Гεια σου! (‘Yia su!’ means hello in Greek)
Friday night, I made my first home cooked meal…spaghetti and fresh green beans and grapes from the market. Mmmmm. In our kitchen, we only have a refrigerator, a stove/oven, and a sink…no microwave. :P So, we actually have to cook. I think I will be eating a lot of spaghetti this semester. J
Saturday, we went on our first school field trip (it’s like we’re back in elementary school again with field trips). We went to Sounion in the southern tip of Attica to see the temple of Poseidon, a little over an hour away from our school in central Athens. It felt good to get out of the big city to see some scenery around Greece. The Temple of Poseidon stands tall at the top of a rocky hill and the sea laps against the rocky cliffs on three sides. The water was bright blue like the sky in the sunshine and it was HOT (95+ degrees Fahrenheit). Our next stop was Thorikos. Here, we saw an ancient stone theater and a mine. Because it was such a hot day, our teacher decided to skip the third stop and we headed to the beach for lunch and some swimming in the Aegean Sea. The beach was full of palm-leaf shade umbrellas and lounge chairs sitting on its rocky coastline. It looked pretty, but hurt your feet when you walked barefoot. The water felt so refreshing, but I was disappointed again to see garbage floating in the water, especially close to shore. The water is salty, so it is so easy to float, and you hardly have to tread water at all to keep your head above. We were exhausted by the time we got home that evening, and decided to eat Gyros at a nearby take-out restaurant. They were a little different than the gyros in the U.S., but delicious. I spent the evening sitting on the balcony people watching with Ashley and Sara. There was a wedding at the church down the street, so we got to see everyone all dressed up as they came and left. When the wedding was over, there was a processional of cars and the bride and groom drove away on a mo-ped decorated with white bows. We also went to a little bakery that night and got to talk with the lady working. She was from Athens and was so nice to us. We each bought a pastry for dessert, and she gave us a half a dozen free cookies! I had a croissant with cherry and cream cheese filling. It was sooo good!
On Sunday, I worked on homework…yes, we do have homework. For our culture class, we had to walk around the city finding different things and writing down the addresses in Greek. When we were near at the Parliament building, near Syntagma Square, we saw the changing of the guards. The men wear a white uniform with huge black pom-poms on their shoes and have an interesting march where they kick their legs high in the air as they step forward. Their faces are so serious it makes me smile.
Sunday evening, a few girls and I walked up Likavitos Hill and from the top, we had a bird’s eye view of Athens. The city sprawls in every direction as far as you can see! I could see the Olympic stadium from there (our school is right next to it and I live in that neighborhood). I knew the city was big (Population 4 million in Attica, Athens and surrounding area; the total population of Greece is about 10 million), but I couldn’t imagine just how many people lived here. We live and see only a small chunk of Athens in our neighborhood. The Acropolis and the Parthenon are also visible from the hill and they were lit up in the dark (we went in the evening so we could watch the sunset, but then it clouded over so we didn’t get to see the sunset anyway. I guess we’ll have to make another hike to the top). A little white Monastery church called St. George sits at the top as if it is watching over the whole city.
Monday Morning, I went grocery shopping and that is an adventure in itself. Suddenly, something so ordinary becomes a challenge because all the packages are written in Greek. I relied mostly on pictures as I slowly examined everything. I think I bought what I intended, but I guess I’ll find out when I try to eat it. The only thing I’m not positive about is the butter. We learned the word for butter (βούτυρο—vu ti, ro) today in class, so I’ll have to go home and check the package to see.
I’ve been practicing my Greek letters and their sounds. It’s difficult because some of the letters look like English letters, but they have a different sound. For example: Pp sounds like r. B sounds like v. v sounds like n. Confusing. Several of the upper case and lower case letters look different from each other, so that makes it difficult too. I’ve been trying to read and pronounce the Greek words that I see around the city, and I always try to say ‘thank you’ (Еυχαριστώ--ef kha ri sto), because, up until now, that is all I knew. I’m headed to Theology class next.
Аντίο! (a di o) Bye, for now!
Friday, September 4, 2009
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.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
It is our last day in Vienna. The time just flew by this week! We went to mass at Augustinian Church at the Habsburg Palace. It was a high mass with a full Mozart Mass in D major. The organ played and there was a choir and an orchestra as well. It was much more meaningful to hear the Mozart Mass during an actual mass rather than just listening to the music straight through.
