I made it to Athens on Monday afternoon. At the airport, I took a bus to Sindagma Square and then walked to the school. I must have looked ridiculous with my big backpack on my back, my school backpack in the front, my viola in one hand, and a map in the other. Let’s just say I had to take a few rest stops along the way. After a lot of waiting to check-in, I got my apartment assignment and took off with one of my apartment mates to find our new home. There are five girls living in my apartment. I share a room with one person, there is another two-person room, and a single. We have a little sitting area with a couch and a tiny table to eat meals. There is also a kitchen with a refrigerator, stove, sink, and a bunch of cupboards. Between the five of us, there is one bathroom with a toilet, sink, and a bathtub. In my room, I have a desk with a lamp, a closet, and a bed (very hard and with an almost non-existent pillow).
We had orientation on Tuesday and Wednesday. Our professors took us in small group neighborhood walks so we could get to know the area we are living. I’m gradually getting to know the Pangrati neighborhood better (that is where I live). Wednesday night, our professors took us in groups to different tavernas around Athens for dinner. This was my first real taste of Greek food. Nadie (the person who seemingly knows everything at CYA) ordered all sorts of appetizer-like dishes, and the waiters brought out plates and plates of delicious Greek cuisine. We sat around the table eating and talking for hours, as is the custom in Greece.
Yesterday, classes began. I had Modern Greek Language and Culture in the morning. Our teacher has a lot of spunk and spirit, which makes us laugh, and she is so ready to share everything she knows about Greek culture and answer all of our questions. She started teaching us the Greek alphabet and letter sounds. We are already sounding out words. She went so fast! Soon I will be speaking fluent Greek, I’m sure. My Art History class only met briefly to assign readings, so the rest of the afternoon was free for our nice pile of homework. :P
One of our ‘homework assignments’ for my Greek culture class was to go to an outdoor movie, so last night a group of us walked to a theater in the Pangrati neighborhood to see The Proposal. It was a cute theater on top of a building and rows of lawn chairs with little tables in between. Under the giant white screen was a little garden with fountains. In the back, there was a stand to buy concessions (very reasonably priced compared to back home). It was nice to be able to sit outside that late at night (the movie didn’t start until 11:00 pm), especially since it was still warm and there were no bugs!
No class today! We have classes Monday-Thursday, so we have long weekends that allow us to travel a little bit throughout the semester. Every Friday, there is an open air market in the center of Athens (not far from my apartment). I didn’t remember exactly where it was, but the flow of shoppers carrying bags or pulling rolling carts of produce led me right to it. When I got there, stands of fresh fruits and vegetables lined the street. At the beginning of the road, there were stands selling flowers and other household products like Snyders during crazy days. Everyone seemed to be there! The street buzzed with people busy shopping and the vendors shouted things out (probably trying to get customers to buy their food). Not knowing exactly what to do, I tried to watch and follow the other costumers making purchases. I started at one end of the street, inspecting at all the colorful piles while making my way to the other. I was so excited when I made my first purchase—a pillow! A big fluffy pillow! I never imagined I’d find that today, but after nearly a week on my pancake pillow, I was ready to make my own by stuffing a pile of clothes into my pillow case. I can’t wait to try out my real pillow tonight. I also bought enough eggs, fruits, and vegetables from several different stands to last me at least a week, and a flower (New Guinea Impatiens to brighten my room and remind me of home).
This afternoon, a large group of us headed to a beach about a 20 minute tram ride away. The city is smashed right up to the edge of the beach, so the sound of traffic lets you know that you haven’t escaped very far. I was sad to see the beach and the water were littered with some garbage too, another sign of so many people in such a small area. Nevertheless, it felt so good to be outside by the water in this hot, sunshiny and summery weather. I walked along the water collecting rocks and sea glass…my little treasures. The rocks are pretty and smooth from being tossed in the waves and sand. I was exited to find a piece of blue sea glass today! (Blue is much rarer to find than frosted clear, or green or brown.
