ahhh for the 4th-ish straight day it is in the hundreds and i am dying. the whole group is a sweaty mess addicted to water. most of our noonday and afternoon activities have been cancelled because it's just too hot to function. the temps have hit record highs in the 110's... unreal!
to continue from the last post, after the pel., we headed back to athens for sat and sun. on sunday, the heat took its toll, and we tried to beat it at the beach. there were sooo many people in the water which had heated up at the very least 10 degrees since the week before. a group of 4 of us went and it was just such a great, relaxing day. we went tubing as well. 15e for 10 mins but worth every penny. after that, we went to a great restaurant later in thissio, which is a little area near the parthenon. the restaurant was called kuzina. absolutely fantastic. steamed mussels in a white wine saw with tomatoes and feta for an app. and then lime and mint risotto with grilled tuna for my entree. i split that with maria as well as a wonderful twist on fish and chips. the award-winning chef came out to talk with us, and ended up chatting for a few hours over complimentary after-dinner drinks. a nice liquor made from mastic, a sort of sap that comes from trees only found on the island of chios, was a perfect end to the evening. we also were sent up to the roof deck to see an amazing view of the parthenon and other ancient ruins nearby that glowed under the moonlit sky. probably the happiest i have been in who knows how long. i love it here. then the chef gave us his card and recommended a restaurant called the seven seas in thessoloniki so we are going to try that out some night this week. supposedly it is very small and selective, but we have an in!
ok so a few things i have seen/learned in greece that i must share:
1. the seas here do not have tides. the water is just deep all the time.
2. fish is very hard to come by and therefore very expensive, as there is so much european competition for these seas.
3. every bathroom (labelled WC) has a sign in it that says not to put the toilet paper in the toilet. apparently they have very small pipes.
4. the woman symbol on the bathroom door has monstrous hips. i deduce that europeans accept and embrace curves.
5. people here don't sleep. they rely on obscene amounts of caffeine and somehow americans can adapt to this lifestyle.
6. everything here is insanely expensive. i.e. a starbucks venti is over 5e which is over $7.
7. greece doesn't offer light beer, but coke light is amazing.
8. ouzo is yuck, raki is death and mastica is yum.
9. it is possible to get sick of gyros.
10. bikini bottoms sold here don't cover much.
11. you have to pay to sit on a chair at the beach.
12. olive trees are everywhere.
13. real greek salads don't do lettuce.
much more to come... i'm off to get a frappe and sit at a cafe without dying of heat exhaustion. we're probably gonna grab something by the waterfront and then maybe search for the seven seas restaurant. oh by the way, we pulled an american move and went to tgi fridays last night for a change. bad decision. haha. according to a lecture we had today at anatolia college, thessoloniki is famous for their cultural cuisine. bring it on.
alka
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Monday, June 25, 2007
the home stretch
ok everyone so i am in thessoloniki... in my last week here at greece and i feel like i am way overdue for an update.
CRETE:
Absolutely amazing. Every day we went to a different ancient Minoan ruin, led by our crazy archeologist guide, Andreas. We saw the site of the oldest known theater, as well as the setting for various mythological happenings, for instance the story which gave the continent of Europe its name. Although each ruin had something unique to offer, such as examples of early refrigeration methods and original frescos depicting bull-leaping contests, they got a little old by the end of the week. Andreas was particularly banal, as he would not stop talking, even when he began to foam at the mouth from dehydration. He also prefaced every archeological hypothesis with "We do not really know what happened here because we do not possess a time machine." This time machine phrase was used very often and without even a smile as I think he was always dead serious. I've come to learn that jokes are always lost in translation. Even so, Crete made up for his oddities with its mysticism. We went to an amazing beach in Matala. The water was so warm, and mountains surrounded the sea on three sides. On one side was a wall of caves carved out of the mountain side. The caves were first used as tombs and then as homes and then finally as dwellings for squatting hippies in most recent times. Great pics to come...
Another favorite aspect of the island was the Hotel Ideon in Rethymnon where we spent several moonlit nights. From my room, I had an amazing view of the ocean and adjacent bustling tavernas. The town itself was quaint, and the restaurant owners unbelievably welcoming (and generous with their homemade alcohol - raki). Maria was a star with her Greek dancing, bending so low to take a shot of the ground. The locals loved it to say the least.
