Friday, August 29, 2008. Venice, Italy 5:45 pm.
WELLLL HELLO!!!!
We had our first 2 days of classes on Wednesday and Thursday--enlightening hours, let me tell you!! My Italian professor also teaches English at a university here in Venice, and I suggested to David, the professor from Wake that came with us, that we each practice our languages on the Italian students (as in they practice English with us, and we practice Italian with them). I think that would be so fun!! I already have homework, Thank you Wake Forest.
No much is new other than we went to the opera in Verona last night. WOW. What an experience. Not so much the opera, but the whole night. Right after class was over, I got on my first train and we rode the express train to Verona. When we got off, I was surprised to see cars again! It had been a while since Venice has only canals. We walked around a little and explored. We had dinner at a delightful little place and then headed over to the arena. There is no way that I can describe to you what it looked like (so just look at my pictures!). It was this HUGE arena made completely of marble! It was stadium seating and we were sitting at what might be the 15 yard line if it were a football stadium. I am not going to lie, I nodded off for juuuuuuuust a minute, but I was back in the game by the end. (It was all sining, a story line I didnt know, and in a language I dont speak fluently, give me a break...) After the opera, we were going to have to stay the night in Verona because the next train wasnt until 5:30 AM. We knew this going into it, so I came prepared with a change of clothes, some water etc.
We stopped at at a little cafe and Karen and Jaimie and I split tiramisu, a banana split, and a pina colada. The perfect way to do dessert!! I was in heaven. Then we went to this campo next to the cafe and hung out by the benches. We played THE LONGEST GAME OF MAFIA ever. It was interesting to be IN ITALY talking about "the mafia," all the while meaning the game, but having people walk by inquisitively. I wont bore you too much, but one thing you must know. I was in the mafia, and I won. That is all I am saying. I rocked it.
Moving on, we played there until about 4:30, walked to the train station and came back to Venice. I ate, showered, and slept, in that order, until about 1:30. Gelato and grocery store run to follow. Now were are hanging out waiting until 6:45ish to go to a movie here.
We continue to have beautiful weather, and I am in love with this city!! Eli and Katie come tomorrow, although I am not sure what time. Not sure what we are doing either. I know the house is going tomorrow for a trip to the Target equivalent. There are still some things I need here.
Love you all and miss you tons!
xoxo
mckin
Friday, August 29, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Grocery Store Galore
Tuesday, August 26, 2008. Venice, Italy 7:30 pm
So I am here in Venice and it is STUNNING. I want so badly to blend in with the Europeans, but it is difficult to do so with a CAMERA attached to my face. But I cant help it--I want to remember everything, and I want to show YALL everything too!! None the less, new pictures are up...
Yesterday we got up for an orientation meeting. We met our teachers, I clearly have forgotten all of their names already. Good start. Then we went to the grocery store and...wow. First of all, let me preface this story by telling those of you who do not already know that I LOVE THE GROCERY STORE. I love everything about it. Shopping + food= my fave. I also love the organization and the colorful boxes, the advertisements, EVERYTHING. This is why I do most of the grocery shopping for both my mom and my dad when I am home. So I was looking forward to going to the groc in Italy. We walk to the Billa, the grocery store, and gather outside to get the instructions on how to do the grocery store. I am not someone who needs directions on how to buy food, but I tried to listen anyway. You had to pay for a cart. 1 euro. You got it back when you put the cart back, but clearly I didnt have the correct coins, so I had to borrow. Boo. Then we walk around the most NARROW aisles ever trying to find what we might need. Let me tell you what I bought. Tell me if you are surprised: Ritz crackers, peaches, apples, special K with peaches cereal, soap, shampoo, yogurt, some pita wraps for sandwiches, jelly (I brought my own peanut butter knowing that they wouldnt sell it here), nutella and milk. These last two were especially noteworthy. The nutella had an entire section dedicated to it. Loff, you would LOVE IT!! They had every size bottle ever--5 kg ones (Loff, that would last you about a week... haha) down to little baby travel ones. They were so cute!! The milk just annoyed me because I couldnt figure out which to get. They had about 10 kinds and none of them (shockingly) were in English. So I didnt know if I was getting soy milk, lactose intolerant milk, whole milk, goat milk, freshly mixed from powder milk, old milk etc. I drank it this AM and it seemed fine, so I hope its ok... We came back and just hung out around the house. We then went out because it is one of the girls in the house's birthday. We came back from some square (all of them run together...) and hung out here in the house until late.
