Post-Thanksgiving update

Hello Everyone!

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and is busy getting ready for Christmas time!! I had a great holiday with my friends traveling around Europe. The weather in these places was soo much colder than Greece is so I had a hard time getting used to that. Paris was first and so incredibly beautiful. We went up in the Eiffel Tower the first night we got there and that was really neat. The view of the city is incredible but taking the elevator all the way to the top was a little frightening... It's really, really high. The next day we did a hop-on hop-off bus tour which we could get on and off as we pleased. My friends and I went to the Louvre museum and saw the Venus De Milo statue and the Mona Lisa! We walked around the rest of it but it was so big that we didn't have enough time to see everything. We also went to Notre Dame Cathedral and the Paris Opera House which were both very big and extravagant buildings. The church was stunning inside. We did some shopping in the evening and stopped to get a "Thanksgiving dinner" at a really nice French restaurant. I got pasta - not traditional, but it was really good!

Our next stop was Brussels, Belgium in the early morning. We did a chocolate walking tour when we first got there. Our guide took the small group of us around the city and we tried different brands and types of chocolate. So much so that I almost felt sick by the end! It was worth it though. We also got to make our own chocolate which was really fun. 

Amsterdam was really cool but very Americanized. Most people spoke English (which was a nice change for a little while!) We went to the Anne Frank house which was really moving but extremely sad. It felt really weird to be in the exact house that a Jewish family was hiding in during the Nazi invasions. The rest of the day we spent walking around to shop and see the city. The coffee shops were cool except that you often saw parents, work meetings, etc. meeting up to smoke and chat in the middle of the day. I found that a bit odd. Our flight the next morning was only a few hours but with all the other travel time included, I didn't get back till about 6pm.

It was a great trip but nice to get back to my own room here in Athens! Now, continuing on to focus on finals (if that's even possible) and then I'll be back in the states in a couple weeks! 

Good luck getting through the weeks before Christmas vacation to all my college friends! :) 

Thanksgiving Trip!

Happy Thanksgiving holiday everyone!

I am more than sad that I am going to miss spending Thanksgiving with my family, and eating turkey dinner for the first time ever in my life! It's so weird knowing I won't be home to celebrate. That being said, I will be in Paris for Thanksgiving so I think I'll manage to survive somehow :)

I leave tomorrow morning on a flight with four of my friends into Paris. We will spend two days there, then head to Belgium for a day/night and then continue on to Amsterdam before coming home Sunday night! I have wanted to go to France since I began taking my six years of french class in Jr. high and High School. It's too bad I hardly remember how to say anything anymore... In Brussels we are doing a chocolate tour where you get to taste and make your own chocolate! I think we were going to try and go on a Heineken tour in Amsterdam although we aren't sure yet. We'll probably go to a few coffee shops there though at least. And by "coffee" shops I mean legalized marijuana cafes.

Between my mini vacation and the fact that I get to see my family in a little over 2 weeks, studying for my finals is going to be reeeeaaaaallly difficult. In fact that's what I'm supposed to be doing now..... oh well.

I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving and remember to be thankful for everything you have! Also a Happy 24th Birthday to my big sister whose birthday is on Saturday!!!!

Au revoir! ;)

Change of Plans

So... last weekend didn't go exactly as we were 'not planning' it to go. I guess in Europe they don't do the discounted plane tickets if it's last minute. We were hoping to get cheap tickets to somewhere cool in Europe but the cheapest was 200 euros to Turkey. Needless to say I wasn't feeling to comfortable trying to figure out hotels and everything in Istanbul. I'm sure it is a great place but I feel as if the country isn't the MOST stable it could be right now.

Instead of just going back to the dorm, Alexa, Cass and I decided to get a hotel in downtown Athens for the weekend! I was really glad we ended up doing that because we all had a really great weekend! The hotel was called Hotel Central and it had a rooftop bar with an excellent view of the acropolis. We went out the first night to a small beer bar which was really fun! We also accidentally flooded our hotel room from the shower at one point but that's too long of a story for this blog to handle ;)

During the days we walked around the shops and restaurants. I bought some presents for my friends and family so I was happy to get some of that out of the way! I also got another ear piercing which was only 10 euros in a souvenir shop. It sounds pretty sketchy but it wasn't really. The prices are so so much cheaper than the U.S. I want to get a tattoo while I'm here but I think my parents would have a cow so to say. I might do it anyway since they have to love me regardless.