While we were there, we also had the opportunity to visit a great little Venetian village and ate dinner in a cafe situated right along the Mediteranean - rough life. Hiking the Somaria Gorge was another high point. The swim afterwards was out of this world.
PELOPONNESE:
We switched guides! Nina took over for foam-ridden Andreas. She was definitely an improvement, though her favorite phrase was, "Isn't it?" For example... "These mountains are very tall, isn't it?" Again, her attempt at connecting to her audience... lost in translation slash poor grammar. Anyway, we visited several monasteries, moving forward in Greek history. The most impressive was indeed the monasteries on top of high mountains in Mystras. It was a wonder how the monks could travel to such impossible areas. One of the peaks even had a rail car that transports ill/old monks still today, though you couldn't pay me enough euros to set foot in one.
We also went to some key landmarks, like Delphi and Olympia. There are pics. Not much to say but more impressive views and accompanying history. We have definitely grown to be spoiled if you couldn't tell. Every day we ask ourselves how we are getting credit for living in paradise.
Nafplion was probably my favorite place in the Pel. but we spent nearly 5 hours per day on the bus which made us all want to die. I'll continue more later but I have people waiting for me. My new nickname is Alkropolis. I think it's funny. I'm overtired. Though I have definitely adapted to the Greek lifestyle.. going to bed around 4 and waking up at 7 and drinking a strong greek iced coffee called frappe to keep me going through the day. I'm a trooper. Love this country but I'm definitely going to be ready to come home when the week is through.
Until tomorrowish.
Alka
CRETE:
Absolutely amazing. Every day we went to a different ancient Minoan ruin, led by our crazy archeologist guide, Andreas. We saw the site of the oldest known theater, as well as the setting for various mythological happenings, for instance the story which gave the continent of Europe its name. Although each ruin had something unique to offer, such as examples of early refrigeration methods and original frescos depicting bull-leaping contests, they got a little old by the end of the week. Andreas was particularly banal, as he would not stop talking, even when he began to foam at the mouth from dehydration. He also prefaced every archeological hypothesis with "We do not really know what happened here because we do not possess a time machine." This time machine phrase was used very often and without even a smile as I think he was always dead serious. I've come to learn that jokes are always lost in translation. Even so, Crete made up for his oddities with its mysticism. We went to an amazing beach in Matala. The water was so warm, and mountains surrounded the sea on three sides. On one side was a wall of caves carved out of the mountain side. The caves were first used as tombs and then as homes and then finally as dwellings for squatting hippies in most recent times. Great pics to come...
Another favorite aspect of the island was the Hotel Ideon in Rethymnon where we spent several moonlit nights. From my room, I had an amazing view of the ocean and adjacent bustling tavernas. The town itself was quaint, and the restaurant owners unbelievably welcoming (and generous with their homemade alcohol - raki). Maria was a star with her Greek dancing, bending so low to take a shot of the ground. The locals loved it to say the least.
While we were there, we also had the opportunity to visit a great little Venetian village and ate dinner in a cafe situated right along the Mediteranean - rough life. Hiking the Somaria Gorge was another high point. The swim afterwards was out of this world.
PELOPONNESE:
We switched guides! Nina took over for foam-ridden Andreas. She was definitely an improvement, though her favorite phrase was, "Isn't it?" For example... "These mountains are very tall, isn't it?" Again, her attempt at connecting to her audience... lost in translation slash poor grammar. Anyway, we visited several monasteries, moving forward in Greek history. The most impressive was indeed the monasteries on top of high mountains in Mystras. It was a wonder how the monks could travel to such impossible areas. One of the peaks even had a rail car that transports ill/old monks still today, though you couldn't pay me enough euros to set foot in one.
We also went to some key landmarks, like Delphi and Olympia. There are pics. Not much to say but more impressive views and accompanying history. We have definitely grown to be spoiled if you couldn't tell. Every day we ask ourselves how we are getting credit for living in paradise.
