Sharp in Greece

Kalimera! Ti Kaneis? Me Kalo. You’re impressed I know. After the first week of class (Greek Language on Monday & Thursday) I can not only say hi, ask how you are and tell you how I am doing in Greek but I can also speak about a paragraph worth of introduction. For example,my name is, where I’m from, where I live, what I do and what I want, etc. Do I want a cookie? Not now because I’m in Greece and the cookie would obviously be stale by the time it arrived here in the mail. However, when I land on U.S. soil December 18^th I expect that cookie to be fresh from the oven with the chocolate chips melting and keep the milk cold, efharisto!

With regard to everyone who loves worrying about my coursework, let’s get the boring yet most important out of our way first. My first week sampling a taste of European education went something like this. Greek Language at 4:15 pm on Monday – a college student could never ask for a better start time – was a whirlwind to say the least. For starters, bless the professor’s heart for attempting to teach Americans such as me who carry a twain accent and can’t roll their tongue (for r’s, like Spanish). Clearly, that’s a genetic trait – thanks Mom and Dad – because it can’t be learned overnight, trust me I've tried. Besides the disaster of pronunciation, I’m picking up on this whole speak Greek thing rather quickly. Not too much longer and I’ll know how to propose to my Greek Goddess. Tuesday start time? 6:00 pm (quit shaking your head and pick your jaw up from the floor). Global Marketing is by far my favorite class. There are only four students in the class which means more one on one time and open discussion lecture, the book was an expensive $0 (checked it out in the library), the professor is down to earth and did I mention that the course starts at 6:00 pm? Only one Wednesday through ten weeks of International Relations (start time? 2:00 pm haha) and I’m predicting an interesting semester full of POW WOWs with an array of diverse voices in the mix. Greek students most of whom are in the workforce already with established views schooling my inexperienced, narrow perspectives. Personally, I believe my opinions and views will influence their perspectives just as much, if not more because the majority of them have never visited the states. Nonetheless, both of us bring our own unique and wise intellect to the table. Thursday is labeled Fly Day and that is just what la familia did. Correction, it was Ferry Day this past weekend because we visited the island of Santorini. Blue Star Ferry is the birthplace of my newest blog post, where pen meets paper prior to fingers meeting keyboard. Before I tease you with Santorini euphoria, we must go on a tangent.

I met a new friend. We will call him Bob. Bob graduated from the University of California Berkeley in 2004 with a degree in computer science. Following graduation Bob landed the fantasy job for all nerds working for Google. Seven hours on a ferry not only means feeling sea sick for seven straight hours but it also means plenty of time for Bob to share a few stories about Google and the secrets to Joe Paterno’s longevity. Okay maybe he didn’t reveal the secrets to coaching longer than the Great Flood (you know, some guy named Noah) but he did say that working at the Googleplex in San Francisco’s bay area is like getting paid to attend the most fun school imaginable. Let me explain since I just folded in this poker game that I’m currently chip leader in (coins and sea glass) against Bob and two others. Employees at Google cruise throughout each building driving Segways to their next destination or meeting. Why worry about driving to work? Google does it for their employees by offering them the chance to be picked up by a black limo party bus which serves orange juice and donuts. Eating at Google is way better than having Mom pack your lunch every day, sealed with a heartfelt sticky note from her covered in x’s and o’s (NO, my Mom never did this). If an entrepreneur wishes to start their own restaurant, Google will hire them to cook inside of Googleplex. The menus never stop changing, Friday is seafood night and by the way, all their employees eat as much as they’d like for free. Instead of gliding on the Segway why not just soar down the zip line to lunch? A necessary purchase made by one of the many departments who are each allocated a certain amount of money for such perks and equally incredible privileges like the Nap Pod. Google designed the Nap Pod because they’d rather employees take a power nap to stay efficient throughout the day. Placed in different offices throughout the Googleplex, it is completely enclosed shutting out all light and sound, plays music and best of all functions to wake you up however you’d like to be woken from your glorious power nap (whatever that means). Other than being a complete monopoly powerhouse Google is so successful because they keep their employees happy. Bosses aren’t there to harp over you, making sure all your work is complete because they have too much of their own work to worry about and more importantly, their main focus is to keep the employee happy. We’ll end this Google rant on a high note because personally my spirits need to be lifted since I just went All-In and now I’m all out (we didn’t play for money, all the coins and sea glass were returned). Bob shared with me stories about Google’s Christmas parties where Disney World is rented out or the party is thrown in a huge circus tent with trapeze artists swinging through the air above you.

