Dara Studies in Greece

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noreply@blogger.com (Dara) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 20:14:00 +0000

I grew up on an island in Alaska. When I quit school after my freshman year I went home to live, and work... that said I would daydream of one day going to Europe and exotic locations that I had read about in my history books. I would still read those history books. They were piled by my bed. I made a choice to come back to Fort Lewis College, and when I did, I got the chance(s) of a lifetime, to travel to Europe, to see the world.

All of that can sound very frivolous and cheesy, but I mean it, it was one of my biggest dreams that always seemed like something I could only ever dream about!

Coming home from such a fantastic experience has mixed emotions... first of all, I realize that I just got to see Greece... again... Secondly, I realize I just left Greece...again...

I learned so much, even the SECOND time going to Greece. I feel like I really got it this time.
Some things take some getting used to, like not throwing my toilet paper in the trash (they can't flush their toilet paper, because their systems just can't handle it).

Going on trips like this, have helped me to fuel my anticipation to see other places... I'm sold now, and I hope I never stop traveling back to Europe.

It's kind of surreal really, but I did it!

I remember Melysa asking me at dinner (we usually go to dinner every Thursday night during the school year) if it were possible AT ALL to go to Greece again with them. She said, "Just pretend that it is, how could you do it?" and I started thinking, and suddenly I realized... there were other avenues that I hadn't explored the first time around. So the next day, I had it all figured out, and then I was set to go! It was one of the most brilliant questions dear Melysa has ever asked me! Thanks! I got to spend one month in Greece with my best friends, one of my favorite professors, and a plethora of memories and history pounding at my mind and chest!

Thanks for being interested in what I have to say. I hope in some ways it inspires somebody to come to Fort Lewis, because we are very lucky down here in Durango!

A Farewell to Athens/Greece

noreply@blogger.com (Dara) — Mon, 19 May 2008 14:14:00 +0000

A Farewell to Athens/Greece

So I woke up this morning around 8 am. I rolled out of bed, threw on some clothes, ate a quick and delicious breakfast and then hit the road alone... It was calling me; the acropolis needed me you see... it asked for me. That sounds crazy, but there were plenty of people who were going to head up there today - and as much as I love them, I needed to go alone.

So I plugged in my iPod, and hiked up to the acropolis. I sat there, staring at the Parthenon, and tears filled my eyes. What a spiritual moment! I sat up there for about an hour and then headed back down to Mars Hill (where Paul first spoke to the Athenians) and then over to the Agora. The whole day was one of those things you can't ever forget! I was mesmerized. While I sat up there I wrote a letter to the Greeks of Ancient times, and I know how this sounds, but it was beautiful!

I can't tell you really in words what I feel for this place. I'm in love! For the second year in a row I have been blessed and fortunate enough to come all the way to Greece. This year I could share the moments with old friends, best friends....last year I met all new people and grew to love them so very much! We still talk and hang out in Durango.

There's nothing really to describe seeing in person what you read about it books, and there's no excuse not to! I'm just a poor college student, I don't come from money, and I had to find a way to get here. There is a way! There are avenues, and if you want it badly enough you can do it!

So Thank You Greece! For keeping your history, for being beautiful and friendly and safe. Thank you Greece for all of the moments that made me have to catch my breath, and wipe tears of awe from my eyes.... I am honored!

This is has been amazing, and as I begin packing up, I know it's time to go home, I'm ready... but I can not wait to return again, to a remarkably beautiful country!

From Naxos to Santorini

noreply@blogger.com (Dara) — Sun, 18 May 2008 14:11:00 +0000

I have less than ten minutes to write this, so I'll make it quick and post one last blog tomorrow! I know it's been a while since I last updated the blogs, life seems so hectic the last week! We went from Naxos to Santorini (Thera) and then to Crete, and it's been go ... go ... go ... since!!

