I can see Turkey from my house!

When we arrived in Rhodes, our professor told us to look to our left. Once we all looked he explained that the land across Aegean was Turkey. I was completely baffled by how close Turkey truly was it was unbelievable!

Rhodes is an island that conquered by many different people throughout many years. You can see the influences through the architecture, shops and food surrounding our hotel. A group of us went out for lunch today and we stopped a little pizza place that served pizza by the slice. Little did I know that they would be Italians! They speak no Greek or English, solely Italian. Their daughter Anita (my middle name!) was on vacation in Italy and she was the only one who could speak Greek and English! It was really interesting to try to learn and decipher a new language, but I loved every minute of it!

The entire interaction made me so excited that I will be studying away in Florence, Italy next spring! I will be studying Women and Gender Studies and my new friend/kindred spirit Lauren will be joining me J I cannot wait to be immersed into another culture and hopefully come out being tri-lingual! I strive to be as culturally influenced as Rhodes, just without the conquering part. Greece is just another path on my way to be culturally influenced in many different areas of the world! I cannot wait to experience what is coming next!

S’agapo,
Alex