This morning we got up early-ish and went to the train station for our next level of orientation. Now I know where the station is and how to get a ticket etc. We then walked around for 4 hours. FOUR. It was intense. I was SO lost. I am directionally challenged enough when I can actually read the signs and speak to the people. Now everything is in Italian. Great. But it was nice! Good exercise and a BEAUTIFUL view! I came back, napped, skyped and am sitting here telling you all about it! I am not thinking I am going out tonight--I havent read for tomorrow yet...oops. Eli and Katie, my friends from Greece, are coming to Venice this weekend so I am excited about that, AND we are going to the opera in Verona Thursday night. We sleep on the streets until our train comes at 5 AM. There will be 20 of us, though, so dont worry. I am just worried because it will be my second all nighter in a week (and in my life... funny how that works out. Thank you, Europe). That cannot be good for me.
Thats all for now.
Miss you all
xoxo
mckin
So I am here in Venice and it is STUNNING. I want so badly to blend in with the Europeans, but it is difficult to do so with a CAMERA attached to my face. But I cant help it--I want to remember everything, and I want to show YALL everything too!! None the less, new pictures are up...
Yesterday we got up for an orientation meeting. We met our teachers, I clearly have forgotten all of their names already. Good start. Then we went to the grocery store and...wow. First of all, let me preface this story by telling those of you who do not already know that I LOVE THE GROCERY STORE. I love everything about it. Shopping + food= my fave. I also love the organization and the colorful boxes, the advertisements, EVERYTHING. This is why I do most of the grocery shopping for both my mom and my dad when I am home. So I was looking forward to going to the groc in Italy. We walk to the Billa, the grocery store, and gather outside to get the instructions on how to do the grocery store. I am not someone who needs directions on how to buy food, but I tried to listen anyway. You had to pay for a cart. 1 euro. You got it back when you put the cart back, but clearly I didnt have the correct coins, so I had to borrow. Boo. Then we walk around the most NARROW aisles ever trying to find what we might need. Let me tell you what I bought. Tell me if you are surprised: Ritz crackers, peaches, apples, special K with peaches cereal, soap, shampoo, yogurt, some pita wraps for sandwiches, jelly (I brought my own peanut butter knowing that they wouldnt sell it here), nutella and milk. These last two were especially noteworthy. The nutella had an entire section dedicated to it. Loff, you would LOVE IT!! They had every size bottle ever--5 kg ones (Loff, that would last you about a week... haha) down to little baby travel ones. They were so cute!! The milk just annoyed me because I couldnt figure out which to get. They had about 10 kinds and none of them (shockingly) were in English. So I didnt know if I was getting soy milk, lactose intolerant milk, whole milk, goat milk, freshly mixed from powder milk, old milk etc. I drank it this AM and it seemed fine, so I hope its ok... We came back and just hung out around the house. We then went out because it is one of the girls in the house's birthday. We came back from some square (all of them run together...) and hung out here in the house until late.
This morning we got up early-ish and went to the train station for our next level of orientation. Now I know where the station is and how to get a ticket etc. We then walked around for 4 hours. FOUR. It was intense. I was SO lost. I am directionally challenged enough when I can actually read the signs and speak to the people. Now everything is in Italian. Great. But it was nice! Good exercise and a BEAUTIFUL view! I came back, napped, skyped and am sitting here telling you all about it! I am not thinking I am going out tonight--I havent read for tomorrow yet...oops. Eli and Katie, my friends from Greece, are coming to Venice this weekend so I am excited about that, AND we are going to the opera in Verona Thursday night. We sleep on the streets until our train comes at 5 AM. There will be 20 of us, though, so dont worry. I am just worried because it will be my second all nighter in a week (and in my life... funny how that works out. Thank you, Europe). That cannot be good for me.
Thats all for now.
Miss you all
xoxo
mckin
Monday, August 25, 2008
In case you were wondering, I am looking at the Grand Canal RIGHT NOW!
Monday, August 25. Venice, Italy 10:00 AM.
Goooooooooooood Morning Venice!!!!!
The last few days have been a whirl wind of sorts, so Ill try to do a quick recap!
