Ancient Agora

This morning we headed to the Ancient Agora, which I found out I've been pronouncing it wrong all this time. The stress is on the last a instead of the /or/. It actually wasn't as exciting as I thought it would be. But Bette said it is so special because of the things they found there, most of which is in storage or museums we will see later. We learned about the Athenian games that sounded really intense and cool. One event, called Pankration, is basically a fight to the death. It is a mixture of boxing and wrestling. There were only two rules: no eye gouging and no biting. It was sometimes a fight to the death. The main move they would do was grab the opponent's adam's apple and twist it! Ahhh so gross. They would also cover themselves in olive oil so it would be easier to slip away. Then the winner would scrape off the oil with a metal tool and bottle it up and sell it for people to use for skin ailments and an aphrodisiac! That's so gross.

I also picked my paper topic, I'm doing a comparison of the games held in Athens, Delphi, and Olympia. I'm actually excited about it, it sounds really interesting. I met with the teacher and she showed me in the library where I could find all of the information I need. She's really nice and helpful. I also found a section of the library with novels we can check out so I was really excited about that!

Bette and I went to the market and the grocery store to buy some food for dinner. Either tonight or tomorrow we're going to stay in and eat together. We got some orzo and fresh green onions, tomatoes, green beans, and olive oil. It should be very good.

Not too exciting today but we were still tired from our trip this weekend. Talk to you later!

Mykonos Adventures!

I am safe and sound back in Athens after a wonderful trip to Mykonos! We had a few minor bumps along the way but they made for some great memories. We started off Saturday morning perfectly, we left the apartment at 5:45 :( and took a taxi to the bus station. The bus ride was about an hour to Rafina, which is the port that all the Ferries come through. We got there about 830ish for our 915 ferry so we had time to get coffee (not me) and chocolate croissants. We loaded the ferry early so we could get great seats and we did! We were on the very top right by the ledge so we could watch all the scenery. Since it was early in the day it wasn't too hot either. It was also fun people watching, we had some very metro Italian men that were just dressed ridiculously flamboyant.

We got off the ferry five hours later and decided to walk up to a car rental place and ask for the direction of our hotel. We asked the man: "Where is the Pelican Hotel?" His responce..."Oh, that's on Mykonos Island."...Our response "Where are we?!" We had gotten off at the wrong ferry stop! They didn't announce where we stopped in English so we just got off! The man says: "You need to be on that ferry right there" and he points to our ferry driving away. Oh, great. Then he goes "Or that one" and points to one just pulling in. We run like crazy and get on and show the many our tickets that weren't actually for that particular ship and he doesn't say anything but motions for us to follow him. We walk to the front desk of the ferry and anxiously wait for him to tell us something. We're standing there like we're in detention in junior high while he makes all these phone calls and drinks is espresso. We are in such suspense and he goes: "Which one is Philippou?" Dora says she is and then he asks if she's Greek and she says her family is from Cyprus. After that revelation he immediately perks up, we find out he knows English quite well, and gives us new tickets. I swear these Greeks have no cognition of how the people they are dealing with are feeling, it's like their just waiting until it's convenient for them.

So we have a good laugh about that and ride the next 15 minutes to Mykonos. This looks more like it, it was exactly what I thought of when I dreamed of Greece. Crystal clear blue oceans next to the mountains filled with white houses with blue roofs/windows/domes. We all were so excited! We get off the ferry and try to find a cab for like 30 minutes. They all just keep driving right past us and we call the hotel, the cab company, and keep getting ignored or disconnected. Finally we decide to make a human chain across the road and stop one! She stops for us and drives us to our hotel. Greek drivers are the scariest drivers in the world. They will literally touch bumpers with cars in front of them and ignore lane lines, traffic signals, and pedestrians. Needless to say, the drive up the rocky mountains and steep cliffs was a bit unnerving. Our hotel was so beautiful though! It is somehow connected with the School of Fine Arts so it was so pretty and quaint. We actually had only reserved a room for two but all four of us were staying there so we had to do some manuevering to sneak the other two in haah but it worked out!

