To be honest... I just really want to be caught up on this blog! For a good while we have been doing WAY too much... one thing right after the other... for me to possibly stay on pace with blogging. But now classes are starting and life is slowing down a little bit here in Athens. So here I sit, on our first thunder stormy day we've had (actually the first cloudy day at all,) discovering the joy of a coffee macaroon and thinking "hm... I think i'll catch up!"
This Saturday my roommates, a couple other friends from the program and I decided to venture out on our own for the first time. Up until now, everything we've done and every placed we've visited has been orchestrated by Aphrodite and the BCA program. Friday marked the end of our BCA excursions, so Saturday began our own adventures. There are plenty more to come, but we started out with something we thought would be quite simple. Aegina.
At 7am my friends and I headed to the metro station, where we took the metro to Piraeus. Piraeus is the main port of Athens, where all the ferry lines leave from to go to the Greek islands. Aegina is one of the closest islands to Athens... about an hour long ferry ride. The picture above is from pulling out of port at Piraeus.
We ended up having a great day, after receiving some much needed help from a friendly fisherman who helped us communicate with the guy selling tickets at the bus station who did not speak any English. Language barriers haven't gotten in our way much until that experience. We were glad that the Greeks lived up to their friendly reputation that morning.
Anyway... we took the bus across the island to one of the coolest, and most complete anient sites we'd seen so far. The Temple of Aphaea has lasted against all odds. Most of it's pillars are still standing! We were lucky too, to arrive at the temple before any other tourists... it made for some great photos!
I'm glad to report that our first independent trip was a huge success! I would say it was one of the best days I've had since arriving in Greece. Hope you enjoyed the pictures!
This Saturday my roommates, a couple other friends from the program and I decided to venture out on our own for the first time. Up until now, everything we've done and every placed we've visited has been orchestrated by Aphrodite and the BCA program. Friday marked the end of our BCA excursions, so Saturday began our own adventures. There are plenty more to come, but we started out with something we thought would be quite simple. Aegina.
We ended up having a great day, after receiving some much needed help from a friendly fisherman who helped us communicate with the guy selling tickets at the bus station who did not speak any English. Language barriers haven't gotten in our way much until that experience. We were glad that the Greeks lived up to their friendly reputation that morning.
My roommate Ally has an underwater camera! She has some great ones... I only took this one from her for now! Candid shots are the best.
After exploring, we caught the next bus to Agia Marina, one of the best beaches on the island where we enjoyed a perfect day. Can't believe we're still on the beaches in October! (Maybe not for long after this stormy day...we think it's bringing a change in the weather.)
Hi Honey,
ReplyDeleteLoved the water picture. What an adventure. A good practice for the weekends of travel ahead.
Love, Mom