Friday morning we decided that the lack of air conditioning was just not working in the hostel. We loved it, and also the owner too, who had an interesting sense of humor... in any case, Ellen had found a villa a short walk from Fira (this was before she had 40 sea urchin spines lodged in her foot...) so we decided to move there. That would mean closer to the big city and we could walk instead of taking and paying for the bus. After a little negotiation with Spiros, the villa owner, we got two triples, one with a kichen! The rooms were air conditioned and the villa was BEAUTIFUL!! We also had a pool!! We lounged around the pool for a little while Eli and Ellen went to the grocery store to cook. That night we had a delightful orzo with feta and a nice bottle of wine given to us by Spiros.
We wanted to go out that night, but wanted to wait until later because the night before, we left before most of the people even got there. We knew this would mean nap time... I dont remember what I did instead of taking a nap, all I know is that I didnt sleep before we went out. We then went into Fira. The walk is maybe 10 minutes, but somehow we got to singing on the road and it just flew by! We went and talked to our Greek friends who were working AGAIN. We were then walking around trying to find somewhere that had no cover charge to get in where people were dancing and the guy in the front of a bar called Town Club told us he would let us in for free. There were a decent amount of people there but EVERYONE was dancing! AAND there was a bunch of music we knew! I met a boy from NAPOLII (imagine me saying that with an Italian accent) who was very nice, his name was Nicola. We left very late, and went back to the villa.
I didnt sleep in the next day. We got up and went for a tour of the Santo Wines winery. (Storisis told me to remember Santorini, but only half). We were told that we missed the last English tour, but we could go in Greek. No thanks. So instead of waisting the bus fare there, we just decided to enjoy the beautiful view, and one of Santo's wines. It was a delightful time. A friend that we made there gave us a ride back to Fira. His name was Dimitrius.
We split up and walked around Fira a little, and visited an amazing church there. Mer and I went down to the harbor via cable car and then, get ready for this, RODE BACK UP ON DONKEY. Now, let me tell you something. I am a decent horse rider, but these donkeys were less than obedient. Mine, whose name I have forgotten, kept ramming me into the wall on the side. He also could not decide if he wanted to be in the front or in the back, so we ended up being the slowest, then RUNNING to the front. It was quite an experience.
We met back up for the sunset and ran into some UNC people who knew mutual friends of ours. The world is SO small!! We went back to the villa and had more of Ellen's delicious cooking. Again, the group napped and I didnt. I uploaded pictures. I did get a few minutes of a nap in. Then Mer, Kendra, and I decided to go out again. It was my last night, I was not staying in!! It was a similar night to the night before, but only three of us instead of six. Our Greek friends gave us a coupon for a free drink at Town Club which we had decided was our new fave bar. We stayed out until about 4:30 again, which was conveniently about an hour before I was leaving for the airport. So I showered, packed, and left my lovely island of Santorini without a wink of sleep. This was my first all nighter and I can confidently say that I paid for it the next day.
My flights were fine. I went Santorini to Athens to Rome to Venice. It was excruciatingly painful because I literally could not keep my eyes open. I have been in some boring classes with little sleep, but this was OUT OF CONTROL. I was falling asleep WHILE playing solitaire on my iPod. I finally got to Venice (after meeting and befriending on the plane a Brazilian navy guy named Fabio who was all swollen from a moped accident...). I met up with a guy from my program in the airport and we took the water bus here to the house! We werent sure how to get there, but somehow magically we ended up here. It was definitely a God thing. I unpacked my things in my room (which is ON the Canal. As in I see gondolas right now!! and hear the lapping water!!!!!!! (more like CRASHING water..) We went to dinner (this is Sunday night) at the restaurant in Venice that loves Wake students. I came back and crashed. I NEEDED SLEEP!!! I think we are getting ready to go to to the grocery store which would be nice seeing that I only have travel shampoo and NO food. Anyway, I miss everyone, but it is so beautiful here!
sooo much love!
xoxo
mckin
PS PICTURES ARE UP!!! Look at them! More to come!
Goooooooooooood Morning Venice!!!!!
The last few days have been a whirl wind of sorts, so Ill try to do a quick recap!
Friday morning we decided that the lack of air conditioning was just not working in the hostel. We loved it, and also the owner too, who had an interesting sense of humor... in any case, Ellen had found a villa a short walk from Fira (this was before she had 40 sea urchin spines lodged in her foot...) so we decided to move there. That would mean closer to the big city and we could walk instead of taking and paying for the bus. After a little negotiation with Spiros, the villa owner, we got two triples, one with a kichen! The rooms were air conditioned and the villa was BEAUTIFUL!! We also had a pool!! We lounged around the pool for a little while Eli and Ellen went to the grocery store to cook. That night we had a delightful orzo with feta and a nice bottle of wine given to us by Spiros.