We were starving by this point so set off to find a restaurant and a beach. The way down to the town was so beautiful, I took tons of pictures! The streets of Mykonos were designed to be like a maze to throw off pirates so we had a really great time navigating those. Our hotel manager says before we leave: "There aren't really street names so you'll just have to keep asking people around you for directions"...oh great. Luckily they're all really nice and willing to help us. Plus, it's not a very big island. There are the most gorgeous plants and flowers there! They come in vibrant pinks and purples and contrast against the blue water. It was right out of a calendar. Mopeds and vespas whissped past while the breeze smelled of coconuts and saltwater. There are many restaurants right up to the beach so we choose one that has the most gorgeous view of the horizon. We each order 2 liter water bottles (you can't drink the water in Mykonos we found out after each drinking a whole glass of it, but nothing happened!) and our meals. I had feta cheese and a fruit salad and it was beautiful as well as refreshing.

We then headed to the most beautiful beach I've ever seen! There were only about 10 other people actually swimming, but there were people walking on the sidewalks. The water was very salty but so clear you could see everything! No seaweed or gross things that are usually in oceans. The sand was actually small rocks mixed with larger grained sand that was quite perfect because it didn't get everywhere but it wasn't sharp like all rocks. We swam and took a siesta on the beach for about 2 hours and then went to get cleaned up. We drank wine that we bought at a convenient store that even uncorked it for us because so many people vacation there and no one brings corks! We sat on our private balcony and watched the sunset while laughing and listening to music.

We went to dinner and all shared family style. We had saganaki (fried cheese), lamb with risotto, stuffed tomatos, and bakalava. I'm actually surprised to say I like the baklava I make better because I only put one clove in it for decoration while they put cloves in the actual mixture. It was a bit too strong for me but still good. We then headed to the club scene where we were bombarrded with despearte workers for us to come into their bars. We went to three different ones and they were great! We headed home around 3 but the scene was still going strong, apparently no one goes home until 5 in the morning but we couldn't make it 24 hours without sleep. We slept four in a queen size bed horizontally but we were so tired we were fine with it. Complimentary breakfast at the hotel was great. Did some shopping at the shops and then headed to the ferry.

We couldn't get a taxi until we walked about 10 minutes but we made it on time! This time we were so tired we wanted to just sit inside because it was so hot. We sat by this little Greek family with a girl and boy about 2-2 and a half. The boy was of course always staring at me because I always attract kids, but thankfully repel the wild animals here. He was very sweet and slept most of the time but the girl, Anna Maria, screamed a lot. While on the ferry some acoridan and guitar players started playing in one of the sections and about 6 older women were dancing! It was so Greek, I loved it. I almost shouted Opah but thought it to be inappropriate...

We got off the ferry and found a bus to Athens. We asked the driver when we would leave and he said "30 minutes". So we told him we were going to run and get a snack because we were really hungry. He goes "Oh, no, the bus could leave in 5 minutes". These people just expect you to like drop everything and go on a whim when they feel like it, it's crazy. So this bus ride was ok except there were people standing in the aisles the whole hour drive! I felt bad for them. Clearly Greece has no safety laws...

We get to Athens and it takes about four tries to find a cab driver who will drive us to our neighborhood, Pangrati. We finally find one but he has no idea where our street is. We drive in circles like 3 times and then he pulls out a GPS! He can't seem to find the street and we're showing in the map for like 25 minutes, it was ridiculous. But we only had to pay 7 euro so it was fine.

By the time we got back it was 8:30 and we were so starving and tired we just ordered Greek pizza. Then Bette and I decided to reorganize our double room so we could have a living room area! It looks so great.

All in all it was a great weekend, Agora tomorrow!

Mykonos pictures: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4287309&l=ab20cc1f0a&id=590541644

First Day Trip

Well last night we ate at TGI Fridays! We picked it because we wanted to know what their version of "American food" was and it was on the top floor of this indoor mall! It was so beautiful. We sat on the outside porch looking over the city and got to see the sun set and the moon rise. Greeks take a long time to eat, we were there for two hours! The food was really great. My french fries actually tasted better because they use olive oil which is very delicious and better for you! We saw a bunch of young people their lounging on the porch and inside with their drinks. It was very social!

