First Impressions

          Tomorrow will mark 10 days since I arrived in Greece, and I continue to find small and drastic differences. Greece is not what I expected. When you see pictures of the Greece, the common thought is beautiful beaches, crystal blue waters, and a lush green environment but it’s completely different in Agia Paraskevi. The ground is dry, plants are carefully maintained to survive, and the economic struggles lead to half-finished buildings throughout the town. It’s a different environment here then what I first thought, but I've also experienced some wonderful things too. 

          On Tuesday night, our group of nineteen Americans and a few Greek friends explored the night life of Athens. The venue we visited overlooked the Temple of Hephaestus and gave us an amazing view! As people got tired and headed back to our residences, we took taxis, which is an experience in itself. The drivers of Greece are unlike anything I've seen before, and Virginia driving will look like a snail race in comparison. After many close calls and feeling my life flash before my eyes, I began to talk with the cab driver. He spoke only a few words of English and I spoke even less Greek but for the next 15 minutes we talked about several topics and we communicated surprisingly well. We laughed as he tried to teach me words and I attempted to say them and I was able to tell him a little about which state I had come from. Meeting someone internationally that you have nothing in common with barely speaking the language and yet still becoming friends and laughing is truly an amazing thing. 

          The food is EXTRAORDINARY. The staple of the Greek people is Gyros. Culturally, the Gyro is to the Greeks as the hamburger is to Americans. They are cheap, taste wonderful, and they are conveniently available. The style of eating is very different as well. The Greeks eat late and spend hours drinking wine and talking over plates of shared food. Even eating dinner illustrates the laid back attitude of the culture and their emphasis on family and relations. Although the food is amazing, I miss pancakes, waffles, and bacon. 

          We have come to Greece during a unique and historic time. I write with extreme sensitivity because although the events to happen will have minimal effect on myself, the citizens of Greece are extremely nervous and anxious. Last Wednesday we went to downtown Athens to partake in the protest against removal from the EU. Other students, including Americans, are nervous about what may happen but everything is unknown at the moment. It’s an amazing time to experience a global event outside the USA.

A Wonderful Greek Gyro

The Protest in Front of Parliament