The Greeks are absolutely lazy as mess. But you know what. You really don't see that many fat Greeks. I love their laid back attitude. They just love for the pleasure of living, which is what I really want to do, eventually.
Thursday evening I had to say goodbye to a couple of the CUNY girls (City University of New York) who were leaving around 4 in the morning. It was a sad little moment, but they were cool, so I'm sure I'll talk to them on facebook. Thursday night I went out with the crew. We were supposed to go salsa dancing, which I really wanted to do. I just wanted to show off my moves, but there was a 10 euro cover charge so went down the street to another club. We had a great time, but the lights in the club were so strange. They would dim and brighten at random intervals, so once I sat down I actually had to cover my eyes. Then I started getting tired. I could have actually fallen asleep in the club even with the music, which is always loud. On the way into and out of Psiri (the area with all the clubs and whatnot) there are a million posters for all the different concerts going on in the near future. I think I'm going to have to steal one of them because it had a cool picture on it. We got back around 3-3:30 so people were only going to get about 2 hours of sleep because they wanted to get up and take the metro to the port in order to hop on the first boat to Poros. The metro starts at 6am. I stayed up until they left because I had to write a paper proposal and e-mail to my professor on Friday (this morning)(it was an extension), which I then have to write the draft for it this weekend. HA. I think I mentioned that one of my papers got cancelled and another got pushed back so this draft doesn't seem so bad now. Passed out in the heat after stealing a fan from the other room. I haven't used my comforter in a week it is so hot.
Today, well, I haven't done much. I'm hanging out with the other CUNY girls as I type. One of them cooked dinner, and she's cooking crepes (yummm). Always more later.
P.S. I think I want to move to Australia after I graduate.
Friday, June 29, 2007
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Athens: Days 20-21
Maybe not so hard after all. My teacher just said we didn't have to do our last paper in my art and archeology class. I still have to do the reading but thats fine. Plus we get to push back our other paper. On the other hand I have to write my proposal right now and then the draft for it is due Monday. Oh well. I decided to post instead for now.
Wednesday evening we went to Sounio. It is at the southern tip of the mainland of Greece. It is the home to the Temple of Poseidon. It actually mostly intact, which was awesome. It was supposed to have the best sunset in Greece. I'll post pics and you can judge, but I think maybe it depends on clouds and stuff. Still it was really wonderful. The rides there and back took a while so I actually got a paper done on the bus. While we were there me and Sumaiya climbed down this huge hill full of prickly bushes. It really took at least a half hour. But today we rewarded ourselves with ice cream and the banana ice cream I got was spectacular. It brings me back to my days at State when they served that banana desert that was money.
I got a HardRock Cafe Athens shotglass today. I love it. It is the best one I've bought so far. The Greeks really don't know how to make good shotglasses. Maybe its because they don't abuse alcohol much. I've been either lazy or just doing homework these past few days. I'ma go out tomorrow and get some stuff done. We'll see.
Wednesday evening we went to Sounio. It is at the southern tip of the mainland of Greece. It is the home to the Temple of Poseidon. It actually mostly intact, which was awesome. It was supposed to have the best sunset in Greece. I'll post pics and you can judge, but I think maybe it depends on clouds and stuff. Still it was really wonderful. The rides there and back took a while so I actually got a paper done on the bus. While we were there me and Sumaiya climbed down this huge hill full of prickly bushes. It really took at least a half hour. But today we rewarded ourselves with ice cream and the banana ice cream I got was spectacular. It brings me back to my days at State when they served that banana desert that was money.
I got a HardRock Cafe Athens shotglass today. I love it. It is the best one I've bought so far. The Greeks really don't know how to make good shotglasses. Maybe its because they don't abuse alcohol much. I've been either lazy or just doing homework these past few days. I'ma go out tomorrow and get some stuff done. We'll see.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Athens: Days 18-19
Much harder than I thought it would be. I'm working on like 5 papers all for within the next week. People can't communicate or stop talking. Its like people talk but nothing comes into cohesiveness. So I'll probably end up going to Santorini with just Rachel T, but thats cool. I think it will be nice with just 2 people. I have to make a choice on whether to go to Meteora or a world athletic event at the Olympic stadium on Monday. I have a feeling I'm going to go to the stadium because then I will be able to get more work done here.