There's only 33 days till I come home! Bittersweet feelings are engulfing me whenever I choose to think about my departure from Greece. I have to say for sure that I think everyone should study abroad somewhere if at all possible. It has been the biggest and best experience of my life in so many ways and I hope everyone gets the chance to live somewhere else for a time. Χαι κάτι άλλο, ο καθένας Καληνύχτα!

Noooooo-vember

How is it already November 5th?!?! I don't want to think about leaving all my new friends yet! I am always amazed at how fast time flies, even though I know it's going to. This past weekend was fun but lacked typical American Halloween credentials. Well, besides a lot of really really good German candy. It was still a lot of fun though! I enjoyed seeing everyone's costumes in pictures - some of them were beyond words......

So on Thursday, Alexa K., Cassie and I are going to head over to the airport and just pick a destination for the weekend! My mom thinks it's ridiculous but I can't wait! All week I've been getting so excited not really for the trip, but for finding out where we will actually be going! I love "let's see where the wind takes us" trips. Anywhere would be cool but I suppose my top choices are Austria, Switzerland, or Croatia. Since this is my first time in Europe, and I've only been in Greece, anywhere we go will be a new experience!

Also, the weather is still beautiful here suckers ;)

Rachel Visits from Italy

Good morning Americans! Sorry it's been so long since I've updated my blog! I've had a busy couple of weeks!

The weekend before last, I went to Nafplio, the first capital of Greece, on Saturday )like I mentioned in my last post!) It wasn't too much walking so I was able to go throughout the day with almost no trouble. It was really cool to see the old castles and churches! I got to go inside an ancient Greek jail which was disturbing since it was a hole in the wall and really dirty. I have no desire to have an encounter with the prisons here so keep your fingers crossed for me! :) We also went on a winery tour which was awesome too because we learned about the extensive processes that grapes undergo in order to fuel our Friday night adventures. I also got to taste many different wines and purchase the ones I liked. They were cheaper since it was at the actual winery that made them so that was nice. 

Last week marks the halfway point of of my time here in Greece, so that's exciting! I'm not ready to leave yet of course but I do really miss my family and friends so I'm by no means upset that we have gone through half a semester already! I despise midterms though and I am so happy to say that I am finally done with them and I got to spend the long weekend with my Endicott roommate (who is currently studying in florence) who came to visit for the weekend! We had a great time and got to spend some time downtown going to the historical parts of Athens, as well as the nightlife ;) Rachel loved the food and the excitement of downtown clubs while she was here and we realized how much Cassie, Rachel and I missed each other! We are trying to book a trip to visit her in Italy sometime in November if we can! 

Rachel left early Sunday morning to fly back. We went out on Sunday night to a rave because we had Monday off. It is a national holiday that celebrates the day Greece said no to the Nazzis! Yay for Greece! I celebrated by watching weird movies and eating Chinese food on my balcony. Although unproductive, it was the best Monday I've had in a long time. :) 

I cannot believe that it's almost November already! Halloween is on Thursday so I can't wait to see everyone's costume pictures and live vicariously through them... Have a great week and Happy Halloween!! 

Midterm Season

So things are getting a little busy around here since everyone is studying for midterms now! They were this week and next week and worth 40% of our grade so that's the main focus for all of us these next few days! I had my first one yesterday, in my modern Greek language course. I was a little nervous for it since our teacher had covered a lot of material really quickly and most of us were a little lost. But I studied hard and I think I did pretty well! So that means that I have four more next week... uhg. Since I can't go out again this weekend, at least i'll have time to study when my friends go downtown.

I am however, going to Nafplio tomorrow as our second "study abroad" trip! Nafplio was the original capital of Greece and we will be going on tours of the castles there! We also get to go to a traditional Greek taverna and then a winery tour! It's going to be a little tough to be walking all day (even with the crutches), but I really don't want to miss this! My friend Steve said he would carry me the whole way if it meant I could go! Hopefully that won't be necessary for his sake, but it was extremely nice of him to offer!