This morning we left for our first day trip to Marathon, Brauron, and Sounian. Marathon was actually somewhat of a disappointment. It turns out the legend of Philipides running all the way from Marathon to Athens to report their victory over the Persians is most likely a myth. Our professor said that it most likely evolved from the story of him running to Sparta over the course of two days (still quite an effort) to ask them to help. I was upset by that because I always thought that was such a wonderful story. Who knows, it could be true! The "hill" that makes Marathon famous is also sort of a letdown, it is actually a reconstruction of a pile of bodies. Not only did they remove all 192 bodies of the slain Athenians but they totally moved the hill from its original spot! I was a little upset.

We then drove another hour to the other side of Attica (the "state" that Athens is in") to Brauron. This was cool. These were ruins of a temple of Artemis. This was also the site of the cult of artemis. This involved any girl around age 5-10 who participated in "the bear dance" that showcased their transition from a child to a woman. Archeologists don't know much about it but it involved casting off their childhood robes, running across the temple, and then putting on their adult pelos (toga). The temple still had many features in tact and it was very beautiful.

On the drive to Sounion was my favorite part. It was absolutely beautiful! We passed all of these houses on the coast that were huge and all had pools heading towards the ocean. The houses are so much more spread apart and all have those red clay roofs. We passed so many beaches and coves that only had about 4 or 5 people on them. The water was crystal clear and bright blue. Everything was just so European! Windy roads up through the mountains and dirt paths down to the sea. There were cars parked right up against the beach, never would be allowed in the US! I decided I want a house here someday.

Sounian was gorgeous. The temple of Poseidon is up on the highest hill overlooking the water all around it. It is so majestic from far away and beautiful up close. We trekked up the mountainside so we could see it and we even saw where Lord Byron carved his name in the side! They were the most fabulous views I've ever seen. I could just imagine the ancient ships headed off to battle. The coves were so cozy and private! Not as crowded as the ones in the US.

My roommates Dora, Heather, Bette, and I are headed to Mykonos tomorrow, so excited!
Love you all
Updated pictures here: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4270051&l=42f469d401&id=590541644

Kerameikos

Today we spent the morning in Kerameikos, which is the site of a mass burial grave and other ruins. It was very neat! It's basically this huge plot of land that has all these beautiful flowers and plants with a stream running through. There are old columns and sections of walls and stuff that goes as far back as 4th century BC! It was actually pretty hot today because we were standing outside but we got some shady spots as well. We also had these same three dogs that followed us everywhere, it was sort of gross. We explored the museum and our teacher had us document that evolution of the pottery through the ages so that was neat. I also found about the Plague of Athens and we saw the map of where they found all of the remains. There was also a grave of 7 Spartan soldiers they found, they even found a piece of red cloth that they believe was part of the cloak they wear in battle!

We decided to take the metro closer to our apartment and it was relatively uneventful until some workers came around to check our tickets. They went up to Dora, one of the girls in my apartment, and were speaking Greek and made us stay with them at the stop while all 4 of them checked all of our tickets about 4 times! We were so nervous we would be detained or something even though we did nothing wrong! I guess she had a bunch of old tickets in her purse and handed them the wrong one so it was nothing but it seemed stragne. I guess they're government is just so desperate for money they're checking everyone's tickets. They don't have those guardrails that stop you from going in without punching your ticket, you can just walk through! So I guess they were trying to police that.

Tomorrow morning we leave for Marathon, Brauron, and Sounion and should get back around 6 pm to our appartment. Dora, Heather, Bette and I decided to make a trip to the island of Mykonos Saturday and Sunday so I'm really looking forward to that! It should be a lot of fun and is supposed to be beautiful.
All for now!

New photos: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4263204&l=8d67406d18&id=590541644

Most updated album

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=171042&id=590541644&l=3967520695

Most updated album

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=171042&id=590541644&l=3967520695

Swimsuit experience

Hello all! Last night we went to this tarverna restaurant outside and it was so delicious! It was definitely my favorite time in Athens so far. It was an optional dinner because it cost 15 euros but it was definitely worth it! In the quiter neighborhoods of Athens there are these little oasis type grove of trees in the center of the streets, called sqaures. This one was covered with beautiful trees and flowers and we sat in a long table underneath the trees. Cats and dogs run wild here so they were everywhere but luckily they didn't come too close.