It feels like summer. It’s hard to believe that I am here and I am going to school. I will have to finish homework, go to class, and take tests just like any other semester. But, everything is different. My surroundings have completely changed and my mind wants to explore this place and get comfortable—not do homework. I’ll have to work on my motivation. :P
I’ll include a few pictures of my school and my apartment. College Year in Athens (CYA) is right next to the Olympic Stadium so we can go running on the track if we want, just like an Olympian. From school, I can see the Acropolis with the Parthenon on top. Near the school, there are bushes of vibrant pink flowers that smell like black licorice. Soon, I’ll take more pictures of the area.
We had orientation on Tuesday and Wednesday. Our professors took us in small group neighborhood walks so we could get to know the area we are living. I’m gradually getting to know the Pangrati neighborhood better (that is where I live). Wednesday night, our professors took us in groups to different tavernas around Athens for dinner. This was my first real taste of Greek food. Nadie (the person who seemingly knows everything at CYA) ordered all sorts of appetizer-like dishes, and the waiters brought out plates and plates of delicious Greek cuisine. We sat around the table eating and talking for hours, as is the custom in Greece.
Yesterday, classes began. I had Modern Greek Language and Culture in the morning. Our teacher has a lot of spunk and spirit, which makes us laugh, and she is so ready to share everything she knows about Greek culture and answer all of our questions. She started teaching us the Greek alphabet and letter sounds. We are already sounding out words. She went so fast! Soon I will be speaking fluent Greek, I’m sure. My Art History class only met briefly to assign readings, so the rest of the afternoon was free for our nice pile of homework. :P
One of our ‘homework assignments’ for my Greek culture class was to go to an outdoor movie, so last night a group of us walked to a theater in the Pangrati neighborhood to see The Proposal. It was a cute theater on top of a building and rows of lawn chairs with little tables in between. Under the giant white screen was a little garden with fountains. In the back, there was a stand to buy concessions (very reasonably priced compared to back home). It was nice to be able to sit outside that late at night (the movie didn’t start until 11:00 pm), especially since it was still warm and there were no bugs!
No class today! We have classes Monday-Thursday, so we have long weekends that allow us to travel a little bit throughout the semester. Every Friday, there is an open air market in the center of Athens (not far from my apartment). I didn’t remember exactly where it was, but the flow of shoppers carrying bags or pulling rolling carts of produce led me right to it. When I got there, stands of fresh fruits and vegetables lined the street. At the beginning of the road, there were stands selling flowers and other household products like Snyders during crazy days. Everyone seemed to be there! The street buzzed with people busy shopping and the vendors shouted things out (probably trying to get customers to buy their food). Not knowing exactly what to do, I tried to watch and follow the other costumers making purchases. I started at one end of the street, inspecting at all the colorful piles while making my way to the other. I was so excited when I made my first purchase—a pillow! A big fluffy pillow! I never imagined I’d find that today, but after nearly a week on my pancake pillow, I was ready to make my own by stuffing a pile of clothes into my pillow case. I can’t wait to try out my real pillow tonight. I also bought enough eggs, fruits, and vegetables from several different stands to last me at least a week, and a flower (New Guinea Impatiens to brighten my room and remind me of home).
This afternoon, a large group of us headed to a beach about a 20 minute tram ride away. The city is smashed right up to the edge of the beach, so the sound of traffic lets you know that you haven’t escaped very far. I was sad to see the beach and the water were littered with some garbage too, another sign of so many people in such a small area. Nevertheless, it felt so good to be outside by the water in this hot, sunshiny and summery weather. I walked along the water collecting rocks and sea glass…my little treasures. The rocks are pretty and smooth from being tossed in the waves and sand. I was exited to find a piece of blue sea glass today! (Blue is much rarer to find than frosted clear, or green or brown.
It feels like summer. It’s hard to believe that I am here and I am going to school. I will have to finish homework, go to class, and take tests just like any other semester. But, everything is different. My surroundings have completely changed and my mind wants to explore this place and get comfortable—not do homework. I’ll have to work on my motivation. :P
I’ll include a few pictures of my school and my apartment. College Year in Athens (CYA) is right next to the Olympic Stadium so we can go running on the track if we want, just like an Olympian. From school, I can see the Acropolis with the Parthenon on top. Near the school, there are bushes of vibrant pink flowers that smell like black licorice. Soon, I’ll take more pictures of the area.
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