My roommate, Rachel, and my other friend from Endicott, Ariel, are both coming to visit us on Wednesday! They have both been studying in Florence this semester and next week is their fall break! Fingers crossed that I will be able to walk around Athens by next weekend without too much trouble. I absolutely cannot wait till they get here regardless though! It'll be so nice to see them and to show them our new way of life :)

It's funny to see how the people here react to the weather and then how us Americans do. It's like 75 degrees here today and it's sunny and gorgeous to us at least, but most of the girls here are wearing boots, pants and jackets! I wore long pants with a tank top today and people stared at me, but I was really warm even in that! This is on the cooler side for them so it makes sense but it's still strange to me. My Endicott peeps would be at the beach on a day like today.

Keep a lookout on Sunday for an updated post about the weekend! :) Sending lots of love from Ελλαδα! (Greece)

Regina George style

Hello friends,

As most of you know, I have had quite the week. Last thursday I was out training for my marathon when some idiot behind the wheel decided stop driving for a few seconds. Needless to say, I have been in bed for a solid week now due to the unfortunate reason of not being able to use my legs. I will be better soon enough, which I am more than thankful for, but it is a frustrating process. I almost wish it wasn't the weekend so that I didn't have to sit at home while I see everyone leave to go downtown to the clubs and bars. At least I have desperate housewives to fill the void.

Everyone here has been overly nice and helpful so far. I've received so many desserts, foods and flowers that it makes it easier to be stuck in bed all day. My new friend Alexa made me shepherds pie the first night I was back in my dorm because it's my favorite meal! :)  I should be getting a care package from my family today, shipped over with Lex's parents who arrive today of course!

On another note, my midterms are coming up in the next two weeks and I'm trying to prepare for them as best I can. I cannot believe that it's already almost the middle of the semester. The time here is really flying, especially now that I only get to see my tiny room all the time. Although my friends did steal a wheely chair the other night so that I could go hang out with the Egyptians and smoke hookah. It was necessary for my sanity. Nothing else really to report except that I am praying this recovery process is a quick one so I can get back on my feet and doing things in this beautiful country!

Hope everything is well with everyone, and my condolences to the girl from Endicott who passed last week <3 Rest in Peace.

October

Sorry it's been so long since my last post but the week just got away from me. Time is moving ridiculously fast, as it always seems to do. I have been here exactly a month today! My teacher's are already preparing us for midterms which is annoying since I'm only here to have fun right?! I have a couple weeks to prepare still so I'm sure it'll be fine.

Last weekend was our island trip, which needless to say was incredible. Mykonos was not as lively as it is in the middle of summer but the bars were still packed and we had a great time. We met a lot of really cool people on our trip. We also had to take a small detour to the hospital in Mykonos which taught me that I love American hospitals and I'm thankful that trip wasn't for me. There were stray dogs in the hospital room (if you could call it that really) and we just walked out the back door when we were ready to leave. It was an experience though. Then, Santorini was more relaxed but so much fun as well. We went to black sand beach which was gorgeous. We also visited red rock beach - we rented ATV's to get there so that was a lot of fun too. Our hostels in both places were much nicer than I expected so that made things easier. My favorite part was probably going to Oia, Santorini (pronounced ee-ah) to watch the sunset. People from all over the world go there every single night to catch the amazing view. I wish I could see it every night, there was really nothing else like it. Our ferry ride back on Sunday night took 10 hours (midnight-10) and we were all very ready to go to our own beds and sleep all day monday.

The last few days this week have been quite chilly. I think it'll warm up again soon, but it is beginning to cool down overall. I don't mind it though because it's been scorching hot the past month and I'm ready for sweaters and boots! I am bummed about missing cider and pumpkin coffee season however. I think we are going to try to go to the Acropolis and the Acropolis museum this Sunday which I've been wanting to do since I got here.

I'll post again sooner than I have been. Happy October malakas!

Mall Trip

Hello everyone!

So yesterday was the first time I tried to take the metro into the center of Athens to try and get to the mall. Needless to say, we should have been more precise with our getting of directions beforehand instead of just winging it. We got there, not the quickest way, but not a horrible route. On the way back we got so lost we had to get a cab and have it bring us home. It wasn't too far from where we were but it was very difficult to try and figure out. The mall itself was 4 floors so we spent a lot of time there. Most of the stores were decently expensive, so I didn't buy too much. I did get a few dresses though :)

I also went to a bar called DoDo's last night because they were having a live band perform in honor of the bar being around for a certain amount of time (of which I do not know). It was fun but soo crowded. Most of the songs were Greek but some were ones I knew.

