored pencil today. I enjoyed it. Probably the piece I’m most proud of so far.

After class, went to pharmacy with Alora to get motion sickness medicine. Then we went to the First Cemetery portion that’s across the street from our apartment. Some little sidedoor was open, so we went in that way. Couldn’t get out that way and had to wander around to find the actual exist. Kinda comical, but kinda difficult. We went to work on our big, nice drawing that’s due Monday. I feel pretty good about mine.

After that, we left at 4 to go souvenir shopping in Syntagma Square. Got lots of stuff for others and for myself.

My debit card wouldn’t work at a couple of ATMs, and I started to flip out a bit. Bought an international calling card to call Old National to make sure they didn’t shut my card off (and yes I let them know I was going to Greece before I left). Then I tried a bank ATM and it worked. I was so stressed over that and was trying to fight back tears a couple of times. But it all worked out.

So then we were heading back to the Athens Centre for Spring Term students’ art show at 7. A few minutes late, but in Greek time that meant we were a little early.

A very traumatic day. Stray dogs everywhere; it’s so sad. They just want love and a home. Greece won’t have shelters, kill them, or spay or neuter them. They do vaccinate them and put a collar on to let people know when those vaccinations were given.

Anyhow, this one dog took a liking to us. It all started when I was sitting waiting on the others to finish shopping. It licked my knee and then Alora gave it a couple little pets/scratches. So then he followed us and wanted to “protect” us. Greeks drive like madmen. So dangerous. We were crossing a very very busy road and got stuck on the little median between lanes. That damn dog was getting out in front of the cars barking and “chasing” them away. We were all pretty much traumatized from this. The dog almost got hit TONS of times. I think I probably screamed a couple times. In between roaring traffinc and this dog keeps getting infront of cars. I was sure I was going to see that sweet dog get hit and have its blood all over me. I about cried tons of times over that. It just breaks my heart.

The dog managed to not get hit and we had to cross two major, very busy roads after that. It was horrible. He was limping, but I don’t know if he had that little foot injury before the car stuff.

So he walked all the way back pretty much, but was getting tired and lagging behind. He eventually wasn’t with us anymore. It made me so sad. I wish I could take that dog home with me and adopt it. I am still upset over that experience. I just really hate seeing all these stray cats and dogs.

So, we went to that art show. Other students are not very good. I feel good compared to them. Shhh..

After each of the five students went throught reading through their entire book projects, we went back to the apartment. Showered and went to eat out same place as yesterday with Brooke, Amelia, and Alora. Meghan and Danielle went to the Lollipop in Syntagma. I think they said it was a karaoke bar.

We at tziziki, “Refreshing” feta spicy dip, and a Mediterranean Salad. So good. Of course we were given a free shot at the end… raki with honey. Ate outside. Forced shots down.

Haven’t been online for over a day and it’s about killing me. Won’t be able to until Sunday night… that’s if the internet downstairs even works. Didn’t at all today.

Back to traumatic day..i’d only gotten four hours of sleep the night before because of taking a long nap. Stayed up until 4 a.m. journaling, typing it up, and doing laundry. At least I was productive. Haha.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Spent class in Rosemary’s adorable garden. Challenging today too. I get discouraged with class. So hot today! Hottest day yet.

Grandma’s funeral was today. I feel sad and feel bad that I missed it.

Alora and I both took naps after class. Slept close to three hours. Woke up at 5. Shortly after that, went to center of Athens and shopped with Brooke, Amelia, and Alora. I bought a really sweet dress, a ring with these greeny rock things, a ring that’s a snake, and a few gift souvenirs. I saw the dress at one store but couldn’t decide if I wanted it, so I thought I’d come back and get it if I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Well, I really wanted it, but we were pretty far away from that store. We went by a different store and they had the dress! It was Fate, so I totally bought it.

Came back to apartment and showered. Left around 8:20 and went to an open-air movie theater in the National Gardens by the Zappieon. Saw Letters to Juliet. Pretty cheesy, but it was decent. So fun to do that. Cost 8 euros for a ticket. I got a giant coke and a big piece of pizza for only 5 euros. In Greece, they don’t dub the movies, so it was in English with Greek subtitles. Interesting they don’t dub.

Got out of movie shortly before 11. Megan, Alora, Brooke, and I walked to Varnava Square ad went to this restaurant Megan frequents often. She knows the workers on a first name basis. They give her free wine. Haha. She cracks me up; she’s so funny.