Nafplion was probably my favorite place in the Pel. but we spent nearly 5 hours per day on the bus which made us all want to die. I'll continue more later but I have people waiting for me. My new nickname is Alkropolis. I think it's funny. I'm overtired. Though I have definitely adapted to the Greek lifestyle.. going to bed around 4 and waking up at 7 and drinking a strong greek iced coffee called frappe to keep me going through the day. I'm a trooper. Love this country but I'm definitely going to be ready to come home when the week is through.
Until tomorrowish.
Alka
Saturday, June 16, 2007
i miss crete
hiiiii
i'm writing you from back in athens after an amazing several days on the island of crete... hiking the samaria gorge... visiting a variety of ancient ruins... beachin it... and shots of raki!!! by the way, raki = death. luggage update: i got a new suitcase delivered to the hotel. when it came off the overloaded conveyer belt in the cretan airport... of course it got stuck and the wheel completely ripped off. YAY! so i got another one that was even worse so my professor bought me a new one. what a doll. there is so much more to write but i have absolutely no time. hopefully when i get to the pelopponese i will be able to write more. keep the comments coming. i miss you all. byeeee
i'm writing you from back in athens after an amazing several days on the island of crete... hiking the samaria gorge... visiting a variety of ancient ruins... beachin it... and shots of raki!!! by the way, raki = death. luggage update: i got a new suitcase delivered to the hotel. when it came off the overloaded conveyer belt in the cretan airport... of course it got stuck and the wheel completely ripped off. YAY! so i got another one that was even worse so my professor bought me a new one. what a doll. there is so much more to write but i have absolutely no time. hopefully when i get to the pelopponese i will be able to write more. keep the comments coming. i miss you all. byeeee
Saturday, June 9, 2007
day 3ish
hey again,
so the past day or so has been a whirlwind. i got my luggage! it was delivered to me without a suitcase and in a black plastic trash bag. it smelled of the shampoo and lotion that had exploded all over it, and it was ridden with coffee beans for some reason. clothes are stained but the laundry shop hooked me up... for 20e. we had two lectures yesterday and today with this professor named haris. he went to oxford and has the most amazing greek/british accent and was brilliant. we reviewed greek history, etc etc. last night we went out on the town, for a real greek evening- drinking a strong frappe (shaken iced coffee) at around 9pm and then dinner at 11ish and then sitting outside on a street full of bars for a few beers. i was told by a few greek men that i look like a california girl, and one called me a movie star. haha thank god i got my clothes back...
today we climbed a mountain called mount lycabetus (totally wrong spelling, i'll let you know the correct later). the view from the top is amazing. one can see the entire city, all of the roof tops glittering in the noonday sun... ok enough of that, but the view really was great and there are many pics to prove it.
probably the most impressive part of athens is that you can see the parthenon and the acropolis from almost anywhere. it has acted as our north star thus far, somehow guiding us back to our hotel after every impulsive excursion. in this way, the role these antiquities play in our lives here is much like the pru... ahh home.
well tonight we are off to a shmancy dinner, with unlimited wine. :-) but that's not until after nine. tomorrow we're headed to an athenian beach and then monday we leave for crete and will stay for a few days. so excited. i won't be able to write from there i'm sure. the island is supposed to be amazing.
oh and i had my first gyro last night... phenomenal. we found a really cheap place to get them and the beer is only 2,50e - half the price of everywhere else. we're excited to find bargains hahaha. others are waiting yet again so i will ttys. and there is just not time to post photos so they will have to wait until i get back. love you all and keep the comments comin
<3your>
p.s. kate that's very exciting about the roomie situation :-)
p.p.s. thanks, jim, for putting up the blinds.
so the past day or so has been a whirlwind. i got my luggage! it was delivered to me without a suitcase and in a black plastic trash bag. it smelled of the shampoo and lotion that had exploded all over it, and it was ridden with coffee beans for some reason. clothes are stained but the laundry shop hooked me up... for 20e. we had two lectures yesterday and today with this professor named haris. he went to oxford and has the most amazing greek/british accent and was brilliant. we reviewed greek history, etc etc. last night we went out on the town, for a real greek evening- drinking a strong frappe (shaken iced coffee) at around 9pm and then dinner at 11ish and then sitting outside on a street full of bars for a few beers. i was told by a few greek men that i look like a california girl, and one called me a movie star. haha thank god i got my clothes back...
