Orientation week

It amazes me how I have to go back to the basics here.  Its fun and exciting, but its things that I take for granite.  I have no idea how to work public transportation, how to go grocery shopping, or even order food.  Not only is it in a different language, but I different alphabet!  However, the first time grocery shopping here and actually buying conditioner and not shampoo on accident, or jumping on the bus and getting off at the right stop, or ordering exactly what I wanted is such an accomplishment!  Something so simple, but something I am so proud of!  And who would have EVER thought that I would need to read the instruction manuel for a washing machine.... (although I haven't quite figured that one out because every time I put in my clothes they seem to come out a slightly different color...)

Apart from little things like that, I have absolutely loved adapting to the Greek culture.  They are so welcoming!  They take pride in their hospitality and I have had first hand experience in that.  Everyone is willing to help, and take pride in teaching you about their culture!  It blows me away!  It is definitely something that I can get used to!  That and the food!  Oh my goodness!  The food here is amazing!  Everything is so fresh!  You just go down to the open air market, and the streets are lined with fresh fruits and veggies.  So delicious!  I don't think I will ever be able to eat fruit in the states again, it won't be fresh enough!  Especially the orange juice!  So good!!!  And the bakeries are just as common as Starbucks are back in the states.  Fresh pastries everyday!  My favorite are the titopitas kea zambon (cheese and ham pies)!

In the first week I have realized that there is a world so much greater than that of my own!  I feel like I have lived in such a bubble back home, and my eyes have been opened to the vast world that is at my feet.  God's fingerprints are all over it and he gave this world to us as a playground!  So far I've only been on the monkey bars, its time to branch out to the swings!  

Not only do I realize that vastness of the world here, but the history as well!  There is so much history here!  It blows my mind! Walking down the street in the middle of the concrete and modern buildings will be an old ionic column that dates back to 400o years!  Its crazy!  In fact I live blocks away from the old Olympic stadium, which was built in 400 bc, in my own neighborhood, my backyard, is this olympic structure that has been around for centuries!!!  It truly is jaw dropping!  I am just in awe of the world around me! I am so excited to see what else this experience holds for me and when other lessons I will learn!  Bring it on Greece!  I am ready!