So fall is officially here in Athens. Rain has become a daily visitor and overcast skies are overstaying their welcome. Randomly 80 degree days will pop up but in general it is rainy season, at least I am convinced it is here and I am concerned if this is not it.....

Dan came to visit this past week! It worked out very well even though I had class because I get out at 1:20 so while I was in class Dan was overcoming jetlag and slept. I made him a traditional greek salad and we bought roasted greek chicken for our his first meal in greece. I have learned to make a pretty mean greek salad by now.

We went to a Greek soccer match Tuesday night which was exciting since I had been wanting to attend one and Dan really enjoys soccer. It was a qualifier match for the Eurocup 2012. Greece beat Israel 2:1. The game was not as rowdy or out of control as I thought it might be but spirited Greeks decked out in flags, blue and white facepaint, and Greek jerseys surrounded us. Up front a group of older men, who we presumed has season tickets, gathered with their instruments and were the unofficial cheer starters for our side of the stadium. European futbol is such a passionate sport and the roar of the cheers is enough to give an outsider goosebumps because nothing like this can be experience at sporting events in the US, or at least I have yet to experience anything like this.

Wednesday we went to the 2004 Olympic stadium. Unless you are only interested in seeing the pool, which we kind of were, then going is a bit of let down. Nothing was open and it was an expansive metal wasteland. It was beautiful but eerily empty. It was as if it were abandoned. We did manage to find life at the aquatic center, however. Swim lessons were in full swing and in the outdoor pool a swim team full of teenagers were in the midst of a practice. It was good to see people swimming even though I myself have not done so in a long long time. But hey, Greece wont let me. Anyways, we were pumped to see the spot where Michael Phelps had his glorious swims in 2004.

Okay, New POST! I am trying to be better about this.

So, about Crete. We went to Crete last Monday for a 5 day learning excursion. The trip was mainly for students taking archeology and classes on ancient art and monuments. I, like 18 other kids, am not enrolled in a single class that falls under any of these categories and therefore got to spend the week learning basic Cretan history and then vacationing. Bus D was home to me and the 18 other kids who had no academic reason to be in Crete and thus were the reject bus. We were, however, given an awesome history professor who tried his best to make our experience worth while. Each day we set out and saw different archeological museums, mosques left over from Turkish occupation and monasteries. We went to Knossos, or the home of the Menotaur and the labyrinth in which he was kept. We also visited seaside fortresses and one castle. Our professor explained each site within its historical context and considering we knew nothing about Cretan history and the artifacts we were about to see, we learned a lot. We finished touring and learning by 2 each day and then were left to explore the city for the rest of the day. Each day we were in a different Cretan city so there was always something to do or find.

One day we went to the beach right near our hotel and played in the massive waves all afternoon. It is so hard to believe that we are in school some days. The final day of the trip was the best; we met up with other groups from our program and took a hike down into a valley with a cove. The beach was made entirely of rocks and the hike down was incredibly steep and so much fun. The view was spectacular and even though it rained on us for a lot of the hike, the sun came out at the end and warmed us up as we hiked back up. Hiking in Greece was one of the most amazing experiences I have had so far and it was really nice to take a break from ancient pots and other artifacts :)

This week has been the most academically challenging so far. WHat?!?! you have to work while you are abroad?! Apparently. This week I had an exam, a paper due and a presentation. Its okay though because my Greek class is proving to be more and more helpful every day. Today our crazy teacher, Marientta, made us leave the classroom and go around outside and ask strangers if they knew where things were, such as a hotel, a bus stop, a baker, etc. Haha it was so hilarious and the older people who we asked absolutely loved us.

Greek culture proves to be a challenge for me every day. Today I found out that all of the medical documents my mom has been working hard to gather and send to me so that I can swim are completely useless in Greece. In Greece, you need GREEK doctors to sign you off on a variety of absolutely superfluous categories. So, until I see a Greek cardiologist, gynecologist, dermatologist etc, I cannot swim. At least the Olympic stadium is steps from my apartment so I can run whenever I want, without having had Greek doctors probe me.