We ate lunch at a café and then went to see the Haus Der Musik, another music museum. Here we got to do interactive activities dealing with sound and music. There was also a floor dedicated to several great composers with a lot of information about their lives. After the museum, we took the train a little ways out to Prater, an amusement park with a well-known Ferris wheel. It cost 8.50 euros to ride this famous Ferris wheel, so we opted out of that and just walked around looking at all the rides. The rides were rather expensive. We found another Ferris wheel further into the park that cost much less, so that was our ride for the evening. When we returned to the center of the city, we ate supper at a grill and café for our last meal in Vienna.
We ate lunch at a café and then went to see the Haus Der Musik, another music museum. Here we got to do interactive activities dealing with sound and music. There was also a floor dedicated to several great composers with a lot of information about their lives. After the museum, we took the train a little ways out to Prater, an amusement park with a well-known Ferris wheel. It cost 8.50 euros to ride this famous Ferris wheel, so we opted out of that and just walked around looking at all the rides. The rides were rather expensive. We found another Ferris wheel further into the park that cost much less, so that was our ride for the evening. When we returned to the center of the city, we ate supper at a grill and café for our last meal in Vienna.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Today it was rainy and cool outside—a drastic change of weather, but a great day for museums. We went to the instrument museum at the Hapsburg Palace. It was incredible!!! We saw all kinds of ancient instruments—Mozart’s father’s violin, Brahms’ piano, Beethoven’s supposed clarinet, portraits of Beethoven as a boy and as an adult, clavichords, cembalos, harmonium pianos, piano fortes, dance instructor violins, lutes, positiv organ, pianos with foot pedals, table pianos, another serpent, wind instrument, brass instruments, string instruments, timpani, viola de gamba, a hurdy gurdy! The list really goes on and on, but I was fascinated. It was so great to see the instruments we had learned about in music history in material form and not just as pictures in our textbooks. We also saw a collection of armor dating form the 1400s to about the 1700s. That was fascinating as well. I’ve only every read about knights in storybooks, and here was the armor and weapons that people used to wear! I wish I could travel in a time machine to the day when these instruments were played and this armor was worn just to see what it was like.
For lunch, we picked up something in a little stand. I don’t remember what it was called, but it was a wrap with pork, onions, lettuce, and other veggies, chili peppers, and yogurt cucumber sauce (I think). It tasted delicious.
Our next stop was St. Stephan’s Cathedral. We saw the end of a mass and were lucky enough to hear the organ played. Brian was especially impressed. We used our Rick Steve’s Guidebook to tour the inside of the cathedral and then climbed 343 steps to the top of the south tower where we could see the whole city.
We spent the late afternoon searching, unsuccessfully for the Doblinger music store. Instead of finding the store, we took 2 train rides and a trolley ride around the city only to find the Doblinger neighborhood, not the music store. It was quite a bummer, especially to tired travelers.
For lunch, we picked up something in a little stand. I don’t remember what it was called, but it was a wrap with pork, onions, lettuce, and other veggies, chili peppers, and yogurt cucumber sauce (I think). It tasted delicious.
Our next stop was St. Stephan’s Cathedral. We saw the end of a mass and were lucky enough to hear the organ played. Brian was especially impressed. We used our Rick Steve’s Guidebook to tour the inside of the cathedral and then climbed 343 steps to the top of the south tower where we could see the whole city.
We spent the late afternoon searching, unsuccessfully for the Doblinger music store. Instead of finding the store, we took 2 train rides and a trolley ride around the city only to find the Doblinger neighborhood, not the music store. It was quite a bummer, especially to tired travelers.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Today, Briana and I took the train to Vienna! It took between two and three hours to get there and was a nice ride. Once in the city, we walked to our next hostel. This hostel was much larger than the one in Salzburg, and we had a two-bed room with a bathroom and shower and lockers. We bought lunch at a little sausage stand and ate sausages with cheese in them. It tasted good. During the afternoon, we took the train to the Schoenbrunn Palace, the Habsburg’s summer residence. The palace has 1441 rooms! We only toured 40, but they were spectacular. I was in awe at details and the elegance. One of my favorite rooms was the ballroom. Outside the palace, the grounds included beautiful gardens and walkways. The flowers were planted in baroque-style designs (like at the Mirabell gardens) and all the plants and bushes were trimmed to perfection. Quite the sight. The day was hot, and we were exhausted after so much walking, so we spent the evening at a little café and wine garden near St. Stephan’s Cathedral. We tasted a local Riesling wine.
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