Just a brief note to let you know that the beaches in Athens are gorgeous. All of the BCA students took the hour tram commute down to Piraeus yesterday, where there are multiple beaches! We spent about four hours on the beach. The sea was BEAUTIFUL! Much more peaceful and calm than the Jersey shore. There were sail boats out on the water, and the sun was gorgeous. I spent most of my time just walking along the beach listening to my iPod - so relaxing! - and did nap for a while as well. I'm a little sunburned, but not too bad, and have a very slight wristwatch tan ;-)
This morning we had a very brief summary of Greek history, and a lecture on the high points of Greek literature. Then we had to take a survey for the study abroad program, and now all of the students are checking the e-mail and internet before heading off for the afternoon.
Unfortunate news is that our fearless leader Aphrodite has broken her leg! She fell, apparently, on our way down from the Acropolis on Saturday which caused the break. I am so sorry that this has happened to her, especially while she was bravely leading our group around the sights. :-( Hopefully we will still be able to take our trip at the end of this week to Meteora!
Monday, September 28, 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Ancient Agora, Acropolis, Parthenon!
Kalispera (good evening) or rather Kalimera (good morning) for most of you! This morning Aphrodite took our whole BCA group to the Ancient Agora and Acropolis. We took the metro down to the Monastiraki station and walked to the Agora (marketplace) which is where all the important men of Athens would have gathered in Anicent times. The famous Greek philosophers (Plato/Aristotle/Socrates in particular) would have gathered to discuss their ideas. I never knew before meeting Aphrodite that so many English words come from the Greek... the Dad in My Big Fat Greek Wedding was right... maybe not about the Windex, but definitely about the Greek words.
We stopped first by the Temple of Hephaistos (or the Theseion) which is beautiful and large... but only around half the size of the Parthenon. We had 45 minutes to wander by ourselves around the Agora, to see as much as possible and take pictures which was fantastic! We stopped in the Agora museum which had things from the 5oos BC. We then proceeded to walk up to the Acropolis - high place is right! it was quite a walk! - and stopped at Mars Hill which is where the Apostle Paul spoke to the Athenians. Then up to see the Acropolis. Not only is the Parthenon present (named for Athena Parthenos - which means the Virgin Athena), but also the Propylaea (the main gate), the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erectheion, and the Parthenon. Absolutely amazing. Words could honestly not describe it all... you'll just have to see pictures later!
Amy and I then walked from the Acropolis down to the Syntagma area, bought an inexpensive lunch... mine was a twisted spinach pie (AMAZING) and we ate them on a bench in Syntagma Square. Then back to the apartment. I can't believe I'm living in Athens! Yay!
We stopped first by the Temple of Hephaistos (or the Theseion) which is beautiful and large... but only around half the size of the Parthenon. We had 45 minutes to wander by ourselves around the Agora, to see as much as possible and take pictures which was fantastic! We stopped in the Agora museum which had things from the 5oos BC. We then proceeded to walk up to the Acropolis - high place is right! it was quite a walk! - and stopped at Mars Hill which is where the Apostle Paul spoke to the Athenians. Then up to see the Acropolis. Not only is the Parthenon present (named for Athena Parthenos - which means the Virgin Athena), but also the Propylaea (the main gate), the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erectheion, and the Parthenon. Absolutely amazing. Words could honestly not describe it all... you'll just have to see pictures later!
Amy and I then walked from the Acropolis down to the Syntagma area, bought an inexpensive lunch... mine was a twisted spinach pie (AMAZING) and we ate them on a bench in Syntagma Square. Then back to the apartment. I can't believe I'm living in Athens! Yay!
Friday, September 25, 2009
Brief dinner/market/classes update
Hello again...