I don't think I did much on this past Monday, other than listen to a million people being disorganized. I think too many of them are followers and just do what others do, while I have to go to Santorini. That has been at the top of my list so there. But we had dinner and tried to have everyone figure out what to do and it was chaos. I'm staying here this weekend in order to do a few things in Athens I need to do and get some homework done.
Tuesday - I tried to get some homework done at an apartment that actually has air conditioning, and it worked for a little while until we had more than three people there. I eventually just ended up leaving and coming back in order to finish reading and putting down notes for my Iliad / Odyssey paper. I'm gonna write it after I hit post. I slept on the couch in the dining room (yes a couch was moved to our dining room) because it is the coolest spot in the house due to the fan overhead.
I just checked the weather and its 109 outside. It says high of 96 tomorrow but today was supposed to be 99 so we'll see. I can't to get this work done because it will be such a great relief. But I know once I hit post I have to write it, dang it. Okay...
I don't think I did much on this past Monday, other than listen to a million people being disorganized. I think too many of them are followers and just do what others do, while I have to go to Santorini. That has been at the top of my list so there. But we had dinner and tried to have everyone figure out what to do and it was chaos. I'm staying here this weekend in order to do a few things in Athens I need to do and get some homework done.
Tuesday - I tried to get some homework done at an apartment that actually has air conditioning, and it worked for a little while until we had more than three people there. I eventually just ended up leaving and coming back in order to finish reading and putting down notes for my Iliad / Odyssey paper. I'm gonna write it after I hit post. I slept on the couch in the dining room (yes a couch was moved to our dining room) because it is the coolest spot in the house due to the fan overhead.
I just checked the weather and its 109 outside. It says high of 96 tomorrow but today was supposed to be 99 so we'll see. I can't to get this work done because it will be such a great relief. But I know once I hit post I have to write it, dang it. Okay...
Monday, June 25, 2007
Greece: Days 14-17 crazyness
Okay, so the night before we left a few of us went to the Hill of the Muses for one last outing with Nedim. His friend brought a guitar and we sat around singing random songs. I had never done that before so I'm glad I went despite the few hours of sleep I got that night. What ended that night though was a spider. It was pretty funny. I was just staring off into Athens and everybody starts freaking out and jumping up. I on the other hand wanted to know what happened, so I sat there and they said a spider was right under my foot. But it was a big spider so despite my sense of calm I jumped up and proceeded to run around like a little kid. We go a flashlight out and looked at it. Yeah it was the size of my palm. I was pleased we left.
8am Friday morning. Bus ride. The temp was okay at this point but we were still getting hot. Our first stop was a random little stand in the middle of nowhere. I got a Pepsi because its hard to find Pepsi here and it was in a bottle. I wanted a Greek Pepsi bottle, but later the bus driver threw it away because I had only placed it in the back of the seat. Boo. Then we went to Delphi. It was pretty cool. There was the museum first in which we all went to and then there were two different sets of ruins. Everyone except me and Rachel M went the Apollo ruins while we went to the Sanctuary of Athinaia. Next was lunch. Everything was too much so I settled on a Greek salad (not the greatest) for like 7 euro, including bread and water. Its insane how much these people charge for the smallest things. Anyways we crossed a channel over to the Peloponnese even though there was the pimpest bridge right next to it. The bridge (pics up soon) does not extend to the bottom of the bed, but it floats. It was designed by a physicist and can withstand 10.0 quakes. We stayed in Olympia at what I believe is a 5 star hotel. We had a four course meal, swam in their pool, and looked at the stars. Loved it.
8am Saturday morning. Scorching. Reached 115 this day. First thing was breakfast. It was the best breakfast I had had in a long time. Pastries, sausage, milk, and other yummies. We went nearby to the original Olympic Gymnasium. They had some cool stuff; the Temple of Zeus, the spot where the flame is lit for every modern Olympic games, and the ancient track, which I ran on! We also went to a nearby museum, saw Hermes (he had a room to his self) and some other stuff that was beginning to blur into all the other museums I had seen. Then onto the bus where we proceeded to sweat nonstop for hours until this cool little mountain town named Lagadia. I saw these cool shot glasses the teachers were drinking from (it was something unique like walnut liqueur) and I had to get one, so I asked the guy if I could buy one and he said I could have it for free as a souvenir. I was pumped. The view from there was amazing. We then proceeded to Tolo. It was this town on the eastern coast of the Peloponnese where we stayed for another night. The food was okay this time. Buffet style, but not bad. The beach was not as cold as it was in Andros, but it was 115 outside all day. It was a nice time despite the apparently giant rock covered moss we found. Stayed up pretty late (mistake).