Santorini is one of the Gods most beautiful creations! One side is entirely a cliff, but they are the most beautiful cliffs... Crete is one of my favorite islands, and thank god for spending ANY time there... I know that is all very brief but I'm back in Athens right now, and I still have much to see. I am one of the luckiest women in the world, to have had the opportunity to travel to Greece with the best college, TWICE, and one of my favorite professors. Wow. I can only imagine how jealous you all are! Next year, and you can all come with Michael.

I will update more tomorrow, but for now, Calispera!

Naxos

noreply@blogger.com (Dara) — Fri, 09 May 2008 14:26:00 +0000

Yasas! Not really a lot to update, but we made it safe and sound to Naxos. We didn't have to leave Paros until 12ish so we were able to sleep in a bit. Sleep is pleasant. I think I've lost some weight on this trip, the food is delicious, AND healthy, plus we are hiking all over the place. This country is better on foot anyways. I'm pretty impressed with how much I remember, next year will be so weird not coming back to this country. I love it! I feel so great with the people, with the culture. It's very chill.

Last night Matthew, Adam and I went to dinner at this really cute little place in Paros. I had Greek pizza, delicious by the way, and afterward they gave us free dessert and some drink that looks like a shot in a tiny glass that apparently is good for digestion. You don't take it like a shot though, your life would be miserable for a few hours if you did that, it's almost as strong as Everclear. So you have to sip it... it's growing on me, we've had it almost every night.

After the whole dinner, the wind was blowing like crazy! (the wind was blowing my mind as Michael Jackson would say) Anyways, so the waves were crashing into the shore, it was brilliant. There's a Venetian castle/fortress on this little island-like spot that you have to take a narrow walkway/bridge-like thing to, so we ran across it and waves crashed into our feet a little bit. It was really awesome at night though! We climbed on top of it and sat up there for a minute, looking around the town. Adam says we should build one at home! It's the ultimate fort!

We pretended to be defending our fortress for a minute, like children really, and then went back to the hotel. It's good to be me!

I don't know if it's feasible to express how much I love this country... it was by no means a mistake to come here twice. I was worried about it at first, the finances and all, but I'm paying for an education anyways, why not pay for one in Greece?!

I love the Cyclades, and I'm so excited to explore Naxos again, we're going to see Apollo's temple, the Door of Naxos tonight before dinner, one thing I didn't get to see last time. So I'm pumped!

P.S. Before I head out, I should tell you more of my clumsiness, I was racing Matthew up the stairs today on the ferry boat to get to Naxos from Paros.... my shoe caught the edge of the stair perfectly and I fell (quite gracefully I might add) on the stairs. I looked up and the Greek men who work on the ship and direct "traffic" to their proper holding places were just staring at me. Matthew was riding the escalator staring at me and a nice sized group of people were making their way up the stairs... I laughed for a while as I picked myself up... I still beat Matthew to the top!

Calispera!

Paros May 8th

noreply@blogger.com (Dara) — Thu, 08 May 2008 13:45:00 +0000

We had a really short tour of the island today. We went to this beautiful, beautiful Greek Orthodox church near the port. It was originally built in the 6th century and very little of that remains, the rest of it was destroyed several other times and finally in the 17th century has remained in tact. I can not kid you, I have been to this church twice, and while I don't consider myself a Christian, looking into the eyes of Jesus' picture, or staring up at the image of him on the cross, it is one of the more powerful moments of this trip. There is something valuable in knowing that where you are standing, strong faithful devotion has overwhelmed that very spot. That those images have caused the powerful forceful advances to a sincere group of followers. You can't write those feelings, I can hardly sort them out in my head. It's beautiful though, whatever they are, it's beautiful!

We went to a little Tabepna for lunch (what is that word again everybody??? Taverna) and then headed back. It's kind of a nasty day, the sun is finally out but the wind is a killer! It's pretty harsh right now, but I'd rather be here in the windy craziness of today, then anywhere else! I have been laughing a lot lately, thank God for good friends, and a beautiful country!

This was a hard year, but I really feel monsterously blessed right now, and there is no excuse to not enjoy these moments!!!

I have so much more to write, but so little time right now to write it! More to come everyone, and tomorrow we head to Naxos! More Cyclades!!! I'm excited to tell you all more, but for now, you must just wait...