today we climbed a mountain called mount lycabetus (totally wrong spelling, i'll let you know the correct later). the view from the top is amazing. one can see the entire city, all of the roof tops glittering in the noonday sun... ok enough of that, but the view really was great and there are many pics to prove it.
probably the most impressive part of athens is that you can see the parthenon and the acropolis from almost anywhere. it has acted as our north star thus far, somehow guiding us back to our hotel after every impulsive excursion. in this way, the role these antiquities play in our lives here is much like the pru... ahh home.
well tonight we are off to a shmancy dinner, with unlimited wine. :-) but that's not until after nine. tomorrow we're headed to an athenian beach and then monday we leave for crete and will stay for a few days. so excited. i won't be able to write from there i'm sure. the island is supposed to be amazing.
oh and i had my first gyro last night... phenomenal. we found a really cheap place to get them and the beer is only 2,50e - half the price of everywhere else. we're excited to find bargains hahaha. others are waiting yet again so i will ttys. and there is just not time to post photos so they will have to wait until i get back. love you all and keep the comments comin
<3your>
p.s. kate that's very exciting about the roomie situation :-)
p.p.s. thanks, jim, for putting up the blinds.
Thursday, June 7, 2007
she's heeeeeereeee
hi everyone,
i am indeed here, safe, sound and jetlagged. there have been a few obstacles along the way unfortunately. i didn't think to bring my student id card to get discounted rates on admission into antiquities, but so far my northeastern student insurance card has worked thankfully!!! another problem- much larger in scope- i am luggage-less. i have my carry-on, but for some reason my suitcase that i checked did not show up in athens. don't freak out, mama!! i'm hoping for the best, and the people at the airport were very optimistic, as another woman was missing hers as well. they should get back to me today at the hotel after the next flight from london arrives in athens. thank god i packed extra outfits in my carry-on, but i'm missing everything else. at least i also have my euros and passport and other key items like my camera. if it takes a couple days to get it back, i have an excuse to buy a new bathing suit!!! honestly, i have no idea how i'm staying calm, but i just can't imagine it not working out. ahh so deep breath. it is 5 p.m. here and we need to pull through the jet lag so we can sleep well tonight. we saw the acropolis today as well as the parthenon. the panoramic views of the city were phenomenal, with mountains surrounding three sides and the ocean on the fourth. absolutely breathtaking. random fact of the day: wild dogs are EVERYWHERE here! they just lounge around the antiquities like they own the place. i guess they were brought here after an occupation to represent freedom. interesting... well i will write more when i can. other people are waiting to use the computer. wish you all could be here with me! i know you're jealous. <3>
i am indeed here, safe, sound and jetlagged. there have been a few obstacles along the way unfortunately. i didn't think to bring my student id card to get discounted rates on admission into antiquities, but so far my northeastern student insurance card has worked thankfully!!! another problem- much larger in scope- i am luggage-less. i have my carry-on, but for some reason my suitcase that i checked did not show up in athens. don't freak out, mama!! i'm hoping for the best, and the people at the airport were very optimistic, as another woman was missing hers as well. they should get back to me today at the hotel after the next flight from london arrives in athens. thank god i packed extra outfits in my carry-on, but i'm missing everything else. at least i also have my euros and passport and other key items like my camera. if it takes a couple days to get it back, i have an excuse to buy a new bathing suit!!! honestly, i have no idea how i'm staying calm, but i just can't imagine it not working out. ahh so deep breath. it is 5 p.m. here and we need to pull through the jet lag so we can sleep well tonight. we saw the acropolis today as well as the parthenon. the panoramic views of the city were phenomenal, with mountains surrounding three sides and the ocean on the fourth. absolutely breathtaking. random fact of the day: wild dogs are EVERYWHERE here! they just lounge around the antiquities like they own the place. i guess they were brought here after an occupation to represent freedom. interesting... well i will write more when i can. other people are waiting to use the computer. wish you all could be here with me! i know you're jealous. <3>
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