Alright time to get back on track from our tangent, enough secrets from “Bob”. If you’re not already sick of reading this blog then good for you because I saved the best for last! The scene of arrival on Thursday in Santorini by ferry reminded me of the scene from Pandora where the humans military is first arriving in Pandora minus the aircrafts flying around. With approximately 300 passengers waiting on the loading dock as the gate began lowering to reveal mountains and dozens of small buildings. Sirens were hollering as well as lights flashing and beaming on the mountainside. I felt as if we were Sparta going to war. The hostel we called home during our weekend stay only cost a mere ten euros per night and the staff was very welcoming.

After a relaxing Friday lounging on Black Beach (black sand because Santorini was once an island in one piece but is now divided into three separate islands at the hands of a volcanic eruption) they offered to host a barbecue for everyone at ten euros a person. Unlimited chicken, steak, and pork served with fries, Greek salad, tzaziki and bread. First thing Saturday la familia decided to rent ATVs for the entire day for 15 euros per person, a cost that was split between two people. La familia’s very own comedian Cecilia aka Panda Raptor (everyone received nick names as members of the Street Sharks, our crew name because of the sheep and sharks on our helmets) and I teamed up to cruise through Santorini on our boy blue – the only blue ATV in Street Sharks. 

Seeing la familia cruise around the island of Santorini was a sight to see. Just imagine 12 ATVs humming through a small town near you going 60 mph, scary to imagine I know, but we roll deep! We made pit stops at places such as Red Beach, the Hellenic Navy Lighthouse, and Ammoudi Bay, which all included an incalculable amount of breathtaking views and scenery.

 two views of Red Beach

However, nothing can top the ending to our Saturday night. Street Sharks rode through Santorini’s capital of Fira where we stopped at a restaurant that served everything imaginable; ice cream waffles, chocolate syrup covered pancakes, gyros, crepes and Greek pizza just to name a few items from their menu. It was quite the selection.

Ammoudi Bay

Following dinner we continued the drive to Oia where we sat atop Ammoudi Bay surrounded by white houses, blue top churches and a smothering amount of tourists taking in the most beautiful sunset conceivable.

atop Ammoudi Bay at the edge of Oia

I’m only 20 years old and don’t think I’ll ever be able to top an Oia sunset in Santorini. Then again, stating this is me falling victim to the saying “you’re only in Greece once”. Hearing other Americans in la familia say this disturbs me because people like myself dream bigger than this, much bigger than this. Life doesn’t stop following a 3 month study abroad journey. It’s only the beginning. Why not come back to Greece, accompanied by family next time? What about the rest of Europe and Middle East? I guess that’s why I never follow their suggestions, I just always do my own thing, stay optimistic because those other situations are all depressing. On Sunday we skipped out on the chance to take a ship tour of all three islands that even made a pit stop at the volcano where you could swim in the hot springs.

Not only did it cost 25 euros for a half day trip but we also heard bad reviews from other Americans and decided to spend another day traveling the island on ATVs for an extra 10 euros. This turned out to be a wise decision in my opinion. La familia spent the majority of our day at Kamara Beach, also a black sand beach. We set up camp cliff side for easy access to make approximately a 40ft climb to our diving point.

After about twenty minutes of contemplating, I finally made the plunge. Instantly after conquering the first jump, I spent most of my time at Kamara Beach cliff diving, the adrenaline rush never fading. 

We enjoyed another sunset from Oia then made our way towards the hostel, returned the ATVs and finally headed to catch the ferry. Fortunately, class doesn’t start until 4:15 pm on Monday because we arrived back in Athens around 8 am.

Today (October 19^th) officially makes one month in Greece and I have one question. WHERE DID IT GO?! A one month whirlwind where it seems I’ve been in a daze being amazed and luckily I consider my journey to still be in that beginner stage. Next weekend I’m visiting the island of Zakynthos. Halloween weekend the plans are to bungee jump into the famous Corinth Canal, followed by a weekend in Barcelona, Spain. The weekend of November 11^th is still wide open. However, top destinations on the agenda include, in this order: 1. Berlin, Germany 2. Paris, France 3. Rome or Florence, Italy. Don’t think I’m stopping there though because the following weekend, November 18^th- 22^nd is Amsterdam and November 25^th – 28^th is a visit to the island of Crete. Finally, I guess I’ll put an end to this non-stop traveling momentarily with a weekend in Praque, Czech Republic December 2^nd – 5^th. I hope you’re getting the hint by now. This is documentation of social mobility, of an American Dream in transition. Until next time folks, peace!

But before I go, I have to leave a BIG SHOUTOUT to my Dad who turned 45 last Friday and I was too busy having a good time in Santorini to leave him a message - horrible son I know. So Dad, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!! :)

                                               Signed, Sealed and Delivered

All other pictures are posted on my Facebook profile.