This is our first free weekend in Greece! So, I wanted to take a few minutes to show you all a few things that we've done--things that aren't really homework related. I figured some of you would appreciate a bit more "fun" reading over all my boring homework stuff ;)
When we first arrived to Santorini, (like...a little over a week ago already!?) we started our classes right away. However, this weekend has been completely different! Marios hosted a pool party for us! He cleaned the pool area, brought in his friends, played music, and provided us with a wonderful afternoon here at Studios Marios. After a long week of classes, hiking, homework, and a few cloudy days, this is was JUST what we needed. ;)
When we first arrived to Santorini, (like...a little over a week ago already!?) we started our classes right away. However, this weekend has been completely different! Marios hosted a pool party for us! He cleaned the pool area, brought in his friends, played music, and provided us with a wonderful afternoon here at Studios Marios. After a long week of classes, hiking, homework, and a few cloudy days, this is was JUST what we needed. ;)
But before I tell you about our most recent weekend adventures, I'll fill you in on a little bit more--from the beginning.
In case you didn't know, we left Fargo on the morning of Tuesday, May 7th. I was staying in Moorhead since school got out a few days before and was spending much of my time visiting my Gramps at the hospital. Wishing, hoping, and praying he would come around before I had to leave. Honestly, those few days before I left I kept telling myself I couldn't go. Not under those circumstances. And let me tell you, leaving that morning was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. I almost dreaded leaving. I was really sad; one because I was leaving my family when I felt that not only did they need me, but I really needed them. And two, because I really did want to be excited about taking off, yet I couldn't be. But I knew that Gramps would be really upset with me if I didn't go. And I was really scared that when he woke up, he wouldn't even remember me being there and would be asking where I was.
BUT, I did. I gave hugs to Mom and Rob and said my goodbyes and I love you's at 9:00 am outside the Fargo airport. Lucky for me, one of my closest friends (and roommates) Hilary was getting dropped off at the exact same time.
We made the short flight from Fargo to MPLS and ended up having a 3:30 hour layover there. Making the most of it, Hilary, myself and few new friends enjoyed our last "American" meal--cheeseburgers. After anxiously awaiting our 8 hour international flight to Amsterdam, we boarded. To pass the time I watched a few movies, read, ate, took a nap, and never seized thinking of my mom, granny and gramps at Essentia on 32nd Ave in Fargo.
We finally arrived to Amsterdam where we had another long layover. 5 hours to be exact. We made our way to the gate, ate, walked around, shopped, ate some more ;), drank coffee...and sat around until we FINALLY boarded for Athens. It was disappointing that the longest flight was followed by an excessive layover; if it hadn't maybe the trip might not have seemed to take forever. Oh well...
Once we arrived in Athens, we picked up our baggage and made our way to an extremely large bus that took us through the city to our hotel.
We only had an hour to settle in before meeting Peter and the rest of our professors for a scavenger hunt in the city. We split up into groups and were given a list of places to go before arriving at our final destination where they would be waiting for us. From there we would head to our first Greek feast.
The scavenger hunt was scary and stressful. I really disliked Peter for a while that night. However, after hours of walking, asking for directions, nearing tears, and a trip back to the hotel for advice, we found Peter and others from our group waiting at our designated spot.
Our first feast was wonderful! We had (fresh) Greek salad, fried cheese, Tzatziki, bread, stuffed grape leaves, and then our main course. We didn't eat until around 9:00 so it was a late night. We all headed back to the hotel to get some rest for our busy next day.
Waking up early for breakfast we then set out for a museum and tour of the Ancient Agora in Athens. Peter's friend David accompanied us. The Acropolis and Parthenon were next, along with a visit to the Acropolis museum. Then it was back to the hotel for another quite night with an early departure for Santorini the following morning. :)
As I mentioned before, when we first arrived to the island we began our course work right away. However, after arriving and settling into our new home, we did another (less stressful) scavenger hunt to explore our new neighborhood. All the people were very nice and helpful. We then hiked on our first day there :) It was tough and I slept extremely well that night.
The next day we started what would continue as our routine. Breakfast, Greek lesson with Peter, classes with our other professors, lunch, hike, and an evening off for dinner and pleasure.
Our hikes have been pretty hard, but the views are amazing. I have tried to take a few photos, but hiking up the mountain with a heavy camera isn't quite comfortable.We hike twice a week, with scattered field trips in between. We have snorkeling, a volcano excursion, ceramics studio, dance lessons, feasts, and other island activities to keep us busy throughout the week.