6am Sunday morning. Still hot. I got up for sunrise, but Josh didn't want to so I hurried to shut off my alarm and in the process slammed my right pinky toe into the bed. It got giantly purple. I didn't notice the blood until I got outside and awaited the sun. After that I got a few more hours of sleep had a slightly not as good breakfast as the day before and we went to a theater called Epidavros. It was cool for a little bit. I climbed to the top and the acoustics really are great. They still use it today. (This is getting long.) We had a break in Nafplio, and then went to Mycenae. We saw Agamemnon and decided not to stop anywhere else that day because we were all so miserable.
Back in Athens last night I went and saw the Vienna Boy's Choir sing at Herod Atticous Odeon, and the only way to get in there is to go see a performance. I managed to record the entirety of the performance with my skills at concealing my camera. They were absolutely wonderful. The lead boy was so small but his voice was awesome. Then I cam home and finished a book. Dang. This was quite long. Another post soon.
Oh and disorganization is our program and our groups name. Someone just needs to tell me what people are doing. Anyways pics soon.
8am Friday morning. Bus ride. The temp was okay at this point but we were still getting hot. Our first stop was a random little stand in the middle of nowhere. I got a Pepsi because its hard to find Pepsi here and it was in a bottle. I wanted a Greek Pepsi bottle, but later the bus driver threw it away because I had only placed it in the back of the seat. Boo. Then we went to Delphi. It was pretty cool. There was the museum first in which we all went to and then there were two different sets of ruins. Everyone except me and Rachel M went the Apollo ruins while we went to the Sanctuary of Athinaia. Next was lunch. Everything was too much so I settled on a Greek salad (not the greatest) for like 7 euro, including bread and water. Its insane how much these people charge for the smallest things. Anyways we crossed a channel over to the Peloponnese even though there was the pimpest bridge right next to it. The bridge (pics up soon) does not extend to the bottom of the bed, but it floats. It was designed by a physicist and can withstand 10.0 quakes. We stayed in Olympia at what I believe is a 5 star hotel. We had a four course meal, swam in their pool, and looked at the stars. Loved it.
8am Saturday morning. Scorching. Reached 115 this day. First thing was breakfast. It was the best breakfast I had had in a long time. Pastries, sausage, milk, and other yummies. We went nearby to the original Olympic Gymnasium. They had some cool stuff; the Temple of Zeus, the spot where the flame is lit for every modern Olympic games, and the ancient track, which I ran on! We also went to a nearby museum, saw Hermes (he had a room to his self) and some other stuff that was beginning to blur into all the other museums I had seen. Then onto the bus where we proceeded to sweat nonstop for hours until this cool little mountain town named Lagadia. I saw these cool shot glasses the teachers were drinking from (it was something unique like walnut liqueur) and I had to get one, so I asked the guy if I could buy one and he said I could have it for free as a souvenir. I was pumped. The view from there was amazing. We then proceeded to Tolo. It was this town on the eastern coast of the Peloponnese where we stayed for another night. The food was okay this time. Buffet style, but not bad. The beach was not as cold as it was in Andros, but it was 115 outside all day. It was a nice time despite the apparently giant rock covered moss we found. Stayed up pretty late (mistake).
6am Sunday morning. Still hot. I got up for sunrise, but Josh didn't want to so I hurried to shut off my alarm and in the process slammed my right pinky toe into the bed. It got giantly purple. I didn't notice the blood until I got outside and awaited the sun. After that I got a few more hours of sleep had a slightly not as good breakfast as the day before and we went to a theater called Epidavros. It was cool for a little bit. I climbed to the top and the acoustics really are great. They still use it today. (This is getting long.) We had a break in Nafplio, and then went to Mycenae. We saw Agamemnon and decided not to stop anywhere else that day because we were all so miserable.
Back in Athens last night I went and saw the Vienna Boy's Choir sing at Herod Atticous Odeon, and the only way to get in there is to go see a performance. I managed to record the entirety of the performance with my skills at concealing my camera. They were absolutely wonderful. The lead boy was so small but his voice was awesome. Then I cam home and finished a book. Dang. This was quite long. Another post soon.