Things I dont like about Greece:

The fact that NOTHING but pastry shops are open on Sunday (super helpful for a girl allergic to gluten)

the fact that you cant flush toilet paper down the toilet

the siesta hours from 2-6 that make running errands impossible

the fact that the post office closes at 2 every single day and isnt open on weekends

the drivers that have the right of way ALL THE TIME

the lack of taking turns in any public area

the fact that greek man of any age (even 70) will look at you blatantly in front of their wives

the lack of workout and health culture here meaning that adequate gyms are nonexistent

Things I love about Athens

the price of groceries

the new gluten free store i found called biological treasures (hahah but in greek....)

siesta time....because it gives me reason to accomplish nothing

running on the olympic stadium while watching the sun set near the acropolis

feta cheese

fresh fruit and vegetables everywhere you go

the families I have gotten to know who own the shops that I frequent in my neighborhood

my roommates in my apartment

the perpetual sunshine and tanktop friendly weather in late september

How I can walk everywhere

the stray animals who are the community pets

sorry I am failing at my blog!!

So since September 12 I have been to both Santorini and Crete. Santorini was a trip for fun with friends while my trip to Crete was a program trip with the whole program. We landed in Fira, a port in Santorini on Friday, September 17th. The boat trip was 5 hours from Pireaus using the fast ferry. The slow ferry would have taken us 8 hours. By beginning in Fira I became mildly disappointed in what Santorini had to offer. The town was extremely focused on Tourism and signs in English exclaiming "CREPES, WAFFLES, ATVS!, BOAT TRIPS, ICE CREAM, etc" lined the streets. We took advantage of the tourist culture, however, and booked decent rooms for only 20 euro a night. We also booked a 20 euro 8 hour boat tour for the next day that included a volcanic hike, swim in natural hot springs, lunch on a remote island and finally, the chance to get off in Oia, Santorini's gem. Oia completely changed my mind about Santorini. Oia was literally taken out of Mama Mia and Sisterhood of the traveling pants. It was not touristy, but in fact it was paradise. Paradise in the sense that I got to ride a donkey up the mountain into the town! This may be the absolute highlight of my Grecian experience thus far. The steps are so steep and the donkeys are so sweet and funny looking. The ride is extremely unstable and a bit disgusting due to the fact that the donkeys really dont seem to mind going to the bathroom as they traverse the rocks. Despite this, the view as the donkeys climbed was incredible and I have decided that traveling by donkey is by far the most superior way to travel.

We then stayed in Oia long enough to watch the sunset. Oia's sunsets are apparently legendary and I would have to agree with this statement.

Once we got back to Fira after the spectacular showcase of colors by the sun's departure, we went out to taverna and checked out the Santorini clubs. Santorini's high season was over by now so the night scene was not what it usually is, but I can only imagine what that must be like. the five of use found a spot looking out on the sea from a high point in the town and looked at the stars as the music from the discotecas filled the air. The moon illuminated the night and it was the perfect way to end our Santorini excursion. I think I am going back with Dan, so I absolutely cannot wait.

Aegina!!!

Since we do not have school friday....ever.....we headed out to the island of Aegina on Friday morning. We took this weird looking boat called the flying dolphin for only 10 euro and got to Aegina in about 45 minutes. The island looked exactly how I expected and straight out the movies. At first we fueled up with some frappe and I had some delicious gelato for lunch while everyone else got pastries. We met this really nice British couple who owns a yacht and sails to Aegina often for holiday. What a life. We then found tourist police who offered us a room for 13 euro each. We checked it out and it seemed relatively sanitary and bed bug-free. The room provided us with a "bathroom", questionable cooking facilities and a bed each, yet had marble floors. It is amazing how in Greece, even if a place is a dump, it is still made out of marble because it is such a common natural resource but so expensive to export. Thus, everything in Greece is made of marble.

We then headed to a really nice beach that was a bus ride away and stayed and played in the ever so clear sea all day long. The sea really is as blue as people say. The mountains in the distant were also continuously covered in a haze so as you looked out you felt as if you were still dreaming.

That night we went out to dinner at this taverna right on the edge of the water. Sam's chair was literally sliding down into the sea the whole night. We wanted to be that close haha. I made my first ordering mistake of my trip......the waitress said that the fish on the menu were small, so I took it as small in portion size since everything else is family style. I ordered them and was served a plate full of minos that were fried up. Their guts were exposed and they were fully intact, eyes and all. It was SO GROSS! We had to cover them up with napkins while we ate. I was brave and tried one since I had ordered it but one bit and I felt so queezy the rest of the night. Never order small fish. haha

The next day we took a bus to the temple of Aphaia. She was a daughter of a God and this was the place where she apparently disappeared. It was beautiful and the view from the temple was so expansive that one could just about see Athens. We then took the bus to a gorgeous Greek Orthodox church. It was about five stories high and beyond magnificent. The church provided tourists with wraps so that we could enter even though we were not dressed appropriately. Inside it was even more ornate and impressive. I would become Greek orthodox just to sit inside a church like that for an hour every week.