Calispera!

Island Fever May 7th

noreply@blogger.com (Dara) — Wed, 07 May 2008 13:39:00 +0000

Calimera! (good morning) we had to get up by 5:30 this morning in order to leave Athens and get on the ferry to go to the Cycladic Islands. The Cyclades are my favorite, I don't really know what it is, but I love it. I have cried at least twice on this trip from pure overwhelming joy. As a history major, and just a lover of history in general, I am so moved by the amount of history that is surrounding this area.

The boat ride was pleasant, our first destination was Paros. It's so cute, very, very small as far as population goes, but one of the largest of the Cyclades as far as geography.

Our hotel is perfectly quaint. Carly thinks it's haunted. People are perpetuating her beliefs also... oh well! I'm so happy to be here.

When we made it to the cosmetic store downtown, the woman who runs it remembered me from last year!!! I was so proud! I was smiling for quite a while...

Electric Shock.... so plug ins in this country and Europe in general are different from ours in the United States. Most of the showerheads here are also hand held, so I was in the shower taking a very very cold shower because the hot water wasn't working, while Melissa was trying to plug in her blow dryer... suddenly, the lights flickered in the bathroom and a stream of hot water came out, and then I was electrocuted! I felt it trickle down my arm and into my chest a little, apparently Melissa says I screamed! What happened was a fire ball came flying out of the socket, and somehow connected to the bathroom. While I was holding the metal showerhead in my hand and was covered in water, I somehow was connected to this electricity... I'm alive, and Melissa's recovered, but you should see our hair. Nobody wants to plug in anything right now, and you can't blame us. On Naxos our hair will look fabulous yet again!

Delphi May 6

noreply@blogger.com (Dara) — Tue, 06 May 2008 13:31:00 +0000

You know that feeling you get when you're just about to go to see your favorite band in concert? The butterflies in the stomach, the antsy feeling that you're going to jump out of your seat if you have to sit there one more second? That's what Delphi is like for me. All morning I was smiling like a crazy person! I couldn't stop thinking that all I wanted to do was get to the top (and make sure I had used the bathroom first, more on this later).

Delphi is where the oracle was at, THE oracle. She was the one who people from all over the Mediterranean would go and visit in order to get advice on things such as war. She would enhale what we now know is methane gases, and go into a strange trance. A priest would interpret her mumblings and then tell them to the seeker.

I believe that there can be spirituality found in everything, and the first time I went to Delphi I definitely felt the magnificence of it, but it was this time that it hit me! It was this time that I could feel my eyes starting to well with tears, and my stomach starting to jump around. Delphi is on this beautiful mountain side, and the landscape alone is breathtaking.

So I must admit, I have a serious problem with having to go to the bathroom ALL the time. I'm like the woman in those commercials on jury duty, gotta go gotta go gotta go right now! I bet I could tell you where all the convenient bathrooms are in this country, at least in the places we've been. That said, last year, I climbed all the way to the very top of Delphi before realizing I had to go, so I ran to the bottom (it's a bit of a hike) used the toilet, and ran all the way back up! Thank God I made it. Needless to say, I have kept great track of W.C.'s in this country, and the first Greek phrase I had memorized was "Toileta?"

A bunch of us are also trying to figure out how to read the Greek letters. We may not understand what we've sounded out, but we'll be dammed if we aren't getting it! It's fun! Try this TABEPNA.... it's Taverna... popular among our searching's here in this country!

It's afternoon here, so I'll finish with this, Calispera! And keep checking out mine and Melissa's blogs!

Sharing the Experience

noreply@blogger.com (Dara) — Sat, 03 May 2008 15:23:00 +0000

Today we left Athens. We headed toward Corinth. Most of Corinth was rebuilt by the Romans, but it is still amazing, at one time they were home to over 200 thousand people in the Ancient world, which is amazing! Numbers like that are rare among Ancient civilizations. Very little of Corinth is excavated.