Oh and disorganization is our program and our groups name. Someone just needs to tell me what people are doing. Anyways pics soon.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Athens: Days 11-14?
For some odd reason my computer decided to display my blogspt account in Greek (not what I had written but all the tabs and stuff, but oh well). Its quite fun.
Almost fell asleep in class on Monday until break when I could get a coke (which tastes much better than in the states). Later that day me and Marc went up to Likavittos, the highest point in Athens. The entire city (of 4 million people) looks so small from up there. Even the Acropolis looks completely different from there. What sucks though is that as we were about to get someone to take our picture at the top my batteries died. But I have faith we will make it back up top (with extra batteries next time) and see the sunset from there.
Gyros are becoming second nature for me now, but I'm worried I'm gonna end up spending more money than I want to. I still have to get gifts for everyone and myself of course not to mention all the trips I want to go on.
Tuesday brought Dina back to the school after she had had surgery. She's super nice and talked with us for about an hour. I think a lot of people felt better about all the poor communication at the school once they had talked to her. We learned that there is going to be a world athletic event at the Olympic stadium on the 2nd so we definitely have to see that. I got some cool movie posters in Greek too. I just love how the alphabet looks especially with our movies. Went to the Hill of the Muses again. That spot is turning into quite the popular spot among the students. But I think the main reason we went is because we were able to see a space shuttle lifting off from America. It passed into our view around 9:47 our time and we saw the little lights moving smoothly and quickly through the air. It was pretty neat I have to say.
Wednesday everyone went to the beach except me because I was in class. I knew how to get there but I didn't feel like going. Besides tehy went to the worst beach in Athens. Rocks, no sand, trashy water. So I feel better. I wandered around for a little while. Went back to the national gardens, Hadrian's Arch. I tried to get into Zeus' temple but if I wait and get a combo pack for the Acropolis then I can get in free. Some Australian girls helped me out with that. It was pretty cool. I love they way they talk.
One of our roommates is leaving this weekend and becasue we are going to be gone when he leaves, we threw a little gathering here. After a little while the party moved out to a club, but I decided to stay in. We've gone out to these two clubs every time we've gone out so I was just tired of it. I have to say I think I had a good time nonetheless. I had a good conversation with my friend, Rachel (the one who convinced me to go on the trip in the first place). It was good.
I think classes aren't going to be as bad as I thought before so I'm going to try and take it easy. We have an excursion this weekend to Delphi, Olympia, Mycenae, and another place with a bunch of stops elsewhere. Its going to be all the Odyssey and CUny students so about 20 of us. Its going to be crazy and I feel there may be more drama, but as for myself I'm just gonna chill.
We went to the Banaki Museum today for our Art and Archeology class. It was actually pretty cool except that I started getting lightheaded while we were there. I didn't know why. I was drinking plenty of water and had been fine the past couple hours, but whatever. Talked to my cuz for a few minutes. She's in Spain at the moment and I know she'll have a wonderful time.
And now here I am at my computer. I'm gonna go print some stuff, buy some postcards and do whatever I want now. So I'll post again after I get back. And I'll try to put up more pics soon.
Almost fell asleep in class on Monday until break when I could get a coke (which tastes much better than in the states). Later that day me and Marc went up to Likavittos, the highest point in Athens. The entire city (of 4 million people) looks so small from up there. Even the Acropolis looks completely different from there. What sucks though is that as we were about to get someone to take our picture at the top my batteries died. But I have faith we will make it back up top (with extra batteries next time) and see the sunset from there.
Gyros are becoming second nature for me now, but I'm worried I'm gonna end up spending more money than I want to. I still have to get gifts for everyone and myself of course not to mention all the trips I want to go on.
Tuesday brought Dina back to the school after she had had surgery. She's super nice and talked with us for about an hour. I think a lot of people felt better about all the poor communication at the school once they had talked to her. We learned that there is going to be a world athletic event at the Olympic stadium on the 2nd so we definitely have to see that. I got some cool movie posters in Greek too. I just love how the alphabet looks especially with our movies. Went to the Hill of the Muses again. That spot is turning into quite the popular spot among the students. But I think the main reason we went is because we were able to see a space shuttle lifting off from America. It passed into our view around 9:47 our time and we saw the little lights moving smoothly and quickly through the air. It was pretty neat I have to say.