Just to keep you up to date :-) I wanted to tell you about yesterday afternoon and today. Yesterday, instead of taking an immediate siesta after orientation, a couple of girls from the apartment and I all went walking down into the Monastiraki district as planned for later, and explored some of the narrow pedestrian streets (beautiful) which felt more like Europe to me. Somehow the large city and cement buildings doesn't have the same kind of Europe feeling! We found the cathedral (have to dress up to go in later) and other charming small churches and shops. We also had our first viewing of the Acropolis, which was awesome (it is indeed indicative of its name - Acro means high point, and polis means city or citadel). We then went back and had our siesta. All of the BCA students went out to dinner at a taverna in the Monastiraki district (in view of a lit Acropolis) and we had a really good time. The food was excellent, and our host not only pleasant but entertaining! They gave all of us free desert of yogurt with honey, which was amazing. I never knew yogurt could be so amazing! Absolutely delicious.
Anyway, enough about the food, it was an enjoyable evening, and it feels very nice to be assured that it is safe to walk in Athens, even after 11:30, which it was by the time we were walking back. We all try to walk together for security, but so far it hasn't been scary at all. Aphrodite has warned us many times to be careful, but so far I don't feel as though security has been an issue. Obviously I'm not running around being stupid and obviously foreign and oblivious. So... she warned us of places we shouldn't go... so I'll avoid those for three months and it should be just fine. :-)
This morning the same four girls from my apartment, Amy, Lauren, Kaitlyn and I all went to the open-air market in our area (which is called the Hilton area, because the Hilton is there... shocker) and had a wonderful time looking at all of the fruits, vegetables, herbs, olives, fish (bleh) etc. that were offered. I bought 5 bananas for about half the price they were in the small supermarkets, and conducted the entire purchase in Greek! Granted, this involved me saying a grand total of about 3 words, but still. It was in Greek.
We tried to register for classes today, but the lady was giving us a small problem about taking 3 extra classes. *sigh* I'm hoping it will all work out... but please pray that it will work okay! Thank you!
I think that's all for now... the Acropolis, Ancient Agora and Pantheon tomorrow! So excited! Addio! (Bye!)
Just to keep you up to date :-) I wanted to tell you about yesterday afternoon and today. Yesterday, instead of taking an immediate siesta after orientation, a couple of girls from the apartment and I all went walking down into the Monastiraki district as planned for later, and explored some of the narrow pedestrian streets (beautiful) which felt more like Europe to me. Somehow the large city and cement buildings doesn't have the same kind of Europe feeling! We found the cathedral (have to dress up to go in later) and other charming small churches and shops. We also had our first viewing of the Acropolis, which was awesome (it is indeed indicative of its name - Acro means high point, and polis means city or citadel). We then went back and had our siesta. All of the BCA students went out to dinner at a taverna in the Monastiraki district (in view of a lit Acropolis) and we had a really good time. The food was excellent, and our host not only pleasant but entertaining! They gave all of us free desert of yogurt with honey, which was amazing. I never knew yogurt could be so amazing! Absolutely delicious.
Anyway, enough about the food, it was an enjoyable evening, and it feels very nice to be assured that it is safe to walk in Athens, even after 11:30, which it was by the time we were walking back. We all try to walk together for security, but so far it hasn't been scary at all. Aphrodite has warned us many times to be careful, but so far I don't feel as though security has been an issue. Obviously I'm not running around being stupid and obviously foreign and oblivious. So... she warned us of places we shouldn't go... so I'll avoid those for three months and it should be just fine. :-)
This morning the same four girls from my apartment, Amy, Lauren, Kaitlyn and I all went to the open-air market in our area (which is called the Hilton area, because the Hilton is there... shocker) and had a wonderful time looking at all of the fruits, vegetables, herbs, olives, fish (bleh) etc. that were offered. I bought 5 bananas for about half the price they were in the small supermarkets, and conducted the entire purchase in Greek! Granted, this involved me saying a grand total of about 3 words, but still. It was in Greek.
We tried to register for classes today, but the lady was giving us a small problem about taking 3 extra classes. *sigh* I'm hoping it will all work out... but please pray that it will work okay! Thank you!