A group of about 13 of us are beginning packing and preparations for our trip to the islands tomorrow afternoon! Some of the other people in the dorm went last weekend and they said it was amazing so it's getting us all even more excited. The ferry ride is 5 hours there and then a few hours in between islands. On the way back from Santorini to Athens though... It's an 8.5 hour ride! We leave at midnight Monday morning. So needless to say class on Monday should be really fun. We are staying in hostels so I hope they are as nice as the pictures on their websites! I won't be available most of the weekend because a lot of areas on the islands don't have wifi so this is my farewell post and I will write again in October! Although it's weird to say October because it's still ridiculously hot here. Have a good weekend and here's to hoping the Patriots win again!

xoxo

Post Weekend Update

Happy Sunday to everyone!

This weekend was so much fun (as they all have been thus far). We went to a big music festival on Friday night in downtown Athens which was fun, but I'm still catching up on my sleep! We left at 1:30 because the festival didn't end till 10 in the morning! We didn't stay quite that late, but still. Greeks go out so much later because they siesta everyday - which I've adapted to quite nicely I must say.

Today is just a relaxing Sunday which is nice. We have a group dinner planned for later so we can book our Paris, Belgium, Amsterdam trip over fall break! It's so far away but I already can't wait for it! It helps a little bit that we get to go island hopping come Friday though :)

Sarah, Cassie and I went for expresso today and they both ordered slovaki as well to eat, but I had already had breakfast so I didn't order anything. There was a man having lunch there as well a few tables away and he told the waitress that if I wanted one too, he would pay for my slovaki. I wanted to write about that in here because I couldn't believe that (especially in this economic depression Greece is in) a stranger would take notice that I wasn't eating and offer to pay, with no reward in it for him. Not that this would never happen in America, but the people in this country seem to really try and help everyone out if they feel they can. That little gesture made my day because it was just so genuinely nice.

On another note, I signed up for a marathon around Athens! It's 26.2 miles long! I know you all probably think I'm crazy, but a group of us study abroad students are training together so I figured I would join in. I figured the accomplishment I will feel after we run it will be worth all of the training. Today we have to run 7 miles though and I'm crying a little inside...

Enjoy football Sunday for me since I can't! Xoxo

3rd Week Updates

Yasoo everyone!
I feel like I haven't blogged in a while because I barely have free time here. I'm watching the sunset go down - the weather tonight is the absolute perfect temperature. I sent out some postcards at the Post office today and it wasn't as easy as it would seem. I had to find someone to speak english and then I had to buy 9000 stamps approximately to mail each letter! I'm glad I finally got them sent out though. I also went for a run and a swim in the middle of the day today, which for the running aspect, was a mistake. It was way too hot out to move so I don't know what I was thinking. But it isn't as humid so the wind was cool enough.

I have come to the conclusion that I am probably going to have lung problems from all the second-hand cigarette smoke here. Almost everyone smokes, and they smoke in school, in bars, in restaurants so that is getting kind of annoying but I guess I'm getting used to it at the same time. I still haven't gotten used to the scenery yet though! I still have to remind myself that I'm not in a dream.

I went to the farmer's market on Monday and they had so many fresh fruits and veggies that Cassie and I filled our fridge up with them - but it's so cheap that it cost us under 6 euros for everything! The food here is delicious and I am taking full advantage of my kitchen. I made stuffed peppers last night and I think that was the best dish I've made here so far. We use feta cheese and olive oil everyday so my Mom is going to have to get used to buying that regularly when I come back home. We have dinner with different people from the dorm each night usually - it's nice here because most of the people aren't cliquey, they really want to meet everyone. I went to dinner and ice cream with my friend Connor tonight so that was really nice!

(The fire alarm is going off now, as it does every night, because someone forgot to pull their oven vents out. I'm still on the balcony.)

I completed my first homework assignment tonight! It was practice writing letters for my Greek language class. It was easy enough but it's hard to remember all of the symbols that are supposedly letters lol. I can't say I miss America but I miss my friends and family and I hope everyone is doing well!!

Love and kisses dawgs <3

Pool Day

Hello!