Wednesday everyone went to the beach except me because I was in class. I knew how to get there but I didn't feel like going. Besides tehy went to the worst beach in Athens. Rocks, no sand, trashy water. So I feel better. I wandered around for a little while. Went back to the national gardens, Hadrian's Arch. I tried to get into Zeus' temple but if I wait and get a combo pack for the Acropolis then I can get in free. Some Australian girls helped me out with that. It was pretty cool. I love they way they talk.
One of our roommates is leaving this weekend and becasue we are going to be gone when he leaves, we threw a little gathering here. After a little while the party moved out to a club, but I decided to stay in. We've gone out to these two clubs every time we've gone out so I was just tired of it. I have to say I think I had a good time nonetheless. I had a good conversation with my friend, Rachel (the one who convinced me to go on the trip in the first place). It was good.
I think classes aren't going to be as bad as I thought before so I'm going to try and take it easy. We have an excursion this weekend to Delphi, Olympia, Mycenae, and another place with a bunch of stops elsewhere. Its going to be all the Odyssey and CUny students so about 20 of us. Its going to be crazy and I feel there may be more drama, but as for myself I'm just gonna chill.
We went to the Banaki Museum today for our Art and Archeology class. It was actually pretty cool except that I started getting lightheaded while we were there. I didn't know why. I was drinking plenty of water and had been fine the past couple hours, but whatever. Talked to my cuz for a few minutes. She's in Spain at the moment and I know she'll have a wonderful time.
And now here I am at my computer. I'm gonna go print some stuff, buy some postcards and do whatever I want now. So I'll post again after I get back. And I'll try to put up more pics soon.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Andros: Days 08-10
Wow. I guess I should title it Greece Trip now.
Greek islands are beautiful. We went to the island of Andros by way of a 2.5 hour ferry. So it wasn't very far away but it was a little big. It was 26 km from Batsi (the town we stayed in) to the main town of Andros Town, which I only went to on Saturday for about four hours.
We immediately hit the beach when we got there. It was pretty good, a little chilly, but a fun time nonetheless. Got a little burned, but it will help me tan and then I'll be a Greek god. Our town only had two clubs, so we went to the one we knew of called Nameless. It was pretty good. They took requests and had an eclectic array of music. All eleven of us went (that is a lot by the way, I would have preferred small groups) but it was okay. About half left earlier than the rest. So I stayed and made sure everything was cool. At one point I was wondering about the time so I asked Julia. She pulled out her watch and it said 6:51. I was freaking out (on the inside). about 20 minutes later we found out it was only 4:30. She must have pressed a button to show an alarm. But it was still late and we went to the only other club there. We had met a couple guys and they had been advised to go to this other club, so we went. After about 15 minutes there I'm thinking something is wrong. There was this weird vibe in the air not to mention just my observations of the other patrons. My thoughts were confirmed when this drunk Greek guy came on to me and tried to put his arms around me. I had to stop him a few times. (Vanessa could tell you all about it. Her expression was priceless, but she saw everything that happened.) So me and the few other American guys huddled up and were like "Oh crap." Yeah, we went to a gay bar. Needless to say we left quickly, went to the beach and hung out for a while. I heard the roosters crowing and the light coming up on the horizon at about 5:30 so I went to bed.
Bam, I wake up 10 to 10 in order to get my free breakfast, which was basically like a continental breakfast, grabbed my stuff to go anywhere and a few of us took a taxi to Andros town. We saw some cool stuff (you'll see in the pics soon). We went to this cool modern art museum, ate at Heaven Cafe, and looked through Plaka (a shopping district, you can find Plaka in every major city). They had these cool sandals I wanted to get, but they were 42 euro, so that was a big no. I'll see if I can find anything like that here in Athens. The rest of the day was just chilling out, checking out the sunset, and going to dinner. Oh, the previous night we went to a Chinese restaurant. this night we went to a more traditional place. I didn't go out this night because it was too much, but I still stayed til about 3, hanging on the beach just having some good ol' fashioned fun. Oh and Socoke is amazing.
Chilled the next morning for a bit until we had to catch the ferry back. Thats pretty much it. I don't know if it sounds as fun as it was, but it definitely was. I hope to have mucho more fun in Santorini and anywhere else we go. I have to go to Le Klavidos now so bye bye.
Greek islands are beautiful. We went to the island of Andros by way of a 2.5 hour ferry. So it wasn't very far away but it was a little big. It was 26 km from Batsi (the town we stayed in) to the main town of Andros Town, which I only went to on Saturday for about four hours.
