A day that I will remember for the rest of my life.

This blog will be about yesterday and today! Both days we were in Athens! Which is an amazing and beautiful city. It is huge! Atleast 20 times the size of times square! and everyone looked beautiful! No one looked sloppy. Lets see a quick run down on the day!

First we went on the metro, and went to the mall which was so modern and nice! It was beyond any mall I have ever seen in America. Then we drove around the ports of Athens. At one point we stopped and ate lunch at this
beautiful look out point over looking the sea! Then we

went to the tip of the peninsula and we got some time to just walk around by ourselves.

And this is where the fabulous story begins.

I had a feeling that there was something wonderful out there for us to discover, and I had a feeling that this one guy named Cabot would lead us to it. He just seems like a guy who can find adventure. So we walked around for a little bit and then we headed to the sea. We were standing
on the rocky sand beach looking out onto the sea and we hear this slapping of something. We look over and there is a Greek man standing on the beach holding a flat stick and hitting some type of fish on the stone wall of the boardwalk. Meghan, Cabot, and I were like Let's go talk to him, and we made ourselves over to the man. To our surprise he spoke English. This man was the typical Greek man that I have always wanted to meet! He was the most joyful and splendid stranger I have ever met, and so far the most amazing Greek I have met! We started talking to him and we told him that we are from a University studying for a semester. He told us that his wife is American and that she taught english in Italy. He also told us that he had been to America, I think he said Texas, and that he had relatives in Tennessee! He had also been to Canada and had a girlfriend there. He said that he got sent back to Greece twice in Canada.

We kept talking to him just getting to know him, and we found out that he had caught octopus and was hitting it with the stick to get the ink out! He had been all around the world because he use to be a sailor and a soldier for the government. It is a special type of soldier, that is very prestigious. He asked us if we had had calamari before, and none of us had. He asked us when we would be coming back and we said every weekend. He said you come back to here and I barbecue this calamari for you. Then he said actually how bout we eat now! And then he invited us to go eat with him at this little restaurant on the sea!

First he showed us his office, oh he cleans the beach now! He showed us a picture of him as a guard because it is on a postcard! He told us the store around the corner sold them! Then we walked over to the restaurant and took our seats! While we were walking over his wife called and he told her that he had met some Americans and was taking us to eat! It was so cute how he talked to her! He ended the conversation with talk to you later KISSES! Oh and early he said he loved meeting Americans and speaking English because he had been speaking Greek his whole life and it was boring, so he liked the change and newness of English!

When we sat down the waiter brought us bread and He offered us beer but we all said no thank you! Then we just sat an talked! it was wonderful! He told us how he listened to Stevie Wonder and Elvis Presley! And he even sang one song. We laughed so much! He told us stories from when he sailed to America. Then they brought out the octopus and fried squid, and vegetable salad. AND french fries! haha. oh and coke. The octopus and squid was very different, but good to try...once. haha, oh and btw we had already eaten lunch around 15 minutes before this. None the less we were STUFFED! and then at the end he brought out this pastey stuff that was pepto bismol pink. At first we thgouht it was dessert, then right as meghan was stuffing the fork load into her mought he told us it was fish eggs! and that we dipped our french fries in it. He was wonderful! He invited us to go dancing with him so he could teach us how to dance Greek style! I really hope we get to do that! Then it was time to go. He paid for all of it! There is no telling how much it cost cause everything is about twice as much in Greece! He was so friendly and joyfully! He gave us his name and number on a piece of paper! So I think one day after school we are going to come down and find him again! He was wonderful! I hope a little bit of how awesome that experience was came across on paper.

Then after that, we went to the temple of Poseidon. It was beautiful! and I can't believe I was there. All I could think about was Betsy Piper's eight grade mythology class! It was all coming back to me! It was a great windy day! The temple was beautiful and I got a lot of great pictures. Then we hiked down to the bottom cause the temple is surrounded by three waters. It was beautiful. I wonder what it was like back then. They told us the story of why it is called the Aegean sea. Something about King Aegeus who killed himself in the sea after he thought his son had died in battle because the Captin of the ship that was bringing his son back was suppose to change its black sails to white if the son was ok, but the captin forgot. Therefore, when he pulled into the port by the temple the sails were black so Aegeus thought his son was dead and jumped into the sea.

Oh on the way to Athens that morning I sat by Larelle, who is a hilrious femanine black guy on our trip! and we listened to Beyonce on the way there (the same headset) it was great!! and we danced and sang! I had so much fun!!

