Day 1
We’ve arrived! We made it to Greece, a little tired, but still very optimistic about the start of a new chapter in our lives. Stepping out into the 55 degree weather was a real challenge for us. We all agreed we missed the snow and bone chilling temperatures. We took a 45-minute bus ride from the airport to our hotel, which is actually in the center of Athens, very close to Syntagma (Constitution) Square. Our driver George is still figuring out how to shift gears but after some lurching we finally made it. After unloading our bags we finally got to our rooms and had a chance to settle in. The room is nice, three beds, all similarly rock hard with matching stains. This is an ominous start already. Looking for something to ease our anxiety we pulled open the ancient door and we were pleased to see the Parthenon on the Acropolis in the distance.
But we didn’t have much time to relax before we had to be back by the Square and meet for the bus. Our energetic professors had a whole afternoon laid out for us with a tour of the Temple of Demeter. The temple is one of the few remaining archeological sites in Greece where one can run amok about the site with complete disregard for the fragile state of the crumbling stones. There were a few signs explaining all of the significant landmarks, but overall the site is left to careless tourists to trod upon. At the top of the hill was the museum housing some of the more intact figures, statues, and artifacts. But quick! The professors/tour-guides/slave drivers are urging us on! Back to the bus for a quick ride into the hills overgrown with low-lying greenery, gray rocks and olive trees for a traditional Greek style lunch.
Thankfully my roommate on the trip has family from Greece and could tell us what a lot of the food was. Beginning with bread and feta cheese we moved to a free for all salad consisting of all sorts of greens piled together on one plate with some tomatoes for flavor. Then the wine was served, which was surprisingly good. We were also served some homemade french-fries which were much better than any greasy fast food french-fry you might find in the states. The main course was the most interesting part. Three plates came out, and since none of the waiters spoke any English we had to guess what it was. Finally one waiter came over and said that one plate was “lamb”, another plate was “lamb in fire”, and the third plate was, “how do I say this, um, inside of the lamb, sort of.” Inside of the lamb means the liver apparently. Topping this all off with another serving of warm wine we were ready to head back to the hotel to get money, send some emails and hopefully catch some z’s. Tomorrow, classes begin with Professor Demertzis and hopefully we can all catch up on some sleep. Off to dinner, and eventually bed!
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