Mediterranean Monday

After a long time away from blogging, I’m back guys!

Sorry for the long break but there has been so much going on and so many incredible memories to reflect on I couldn’t figure out how to compose this article. It’s going to be lengthy but mostly with pictures than words. I’m eager to discuss the trip, hear feedback or anything. Ask/post away:)

So, the study abroad program I was a part of took a week excursion to Athens, Greek Islands and Rome. Waking up at 5 AM had its perks when I stepped on the balcony and saw this sunrise:

Boarding a morning flight to Athens, Greece, we landed 2 hours later and drove to our hotel. Lugging our luggage down busy narrow streets also on cobblestone, we arrived at our destination sweaty and excited. From there, we took a little walking tour of the area. We were staying in the city center of Athens right by Parliament and the changing of the guards also around the corner from Ermou street, a lively street bustling with shopping, cafes and people. Our location couldn’t be more perfect as everything was within walking distance that we could need. Some great retail stores, ice cream parlors on every corner along with some delicious bakeries, and lets not forget the view… Looking down an ally, the Acropolis stood so boldly atop a hill.

^Some yummy baked goods sold in yellow carts.

The next day, we walked through a village heading towards the Acropolis ( ancient city on a rocky mountain top, containing buildings such as the Parthenon).

The mountain straight ahead was called Mount Lycabettos, the highest point of Athens. Containing a chapel a restaurants and bar and an incredible panoramic view of Athens, we took the initiative to hike it the next day and back down. Also, taking the cable car the same night up and down to watch the sun set. One of the most beautiful and highly recommended things to do here!

^that’s me at the Acropolis!

We concluded the day with some lunch, followed by exploring by foot of the modern Olympic Stadium, the Temple of Zeus and some gardens. We ended up in a little town, (one of my FAVORITE spots in Athens) called Plaka, the oldest section of Athens, now full of cafes, shops and local artists. We ate at a Greek tavern that night and had a lovely hot and hearty meal.

Every evening, we went out to people watch. Ermou street was the liveliest I’ve ever seen a street be at night, across the street was a fountain that changed colors along with individuals playing instruments and singing and every restaurant, bakery, cafe and parlor was open for business.

Leaving Athens after 3 days, we drove to board a cruise ship for the weekend. We stopped at Mykanos, Kusadasi, Turkey, Patmos, Crete and Santorini.

Except for Kusadasi, Patmos and Crete, those were the places we had guided tours at. Mykanos and Santorini were given free time to explore.

^(Mykanos). (We had about 2.5-3 hours to explore. Everything was painted blue and white mainly with some pops of colors of teal, red, green and purple. By the water, the area is called Little Venice. We fit in our shopping, photography, interacting with some strangers (men on stilts and me getting kissed on the cheek by a random Greek guy who wouldn’t let me cross the street without a photo with him and an artist who sold us some watercolor prints by his uncle). Eating a puff pastry full of Greek cheese. Witnessing a STUNNING sunset along the water.

^(Kusadasi and Ephesus, Turkey). Touring an archaeological site, visiting the temple of Artemis, some downtime to explore the Bazaar ( learning how to make beautiful carpets), looking at some incredibly detailed paintings on plates and lanterns. Highlight* meeting a local artist in a shop who sold us some handmade jewelry, paintings and soap who was nice enough to brew us some cups of hot apple tea and sit with us to discuss her art and where my two friends and I were from.

^(Patmos) my FAVORITE island. The most picturesque, non touresty one of the bunch. Significance: where St John wrote the last chapter of the book of Revelation in the Bible. No photos were allowed in the Monastery. The scenery just did not feel like it was real.

Crete: we visited an archaeological site that TBH did not leave me with anything so I will skip photos for that.

Now, Santorini:

Yes I know what you’re wondering, Santorini, like where Lena met Kostos in the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Saga. YES.

^Santorini. Village up in the mountains: Either you take a donkey, cable car or walk (which I would never suggest because of the donkey herds and poop on the floor). We took a donkey up for about 15-20 minutes. Everything is again blue and white. Looking down, there is fine differentiation between mountain and village. (that evening as the cruise ship departed Santorini, this was the more touristy commercial village because the residential part where Lena and the Sisterhood movie was filmed was on the opposite side of the mountain). I had a good fair share of photoshoots taken up here. The way down was TERRIFYING if you’re like me and are afraid of heights (the cable car fit about 4 people and was practically dangling on a string over the mountains). In the evening when the sun is completely set, the mountains are invisible and the village lights up and there is only black and white seen, the white lining atop the mountains being the village.

The next morning, we flew to Rome for two nights. We took a 4 hour walking tour a few hours after the flight, covering the Collosseum, Roman Forum, main streets near our hotel, Jewish Ghetto, some famous squares and public areas. That evening, we sat on the Spanish Steps overlooking an incredible view of fireworks behind a chapel as we landed on a religious holiday, hearing a couple sing songs by the Beatles.

Next day: tour of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel. Let’s just say Rome would have been more pleasurable had it not been 95 degrees. Spent the rest of the day eating our way through Rome and exploring most of it by foot and learning to read maps in Italian.