American Adjustment

This picture of the Parthenon is one of my favorites I took this trip. It doesn't even do it justice though.

Well I'm back on American soil! I got back home late Monday night after a long day of travel including screaming toddlers and one cancelled flight. It was so nice to take a shower in my shower and sleep in my own bed! I forgot how much I missed those little things.

Some things were a shock: understanding EVERY conversation around me in English (it was so loud!), green trees and lawns, signs in English, ice water, tons of fast food restaurants, normal bathrooms, that sort of thing. Some things I miss: my friends, our cozy apartment, the yummy food, the beautiful views, those kinds of things.

But, I'm trying to look at my return as just another part of my life. I want to be neutral on the subject, not pessamistic or overly excited. One of the things I learned while in Greece is that life is really just a series of events, like chapters in a book, and what makes those events important are the people you share them with and what you learn from them.

I have learned much more than the archeology of Greece and the history of antiquity while abroad. I've learned some things about myself: the people I like to surround myself with, how I function in a large group or alone, and how much my life here as made me who I am. I've conquered challenges physical, emotional, mental, psychological, and social.

I have said in earlier posts how the theme of this summer has been juxtaposition: the ancient ruins next to modern cities, the beautiful blue ocean next to dead arid land, I have to add one more and that is my American self and my Greek self. I believe I could succeed in both countries but I have found that my home and my choice is here.

So now, as I continue living in central Illinois surrounded by the American college culture found nowhere else, I will learn to look at it differently. Whenever I walk past academic buildings with columns, Niros late night gyros, or sorority and fraternity houses proudly displaying an odd collection of Greek letters, I will be taken back to a summer where I truly and fully lived a chapter of my life.

Roommates are off!

At dinner. from the bottom left: Anita, Andrew, myself, Sam Bruni, Justine.

And then there was one. Last night was a great last night. We had dinner with Kate, Jill and Ann Marie from our class. Andrew came and so did Katie's friend from the Paros class Brie. Sam Bruni also joined us so we were a big happy group! It was delicious as always and we stayed for quite sometime. After dinner we decided to go to Mao one last time and say goodbye to Costas, the owner who loves us. He gave us all hugs and kisses (even Andrew) and sent us away with business cards.

We then walked back to our apartment and got in bed and talked about our favorite memories. There was a bit of tears and lots of hugging. I can't believe how unbelievably close I've gotten with these girls. I will miss them so much. But we changed our reunion to October 24th for Justine's birthday weekend! Turns our the day of the Illini game is Initiation for the house and since I'm VP I have to be there.

So the Sams and Justine left at about six this morning for their Turkey/Egypt/Island 10 day trip. Then Katie and Anita left about 8:45. So it wasn't a great night of sleep. After they all left I just sat in my bed for awhile processing. Then I made a solo trip for a frappe and croissant eating at a cafe. I explored a bit and came back to start packing.

I decided to go into Plaka, the square by the Acropolis and finish some shopping. I got my silver and mother of pearl bracelet I've wanted forever! It's beautiful and exactly what I pictured. Then I took the bus to Andrew's hotel for some pool time. I was so proud of myself navigating around this foreign city! Yes I've been here 2 whole months but I have a TERRIBLE sense of direction (it's backwards) and I've never gone anywhere alone before! I feel you can't truly know a city without some solo exploring.

The pool was beautiful! We laid around for about three hours before heading to his room so he could get some work done. He's an intern for a Greek/American shipping stock market thing? He tried to explain it to me today but it's confusing. He takes some work home and he was looking through the past two years worth of a specific kind of boat's money made. There were tables and graphs and things like that that I don't understand. I watched Greek MTV and occasionally helped him.

Then we went to his favorite gyros place in his neighborhood where they spoke no English! He knows how to say "one chicken gyros" so we were good. We walked around a bit and then parted ways so we could shower and he could finish more work. He's coming over soon and he's staying in one of the extra bedrooms because I feel a bit uneasy staying alone.

It's been a good day but a hard one. These girls I will love forever and will always have a special place in my heart. I know more about each of them than a good number of people I've known my whole life. This experience has been completely challenging and changing and it's bittersweet to see it end. Last day tomorrow :(/)

Last Big Night

This is one of my favorite pictures from the trip. We took is last night before going out: myself, Katie, Anita, Sam, and Justine.

Well, today's our last day together :( It all of the sudden hit me while walking back from an afternoon gyro. So sad. I can't even imagine life here (for 2 days) without them!

Last night we made pasta but still went out for a Greek salad and wine at this pretty restaurant in our neighborhood. Then we got back to the apartment, Andrew came over and we had a cocktail hour before heading out. We laughed so much and took lots of great pictures. Then we went to Mao for another drink and then to a club called Villa Mercedes. It was a great night.

This morning Sam and I went walking to a fresh weekly market to try and get olive oil and olives but they only had some fresh so it wouldn't travel well. The market was beautiful though. The most colorful fruits and vegetables I've ever seen! And even some weird foods I've never seen before.

