My first day(s) in Athens

So I've arrived in Athens. My flights went smoothly and while I had to spend a little more than 3 hours waiting in the Athens airport for the buses to take us to our apartments, it was an opportunity to meet some of the people in my program. Now I am moved into my wonderful apartment in the neighborhood of Pangrati in Athens. There is no living room, there are 5 of us living in 2 single rooms and one hostel type room with tables for desks and wardrobes (I'm in the hostel type room), and the kitchen and bathroom are small, but our long balcony expanding the entire length of our apartment with 4 different access points to it makes up for it. Nothing has struck extremely difficult to adjust to yet except for the toilets, which you can not flush toilet paper down because of the old/small piping. My flatmates and I are getting along and hopefully it will stay that way.

Today I had to go with about 20 other students to get a TB test (apparently they changed the rules and ours from the United States don't count) in which they drew a box around in permanent marker and told us not to wash for 2 days, and a chest x-ray. Both for us to get an extension for our Student Visas as they are only good into April. That was a bit of an adventure and a bit of a frustration as well, but it was necessary.

My roommate Katie and I went exploring with our freetime today and found the Olympic Stadium used in both 1895 for the first official Olympics and in 2004 for track events. We can actually see the rings from our apartment and we found a way in and took lots of pictures. From there we could actually see the Acropolis and we did some sightseeing in the National Gardens. We also stumbled upon the changing of the guard, although we don't know what they were guarding. Tonight was our first Greek lessons and my class was very informative. I can now read in Greek (assuming I remember all of the vowel and consonant pairings that change sound) and know a few key phrases to help me shop at the open air market tomorrow.

It looks like I have plenty more adventures in store for me and my roommates seem very adventurous so we will certainly learn all that we can about Athens. Oh, and this weekend we head to Nafplio for our "weekend excursion" and the weekend after we're going to Delphi. Classes start Monday the 4th and I am very excited about them. Internet is really only available in the school building, so I don't know how much I'll be on, but I will write another post in about a week.

Kalinickta (Good Night in Greek)
Love,
Me

PreDeparture

Yasou!
That's a friendly "hello" in Greek. I've been learning a few phrases here and there, but my real foreign language education will begin when I arrive in Athens. I leave Saturday, January 26th at approximately 6:25pm and arrive in Athens (after stopping in London) at 1:35pm on Sunday, January 27th (their time). There is a 7 hour time difference and I won't have internet in my apartment, so keeping in touch with me might be a bit of a challenge, but don't worry I'll be checking my e-mail and facebook when I can. I will also have a phone there, and I'll post my international number when I get it. Don't expect to hear from me for the first week or two.

Here's what's on tap for after I arrive in Greece. Orientation for the first 4 days which will include getting familiar with Athens, transportation, and shopping (of course). Then a "Weekend Excursion" to I don't know where. Then classes begin February 4th. I'll probably post again after that.

Just a reminder, I love you all and will miss you terribly! Don't hesitate to write!
Kalispera! <-- Good Afternoon in Greek

~Amanda