We wanted to go out that night, but wanted to wait until later because the night before, we left before most of the people even got there. We knew this would mean nap time... I dont remember what I did instead of taking a nap, all I know is that I didnt sleep before we went out. We then went into Fira. The walk is maybe 10 minutes, but somehow we got to singing on the road and it just flew by! We went and talked to our Greek friends who were working AGAIN. We were then walking around trying to find somewhere that had no cover charge to get in where people were dancing and the guy in the front of a bar called Town Club told us he would let us in for free. There were a decent amount of people there but EVERYONE was dancing! AAND there was a bunch of music we knew! I met a boy from NAPOLII (imagine me saying that with an Italian accent) who was very nice, his name was Nicola. We left very late, and went back to the villa.
I didnt sleep in the next day. We got up and went for a tour of the Santo Wines winery. (Storisis told me to remember Santorini, but only half). We were told that we missed the last English tour, but we could go in Greek. No thanks. So instead of waisting the bus fare there, we just decided to enjoy the beautiful view, and one of Santo's wines. It was a delightful time. A friend that we made there gave us a ride back to Fira. His name was Dimitrius.
We split up and walked around Fira a little, and visited an amazing church there. Mer and I went down to the harbor via cable car and then, get ready for this, RODE BACK UP ON DONKEY. Now, let me tell you something. I am a decent horse rider, but these donkeys were less than obedient. Mine, whose name I have forgotten, kept ramming me into the wall on the side. He also could not decide if he wanted to be in the front or in the back, so we ended up being the slowest, then RUNNING to the front. It was quite an experience.
We met back up for the sunset and ran into some UNC people who knew mutual friends of ours. The world is SO small!! We went back to the villa and had more of Ellen's delicious cooking. Again, the group napped and I didnt. I uploaded pictures. I did get a few minutes of a nap in. Then Mer, Kendra, and I decided to go out again. It was my last night, I was not staying in!! It was a similar night to the night before, but only three of us instead of six. Our Greek friends gave us a coupon for a free drink at Town Club which we had decided was our new fave bar. We stayed out until about 4:30 again, which was conveniently about an hour before I was leaving for the airport. So I showered, packed, and left my lovely island of Santorini without a wink of sleep. This was my first all nighter and I can confidently say that I paid for it the next day.
My flights were fine. I went Santorini to Athens to Rome to Venice. It was excruciatingly painful because I literally could not keep my eyes open. I have been in some boring classes with little sleep, but this was OUT OF CONTROL. I was falling asleep WHILE playing solitaire on my iPod. I finally got to Venice (after meeting and befriending on the plane a Brazilian navy guy named Fabio who was all swollen from a moped accident...). I met up with a guy from my program in the airport and we took the water bus here to the house! We werent sure how to get there, but somehow magically we ended up here. It was definitely a God thing. I unpacked my things in my room (which is ON the Canal. As in I see gondolas right now!! and hear the lapping water!!!!!!! (more like CRASHING water..) We went to dinner (this is Sunday night) at the restaurant in Venice that loves Wake students. I came back and crashed. I NEEDED SLEEP!!! I think we are getting ready to go to to the grocery store which would be nice seeing that I only have travel shampoo and NO food. Anyway, I miss everyone, but it is so beautiful here!
sooo much love!
xoxo
mckin
PS PICTURES ARE UP!!! Look at them! More to come!
Friday, August 22, 2008
Just another day in Santorini...
Friday, August 22, 2008. 1:45 AM Santorini time
Well, I wasn't planning on posting everyday, but seeing as we keep on running into such adventures, I figure I might as well share!
Since 8:30 this morning, SO much has happened! We called the airport who informed us that our baggage was in fact in Santorini. (Well, we first accidentally called the hostel thinking that it was the airport when the man who runs the hostel answered and proceeded to ask why we were calling from downstairs…) After spending another 1,40e each way to the airport and back and about 2 hours, we finally got our baggage. I felt so relieved!! It was like I was actually officially IN Santorini—not just half way.