Right after we left the church it starting raining and then it became a downpour. We got our first glimpse of rainy season. Oh my, cant wait!

ello! So this week I have been getting into the swing of things and my schedule of classes is finally starting to feel normal. On Sunday Mel, Megan, Kate, Alan and I went to a local beach that was only 30 minutes away by bus (1 euro). We each paid 4 euro for a chair and umbrella for the whole day. The beach was filled with only locals and techno (!!) was blasting from a party beach 100 yards away. The water was as warm as bath water and the beach looked out at hills covered in beautiful white buildings (pretty typical....which is absurd/wonderful). We did most of our homework while lounging on our beach chairs and doggy paddled in the sea, which was a welcome change from a day in olin followed by a swim workout :).

This weekend we are headed to two small islands that are only a short ferry ride away.

My modern Greek class continues to get more interesting and more difficult every day. Today Alan and I had to present a basic skit all in Greek (!!!); I cant believe I am speaking Greek! It is really amusing when we try to use it when we go to stores and the market because we always freeze up and forget the correct words or horribly mispronounce them in exchange for blank stares. We of course explain that we are just learning Greek and then are given lots of praise from the locals. It is encouraging.

Farmers' Market fridays!

On Fridays there are markets for the people, meaning that fresh produce, flowers, clothes, household items, you name it, is sold at ridiculously low prices. It goes on for 4 blocks. Did I mention it's dirt cheap? It is pretty wonderful and I got to use some of my Greek!

Speaking of my Greek.....it is coming along..kinda. Greek class is every day and it has 10 kids in it. My professor speaks only a little English and is this amazing older Greek woman who is so animated, loud and enthusiastic. We rush through things as she yells Greek at us, but by the end of the first class we were reading some words. Greek is so confusing and sometimes my mouth simply cannot make the sounds, but it is really also quite fun. It's a language of intense emotion, lots of hand movements and loud annunciation. Reading is like figuring out a puzzle and I leave each class thoroughly mentally exhausted but so excited to use it. Last night we wandered around trying to read as many signs as we could. It is still all Greek to me but at least now I am starting to understand it. :)

Greek FOOOOD! It is amazing. The drinking culture is completely different here than "northern countries," as the Greeks put it. Greeks drink to be social and solely for this reason. They drink to loosen up to tell jokes, stories, make eye contact and enjoy the food. If a friend gets drunk it is not only embarrassing for the friend but for the people he/she is with as well. The person then will be less likely to hang out with the group and is seen as a fool almost.

This does not mean that Greeks do not go out, however. Greeks go out every night. They go to coffee shops by day, which then turn to fun bars at night. They are fancy and play techno (!!!) and American music. Older Greeks stay out at Tavernas and talk and drink wine or Ozo until midnight. Greeks are able to stay out so late because their day is split into two. They start work at eight, work until 2 and then siesta until 6 and resume working until 9. This is because of the climate. It is so hot during the summer that it is brutal to work during the middle of the day so instead, they break the day up, nap and then return to work and are able to stay out late. Public service workers and government workers, however, now work the normal 9 to 5.

Back to FOOOODD! So I will describe my dinner to you in full! we were split up into groups alphabetically and sent to tavernas (or taverns) with professors and introduced to all things authentically Greek. Basically, you are served small glasses of wine and tapas all meal long and it is all family style. We first were served boiled cucumbers and greens drenched in lemon and salt. Very delicious. Next we were served greek salad consisting of tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, onions, and lots of feta cheese. You salt this. You salt everything and put lemon on everything too. Next, (and this is served right after the other so its very overwhelming) came french fries or as they are called in greek, fried potatoes (I forget the greek words). Fried feta cheese was next. OH MY GOD. the cheese here is unreal. I will never be able to enjoy cheese in america again. Fried cucumber with tezeki (or yogurt, onion, garlic and cucumber sauce) was served soon after. Next, legume puree kind of like hummus came with onion. Finally, amazingly moist, fresh and tender chicken with lemon and lamb (I did not have the lamb but I heard it was incredible) was served. The table was jammed pack and you take a little bit of each, decide what you like and take a little more. You never stuff yourself and you are overwhelmed with flavors. it is simply the best way to eat. Incredible water melon was dessert as it is in season now. We have watermelon at every lunch in the dining hall (lunch is the only meal we get from the school).

So excuse my poor, fast writing with lots of mistakes. Hope your mouth watered.