We immediately hit the beach when we got there. It was pretty good, a little chilly, but a fun time nonetheless. Got a little burned, but it will help me tan and then I'll be a Greek god. Our town only had two clubs, so we went to the one we knew of called Nameless. It was pretty good. They took requests and had an eclectic array of music. All eleven of us went (that is a lot by the way, I would have preferred small groups) but it was okay. About half left earlier than the rest. So I stayed and made sure everything was cool. At one point I was wondering about the time so I asked Julia. She pulled out her watch and it said 6:51. I was freaking out (on the inside). about 20 minutes later we found out it was only 4:30. She must have pressed a button to show an alarm. But it was still late and we went to the only other club there. We had met a couple guys and they had been advised to go to this other club, so we went. After about 15 minutes there I'm thinking something is wrong. There was this weird vibe in the air not to mention just my observations of the other patrons. My thoughts were confirmed when this drunk Greek guy came on to me and tried to put his arms around me. I had to stop him a few times. (Vanessa could tell you all about it. Her expression was priceless, but she saw everything that happened.) So me and the few other American guys huddled up and were like "Oh crap." Yeah, we went to a gay bar. Needless to say we left quickly, went to the beach and hung out for a while. I heard the roosters crowing and the light coming up on the horizon at about 5:30 so I went to bed.
Bam, I wake up 10 to 10 in order to get my free breakfast, which was basically like a continental breakfast, grabbed my stuff to go anywhere and a few of us took a taxi to Andros town. We saw some cool stuff (you'll see in the pics soon). We went to this cool modern art museum, ate at Heaven Cafe, and looked through Plaka (a shopping district, you can find Plaka in every major city). They had these cool sandals I wanted to get, but they were 42 euro, so that was a big no. I'll see if I can find anything like that here in Athens. The rest of the day was just chilling out, checking out the sunset, and going to dinner. Oh, the previous night we went to a Chinese restaurant. this night we went to a more traditional place. I didn't go out this night because it was too much, but I still stayed til about 3, hanging on the beach just having some good ol' fashioned fun. Oh and Socoke is amazing.
Chilled the next morning for a bit until we had to catch the ferry back. Thats pretty much it. I don't know if it sounds as fun as it was, but it definitely was. I hope to have mucho more fun in Santorini and anywhere else we go. I have to go to Le Klavidos now so bye bye.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Athens: Day 07
Well, we went out last night and had great fun what can I say, though, I was wearing my new sandals (Yes I had oiled them up earlier in the day) but I was still breaking them in, so maybe not the best choice but still a fun time. I don't think I'll be bringing them to Andros.
I would like to say I'm getting in to the swing of things, but I still feel like I'm not doing as much as I can. I still want to go back to Zeus's temple and up to the highest hill. Maybe next week. My easy course of Art and Archeology is being called Greek Life and Society for graduate students. We have to read Iliad, Odyssey, Antigone, Poetics, Zorba the Greek and write three 6 page papers. I think its too much to ask for a 5 week course. I think I'll have to skip it on the 4th of July week so I can get a 6 day weekend and do something super fun. I thnk we have to read those books because the 2 grad students added it, so I feel really guilty about that. This was supposed to be an easy (I don't mean that in a bad way) course. I thought we would be touring the city and museums and landmarks to see art and archeology related stuff like classes did in the past, but no. Yes I know I'm complaining, but I just needed to say it.
As for today. Super lazy. I think I'm finally getting the feel of gyros. But I can't say I've done much today. Maybe I'll put up some pics in a minute and then pack. Viele pictures when I get back for Andros: Days 08, 09, & 10
I would like to say I'm getting in to the swing of things, but I still feel like I'm not doing as much as I can. I still want to go back to Zeus's temple and up to the highest hill. Maybe next week. My easy course of Art and Archeology is being called Greek Life and Society for graduate students. We have to read Iliad, Odyssey, Antigone, Poetics, Zorba the Greek and write three 6 page papers. I think its too much to ask for a 5 week course. I think I'll have to skip it on the 4th of July week so I can get a 6 day weekend and do something super fun. I thnk we have to read those books because the 2 grad students added it, so I feel really guilty about that. This was supposed to be an easy (I don't mean that in a bad way) course. I thought we would be touring the city and museums and landmarks to see art and archeology related stuff like classes did in the past, but no. Yes I know I'm complaining, but I just needed to say it.