Our waiter, Yannis, started us with a free shot of Raki with honey. He took one too. That shit is potent. Burns all the way down and burns for a while. Sits with you for a long time too. Me, Alora, and Megan each had a glass of white wine. Brooke a glass of beer. Brooke and I shared a cheese pie (common food, esp. appetizer). So good. At the end, he brought another round of shots. This time it was four empty glasses and a little pitcher of the Raki. I took half a shot. Alora and Brooke didn’t want theirs. Megan took 3 I think and couldn’t finish the last shot left in the pitcher. Actually, she might not have taken Brooke’s… I can’t remember. Anyhow, we walked out and she puked on the sidewalk! But then she was okay. Haha. I was definitely buzzing.

We were going to go to the beach today, but there was a strike/demonstration so all public transportation was shut down. There was a strike yesterday and the Metro was shut down. Usually strikes only last one day, so it is odd it’s been two days. Hope it changes by tomorrow or Saturday!

Wednesday June 16, 2010

Went to the National Gardens for first part of class. Sketched at the Children’s Library there. Queen Amelia built the building for her husband (I think). Now, it’s a library. Parents are not let in. Must drop the kids off at the door and wait on benches nearby. Kids love the place. Cute little building. Saw modern sculptures there. Some are displayed with ruins. Cool. Sketched at another place where there are a couple of pillars and the tops of pillar displayed or laying down. Benches also made out of slabs of ruins.

Ruins everywhere in Athens. If they dig someplace new, they find ruins. Subway is very nice and has cases of ruins and walls of ruins. Awesome.

Saw some palace guards in their get-ups. No palace now—have a president and prime minister (and parliament), but keep guards around for tradition’s sake.

Went back and learned about perception and depth. Tough. Today was discouraging. I didn’t draw anything very well.

So hot and miserable today. It hit 98 degrees.

Booked ferry tickets to and form Spetses this weekend!

Walked to Varnava Square to look for a hat. None. Did a few sketches at the apartment.

Met at 4:30 at the Athens Centre and listened to an archeologist talk about the Acropolis—then we went there! It was incredible. Absolutely unreal. Also stopped at Theatre of Dionysus on way down. Way cool too. Hopefully we’ll go see a play there.

Ate in Syntagma Square. Exhausted. Had a doner beef…like a gyro. So good! Glass of beer…starts with a M.. can’t remember the name. It was quite good.

Decided to take tram back. Got lost/stuck on it for an hour and 40 minutes. Didn’t get off at stop 2 or 3 like we should’ve so we kept riding it. It reached its end WAY across Athens. Had to switch to another tram and ride it ALL the way back. Got off at our stop and couldn’t find way home easily. Was two ours since we’d boarded tram when we got home. Kind of comical. Today was LONG.

Stayed up til 3a.m. talking with a couple people from the spring term AHA program. They leave Saturday.

June 15, 2010

got the shower figured out so it stays hot for longer. Turn heater on about 15 minutes before shower, then turn off. Still use minimal water. Ate a couple croissants with nutella for breakfast. Didn't get much sleep. Alora and I stayed up late having major girl talk. It was so fun.

Went to the First Cemetery for the first half of class. Way cool. Built early 1800s during Revolution of 1821. Did some sketchings there. On the way, walked around square of main entrance. Were spontaneously invited into this show where they make marble statues of the deceased. The way they do the carvings is the same way that the Ancient Greeks did it. It's a three point system where they measure the plaster model and then transfer the measuring tool to the marble and carve away. Very cool. Were there maybe 35-45 minutes.

The man who does the work there learned from his father, who is the current owner. The owner started going there when he was 8 years old and learned from the man who owned it then. The current man who does the work is teaching his son. Charming.

At the cemetery we saw a few funeral processions. Very interesting. The people all walk to the burial site from the funeral (in a church). Everyone has at least one flower that they throw into the grave before the dirt is put over the coffin. They also throw a handful of dirt onto coffin. Coffin during funeral procession is often uncovered. The person is also buried 24 hours after death. No embalming. No makeup. More memorials are held after 1 week, 40 days (more like the real funeral), a year, and seven years. On the seventh year, the body is dug up and the bones are cleaned. Then, they are put into a box with other family members' bones. Quick fact, now that we have more preservatives in our diet, it takes longer to decompose. Gross! haha.