We then decided to throw on our suits and walk around Oia (the city on the island of Santorini where we are staying, pronounced “ee-ah”) while Ellen explored Fira, the capitol city. We each had delicious “salty crepes” for lunch in Oia at a little cafe where the woman made each one at a time (translation: we were there FOREVER because it took so long). But, it was delicious! I had chicken, cheese, corn and green peppers, can you think of a better combination of food, all wrapped up in a yummy crepe??? I took some BEAUTIFUL pictures, (again, to be posted as soon as possible) and we ended up trekking down 235 stairs to the coastline. We curved around the volcanic rocks on the coastline and then jumped in the water!! (not from too high up, don't worry, it was more like big steps down). Here’s where the story gets interesting. As Kendra, Katie, and I jumped in, we encountered some very chilly water. As Meredith and Elisabeth jumped in, they stepped on some sea urchins. Super. Mer and I swam over to a boat hoping that they knew what tweezers were and hoped that they had some. They did not, but one boy (later to be known as Storisis, or as Ellen affectionately calls him, “unibrow”) informed us, “no worry, I doctor.” Comforting, yes? As Storisis tried to pull out the spines, Eli swam over to the rocks in immense pain. To make a long story short, Apostolis, the friend of Storisis, gave Eli and Mer a ride on his jetski back to land because they could not walk, then rode Katie, Kendra and me back from the boat to the shore. We were careful not to receive any spines for ourselves. Storisis moped-ed Mer and Eli back to the hostel while the rest of us hiked back UP the 235 steps, easier said than done, and found the girls back at the hostel. Our new Greek friends informed us that they would be working at a bar in Fira named Memouna and we should come visit. Ellen, at this point, was MIA. Mer and Eli soaked their feet in olive oil per advice from many and tried to figure out what to do next.
This is where my part comes in. I sat on the floor of the courtyard of our hostel with the girls for about four hours picking at Mer’s feet trying to retrieve the spikes. Literally, during the hours of 4:00- 8:00 pm I saw little but the foot of one Meredith Edrington. Somewhere in here, Ellen walks in to the hostel, foot bandaged too. She had evidentially found some sea urchins of her own. What a strange coincidence!! We eventually decided to go grab some dinner (after watching the sunset, of course!!) We ate at this little Italian-like place where I had yet another crepe, this time with mozzarella, basil, and tomato. It was good, but I’d say my first crepe was better.
After dinner, we headed to Fira to meet up with the boys. We were not sure what the name of the bar was, nor could we really remember their names, and we for sure did not know the location of this bar, so we were really looking for a needle in a haystack. We finally found Memouna, but were told it didn't open until 11:30, so we waited around and people watched on a bench. We finally met up with the boys outside the bar (we didn't want to pay the 10e cover charge…) and chatted with them for a while. We eventually decided to head back to the hostel, seeing as it was 1:30 in the morning at this point. One taxi ride later and I find myself sitting here, outside our room in the hostel, overlooking the lights of this beautiful place, and thinking WOW!!!!
What are we doing tomorrow? No one knows. We have half the group unable to walk because of the sea urchin spines, and so much ground to cover!!
Just another day in Santorini…
xoxo
mckin
Well, I wasn't planning on posting everyday, but seeing as we keep on running into such adventures, I figure I might as well share!
Since 8:30 this morning, SO much has happened! We called the airport who informed us that our baggage was in fact in Santorini. (Well, we first accidentally called the hostel thinking that it was the airport when the man who runs the hostel answered and proceeded to ask why we were calling from downstairs…) After spending another 1,40e each way to the airport and back and about 2 hours, we finally got our baggage. I felt so relieved!! It was like I was actually officially IN Santorini—not just half way.