I think that's all for now... the Acropolis, Ancient Agora and Pantheon tomorrow! So excited! Addio! (Bye!)
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Athens: City University and Orientation
Hello friends and family! Ya su! After departing from Washington Dulles on Monday afternoon, we arrived in Paris very early Tuesday morning, and then flew to Athens, arriving around 5:00 local time. I was very grateful for having managed to fit all of my things into one suitcase, a large backpack and my messenger bag, as trying to get off the large bus which transported us all into downtown Athens and get all of our luggage out without being able to pull over onto a side road was quite entertaining. My good friend Amy Skinner and I were able to do some rearranging as to be in the same apartment, and are sharing a room this semester in Athens!
After dropping off our luggage, our program director, Aphrodite, took us to dinner in a typical Greek taverna. The food was amazing! The tsatzeki was probably the best I've ever had, as was the feta cheese, tomato, onion and green pepper salad for starters. I think everyone slept well the first night, since we were all so tired. Yesterday, the 23rd, we had our first day of orientation, with crash Greek phrases, and tips about how to live successfully in Athens.
The walk to the University takes me around 35 mintues... hopefully this time will be cut later on in the semester when I've been walking more! Today all the girls from my apartment walked down for orientation together, arriving 5 min early ;-) and we had a few more hours of orientation. Amy and I at least are planning on walking back to the apartment for a siesta, and then exploring the monastiraki area this afternoon/evening. We received our food allowance yesterday, and I am trying desperately to live off as little food as possible so I can travel as much as possible! All the girls from our apartment went shopping last night... unfortunately I had to use some of my food money for shampoo and body wash, as I'd only brought travel sizes of those basic items. Oh well...
Plans to visit an open air market near our apartment tomorrow morning before orientation... fresh fruits and vegtables, flowers etc. Miss you all! Hope all of you are well.
By the way, if you want to send anything to me, (preferably just letters, as apparently packages are quite an ordeal to receive over here) I have an updated/better address.
Joanna Barnhouse
City University of Seattle
1 Karitsi & Kolokotroni str.
Syntagma, Athens
105 61 Greece
Stay tuned for more info!
After dropping off our luggage, our program director, Aphrodite, took us to dinner in a typical Greek taverna. The food was amazing! The tsatzeki was probably the best I've ever had, as was the feta cheese, tomato, onion and green pepper salad for starters. I think everyone slept well the first night, since we were all so tired. Yesterday, the 23rd, we had our first day of orientation, with crash Greek phrases, and tips about how to live successfully in Athens.
The walk to the University takes me around 35 mintues... hopefully this time will be cut later on in the semester when I've been walking more! Today all the girls from my apartment walked down for orientation together, arriving 5 min early ;-) and we had a few more hours of orientation. Amy and I at least are planning on walking back to the apartment for a siesta, and then exploring the monastiraki area this afternoon/evening. We received our food allowance yesterday, and I am trying desperately to live off as little food as possible so I can travel as much as possible! All the girls from our apartment went shopping last night... unfortunately I had to use some of my food money for shampoo and body wash, as I'd only brought travel sizes of those basic items. Oh well...
Plans to visit an open air market near our apartment tomorrow morning before orientation... fresh fruits and vegtables, flowers etc. Miss you all! Hope all of you are well.
By the way, if you want to send anything to me, (preferably just letters, as apparently packages are quite an ordeal to receive over here) I have an updated/better address.
