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
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Sunday, September 22, 2013
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
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
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
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
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
Thursday, September 12, 2013
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
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
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
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.
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.
Monday, September 9, 2013
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!)
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