We started off with a Greek liquor, I forget what it was called but it was basically ouzo without the licorice taste, very strong! We had the most delicious house wine throughout the meal. About every five minutes it seemed like they would bring a new dish and eveything was served family style. We had grilled feta, greek salad, kabab, saganaki, fava spread, bread, kalamata olives, tyropita, and these yummy olive oil french fries! For dessert we had greek yogurt with honey and homemade icecream with cherry preserves. Probably one of the best meals I've ever had! Then we walked around Athens for a while before heading to bed.

This morning we met at the National Arheology Museum, and we walked there, bad idea. We walked for an hour and got turned around quite a bit but finally found it. I took the bus back with Bette because it wore me out! The museum was neat, we mainly focused on pottery that had been excavated and the gold from Grave circle A and B found by Heinrich Schliemann. I saw the mask of agamemnon which we have a copy of! It looks just like ours and my teacher was very impressed. We also looked at all of the jewelery he found on that same site. We're going back to the museuem a couple more times and I'm happy about it because the stuff we looked at today wasn't as interesting to me as the sculptures we'll look at later.

After that I went swimsuit shopping with Bette and it was an experience! First we wanted to get convert more euros so we went to a bank in our neighborhood. We had to press like a doorbell thing and get buzzed in behind two sets of doors! Then we had to take a number and wait to be called and we had to show our passports to change our money. There were a bunch of people just standing around and a policewomen. Very different from Busey...We started to walk around and we went into this one shop where the owner immediately attached herself to Bette and brought her about 10 suits to try on. She made Bette come out of the dressing room each time and she explained to her if it was the right style and color for her. We were there over half an hour and she never left our side! We ended up going to another store because that one was expensive and the lady tried her hardest to make us stay. The other store was very similar, as soon as we walked in the owner did the same thing. That would drive me crazy here! I hate when salespeople come up to me, I like to do my own thing. Very different from America.

Another thing I have noticed about Greeks is that when they are walking or standing they will not move to let you pass, you have to move around THEM. They never saw excuse me or anything, they just keep on their intended path and expect you to change your orientation. Very strange and sort of rude. All for today, post more later!

Pictures from City Walk added!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=171042&id=590541644&l=3967520695

City Walk

I'm currently sitting on my balcony writing this, I love it out here! I have only spotted about three neighbors but hope to meet more. I wanted to give you all more information on my roommates. Bette Rubin is my friend from U of I and she switched last semester from an acting major to Classics so she is great to have around! She knows so much about what we see and is always giving good travel tips. Her and I have really gotten close over the last couple of days. We even opened the sliding doors between our rooms so we could have a common area and we could be closer to each other! I'll have to post a picture. The two girls who were here when Bette and I arrived are Marissa and Kelly, both from Pitsburgh and they go to Duquesne. Marissa is Greek (she even goes to a Greek Orthodox church at home!) so she knows a lot about the city too. The other two are Dora Philippou (clearly Greek, her family speaks the language) and Heather. Dora goes to Indiana University and Heather goes to Indiana Purdue majoring in Literature and English. They're all great and we get along very well. I think I'm the only one whose major has absolutely nothing to do with Greece but it's fine, I've embraced it.

This morning (at 8:30 :() we had lecture with our professor, Nicola Waldner. She's really great. She is the daughter of two archeaologists and she British so she's very interesting to listen to! She has been on digs since she was 30 days old! She even told us this story about how when her parents were on a dig in Greece they discovered she was lactose intolerant and the next morning they woke up with to find a goat in their front yard as a gift! Anyways, she has taught for National Geographic and the Discovery channel so she’s pretty great. We do have to write a 7 page paper and do a presentation and have a final but they don’t sound too bad.

She took us on a two hour walk all around the city and it was so gorgeous. I couldn’t believe how much I hadn’t seen! What I love about Athens is it is such a meeting place between ancient, classical history and modernity. There are these fabulous ancient ruins that are centuries old next to busy highways full of BMW mopeds! It’s just so fun. We saw the National Gardens, Parliament building, the first church in Greece, the Agora, the Acropolis, and all these over old things I can’t remember the names of. Bette Rubin and I were just dying because we finally got to see everything we’ve seen in pictures all these years! We also found some great cafes, bars, shops, and observatories we’re definitely checking out some time. We get out of class at 12 then have lunch and then head back to our apartment to talk to our roommates (they’re in a different section of the same class) and siesta! I completely understand how everyone in Europe has a siesta, they walk everywhere and you get tired! Everyone in our class is friendly but not what I expected. There are 22 of us and we’re very different. There are your typical American college students who did not try at all to blend in, socially awkward boys, know-it-alls, and Bette Rubin and I. The girls we really get along with are also with us, they are the ones that go to Michigan. Tonight we have a Tavern dinner where we try all this authentic Greek food and wine! I’m very excited to meet some more people and see some local attractions. That’s all for now, I’ll attach pictures later!

