This is my first trip out to Europe and the feeling of being in Greece has barely sunk in. After 18 hours of travel time we finally made it into our apartment to get settled. The first night consisted of grocery shopping (since most businesses are closed during Sundays). We had our first meal of Souvalki, which is similar to a Gyro. Afterwards, we took a pleasant death march around the Acropolis for over two h
ours. We walked around the Acropolis at night as well as other landmarks like the Parlaiment Building, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Temple of Zeus, as well as a short stroll throught the trendy bar and restaraunt scene. We were lucky enought to watch the changing of the guards at the Parlaiment Building as well as befriending a dog named Matthius, or Matt for short. After a long day of traveling and sight seeing, we all went back to the apartment and knocked out.
ours. We walked around the Acropolis at night as well as other landmarks like the Parlaiment Building, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Temple of Zeus, as well as a short stroll throught the trendy bar and restaraunt scene. We were lucky enought to watch the changing of the guards at the Parlaiment Building as well as befriending a dog named Matthius, or Matt for short. After a long day of traveling and sight seeing, we all went back to the apartment and knocked out. Although all of us were extremely exhausted from traveling all day and basically all night, we found it very helpful that we strolled around Athens right after packing. Without the death walk, we would have never thought of activities to do today (January 8th here). We all woke up early and decided to go out to the Flea Market. We had a bit of trouble getting ready due to the fact that 2 out of 3 plug-in converters were 
either broken or did not work. Somehow we managed to use the one adaptor for our hair straighteners, laptops, cell phones, cameras, etc and make it out of the apartment on time. The trek to the Flea Market was a bit of an adventure. We had several stops along the way. My personal favorite was a church (check out the pic of the main door). We all took pictures outside and while my group moved along I was hypnotized by an open door right at the base of the church. The Priest allowed me to enter as long as I didn't take photographs. I was the only one in the group that wandered in and was able t
o see the majestic paintings and other works of art. The churches are so well decorated that even the ceilings are so inticately painted with images of biblical figures. As we continued on to our journey, we shopped around the Flea Market and found out that when bartering, it is rude to use the "American" gesture for 5 with the palm facing the person you are talking to. The appropriate way to gesture the number 5 would be to have the palm of your hand facing you. The boys and I trekked up a hill where we got a gorgeous 360 degree view of all of Athens. It was simply breathtaking. We went back to our apartments and got ready for class. Afterwards, we went out to an amazing dinner where I had my first Macedonian meal; everything was mouthwateringly delicious and I found a new love called Tanduri (sp) which reminds me of Fireball Whisky but a lot sweeter with more cinnamon and no burn. If I had one day to spend in Athens, this day would have been it. Stay classy Athens, and thanks for stopping by.
either broken or did not work. Somehow we managed to use the one adaptor for our hair straighteners, laptops, cell phones, cameras, etc and make it out of the apartment on time. The trek to the Flea Market was a bit of an adventure. We had several stops along the way. My personal favorite was a church (check out the pic of the main door). We all took pictures outside and while my group moved along I was hypnotized by an open door right at the base of the church. The Priest allowed me to enter as long as I didn't take photographs. I was the only one in the group that wandered in and was able t
o see the majestic paintings and other works of art. The churches are so well decorated that even the ceilings are so inticately painted with images of biblical figures. As we continued on to our journey, we shopped around the Flea Market and found out that when bartering, it is rude to use the "American" gesture for 5 with the palm facing the person you are talking to. The appropriate way to gesture the number 5 would be to have the palm of your hand facing you. The boys and I trekked up a hill where we got a gorgeous 360 degree view of all of Athens. It was simply breathtaking. We went back to our apartments and got ready for class. Afterwards, we went out to an amazing dinner where I had my first Macedonian meal; everything was mouthwateringly delicious and I found a new love called Tanduri (sp) which reminds me of Fireball Whisky but a lot sweeter with more cinnamon and no burn. If I had one day to spend in Athens, this day would have been it. Stay classy Athens, and thanks for stopping by.xoxo,
Khadijah
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