They plant Cyprus trees in cemeteries and by churches. They are lovely lovely trees. They symbolize going up to Heaven.

Went back to the Athens Centre then until the end of class. Did a contour drawing of hand holding flower. Learned about shading. So hot. So tiring. So sweaty. The heatwave in Greece is beginning.... and let me tell you, it's freakin hot.

Walked to Varnava Square and bought two loaves of bread at the bakery where we'd gotten breakfast on Monday. The six of us gals ate leftovers from last night together. Lovely lunch.

Washed laundry in kitchen sink and hung it on the balcony to dry.

Met at 6:30 at Athens Centre to meet Katja (site coordinator) and she gave us a walking tour of central Athens. That was cool. Went to the National Gardens and to Santagma Square. After it was over the six of us stayed and did a little shopping. I bought a cute little dress, nothing fancy... but it fits fabulously! We ate dinner outdoors there at a restaurant. Got some gelato. Wonderful! Walked back to our apartments (long walk). I'm gonna be much more fit after this trip. Lots of walking. Up the hill, down the hill. Big hills too. Not to mention all the sweating I do.... ddaaayyyuuummm.

So we got back around 11 and then went to a bar near our apartments and got a mohito. Enjoyable. Now it is 1 a.m. and it is time to shower and go to bed. Long day tomorrow. Going to the Acropolis at 4:30 p.m. with an archaeologist! It's also supposed to be VERY hot tomorrow... I'm a little nervous.

Adapting and feeling more normal

Went to local bakery with other girls at 8:45. Got a delicious pastry croissant chocolate thing.

Class started at 9:30. I’m excited for the class. Did just little drawing exercises mainly. Some where you don’t even look at the paper you’re drawing on. Also looks like Alora will be in our class now since she was the ONLY language student. Our teacher’s name is Judy (I can’t remember her last name right now and can’t find it on any piece of paper). Anyhow, she’s great. Super nice. She’s from Maine and lives there half the year, teaching at a university August-December/Januaryish. Then she comes to Greece for half the year. She lived in Greece for 20 years (her husband is Greek) and for the past 10 years she’s been doing the half and half thing.

Class got out at 1:30. Went to local supermarket and got some food. I got a six pack can of Coke (I was in need), cereal, soymilk (of course, duh), croissants, meat and cheese for little sandwiches, breakfast bars, nutella. Came back and ate. Yum!

Left apartment around 4 and went to Varnava Square (where that bakery is); it’s very close to our lodgings. I bought shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and laundry soap. I only brought enough of the shower stuff for a couple of days. Then we went to Plastiba Square and I bought a cheap pair of flipflops to wear to the beach. Will probably go on Wednesday.

Went back to the apartment for a bit. Met at Athens Center at 7:30 and walked to Christopher’s apartment (he’s the guy subbing for two days in the poetry course). He gave us a Greek cooking lesson. He’s from the U.S. but lived in Greece for a couple of years during grad school. His friend, Cory, was with him… they’re touring around, adventuring since they both left the wives and kids at home. Haha. Cory is from Michigan and Christopher from Wisconsin. We all got along well since we have the whole Midwesterner thing in common.

There, we made lots of delicious, yet simple, dishes (I have the recipes!). Very appetizer like—often how the Greeks eat. Called meza or metza or something, rather than “appetizers.” We made tzatziki, chtipiti, melitzana salad, “Chariatiki” Greek country salad with watercress and capers, and a pasta that was shrimp, tomato, feta, onion, and ouzo sauce. For dessert we had Greek yogurt with honey on top with fresh oranges, melon, and strawberries. All the fruit and vegetables here are amazing! Tomatoes and cherry tomatoes were great again! J

Drank a few glasses of wine (so good here!) and a bit of ouzo. Ouzo is so gross. It tastes like black licorice and is quite potent. It seems hard to drunk here with all this heat, therefore sweating, and tons of great food. Though I haven’t really tried to get drunk, so maybe that’s also why it seems difficult. Haha.

Dinner in Greece is a huge meal. Usually not eaten until 10 p.m. or later. Breakfast and lunch are pretty small. Siestas are taken in the afternoon. Although it’s now not as common with work schedules, but you can definitely tell the pace of life slows down during the afternoon. Numerous businesses close, though, for a couple of hours.