Yesterday, as sort of a kick off to our weekend, we took a day field trip to Ancient Thira, Ancient Akrotiri, and then into the capital city of Fira. Everything was amazing. I wish you could all be here to actually see these things because my (very unprofessional ) pictures will never be able to do them justice. Yet, I'll try for you. Forgive my poor pictures, I promise to do better as I continue to tour the island for you :)
In case you didn't know, we left Fargo on the morning of Tuesday, May 7th. I was staying in Moorhead since school got out a few days before and was spending much of my time visiting my Gramps at the hospital. Wishing, hoping, and praying he would come around before I had to leave. Honestly, those few days before I left I kept telling myself I couldn't go. Not under those circumstances. And let me tell you, leaving that morning was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. I almost dreaded leaving. I was really sad; one because I was leaving my family when I felt that not only did they need me, but I really needed them. And two, because I really did want to be excited about taking off, yet I couldn't be. But I knew that Gramps would be really upset with me if I didn't go. And I was really scared that when he woke up, he wouldn't even remember me being there and would be asking where I was.
BUT, I did. I gave hugs to Mom and Rob and said my goodbyes and I love you's at 9:00 am outside the Fargo airport. Lucky for me, one of my closest friends (and roommates) Hilary was getting dropped off at the exact same time.
We made the short flight from Fargo to MPLS and ended up having a 3:30 hour layover there. Making the most of it, Hilary, myself and few new friends enjoyed our last "American" meal--cheeseburgers. After anxiously awaiting our 8 hour international flight to Amsterdam, we boarded. To pass the time I watched a few movies, read, ate, took a nap, and never seized thinking of my mom, granny and gramps at Essentia on 32nd Ave in Fargo.
We finally arrived to Amsterdam where we had another long layover. 5 hours to be exact. We made our way to the gate, ate, walked around, shopped, ate some more ;), drank coffee...and sat around until we FINALLY boarded for Athens. It was disappointing that the longest flight was followed by an excessive layover; if it hadn't maybe the trip might not have seemed to take forever. Oh well...
Once we arrived in Athens, we picked up our baggage and made our way to an extremely large bus that took us through the city to our hotel.
We only had an hour to settle in before meeting Peter and the rest of our professors for a scavenger hunt in the city. We split up into groups and were given a list of places to go before arriving at our final destination where they would be waiting for us. From there we would head to our first Greek feast.
The scavenger hunt was scary and stressful. I really disliked Peter for a while that night. However, after hours of walking, asking for directions, nearing tears, and a trip back to the hotel for advice, we found Peter and others from our group waiting at our designated spot.
Our first feast was wonderful! We had (fresh) Greek salad, fried cheese, Tzatziki, bread, stuffed grape leaves, and then our main course. We didn't eat until around 9:00 so it was a late night. We all headed back to the hotel to get some rest for our busy next day.
Waking up early for breakfast we then set out for a museum and tour of the Ancient Agora in Athens. Peter's friend David accompanied us. The Acropolis and Parthenon were next, along with a visit to the Acropolis museum. Then it was back to the hotel for another quite night with an early departure for Santorini the following morning. :)
As I mentioned before, when we first arrived to the island we began our course work right away. However, after arriving and settling into our new home, we did another (less stressful) scavenger hunt to explore our new neighborhood. All the people were very nice and helpful. We then hiked on our first day there :) It was tough and I slept extremely well that night.
The next day we started what would continue as our routine. Breakfast, Greek lesson with Peter, classes with our other professors, lunch, hike, and an evening off for dinner and pleasure.
Our hikes have been pretty hard, but the views are amazing. I have tried to take a few photos, but hiking up the mountain with a heavy camera isn't quite comfortable.We hike twice a week, with scattered field trips in between. We have snorkeling, a volcano excursion, ceramics studio, dance lessons, feasts, and other island activities to keep us busy throughout the week.
Yesterday, as sort of a kick off to our weekend, we took a day field trip to Ancient Thira, Ancient Akrotiri, and then into the capital city of Fira. Everything was amazing. I wish you could all be here to actually see these things because my (very unprofessional ) pictures will never be able to do them justice. Yet, I'll try for you. Forgive my poor pictures, I promise to do better as I continue to tour the island for you :)
Our Greek Home :)
Hilary & I overlooking the Ancient Agora in Athens, Greece.
Looking up at the Acropolis and its ancient buildings.
Pork Souvlaki (my dinner choice!)
A view of Kamari (where we are staying) from the Ancient City of Thira.
Greek Donkies!! :) you can actually ride them! But they smell.. :(
A view of/from the capital city of Fira.
A beautiful church near our hotel in Kamari.
Our beach!! Sandless :( It's actually black lava rock. But, we will be visiting the red beach (lava rock) and an actual white sand beach as well :)
That's all I have for you right now. I'll try to keep posting things like this along with my homework assignments for you to see. I hope I was able to entertain you for a little while anyway.
I miss everyone, especially you mom! I love you :)
See you in a few weeks.
Until next time,
Aims.
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