As for today. Super lazy. I think I'm finally getting the feel of gyros. But I can't say I've done much today. Maybe I'll put up some pics in a minute and then pack. Viele pictures when I get back for Andros: Days 08, 09, & 10
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Athens: Days 04 & 05 & 06?
Well Monday was my first day of class. It looks to be a little difficult, seeing as I need to start my research for my final paper now, but I will get through it as I always do. it was 4 hours long 9:30-1:20 on Mondays and Wednesdays minus the 4th of July. Apperantly because Rachel and I are the only ones who have experience navigating the library databases we have to help everyone else, 3 Greeks, a Dominican, a Kazhikstani, another American (though she will be fine I think), an American turned Greek, and a Chinese girl (she too might be ok because she works in the lab). All in all a fine day. afterwards. I don't know if I really did all that much. We tried to get some of us to go to the beach but people are being difficult. I don't think they understand yet that we need to make plans and stick to them. That night some drama happened, but I have decided not to talk about people or anything like that. We are in Greece to have fun, so I think a few liberties are allowed, but whatever. We like to spend time on our roof, which is great. We have the best view and our place is very accommodating. I like wine.
We got another class approved for a graduate course so I am once again taking 6 hours. Its basically supposed to be an easy course about going around and seeing the sites but I think I'm gonna have to read some lit. stuff like Odyssey and Iliad. We'll see though.
Tuesday. Tried to get our trip to Milos planned, but that fell through. The ferries were booked. Got some more ideas of how to get around the area. I am great about that now. Went back to Philopappou to see the sunset, but failed to catch the sun by like 10 minutes. I'll go back later. Had to write a one page paper too.
Wednesday. After 4 hours of sleep went to class. I need to work on that because I later took a nap and that made it so I couldn't go to the best hill. And I doubt I'll be able to go until Monday because of weekend trips. We got tickets for an island called Andros. It is supposed to be not very touristy, so I think we'll have a good time. I need to buy stuff for people. And on the islands you really only get one chance. I'll talk more of that when I get back. I got my handmade sandals today. I need to put some olive oil on them and start breaking them in. Other than that we'll see what happens tonight. I might just try to read this book. Tomorrow we have our first class in that Greek life and society course.
I'll try to update again before I leave for Andros.
We got another class approved for a graduate course so I am once again taking 6 hours. Its basically supposed to be an easy course about going around and seeing the sites but I think I'm gonna have to read some lit. stuff like Odyssey and Iliad. We'll see though.
Tuesday. Tried to get our trip to Milos planned, but that fell through. The ferries were booked. Got some more ideas of how to get around the area. I am great about that now. Went back to Philopappou to see the sunset, but failed to catch the sun by like 10 minutes. I'll go back later. Had to write a one page paper too.
Wednesday. After 4 hours of sleep went to class. I need to work on that because I later took a nap and that made it so I couldn't go to the best hill. And I doubt I'll be able to go until Monday because of weekend trips. We got tickets for an island called Andros. It is supposed to be not very touristy, so I think we'll have a good time. I need to buy stuff for people. And on the islands you really only get one chance. I'll talk more of that when I get back. I got my handmade sandals today. I need to put some olive oil on them and start breaking them in. Other than that we'll see what happens tonight. I might just try to read this book. Tomorrow we have our first class in that Greek life and society course.
I'll try to update again before I leave for Andros.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Athens: Days 02 & 03
Woke up late on Saturday around 12:05-12:10. My roommate and I were supposed to be in front of the school at 12 to begin our walking tour of the city. We rushed gt there and our guides had not even come yet, but hey the tour was okay. Saw some cool stuff like the Temple of Zeus, Hadrian's Arch, and the first modern Olympic stadium (Pictures of those soon). The tour lasted a lot longer than anticipated especially since we took the metro to a cool 5 story supermarket. I was supposed to go to a piano recital that night, but all the girls had dressed up super nice and I had yet to take a shower (not my fault) so I decided not to attend and instead take a nap. I couldn't get teh shower in time because someone stole it from me, but whatever, I heard the thing was boring so I'm glad I didn't go. Besides we all met up afterward had a nice dinner and went dancing at a couple clubs. All in all it was good, but the girls aren't too fond of technoish music, so yeah, but they still had a good time. Apparently the clubs change their music genre every night. We tried to make it to a nice hill that night but couldn't find the way, got seperated with a few people, my roommate got lost for 3 hours (He's okay), but we went to the hill I mentioned earlier(still need to get that name). It was pretty fun I have to say.