After a long walk to the grocery store and a pasta dinner, I'm almost ready for bed. It's only 10pm here but we ended up going out last night with a large group of us so I have been exhausted all day. I finally have all my classes straightened out, after switching out of a few of them today, and the schedule seems really good now. We went to the campus pool today for a while to lay out in the sun and also to swim laps in the pool! I found out that it was the training pool for the olympics when they were in Athens a few years ago, and so Michael Phelps trained there. He also stayed in my dorm building somewhere (although I haven't asked what room yet) because this building was built for the olympians to stay in while they were here! The pool is huge and beautiful, but you have to wear a swimcap whenever you go in which wouldn't bother me as much if I didn't look like a boy in it. It's gucci though because everyone is there to swim laps too. It was a beautiful day here, as always. I'm going again tomorrow after my only class at noon. Tough life over here in paradise. :)

Until next time homies

Island plans & Classes

Yasoo! (Hello)

So it's quarter after 11 here and me and 9 other people just booked our trip around the islands of Greece for the last weekend in September! We are taking ferries to the islands, (which is about 5 hours from Athens, but we will entertain ourselves!) staying in Mykonos for a night and then Santorini for 2 nights. I cannot wait, since they both look incredible for different reasons. Mykonos is a party island and Santorini has the most beautiful beaches, or so I have heard! We are going to an Island called Hydra this Saturday as a study abroad event, so everyone in the dorms will be going. I had the rest of my classes today and they seem good for the most part! I'm taking an Art and Architecture of ancient Greece class which to me looks really cool. I'm also taking a Greek language class so hopefully I can learn how to communicate with the locals! Speaking of the locals... they are insane drivers and drive/park on the sidewalks constantly. You don't just have to be careful walking across the road (they speed like crazy) but on the sidewalk too! I almost got hit by a moped yesterday so that was fun. Also, random fact: you can't throw toilet paper in any of the toilets here because the plumbing is too small for it. That is inconvenient and annoying and sometimes I forget... oops! I made pasta carbonara with snap peas and wine for dinner tonight for Cassie, Sarah and I and it was wicked good obviously :). I love that I get to cook here because I enjoy it so much (I always ask Cassie if I can make dinner and she is more than willing to let me). My classes seem good although almost all of them are assessed by 1 midterm that is 40% of your grade, and one final that is 60% of your grade. If it means no homework is graded throughout the semester, I'm totally fine with that. I've been missing football games because they aren't aired on TV here of course, and they are often late at night my time as well. That doesn't seem like a problem but I've been refreshing the patriots live field position changes every few minutes during the games... At least I beat my brother in fantasy league though :) Also, the crepes here are literally to die for. I have to get up early for school tomorrow so I'm going to put a movie in and try to sleep! Goodnight everyone

P.S. I forgot The Lorax DVD at home so if my family reads this... please mail it to your favorite daughter/sister asap. Thanks.

One Week In

Hey everyone! I finally got the chance to set up my blog for while I'm in Athens! It's been about a week and I love it here so far. I am writing from my personal balcony off of my apartment. I live with Cassie and two other girls from South Dakota. Their names are Anna and Debbie and they are so sweet. It has been gorgeous weather here so far (today it is 93!). We have gone to the very heart of Athens once in a big group of other study abroad kids from my school. All of us live in the same building so it's easy to get to know one another, and everyone seems really great so far! Most of the kids are from Arizona. Grecians are definitely more friendly and welcoming than Americans are I have noticed. Our RA's in the building are Greek and are incredible with helping us all figure everything out. Most people speak English but it is difficult not knowing many Greek words, even when we go to the grocery store! We bought what we thought was coffee creamer and it was sweet and condensed milk (we used it anyway lol). The night life here is very fun though. It gets tiring because they don't leave the clubs and bars till about 5 or 6 AM! I think that's why they need to have a siesta in the afternoon. A bunch of us went to a party/concert on the beach on Saturday night and that was wicked fun! Now I am still trying to catch up on my sleep but it is difficult because there is so much to do! My legs are sore from all of the walking we have to do on a daily basis but I don't mind it really. I am in one of the nicer areas of Athens, as I'm told, but there is graffiti on everything! Someone told us it is because Greek people have no patriotism so they see empty walls as a canvas to express their feelings about their country. I have to get off my computer so I can take a nap along with the rest of Europe :) Sagapo poli! (It means I love you so much!)