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Published: December 27th 2011
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Kah-lee-MEH-rah (good morning),
Before I begin to tell you where I have been, let me explain where I am now. My dear friend Hassan is curled up next to the space heater that our host family has provided. He has kindly asked me to toss him a pillow and in my nature I have chosen the kitchiest option our flat could provide - an enormous red, heart shaped "I love you" pillow whose origins we cannot guess. The redness creates a strong contrast to the gray, black and white shades that adorn the rest of our temporary home. Come to think of it, as I have woven myself through the Athenian streets in these past few days, the whole color scheme has been that of a black & white movie. I think the local description for this is "posh." Hassan appreciates the dreary colors because he has found that it is almost impossible to lose me whether to the movement of the crowd or to my own random meandering (and for those of you who know me, you are aware of my tendency for distractions that cause me to halt in the middle of the street). All he needs to do is turn 360 degrees and spot the one blonde-haired, turquoise-wearing gal in the Plaka - one of the main squares. That, and he has taken to calling me Annika - his friend from Holland.
While I have been to Holland, and do greatly appreciate the bright colors bravely worn by the Dutch, I am a Chicagoan. Often when I travel then, I maintain my sense of identity but quickly lose track of both the date and time. For instance, I don't know if it is Tuesday or Wednesday but I am certain that it has been only a few days since my mother dropped me off at O'hare with that familiar look on her face everytime she see me off before a big trip. We shall agree to call this look "A deep, loving c.o.n.c.e.r.n." So to put her mind at ease, I will focus the remainder of this entry not on the ancient ruins I have seen, but on the kind people who I have been fortunate to cross paths with thus far.
On my first flight to New York, I made friends with a native Greek girl by the name of Irini; she had just finished getting her masters degree at ITT and was spending $1,400 on this flight to surprise her parents with a visit. During our layover at JFK, we were united with three of her friends from Greece who were also living in the states to get their higher educational degrees. With little introduction, they welcomed me into their club, offering me advice, contact information, food and thoughtful conversation. When I asked them whether or not they planned on staying in Greece, there became a silent understanding that I could only infer had something to deal with the current state of the Greek economy. One finally broke and said "We want to but we just can't." All of their eyes nodded in agreement. Here were four incredibly bright individuals standing before me, all of whom felt that returning to their birthplace would result in an even greater tragedy than being separated from friends and family and relocating to a new country. This got me thinking about similiar economic issues facing the states and I wondered, "Where do we go?"
With limited time to contemplate this question, the one place I went to was my seat - the seat that would be mine for the next 9 hours. Here I found another form of companionship, one that was more in-depth and that had a California twist. Shane, an attorney from south California, quickly introduced himself and his wife Kim, a school psychologist. Their first questions seemed to explore what "my story" was - "Are you traveling alone?" they asked. "You're a teacher...but HOW old are you?" "Do you know what movie they are showing. It says Ryan Gosling is in it. We don't know who that is!"
Me: "Yes, yes, and yes. I am meeting a friend and travel alot, teaching for four years now, and Ryan G. Is lovely." These questions were simply the beginning. As we landed in Athens, I had learned that the couple had married at an older age on account of the mistrust they both developed due to the nature of their jobs, have since traveled much of the world together, and have very strong opinons on how stay at home parenting should be only a temporary occupation. Whatever impression it is that I gave them over the course of our time together, they're parting words to me at the baggage claim were "You are good people." I had the strange sense that they would adopt me if they could and I felt their eyes linger on me as I headed off trying to find my bus...or some bus. I turned back to wave and said something like "Maybe I"ll see you at the Acropolis!"
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Jasmine
non-member comment
Be safe
It sounds like your having fun already!! :)) take as many pics as u can