Kalinita everyone. It is time to head toward bed now; it's after midnight.

Forgot to mention....

dinner at a local taverna with classmates and instructors and program coordinators. It was amazing! Great appetizers. Let's just say the tomatoes here are outrageously good! I fittingly had lamb tonight for my first meal in Greece. SO good. Everything was good.

Also, can pick up internet on the bottom floor of the apartment building, so I'm standing at a counter right now with Alora. Someone else is sitting on the stairwell. haha! Time for sleep.

I have arrived....

...and it is hot, wonderful, etc. I have never been this jet-lagged ever. I feel drugged I am so tired. I arrived to Indy so early that I was put on an earlier flight to Newark, NJ (breakfast at the Cracker was good, by the way). There, I had a layover for about four hours. I met up with my flightmate there. The flight to Greece was nine long, bumpy, turbulent hours. I'm pretty sure we barely stopped shaking and bouncing around the entire flight. We both took two Dramamines to keep from puking our guts up. Arrived in Athens around 10 a.m., went through customs, got luggage, called our site coordinator, took a taxi to our apartments, and were greeted by the woman who is in charge of AHA. The apartments are cute and small. The girl I flew over with, Alora, is my roommate, so that's pretty cool.

The apartment is truly European: must turn on the water heater only until the water gets hot and then turn it off. Found out shower should be rinse, turn of water, lather, turn on water again to rinse. I took a quick shower today and it went icecold. Alora waited a while to take hers... still icecold. Oops! If the water heater is on for 20 minutes, then it like blows up or something. We have to keep the air conditioning off while we're gone. The shower is one with the movey thing so it's not like a shower but a hand held thing. The toilet cannot have toilet paper flushed down it, so toilet paper is put into a little rubbish bin in the bathroom. The view from the balcony is nice. If the wind blows leaves from the tree out of the way, we can see the Acropolis.

Classes start tomorrow at 9:30 in the morning. There are four of us in the art workshop; I think it'll be good. Total there are seven people. Me and three other girls are going to meet at 8:45 tomorrow morning and walk to a cafe to get breakfast. Now I must try to sleep. And take something for this awful headache. Good start! Looking forward to more exciting things.

Getting there

I packed this morning for the most part. There's a few last minute things to do that are the kind of things you do the morning you leave... packing grooming supplies and what not. I'm eating a bowl of spaghetti right now waiting for my dear friend Sarah Beth to get over here so we can pre-drink! Tonight is one last hurrah before I leave Saturday morn. I leave on the 12th and come back July 2nd. Sarah is leaving on June 23 for a study abroad trip to England. She won't be back until August 1st (I think... it's the first couple of days of August at least). Anyhow, I am going to miss her SO MUCH. It shall be mucho sad. Anyway, that's all for now. Tomorrow I'll see my mum before my trip, work, etc. Saturday morning is approaching so quickly! Packing this morning helped me feel more excited for my trip and a little less nervous. Yeahyeah!

Trip preparations

I decided to set up this blog so people can read it if they want to see what I've been doing on my trip. I'm going to Greece for three weeks for a study abroad trip. I'll be taking an art class. I'm not much of an artist, but this art workshop can be for beginners with no experience or for more advanced artists. We'll see how it goes!

I'm going through a company called AHA that is based in Oregon. The other people going on the trip are from all across the country. There is no one going from Indiana, let alone from Ball State. That makes me kind of nervous, but it also is very exciting. It'll push me out of my comfort zone, so that's a good thing. One girl is from Michigan. She and I have been in contact and we've arranged to be on the same flight to (and from) Athens. That will be nice. We can get a cab together or learn how to use the subway or something. She seems nice.

I've been trying to get ready for my trip. I am such a procrastinator. I haven't really even started packing yet. It's Wednesday; I leave on Saturday. Yikes. I am doing a bunch of laundry, though. I feel like I need to get the laundry done before I can adequately pack. Yeah. Some stuff I am just going to buy when I get there, such as shampoo, conditioner, body wash.

I leave Indy at 1:55 on Saturday and fly to Newark, New Jersey. First, of course, will be a breakfast at Cracker Barrel with Dad, Gram, and PaPaw. :) From Newark I fly to Athens. I leave the States around 5:40pm. We land in Athens at 10:20 in the morning on June 13th. The flight is only 9 hours and 40 minutes. I figured it would be much longer.

Anyhow, so that's that.