2/15/2010

The Beginning

So I've been in Greece for two weeks now, and decided it would be a good idea to start a blog. That way I can record my memories and look back on them later.. There are already so many! I flew out of the US on Jan 28th, making it to Switzerland 12 hours and 2 panic attacks later. Spent a lot of time arguing in the Airport and with the taxi drivers, but I made it! Me and the 5 girls I traveled with had an 11 hour lay over so we decided to go out and see the city :) Luckily for me their main language they speak in Zurich is German so I was able to navigate us around town. I bought a really tight ring in the process.
We arrived in Thessaloniki, Greece at 3 am after 26 hours of traveling. One of the girls lost her bag, so we did not arrive to our hotel until 4 30 am. Then we all talked to our parents quick so they knew we made it safely and crashed because we had been up for 2 days straight. We pretty much slept all day, not waking up until 4 pm. Damn the jet lag! Then we walked around the city and I experienced my first gyro :) The next day we arrived at our apartments. I was one of the unlucky ones who was on the ground floor and didn't get a balcony, but I was just happy to be able to unpack finally. Living out of a suit case is not my cup of tea. That night our friend Rich took some of us girls out to a bar with some of his Greek friends and just showed us the town. He was def. our savior when we got there, we learned a months worth of info in one day and we felt way more comfortable. He became a fast friend and we have already formed a little group of friends here. We've done a lot of drinking... perhaps too much.
One day we took a field trip to Vergina, which is the tomb of Alexander the Greats father, Phillip the second. It was pretty cool to see where someone was buried that I have only heard about in books. Then we went to a church that was made in honor or St. Demetris which was beautiful. Beneath the church was an ancient roman bath/ church. I still can not get my mind around the fact that that place is from 400 bc.. It's mind boggling.
Last monday we started school. Things is Greece are def. much more relaxed. My favorite class is art appreciation by far. it is so interesting to hear about, especially is such a beautiful and historic country. This weekend I mostly just hung out. For valentines day my group of friends went out to dinner at a taverna, and then headed to the bars. I def. had more then one to many drinks and I've been paying for it all day... I don't know how to say no to free shots though! Greek guys often buy the girls drinks, which I am def. ok with. The bartenders as well. They just want someone to talk to. My favorite bar by far is called Silver Dollar. It is a rock/metal bar, and not too far from home. I made a fool of myself their last night, but that won't keep me from going back :)
Some random thoughts.... I've joined many clubs... I want to get the full experience while I'm here. I'm going kite surfing in May which I am ECSTATIC about. My good friend Sam and I (she laso is from EC) are planning a trip to Istanbul for the middle of march. We also are looking into spring break. spain.. italy... egypt... who knows!!! I'm so excited for my mom and dad to come in the middle of April... I may have only been gone for two weeks but I already miss them. It's hard not bieng able to talk to them whenever I want to. The time differences are hard. I'm set on bringing them to the greek island crete when they arrive.... Their are sooo many things I want to show them here! Tavernas... tzatski.... the GYROs..... I can't wait :)
So far I absolutely love it here.... I miss my friends and family but hopefully my new firends here will be ones I will have forever. The culture is amazing and unlike anything I have ever seen. I'll write more about it soon.

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