We then decided to throw on our suits and walk around Oia (the city on the island of Santorini where we are staying, pronounced “ee-ah”) while Ellen explored Fira, the capitol city. We each had delicious “salty crepes” for lunch in Oia at a little cafe where the woman made each one at a time (translation: we were there FOREVER because it took so long). But, it was delicious! I had chicken, cheese, corn and green peppers, can you think of a better combination of food, all wrapped up in a yummy crepe??? I took some BEAUTIFUL pictures, (again, to be posted as soon as possible) and we ended up trekking down 235 stairs to the coastline. We curved around the volcanic rocks on the coastline and then jumped in the water!! (not from too high up, don't worry, it was more like big steps down). Here’s where the story gets interesting. As Kendra, Katie, and I jumped in, we encountered some very chilly water. As Meredith and Elisabeth jumped in, they stepped on some sea urchins. Super. Mer and I swam over to a boat hoping that they knew what tweezers were and hoped that they had some. They did not, but one boy (later to be known as Storisis, or as Ellen affectionately calls him, “unibrow”) informed us, “no worry, I doctor.” Comforting, yes? As Storisis tried to pull out the spines, Eli swam over to the rocks in immense pain. To make a long story short, Apostolis, the friend of Storisis, gave Eli and Mer a ride on his jetski back to land because they could not walk, then rode Katie, Kendra and me back from the boat to the shore. We were careful not to receive any spines for ourselves. Storisis moped-ed Mer and Eli back to the hostel while the rest of us hiked back UP the 235 steps, easier said than done, and found the girls back at the hostel. Our new Greek friends informed us that they would be working at a bar in Fira named Memouna and we should come visit. Ellen, at this point, was MIA. Mer and Eli soaked their feet in olive oil per advice from many and tried to figure out what to do next.
This is where my part comes in. I sat on the floor of the courtyard of our hostel with the girls for about four hours picking at Mer’s feet trying to retrieve the spikes. Literally, during the hours of 4:00- 8:00 pm I saw little but the foot of one Meredith Edrington. Somewhere in here, Ellen walks in to the hostel, foot bandaged too. She had evidentially found some sea urchins of her own. What a strange coincidence!! We eventually decided to go grab some dinner (after watching the sunset, of course!!) We ate at this little Italian-like place where I had yet another crepe, this time with mozzarella, basil, and tomato. It was good, but I’d say my first crepe was better.
After dinner, we headed to Fira to meet up with the boys. We were not sure what the name of the bar was, nor could we really remember their names, and we for sure did not know the location of this bar, so we were really looking for a needle in a haystack. We finally found Memouna, but were told it didn't open until 11:30, so we waited around and people watched on a bench. We finally met up with the boys outside the bar (we didn't want to pay the 10e cover charge…) and chatted with them for a while. We eventually decided to head back to the hostel, seeing as it was 1:30 in the morning at this point. One taxi ride later and I find myself sitting here, outside our room in the hostel, overlooking the lights of this beautiful place, and thinking WOW!!!!
What are we doing tomorrow? No one knows. We have half the group unable to walk because of the sea urchin spines, and so much ground to cover!!
Just another day in Santorini…
xoxo
mckin
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Love at first sight? I think YES!!!
Thursday, August 21, 2008. 8:30 AM Santorini time
Oh wow. We have arrived!!! And in case you were thinking that there is no way that Santorini is as beautiful as it is shown in pictures or in the movie, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, IT IS!!! The water is as blue as a crayola crayon and the buildings are WHITE!!!
Now, our travels getting here, not so beautiful. I left my house around 9:30 am, met up with my friend from Birmingham, Elisabeth. We finally left the Atlanta airport around 12:40 pm and made the venture to Philadelphia to meet up with our friend, Katie. We then spent the next nine hours TRYING to get comfortable on the airplane. Conveniently enough, it was only about 25% full! So we all got to spread out and sleep (with a little help from Tylenol PM…) The trip passed surprisingly fast—as fast as 9 hours on a plane can go. The food was mediocre at best: gross pasta, and a pathetic excuse for a jam filled pastry. Then we arrived in Athens, hopped off that plane, got my first passport stamp (!!!!), and onto another one to Santorini, our final destination!
Our arrival into Santorini marks the beginning of the drama. We waited for our baggage that never came. No joke. After waiting for about 30 minutes, we went to the Aegean counter (this man took us through a side door that bypassed customs… oops) where we tried to talk to some women to explain our problem. (by the way, the keyboard was GREEK!!!!) They informed us that our baggage would be on the next flight! Conveniently, we were waiting for our friend Meredith to arrive to all travel to the hostel together. So we waited. And waited… Meredith arrived, no baggage. We approached the woman again. Next plane, she said. It was about 2:30 pm by this time. The next plane was scheduled to come in around 5:00. We didn't want to COMPLETELY waste our first day, so we left our numbers with the woman and went on to the hostel.
We met up with Ellen and Kendra to make our six girls in the hostel, which is beautiful—not what I would expect from a hostel! The beds are just bunk beds, and it is a little warm when you close the door, but otherwise, there is a fountain in the courtyard and everything is white and blue. It is stunning. I am writing this from the desktop in the hostel, but as soon as I can get internet on my laptop, I will upload my STUNNING pictures!!
