Life in Αθήνα

Culture shock has definitely worn off and now I am feeling comfortable with the daily activities of Athenians.  I am not intimidated by the Greek language anymore and am confident in completing daily activities, ordering off a menu, going grocery shopping, riding public transportation or even going to see a movie at the mall, which was very fun I might add!  It has just been so rewarding adjusting and becoming accustomed to a completely new culture!  And I am doing things I never would have thought I would have done otherwise.  Like this weekend we decided to go to the beach, in October!  We jumped on the metro took a 30 min ride south and took a little swim in the Aegean Sea!  It was beautiful, the sun was shining and the water was perfect!  And can I just say one more time, it was October!  Its snowing back in Denver, people are going to the mountains and I am taking a dip in the ocean, IN GREECE!  I love it!  

And I am doing stuff that even if I had the opportunity in America I probably wouldn't do.  Today my Greek Language teacher took us to the Byzantine Museum where they had an exhibition of Andy Warhol.  It was so cool seeing some of his stuff, especially because he is a modern artist and his stuff was in a exhibition surrounded by ancient icons of the Christian faith.  It was a very interesting dynamic between the two totally different art movements.  But I mean an Andy Warhol exhibition should be something that I am doing in America, but even if I had the chance to do it there, I don't know if I would have.  The hustle and bustle of life back in the states would have shadowed the opportunity and to be honest I just probably wouldn't have had time, which is a sad excuse, but most likely the truth.  Greece has taught me to slow down and take time for myself to do things I enjoy, such as the Andy Warhol exhibition!