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!