Then we walked back and had our farewell lunch at CYA. Our professor sat at a table with Sam, Katie and I and we had nice visit. He was telling us all about how he wound up in Greece. He's been married twice, both Greek women, and has a 42 and 18 year old son! Talk about an age difference.

Then we came back here and the girls packed while we talked some more. Our friend Sam from the first class came back from the class in Paros so it's nice seeing her again. They're leaving tomorrow at 5:00 am for Turkey and Egypt :( Tonight we're going to this great taverna for a 10 euro college special that's delicious!

Pictures!

Peloponnese pictures: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=181159&id=590541644&l=9470397c56
Back in Athens pictures: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=183303&id=590541644&l=b77005a29a

Last Day of Class!

The Hephaisteion at the Agora (one of my favorite temples)

It's a hot one today. The heat of the day (a half hour ago) was 100!

Last night Andrew came over and we chatted for a bit and then went to get a drink at Mao, our favorite place. Came back after an hour or so to go to bed for our last day of class. This morning we did the Agora again. We went upstairs in the museum to look out at the view which was only one story up but very beautiful. I liked getting that perspective.

After the Agora we did a little shopping around Monostriaki and Plaka before heading to CYA for lunch. After that we came back to our apartment, took a siesta and then attempted to go get coffee with our old Professor Nicola but she had already left for the day. We'll see her tomorrow though!

Tonight we're making the rest of the pasta we have left and then going out to a taverna for something small. Andrew's coming over after he gets off and so are the other girls after they eat dinner. We're all going out tonight for a celebration/going away night. Should be fun.

I'm starting to have mixed feelings about this whole leaving in 3 days thing. I'm going to miss these girls SO MUCH. We're already planning our reunion, the U of I game at Michigan the first weekend in November. And they'll come down to U of I for Unofficial. They're really not that far away and with all the technology now I'm not worried about it. It's just strange because we've spent so much time together.

But I'm ready to be home. I'm ready to see all of you and my friends. I'm ready for ice water and toliet seats. I'm ready for mornings to sleep in and showers that actually make me feel clean. I'm not ready for missing my new friends or being so far from the ocean. I'm not ready for no Greek salads or gyros. I guess it's just a point in my life that I'll have to take.

Acropolis

We got to witness the raising of the flag today on the Acropolis because we got there so early. Like I mentioned before, this is very important to them because of the whole Nazi-flag-on-the-Acropolis thing. Plus we heard a story from Diamant about how one heroic Greek snuck up to the Acropolis in the middle of the night and tore down the Nazi flag and put up the Greek one! And he is still alive today. Greeks have A LOT of patriotism.

Last night Sam, Katie, and I went to a nearby taverna and drank wine to cheer Katie up, it worked! These past couple of days I've got to have some alone time with each of the girls and it's really nice. It's nice to get to know them without the rest of the group, I feel like we have all gotten really close to each other individually so that's nice.

This morning we did the Acropolis again and focused on the Erecthion. It was weird having our last trip up there! Then we shopped a bit, hung out at the apartment for a bit and then went to lunch at CYA. After I took a nap and worked on the outline of my 2nd paper.

We all walked around for a bit together before dinner. We ate at McDonalds, I got nuggets and they weren't bad! Then we stopped and got some wine for tonight. Andrew just got over here and we're thinking about going out for drinks later. Last day of class tomorrow!

Brauron Round 2

View of Brauron

Sad news to report tonight: Katie got her wallet stollen at H and M tonight :( She was even being responsible! She had her purse in front of her AND it was zipped. Somehow they unzipped it and got it out. Luckily she only had 100 euros and some cards. Also they didn't take her passport or phone or camera so we're looking on the brightside.

Last night we attempted to go get Indian food at this place CYA suggested but it was closed so we went to this yummy Italian place called Armoa. I had probably one of the tastiest things I've had here. I got grilled aubergines with tomatoes, onions, garlic, with feta on top. Sooooo good. We then walked back and hung out before going to bed. I laugh so much with these girls, I'm starting to realize how much I'm going to miss them.

This morning we drove to Brauron to look at the Temple of Artemis there. We had already been but it is beautiful so it was nice to go again. We had to hike up this brambly path up to see the view though and it was a bit unpleasant. I was scared because it was so steep and slippery I was worried I would fall and I have scratches all over :( But we saw a shepard down below in the valley with a bunch of sheep with bells on, just like a movie! Then we talked about the temple and all of that stuff.

We went back to CYA and had lunch there before getting a freddo and going home. I finished my first paper, the only one that's due before I leave and plan on starting the 2nd one tomorrow. I'm not that worried about it because I have about 50 days to finish it. Then I took a bit of a nap before heading out shopping with Katie and Sam.

We went to a bookstore that had books in English so I could be sure I would have something for the plane ride. Popi, the housing director, got back to me and said I could stay in the apartment until Monday morning so that's settled. Now we're hanging out and we may take Katie out for a drink to cheer her up. Luckily her parents were able to go straight to the bank and take care of everything and she had a backup credit card so it's not so much of an inconvience. Plus she has to get a new license anyway!

Acropolis again tomorrow!