We then headed over to Epidaurus. Epidaurus is where people would go for healing as well as housing the largest and best acoustic theater in Greece. It's acoustics haven't been matched! Beautiful! I had to just sit there and take it in.

I worked up enough guts to go sing, and when I finally got down there, I sang three words, but the acoustics were so amazing that I freaked out and left automatically! I ran out of there after my grand entrance into the song.

I know a lot of history has gone into these blogs so far, there's so much more to say later! I love this place, and I'm sharing this experience for the SECOND time with my best friends and I'm blessed! That's all there is to it. There is nothing that should prevent people from taking adventures like this. We need to take in as much as we can for as long as we can, with ALL that we can. I have already taken a million pictures, aside from the obvious things, this place is so beautiful! You can't help but want to take pictures that you can put in frames around your house for decoration. You take the pictures in the hopes that when you go home, it will take your breath away just as much!

Acropolis -- Above the City

noreply@blogger.com (Dara) — Fri, 02 May 2008 15:18:00 +0000

Today we spent the day on the Acropolis. The Acropolis is not the only one in Greece, Acropolis basically means above the city.. Acro polis... so many cities in Greece have their own Acropolis, but the most famous is the one in Athens because it houses the Parthenon. The Parthenon is magnificent; you can't simply take a picture and compare it. I had nearly forgotten how marvelous it all was until I stood there with it again. Tears well up when you look at it! I spent quite a bit of time taking it in this year. Last year I was so excited to be there I didn't really GRASP it. This year I stood there, sat there, closed my eyes and tried picturing it. It was fabulous and I'm by no means giving it justice by this statement.

We of course headed down from the Acropolis into the Agora. The Agora is where a lot of political gatherings went on, but it also housed Stoa's which are basically marketplaces. In the mornings on days the assembly would meet, the men of Athens would go to the Agora and read the news to see what was happening in the city at the time.

Afterwards we were left for free time until seven. So Matthew, Adam, and Dr. Martin and I all walked up to the Pynx where the Assembly would meet. It blows my mind that hardly anybody ever goes there, they don't know what it is! But with Greek democracy being the basis to our government, it's important that we know these things! So going up there was quite moving. I couldn't help but realize that had I lived during Ancient Greek times, I would never have been allowed to be there. I continued thinking to myself how I would be thrown out, beaten or worse... Either way, the power of that place and the fact that you can get one of the most intriguing views of the Acropolis is statement enough!

The rest of the day consisted of us wandering around on our own, shopping, eating 2 hour long meals, and enjoying one another's company.

We Arrived

noreply@blogger.com (Dara) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:13:00 +0000

So the first few minutes of our arrival were smiling and hugging and congratulatory high fives! Matthew, Carly and Melissa and I all showed up from New York early in the morning. This is my second trip with the school to Greece. I decided to go this time because of those three I mentioned earlier, and because I am strongly considering going into Classical studies in grad school.

Once we got to the station (which is literally AT the airport) we hit the metro and were on our way! It was pretty easy getting to the Plaka, where we were told our hotel was, but four hours later of desperate searching (Matthew had already headed off to his hotel, with the intention of meeting up with us where we were supposedly located.) we ended up finding our hotel 1/2 a mile away from the FARTHEST station. It was an adventure to say the least! Carly and I were really upset and tired and grumpy and in pain, and Melissa was so excited- so she balanced us out pretty well!

One time though, the Metro closed on Melissa's foot as she was trying to get in, the doors opened again and Matthew told me I should jump out and wait with them, since we were all going to the same place, anyways they ended up jumping back in, but Carly got stuck in the door that time! Oh, I was laughing so hard, I caused quite a scene... Needless to say, we all made it in the metro!

We spent three days taking in the scenery, and being adventurous in Athens... adventurous included running around shopping in the Plaka...

With all the complaining about taking so long to show up, and all the fact that we were so tired, nothing compares to the actuality of being in this beautiful place. It is amazing, and I am very very sorry I wasted the first day feeling upset, this is the trip of a lifetime, with my best friends and the most beautiful and fascinating history surrounding me... I'm a lucky lady!