Through the last 8 days, like I said in my last post, have been average, there have been a few out of the ordinary events and lessons learned.
5) Poverty is horrible here. Kids, adults and others just walking around begging for money and playing the sitar and accordion to earn a few coins. Yesterday, while siting at Starbucks, a little girl came up to us and started begging for Brittany's drink. I was so caught up in what was going on that I didn't even notice her little friend sneak up behind me and snatch mine away. They took both of our drinks and did the same to everyone sitting outside of Starbucks. We then watched them combine everything they got: water, coke, coffee, milkshakes, into one cup, mix it up, and split it between the two of them. It was a very sad and eye opening experience.
6) Our manager from Starbucks friend, George, informed us that he is done working there in 8 days. This was sad to hear because he has had a strong influence on our trip so far and has helped bring us into the Greek culture. Hopefully he will keep in touch, but only time will tell.
7) I've learned that I don't like being in my apartment alone. This furthers my conclusion that I would have trouble living on my own, though I hope to be doing so by age 25. I got 5 years to get over my fear.
8) We went out on a mission to find Domino's and found everything but that. I learned that it is okay though, because like all of those cliche lines, the journey is more important than the destination. We hiked up monster hills, stepped in dog poop, felt sick, and never found domino's. But what did we find? Closer locations of lots of places we have been walking miles for. Costa Coffee, Everest, and lots of cafes. We also bonded and talked a lot. I learned that you have to be able to make the best out of everything because more often than not, it will not be what you expected.
There is more to come and I am sure of that.
1) If you are open to it, any place can feel like home. Every passing day, it feels less like studying abroad in Athens, and more like living here, being at home and going through my daily life routine. I found hang outs that I enjoy, made new friends, and adjusted to my classes.
2) Unless there is a man out there that is planning on coming overseas and knocking up on my door for me, I am sticking with my no dating until January rule. Nobody, sorry boys, is really standing out in trying to pursue me, or with good intentions. I'm a different person than I have been in the past and want someone who is really going to respect me and treat me the way I am supposed to be treated.
3) I wish I had enough money to give to every needy person I walk by on the way to school. All 15 of them, every single day. I am promising to myself that at the end of this trip, whatever money I have left in my wallet (not in my bank account...unfortunately I am not that selfless) I will either give to the homeless or use to make cookies or buy water for the homeless.
4) Looking through old pictures from before this trip, I learned a lot about myself. I learned that I am myself most when I am with family and close friends. The best people in my life bring out the best in me, and I am so thankful for them.
5) Poverty is horrible here. Kids, adults and others just walking around begging for money and playing the sitar and accordion to earn a few coins. Yesterday, while siting at Starbucks, a little girl came up to us and started begging for Brittany's drink. I was so caught up in what was going on that I didn't even notice her little friend sneak up behind me and snatch mine away. They took both of our drinks and did the same to everyone sitting outside of Starbucks. We then watched them combine everything they got: water, coke, coffee, milkshakes, into one cup, mix it up, and split it between the two of them. It was a very sad and eye opening experience.
6) Our manager from Starbucks friend, George, informed us that he is done working there in 8 days. This was sad to hear because he has had a strong influence on our trip so far and has helped bring us into the Greek culture. Hopefully he will keep in touch, but only time will tell.
7) I've learned that I don't like being in my apartment alone. This furthers my conclusion that I would have trouble living on my own, though I hope to be doing so by age 25. I got 5 years to get over my fear.
8) We went out on a mission to find Domino's and found everything but that. I learned that it is okay though, because like all of those cliche lines, the journey is more important than the destination. We hiked up monster hills, stepped in dog poop, felt sick, and never found domino's. But what did we find? Closer locations of lots of places we have been walking miles for. Costa Coffee, Everest, and lots of cafes. We also bonded and talked a lot. I learned that you have to be able to make the best out of everything because more often than not, it will not be what you expected.
There is more to come and I am sure of that.
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