Sunday, hmmmm, went to the Hill of the Muses, aka Philopappou. It was spectacular. There is really only one higher point in Athens. This hill was amazing. I took a million shots so I can make a panorama of the view. We tried to get in to the Acropolis because it is supposed to be free on Sundays but some jerks were running the gate. It really all depends on that person. They can be nice somedays and others just say, ohi (no). But all in all it was a cool adventure. We found a closed down vineyard, ate some of the grapes, very sour. We had a nice family dinner, and a fun night. What more can I say. I can't wait to get to an island.
Pics up soon.
Sunday, hmmmm, went to the Hill of the Muses, aka Philopappou. It was spectacular. There is really only one higher point in Athens. This hill was amazing. I took a million shots so I can make a panorama of the view. We tried to get in to the Acropolis because it is supposed to be free on Sundays but some jerks were running the gate. It really all depends on that person. They can be nice somedays and others just say, ohi (no). But all in all it was a cool adventure. We found a closed down vineyard, ate some of the grapes, very sour. We had a nice family dinner, and a fun night. What more can I say. I can't wait to get to an island.
Pics up soon.
Saturday, June 09, 2007
Okay Day 01 For Real
Endachsi (Okay), it was my first time stepping off a plane using the steps outside. But it was fine. Got through customs and got our baggage quickly, but then we had to wait for about 3 hours for other students to arrive (we were all going to take a bus together). One girl missed her flight, which delayed our leaving the airport for an hour because we didn't know she had missed it, but she made it that night so all is well.
Driving - Never attempt to drive in Athens. It is absolutely insane because the city was built long before cars existed, making the roads narrow and short. There are always many turns to make on a road unless you're on a main road but even so it is still quite crazy. Drivers cut people off constantly but there are no worries. Everyone does it and it works somehow. There are motorcycles everywhere. They drive in between the cars and down the streets. People walk in the streets and the bikes barely slow down to pass you.
Why I said "for the most part" in my e-mail was because they dropped my mask making course. Apperantly there were only 2 people signed up for it even though I know at least 2 other were and others in my group said they were going to take it. The thing is we don't even sign up until Monday. So there is some bad communication here at the Athens campus.
I don't know how much you know about Greek life, but people eat dinner late, like 10-11 o'clock at night and then go out partying. 11 is very earlier to start the night. I myself only stayed up to about 3 (early), but I blame that on being awake for 35 hours. I tried some Ouzo, but tastes like black lichorish, and yes I did know that, but I had to say I tried it. Prolly won't have that again.
I did walk around a little, which was amazing. A lot of my pictures are taken from one hill. I'll get the name of that later, but it was absolutely wonderful. There is another hill (or mountain) that is the tallest point in Athens. I'll go later. You can get a 360 view from up there.
Anyway, that is a broad look at day one. More pics coming soon of day two.
Driving - Never attempt to drive in Athens. It is absolutely insane because the city was built long before cars existed, making the roads narrow and short. There are always many turns to make on a road unless you're on a main road but even so it is still quite crazy. Drivers cut people off constantly but there are no worries. Everyone does it and it works somehow. There are motorcycles everywhere. They drive in between the cars and down the streets. People walk in the streets and the bikes barely slow down to pass you.
Why I said "for the most part" in my e-mail was because they dropped my mask making course. Apperantly there were only 2 people signed up for it even though I know at least 2 other were and others in my group said they were going to take it. The thing is we don't even sign up until Monday. So there is some bad communication here at the Athens campus.
I don't know how much you know about Greek life, but people eat dinner late, like 10-11 o'clock at night and then go out partying. 11 is very earlier to start the night. I myself only stayed up to about 3 (early), but I blame that on being awake for 35 hours. I tried some Ouzo, but tastes like black lichorish, and yes I did know that, but I had to say I tried it. Prolly won't have that again.
I did walk around a little, which was amazing. A lot of my pictures are taken from one hill. I'll get the name of that later, but it was absolutely wonderful. There is another hill (or mountain) that is the tallest point in Athens. I'll go later. You can get a 360 view from up there.
Anyway, that is a broad look at day one. More pics coming soon of day two.
Friday, June 08, 2007
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