Pictures so far

Here's some pictures: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=171042&id=590541644&l=3967520695

Move in Day

I moved into my apartment today and it is very cute! It's rather old and not overly furnished but it is completely Greek. There are five of us here, two are already here and they are sleeping. I believe they got in today and are jetlagged. The apartment has five bedrooms, two bathrooms but only one shower.....We overlook a beautiful road and are accross from an apartment complex with beautiful plants all over the balconies. We hear horns honking, dogs barking, and children playing. For now it's great! I truly feel like a native.

We went to the CYA office to check in and it is very nice and so are the people. The five of us from last night stuck together and met for breakfast this morning. We had toast with tomatoes and cheese. Hardboiled eggs too that were fresh! We took a taxi to CYA and they gave us our apartment assignment and we were driven over. CYA is right next to the Marble Stadium, it's unbelieveable!

Tonight we have orientation and a welcome dinner to meet everyone, I am very excited. I will try and post pictures today!

Off to a Great Start!

I am here! I have arrived and it is beyond amazing. The flight was good, a bit uncomfortable and hot but I managed to sleep a bit. We landed in Zurich after eight hours and it is such a beautiful country, I wish I could have stayed longer! We saw the sweetest little villages and all of these blond beautiful people, it was great. We flew into Athens and I finally saw what I've been waiting so long for it finally sunk in! We took a taxi to our hostel and the driver was very nice but sort of a reckless driver which I expected. Our hostel is very cute! I am aiming to get pictures up tomorrow. It's just Bette and I so it's very cozy and the bathroom is actually up to par. After getting settled in we walked around and came upon the brand new Acropolis museum and then the Parthenon! It is breathtaking, I couldn't believe I was looking at it. We just stood in the middle of the sidewalk and just stared at it while young kids and dogs were roaming around us. Athens is what I expected, crowded with buildings but not crawling with people. Americanized, but not overwhelmingly so. We decided to go to this restaurant recommended to us by the bartender at our hostel called "God's Restaurant"...I know it's strange. But it was the most delicious food I have ever had! We had baked feta cheese with honey for an appetizer and I had the pita kabob which was so good! They also brought us balsalmic vinegar and olive oil and I now know what that is truly supposed to taste like! It was divine, so much better than Biaggis. At the end of our meal our very friendly (and cute) waiter brought us shots of ouzo, a Greek liquor that tastes like liccorice! After our meal we decided to go to a happy hour at our hostel and ended up meeting three other girls on our program. They all go to school at Michigan and two of them are doing both of the classes I'm in. The five of us got along instantly and sat outside on the deck in the beautiful night talking about our lives and our new experiences! We're already making plans of what to do on our free weekends! Bette Rubin and one girl Sam and I went to the rooftop bar of another hostel to see the Parthenon at night lit up and it was so beautiful I can't even describe. But we lasted only about 15 minutes because we're so jetlagged. Sleeping on a plane doesn't work well for me. Tomorrow we have registration and more exploring to do! I hope I find out my roommates and discover they are great! More tomorrow,
avtio, Caroline

T-1 day!

Hello everyone! This summer I will be living in Greece for eight weeks studying abroad through College Year in Athens. I am taking two classes, one focused on the architecture in Athens where I will be living in an apartment in Athens for one month. The next is archeology where I will be traveling around various islands for another month. I am so excited! A little nervous but I mainly just want to get there. I've wanted to go to Greece for so long, I can't believe I'm finally going. I fly out of OHare tomorrow at 7:22 pm and will stop in Zurich, Switzerland and then arrive in Athens around 4:00 pm local time. I will be updating this blog very often so I hope you enjoy!