Joanna Barnhouse
City University of Seattle
1 Karitsi & Kolokotroni str.
Syntagma, Athens
105 61 Greece
Stay tuned for more info!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Preview #4 - Orientation
Hello friends-
Just to get you as excited about the 1 week count down to my departure, I thought I would give you a little hint about what I'll be doing for the first part of my time in Athens. I arrive in the afternoon of the 22nd of September, after a flight from Washington D.C. to Paris and from Paris to Athens. That evening our program director will be taking us to dinner in a Greek taverna (yes!) and then I suppose we'll be dropped off in our apartments. The next few days we'll be spending in orientation, some talks, health info, meeting with the registrar etc. On Saturday the 26th we'll be taking an organized visit to the Acropolis, if I haven't already managed to make in there in one of my earlier evenings. Starting on Monday I'll have two three hour lectures on Greek Literature. Other lectures include the Evolutions of International Criminal Law (Sounds awesome!), Greek Religion, and others. On Wednesday the 30th in the evening I'll be participating in a 3 hour Greek Dance Class which makes me extremely excited!
During the first two weeks, we'll be taking trips to Meteora, Delphi, Ancient Corinth, Sparta, Ancient Olympia, and Mycenae. Classes officially begin on Monday, October the 12th, but I won't know what I'm taking until I meet with the registrar on the 25th of September.
Packing is also progressing... if slowly!
Hope you are all doing well, and enjoying the changing of seasons which has begun!
~Joanna
Just to get you as excited about the 1 week count down to my departure, I thought I would give you a little hint about what I'll be doing for the first part of my time in Athens. I arrive in the afternoon of the 22nd of September, after a flight from Washington D.C. to Paris and from Paris to Athens. That evening our program director will be taking us to dinner in a Greek taverna (yes!) and then I suppose we'll be dropped off in our apartments. The next few days we'll be spending in orientation, some talks, health info, meeting with the registrar etc. On Saturday the 26th we'll be taking an organized visit to the Acropolis, if I haven't already managed to make in there in one of my earlier evenings. Starting on Monday I'll have two three hour lectures on Greek Literature. Other lectures include the Evolutions of International Criminal Law (Sounds awesome!), Greek Religion, and others. On Wednesday the 30th in the evening I'll be participating in a 3 hour Greek Dance Class which makes me extremely excited!
During the first two weeks, we'll be taking trips to Meteora, Delphi, Ancient Corinth, Sparta, Ancient Olympia, and Mycenae. Classes officially begin on Monday, October the 12th, but I won't know what I'm taking until I meet with the registrar on the 25th of September.
Packing is also progressing... if slowly!
Hope you are all doing well, and enjoying the changing of seasons which has begun!
~Joanna
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Preview #3: Address
Just in case you want/need to send me anything while I'm abroad, here's my address in Athens:
Joanna Barnhouse
City University, Syntagma
Athens, 10561, Greece
And if I don't have your current address, please feel free to comment with your address, or send it to me via message or e-mail!
Joanna Barnhouse
City University, Syntagma
Athens, 10561, Greece
And if I don't have your current address, please feel free to comment with your address, or send it to me via message or e-mail!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Preview #2 - Visa edition
Good news! I just spent two days in New York City, visiting Lucy and picking up my passport and visa. I have my passport back, and was granted a visa for studying abroad. They only gave me a single entry visa, but apparently I can ask for it to be adjusted for multiple entry once I'm there at the University. Saying goodbye to friends and some family even during the past week has been tough, but it's really feeling as though I'm getting ready to go with the packing lists and having the visa in hand etc.
12 days 'till the flight out!
~Joanna
12 days 'till the flight out!
~Joanna
Monday, September 7, 2009
Preview #1
Welcome Friends!
My plan, rather than updating everyone by annoying messages to their inbox, is to send out e-mail journals to those not interested in blogs or facebook, and write updates on my blog instead of the messages. I'll be attaching photos hopefully to the blog and the facebook group.
Exactly two weeks until I leave! Get excited! I am :-)
My plan, rather than updating everyone by annoying messages to their inbox, is to send out e-mail journals to those not interested in blogs or facebook, and write updates on my blog instead of the messages. I'll be attaching photos hopefully to the blog and the facebook group.
Exactly two weeks until I leave! Get excited! I am :-)
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