Hidden Secret

Today was another busy, tiring, but amazing day. I keep thinking we've seen so much, how can there be more, and then Dr. Finitsis brings us to a whole new section of the city. Now, we're starting to pick out favorite cafes and places to go, but also exploring new spots around Athens.

We met up today at 9:30 to meet the CYA staff who will be helping us for the next two weeks, and then had our first actual class during the trip. It was an interesting experience, I almost forgot for a bit that we're in Greece and reverted back to the mode of sitting in class, taking lecture notes, and participating in discussions. It was just something familiar in a world of "new," where even finding someone who understands English well is a blessing.

After the class we went for a walk around the city again. This time, we went to a new section and

saw new buildings and stores. A "hidden secret" that I didn't know about Athens was the amount

of orange/tangerine trees in the city. There are a ton, lining the street, in the parks, everywhere. It's just a random quirk of the city, but it was something I noticed right away when we drove into the city, and we've constantly seen them ever since.

Something that has been really surprising for me is how many expectations I had for the trip have been different than what's actually happened or what the city is like. When I thought of

Greece, I imagined white beaches, clay houses, basically pictures somewhere between the island of Santorini and the Acropolis. My favorite thing so far about the city and the trip is the old and new, how there's a contrast between buildings, architecture, streets, and stores, but it all makes up the unique culture of Athens. You can be walking next to stores like Dior, Prada, H&M, and then on the next block you see a church from hundreds of years ago or a fountain that is placed in the middle of the street. Some of the streets are concrete, but a lot are cobblestone or marble. Its completely fascinating and makes everything unexpected.

We've only been on this trip for two and a half days, but I already know it's going to be a life changing experience. I feel like I've experienced so much already, but I've only experienced a small part of Athens. I'm excited to see more of this city and Greece over the next few weeks.