Sep 2008

I can now blame US Airways. Yes, I totally forgot to look for it, but even if I had it wouldn't have been there. My tripod has been lost in the black hole of lost luggage. Thank goodness it was only my tripod and not my clothes!

I hope they find it because I really don't want to buy a new one. I guess those night time photo ops will just have to wait.

One night down.
103 more to go.

I hope that I will either get use to the incessant noise or the nights will cool off enough so I can close the windows! I slept, but not soundly. When I did get to sleep a loud motorcycle, the heat, or a car horn inevitably awakened me. I’m sure the time change adjustment did not help. I can’t wait until I’ve adjusted and can start thorough enjoying myself. I can see a big difference between this and the trip I took to Turkiye in January. In Turkiye I was kept busy the entire time. It wasn’t just me, alone, among a sea of people I did not know. I know. I didn’t have to adjust to living there. I was a tourist plain and simple. Here, not matter how you spin it I am not a tourist. I am a temporary resident who doesn’t speak the language or know my way around. It can be daunting if I dwell on it, which I’ve chosen not to.

We went to the market today and it’s only about a 5-minute walk from our apartment. Shopping was not too difficult of a task. Not to difficult when buying items off the shelf that have pictures on them. Ordering from the deli is a different task however. I am really going to have to learn how to order that yogurt. It’s going to be essential to my stay here. Bargains can be found if one looks closely. The disparity between brand pricing is pretty big it seems. I’m sticking to simple meals at home – pasta, lentils, bread and cheese, olives – and will use eating out to experience the full range of Greek cuisine. I have yet to delve into good local cuisine. We stopped at a place called Ciao and had lunch. Yes, Ciao. In the middle of Athens. But the food was good and not expensive. A feta and tomato sandwich was only 2,40 Euros. Not bad at all.

Tonight we had our first Greek lesson. Daunting? I little, but with perseverance I think I can pick it up. Following our lesson, which was 3 long hours, a small group of us walked to a neat taverna a few blocks from the center for dinner. I chose not the have the rabbit lemonato and opted for a safer chicken dish. I have yet to encounter what I consider traditional Greek food, but it won’t be long I’m sure. After dinner we took a stroll to the Olympic Stadium. Yes the original Olympic Stadium built in 1896. Some modern history near all the ancient stuff! It is kept lit up at night so I hope to get down one night to take some good photos with my tripod. Speaking of tripod, did I tell you I left mine at the airport? Yes. Left it. On the luggage conveyor. Never even noticed until last night. It should be in lost and found but I have to figure out how to get to the airport and not spend 30 euros.

We also saw the Temple of Zeus and the Parthenon from afar tonight. More great nighttime photo ops!

Meanwhile here is a photo of the Olympic Stadium. Not the best quality but it will have to do.

I stayed out rather late tonight. It’s already 1:15 AM. I’m not tired so I guess I’m still adjusting to the time change. I think I’m adjusting to being here though.

Until classes start.

Then I’ll stress.

For now, Αντιο! (good bye..I think)

Here I am! I made it and none worse for the wear. The flights were a bit bumpy due to tropical storm Hannah, but nothing to make me white knuckled. I can’t say that about a few other passengers I took note of.

So here begins the beginning of a new journey in life. The overwhelm is, well, looming large. After arriving to the airport I got my bags with no trouble. There were two other students on the same flight with me, so I wasn’t entirely alone. We made a phone call to let the director of the program know we were here and we heading toward our apartments. It was then into a cab and on the way to my apartment. I was utterly alone in that endeavor! I’ll have to say the cab ride was not nearly as interesting as an Istanbul cab ride and only cost me 35 Euros. I guess 35 Euros is worth it to get me to my destination safe and sound. Unfortunately there was nobody here to let me in. I rang. No answer. I rang again. No answer. I forgot to write down the country code for Greece before I left so calling someone at the center was out. Thank goodness my dear husband answered the phone at home and looked up the code for me. It was only about 3 AM back in the states. He is truly a gem. I was then able to call the center and get someone to head over to let me in. My welcome was warm and comforting after sitting out front, bags in tow, passing time reading a book, trying to look normal and not feeling so normal.

A view from my room

I’ve since had a shower, discovered Greek plumbing is an interesting thing, opened all the windows, learned of the Greek “quiet time” between 2:30and 5:30 that isn’t always so quiet, been reluctant to venture out, read some more of my book, pondered over the sign in the toilet that says “Please do not flush any toilet paper or hygiene products down the toilet, overheard a few loud conversations in Greek, wondered just how many scooters and motorcycles there are in this city, hoped a pigeon wouldn't fly into my open window, took a second nap, got confused over the time change, wondered what the heck I was doing here, and pretty much loved every minute of it!

A second view from my room

I am now waiting for my roommates to arrive and the center will serve us dinner at 8. Seems the Greek people rarely eat dinner before 8. I wonder what all those American gastroenterologists would say about that. I wonder if the Greeks have less trouble with acid reflux. I wonder if the 2:30-5:30 quiet time should be implemented in the US and if we would all be healthier for doing it.
That is the first half of my first day in Athens. This should be an interesting experience!

As I said in my last entry, time creeps up on you. It is subtle and quite and then it slaps you upside the head and screams NOW!!

Yes. I'm packing. I hate packing. I have this paranoia that I am going to leave something crucial. That is not such a big deal when traveling within the US, at least usually, but when traveling out of the country it can make you nervous. Ok, really, is it such a big deal if I forget my extra camera battery? Wait, I forgot to buy an extra camera battery. One more trip to the store and I should be done then. But the truth remains that finding the things you need in another country can be a challenge. It's not that they aren't there, it's finding them.

So I have my list and I'm checking it twice.

My cat on the other hand has me on her you-know-what list. She's not happy that the suitcase came out. She has since commandeered it and refuses to move. The looks I'm getting are frightening. I just know she's going to change my alarm tonight while I sleep so I won't get to the airport on time. Cats are cunning like that you know.

No, you can't leave me.

Wow!

Hard to believe the time is upon me. It seemed like months ago that I was telling myself that I would be ultra organized and get everything in order with ample time to spare for this trip. Wait. It was months ago. So much for resolutions to become organized. Ok, to give myself credit I did get my visa and ticket in ample time and I did manage to make the deadline for a wonderful scholarship. I'm not a total loss after all. What is making me nervous now is the fact that I haven't packed. The suitcases are nowhere in site. It's not for lack of excitement, it's just my nature. Pack and stress the night before. If it makes anyone feel any better, I do have stuff somewhat thrown together in one spot.

Doesn't make me feel any better.

So I'm off to organize some clothes, shoes, and accessories before I get a (hopefully) good night sleep. 2 more days and I'm out of here! (Shhh...don't tell my cat, Willow. She's not very happy when the suitcases come out.)