After the temple we went back to Aretmis, and Meghan and I took a nap...and missed dinner. oops. But it was ok because we were still stuffed from the seafood!

but that was pretty much my day! I am still waiting to skype with Jodi! JODI! we need to set a time up! I love you all!

AND IF THERE IS EVER A TIME WHEN YOU CAN GO TO GREECE GO! I HAVE FALLEN IN LOVE WITH THIS CITy AND THE PEOPLE!
The A with the circle around it is the anarchy sign. They are everywhere because of the riots going on. It means down with the government. The government recently shot and killed a 15 year old boy at a riot so there is a lot of tension right now between the people and the government.

Our first day in athens!

Some ruins I forgot what they were...
Downtown Athens!







We went to the mall in Athens and it was ridiculously nice! There are a lot of restaurants out in the halls of the mall with really nice couches. These are some of them!

This is the Olympic center from the 2004 Olympics!


The Curious Case of Benjamen Button is everywhere downtown Athens! It does not come out here till January 22

living 8 hours ahead.

OUR COLLAGE!

This is Devin and Meghan (my roommate!)
The Crazy Dogs!
Me and Mary Beth


Part of the Artemis
again Artemis
Aretmis

Artemis
view from the hallway of my apartment
View from our balcony

Last night was a little rough. I went to sleep fine but I kept waking up. and we have a main street right outside our balcony and the cars are so loud. Then there was a dog that started barking around 5am. and barked for like 20 minutes. It was frustrating. Then there was this red dot on our wall that scared me so i had to get up and see what it was...it was just the heater. Then I finally went to sleep until my alarm went off. I woke up to skype with Travis, but his alarm messed up so he didn't wake up. But then i went to breakfast and had Greek cereal and juice! It was yummy. Then we had a walk around the city with our directors. We split up into two groups, and then went opposite directions. Then when we met up with the other group they had 8 dogs following them. So let me take a moment to talk about the dogs. Glory be. So in Greece they have wild dogs (like in Mexico), but these dogs somehow no when the Americans get here. From the moment we step out of the Artemis(our villa) we are followed by atleast two dogs. They think that they protect us from the cars and other dogs. So as we are walking down the streets these dogs will bark at the cars and walk out in front of them to protect us. It is really sweet, but scary and really a bad thing. This happens because at some point the "Hugers" have fed them so they take up post at our doors and protect us in the city. Anyway, after the walk I signed up to be on the lunch crew for work study. So Meghan, Amanda, Mary Beth, Danielle, and I set the table and put the food out. We had chicken Parmesan, some Greek pasta, broccoli, and steamed brocolli, and Greek salad. It was delicious. They feed us well here at the Artemis! Then the lunch crew cleaned up and washed dishes. Yana helped us clean the dishes. She is Greek and knows some english. She is is precious, we loved her! Then after lunch Meghan and I were very tired so we went up to our rooms to take a nap. That was a very bad decision. We went to sleep at 3 and didn't wake up till 7! HAHA! we missed our orentation and dinner! Oh it was so funny! we came downstairs and the dinner crew was putting dinner away, and our hair was all messed up. But Rebecca (the director kinda of like our dorm mom) didn't mind at all that we had slept through and just let us warm up the left overs! It was was relaxed. We had the Greek version of lasagna (sp?) it was interesting but good! After dinner we went on a walk to the supermarket and got soap because we have a bar in our bathroom. Yikes! haha both Meghan and I both wanted to buy liquid soap. Then we went and got Gelato down the street. All the time about 7 dogs were following us and running out infront of the cars, one almost got hit. It was scary. The gelato was great! Then we came back to the Artemis and just hung out. We played games and had "Tea Time!" I had forrest fruit tea. Then around 11 or so Meghan and I went up to our room to start our collage!! So our rooms are a little barren...so we bought some magazines and a greek newspaper and went to work! It took us forever! and we didn't go to sleep till 1:30 but it was well worth it! on our entire wall there is a collage! It is brilliant! I love it! It looks a little like home now, and less 70's! But we finally went to sleep, after I got to talk to Travis on skype for a while! Then this morning Meghan and I both woke up at the exact time to go to the bathroom. Then after that we could not go back to sleep, so I hopped in the shower. Then we had breakfast, and this morning we had Greek yogurt. It was different, but I think I can get use to it! Then we had chapel. then classes which only lasted a couple of hours! then we were done! Now I am about to go to the store cause Meghan and I didn't bring any school supplies! So we are going to have to pay around $10 for a notebook! Love you all! hope you slept well! So far Friday has been good!

