And the Heat Persists...

On Thursday night, the anarchists set off a bomb in Athens in a government building. Friday afternoon, here in Thessaloniki, a bomb went off in the courthouse 10 minutes from my apartment, also due to the anarachists. Apparently the media got tip offs about both situations prior to the explosion, so only two people were hurt when it could have been MUCH more serious. Although I do not agree with blowing up buildings ot make a statement, I do respect that those in charge gave a warning in order to avoid deaths. They are just looking for the media to make their voices heard, which is the one part of the situation I can respect.

Obviously the situation here is getting much worse VERY fast. They are adding some type of additional fence on top of the original around the Aristotle campus. I assume this is to decrease the number of molotov cocktails that get thrown at the cops by the rioters (cops are not allowed on the aristotle university campus because a student was killed by the police there many years ago so it is used for a refuge. It is good to see that they are taking precautions, however it is interesting to see that it is deemed necessary.. Now that summer is approaching and the laws decreasing incomes and adding taxes will be making their impact, things are bound to get a little out of control. Well, more then they have been in the past that is. This situation has been going on since long before I arrived here, I just happen to be spending the semester here as it is accelerating. It is interesting to know both sides of the greek country.. I never would have given two shits about the situation if I wasn't living here, but now it is becoming part of everyday life.

Enough about that!

This weekend two of my friends as well as myself went home with our greek friend to her village in the mountains. It was beautiful! The weather was very unpleasant, however we managed to have a nice, relaxed weekend. Friday night we went to a taverna and hen saturday we went into the city and tried some amazing food :) Saturday night we just hung around again.. The weekend was all about relaxation, which was a nice change from my usual fast pace. Not going to lie though, it is very nice to be home again. Whenever I leave Thess I find myself missing it more then the previous time. My apartment isn't much, but it is home.

Some interesting things about Greece I've discovered:
-If you get caught by the ticket people on the bus without one and you are a college student of a good enough major they will not charge you the 36 euro (I've seen this happen)
-Here, you must carry your id on you at all times and if the cops ask you and you don't have it they can take you to the police station and make you prove who you are, however if you say you are a student they will generally let you go.
-Instead of taking the drivers test to get your license, greeks can pay 300 euro and will receive the license without taking the test (this will be the course of action for my greek friend mary because she is a horrid driver).

It is interesting how strict the government pretends to be but how BIASED they are... It is rather frustrating... I do not know how to react to it. It is not my country so it is not fair for me to judge, however I come from a country where we TRY to make everyone equal. Granted, we do not always do a good job of it, however something like this would NEVER happen in the united states. Also, no wonder some greeks are such poor drivers! As long as you have the 300 euro to pay anyone can get their license! No matter how long I'm here I do not think I will ever truly get the greek culture, it is so different from everything that I have ever experienced...

However I still love Greece unconditionally :) <3

I think by the time I have to go home I might be ready for it..I will obviously be very upset to leave a place that I have formed such a deep connection to as well as irreplaceable friendships, but I'm finally starting to get a LITTLE bit homesick

We will see.