We went into Fira for dinner and ate at an “authentic Greek” restaurant. I had something with pita bread and chicken, it was great! I am still getting used to the money here (they have 2e and 1e coins… how strange!!!) We then went to a place that over looks the “middle of the C” of Santorini (look at a map and you’ll see what I mean) and watched the sunset while all sharing some Greek wine. It was so wonderful!!!! The sunset was UNBELIEVABLE. Wait until I post the pictures!!!
Because I have NO clothes, I had to sleep last night with almost no clothes on and pretty much didn't move the whole night to stay cool. The hostel has no air conditioning (not surprising since we are paying 17e to stay here INCLUDING BREAKFAST) so it was pretty warm. I am not sure what our plans are for today, hopefully I find my luggage…
I love you all and miss you dearly!
xoxo
mckin
Oh wow. We have arrived!!! And in case you were thinking that there is no way that Santorini is as beautiful as it is shown in pictures or in the movie, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, IT IS!!! The water is as blue as a crayola crayon and the buildings are WHITE!!!
Now, our travels getting here, not so beautiful. I left my house around 9:30 am, met up with my friend from Birmingham, Elisabeth. We finally left the Atlanta airport around 12:40 pm and made the venture to Philadelphia to meet up with our friend, Katie. We then spent the next nine hours TRYING to get comfortable on the airplane. Conveniently enough, it was only about 25% full! So we all got to spread out and sleep (with a little help from Tylenol PM…) The trip passed surprisingly fast—as fast as 9 hours on a plane can go. The food was mediocre at best: gross pasta, and a pathetic excuse for a jam filled pastry. Then we arrived in Athens, hopped off that plane, got my first passport stamp (!!!!), and onto another one to Santorini, our final destination!
Our arrival into Santorini marks the beginning of the drama. We waited for our baggage that never came. No joke. After waiting for about 30 minutes, we went to the Aegean counter (this man took us through a side door that bypassed customs… oops) where we tried to talk to some women to explain our problem. (by the way, the keyboard was GREEK!!!!) They informed us that our baggage would be on the next flight! Conveniently, we were waiting for our friend Meredith to arrive to all travel to the hostel together. So we waited. And waited… Meredith arrived, no baggage. We approached the woman again. Next plane, she said. It was about 2:30 pm by this time. The next plane was scheduled to come in around 5:00. We didn't want to COMPLETELY waste our first day, so we left our numbers with the woman and went on to the hostel.
We met up with Ellen and Kendra to make our six girls in the hostel, which is beautiful—not what I would expect from a hostel! The beds are just bunk beds, and it is a little warm when you close the door, but otherwise, there is a fountain in the courtyard and everything is white and blue. It is stunning. I am writing this from the desktop in the hostel, but as soon as I can get internet on my laptop, I will upload my STUNNING pictures!!
We went into Fira for dinner and ate at an “authentic Greek” restaurant. I had something with pita bread and chicken, it was great! I am still getting used to the money here (they have 2e and 1e coins… how strange!!!) We then went to a place that over looks the “middle of the C” of Santorini (look at a map and you’ll see what I mean) and watched the sunset while all sharing some Greek wine. It was so wonderful!!!! The sunset was UNBELIEVABLE. Wait until I post the pictures!!!
Because I have NO clothes, I had to sleep last night with almost no clothes on and pretty much didn't move the whole night to stay cool. The hostel has no air conditioning (not surprising since we are paying 17e to stay here INCLUDING BREAKFAST) so it was pretty warm. I am not sure what our plans are for today, hopefully I find my luggage…
I love you all and miss you dearly!
xoxo
mckin
Monday, August 11, 2008
Packing
Ah, yes. Packing. Well. I havent started. But I am sure I will get there! As soon as I figure out which of my clothes are the 44 lbs worth of the most important ones. Super.
BUUT I am SO excited about going! I leave exactly 8 days from now, and I cant wait! I hope that I can keep up with this blog enough to make it worth it, so keep checking to see my marvelous adventures!
xoxo
love, mckin
BUUT I am SO excited about going! I leave exactly 8 days from now, and I cant wait! I hope that I can keep up with this blog enough to make it worth it, so keep checking to see my marvelous adventures!
xoxo
love, mckin
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