Life in the Port of the Tailor

Greece welcomed us well. Black skies and rain. but still beautiful. Our flights were long and some were a little rough. The first one to Memphis was really bad, but our last one to Athens was worse. There was so much turbulence. But we arrived safely, and there was only one guy who missed his flight. Before we got on the flight to Amsterdam we tried to get some food because we heard that it was gross. Gross did not even begin to cover it. It was curry. vegan curry. (let me say that did not set well with my stomach and it just hit me about 5 minutes ago) there were some oreos, and some crackers that I ate. that was it. and then when the coffee came around I got some and went to get the sugar off the flight attendents tray I grabbed four packets and the flight attendent said are you baking a pie or something?So I put two back, and was that a mistake because that coffee was so strong Momma Dean would have thrown it up. haha and you know that is strong. and we had breakfast which was a fake bisquit and fake egg and cheese. it was a little better than the other meal. But anyway. Side note as we were getting on the plane to Amersterdam after we had given them our boarding pass before we got on the plane we had to show our passports to like 4 officers, and while I was looking for my passport I had my huge ridiculous heavy red bag on my shoulders and I accidently hit the door handle behind and all of a sudden this ear piercing alarm goes off. and the officer glared at me and was like was that you? and I gave my innocent face and said yes sorry it was my bag. and he let me through, then another officer was like "WHO SET OFF THAT ALARM?" and I meekly said me! and he just tried to be mad but he really wasn't. ok so on the plane ride I sat by a man who was going to Kenya to help build a house with the Baptist men of something. It was like 7 men he said and they go on about 4 international trips a year just to go aid somewhere. and he had been to Greece a while ago to help with forrest fires. anyway. he was a quite man so I only got a little out of him but he was very nice. then when we got to Amsterdam right when we stepped out of the plane there were people from all over the world around us. The airport was very modern and so nice. The people were very friendly who were checking our luggage much nicer than the Americans. anyways. then on our flight to Athens we had another breakfast. and oh my goodness the dutch put the americans to shame when it comes to airplane food we had organic yogurt with an organic granola bar and wheat bread with strawberry jelly and cheese! IT WAS yummy! Then we got to Athens and drove to Porto Rafti. We are very close to the beach! which is stunning. I cant wait to see it when it is sunny. Tomorrow it is suppose to be in the 60's! but I will try and upload some pictures. I am on the computer in the computer lab cause the wifi doesnt reach to my room because we are on the end. oh and the decor of the villa is very that 70's show. I love you all!!! I will update again soon!!! facebook me. and Right now it is 5pm here and like 9am there. so there is an 8 hour time difference! So just be on skype tonight and I will try and find you! I LOVE YOU!!! AND GOD IS GOOD! and i haven't slept yet, so sorry if this blog is a little out of sorts. I think I am running on adrenaline right now.

GREECE!

It is here! I am at the airport about to leave for Greece. I can not believe it is finally here. The days leading up to today were exciting and sad. It is hard to leave. Even though I know what is ahead of me is so exciting and great! I can't wait to upload the first round of pictures! Checking in was a little crazy seeing as how I had so much stuff to carry on cause I have my Nikon with me! but i made it! our flight leaves in about an hour. I already miss everyone. I love you all! If I have time I will write at each stop. our first one is in memphis, then detriot, then amsterdam, and the ATHENS! I wish that my family and travis were coming with me! Maybe some day we can all take a long vacation together! Life sitting at the gate is full of emotions. i can't wait to be there. to take it all in. I have been told to climb the mountains a lot and to go down to the beach a lot. and to eat at Tony's. Life is an open book. and i am ready to get some ink on the pages! our plane just pulled up to the ramp!

Greece

I love this picture of me and Jodi. Just wanted to add a picture and I love this one.
I leave for Greece in four days! I really can not believe I am going to be so far away from home for so long. I am so excited! and yet a little nervous! I wanted to create this blog so my family and my closest friends have a way to keep up with me. and for a way for me to journal fast online. Pray that I arrive in Athens safely!
This break has been great! I have loved being home with my family. I only wish I had some more time before I left. Although I am sure once I get to Greece I will love it and fall in love. but right now it is hard to look towards that because I am leaving behind home and the people I love. I am hopeful that Travis and my mom and maybe my dad will get to come visit me over spring break though! That seems so far away, I think because I am not even there yet. I am dreading saying goodbye to Travis. I hated saying goodbye to him when he went to China and now here we are again saying goodbye for 4 months. but hopefully he will be able to come see me in Greece. So there is my first post. it took me forever to figure out how to use this thing. I have tried to write several posts before but I could never find them again. They are just floating around in cyberspace I presume. well that is all.
“Life can only be understood looking backward. It must be lived forward.”-The Curious Case of Benjamin Button