You are situated on the side of a cliff, a rocky hillside formed by igneous rocks. The hillside formed from a volcanic eruption thousands of years ago and you can see that the porous rocks rocks have been glued together by nature creating the very place you stand. You look out over the rocks to the bluest of waters, the clearest of skies, the purest sun shine.

Now imagine you are sitting in a wooden folding chair in the sky. Below you, a walkway paved with marble. Above you, huge fluffy clouds. Behind you, a white stucco church topped by a large blue dome with a white cross. In front of you, a waist high wall and a huge volcano in the middle of the sea. You look over the wall and see tiny white, blue, and yellow houses carved into a cliff side. This is heaven on earth; Santorini, Greece. The island of Santorini is famous for it’s breathtaking views, incredible architecture, and vacation hot spots.

Sorry this post took so long, but I’m trying to experience as much as possible!

We arrived in Santorini on Thursday (the 5th of January) afternoon following an 8 hour ferry ride. The ride was more like a cruise, as we stopped at different islands such as Naxos and Paros to pick up and drop off passengers. We arrived at the port of Santorini and were greeted by a van driver who took us to our Villas….VILLAS!!!! We’re staying in Dana Villas just outside the town of Fira, Santorini. http://www.danavillas.net/ In Santorini, winter is the off season, so much of the island is closed. Most restaurants, many stores, and even some attractions are not open. The island is very quiet, but in my opinion, it adds to the beauty and serenity. This is a place I’ve been dreaming of visiting since I first heard about it many years ago. And let me tell you, even in the winter, this island does not disappoint. I cannot aptly describe the gorgeousness of the visions I have beheld here, but, reader, you should know that there cannot be anything more beautiful in the world. Maybe just as beautiful, or differently beautiful, but certainly not more.

The people of the island have offered us incredible hospitality. It seems as though a group of 11 young travelers during the low season is like Christmas again. On our quest for the most authentic Greek food, we came across two brothers. Kostas and Kyriakos Tselios are restauranteurs, master chefs, and the truest Greeks. The offered us free food, friendship, and most importantly love. This long weekend has been the most beautiful of my life.

Here is a video of me saying hello to you!!!

Please check out all the Santorini pics in my album:

Days Two and Three in Athens have been a whirlwind of food, new friends, and running around!

Day two welcomed more walking, a bit of shopping, the rest of the students arrival, and a beautiful trolley ride through the city. The morning walk took Nazana and I to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, gloriously situated in front of the Parliament Building. I visited the one at Arlington Cemetery in Washington, D.C. a few years back with my wonderful family. There, I learned that the American Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is guarded by U.S. Military personnel who rotate on a schedule according to military branch. So one day it could be guarded by a marine and the next, an army captain. In Athens, two guards stood stark at either sides, silent and serious as can be. Their solitude made me double take for a well due moment of silence. After a bit of research I found that there are many Tombs and Monuments of the Unknown Soldier in 41 countries!

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Parliament

The trolley picked four of us (Nazana & I plus two students, Galina & Vianca) up in Syntagma Square at the top of Ermou Street, the city’s hippest shopping district. Ermou can possibly be equated to Times Square with a few exceptions: No neon signs, no where near as many pedestrians and cars, and MUCH more expensive shopping! The tram took us past the Parliament Building (again!), The President’s Palace, an Olympic Stadium, The Agoras (market places), many ruins, about a million cafes, the Acropolis, and through the Plaka. Most of the group had dinner at a great authentic place with the program coordinators. We learned that we could eat dinner there every night with meal vouchers (provided with the trip). Heck yeah, “free” food! The dinner, needless to say….was delicious in every way. Savory, sweet, salty, tangy-kebabs, other meats, greek salads, fries, feta cheese…my goodness gracious. Feeling sleepy, we headed back with our bellies full only to go back out and check out a bit nightlife. Athens is pretty hopping on Tuesday nights! Tonight’s dinner was just as exceptional!

Me with a fire breather!!

Today (Wednesday the 5th) brought the first day of class. The class is entitled “Greek Culture and Civilization.” We will learn about the past and present of life in Greece from many angles: sociological, political, and anthropological. The professor is Dr. Constance Tagopolous of UIndy Athens. She taught at CUNY Queens College for many years. The class seems to be very interesting-right up my ally! I’m looking forward to learning more about this amazing country. After class, the professor told us that this weekend would be the best bet for out-of-Athens travel. We had all been talking about Santorini. Nazana and I were planning on going there the last weekend of the trip, but due to a the Epiphany Day holiday tomorrow, class is canceled. Our best bet was to go this weekend! So I ran to Ellie Despotaki
(Coordinator of Institutional Advancement, Alumni Affairs and Special Programs) and she hooked us up with a fantastic trip package!

So tomorrow, in the early morning hours we will all be headed to the true paradise of Santorini Island, a place I could only dream I’d ever visit. I’ll keep you posted from there.

Peace, Love, & Greece!

P.S. Don’t forget to check out my photos-updated almost every day: http://picasaweb.google.com/kathleenmodonnell7/GreecePhotos?authkey=Gv1sRgCKbhzPbJ1ZXFQA#

Well folks, I have my first official stamp on my passport and it’s says….something illegible! After 3 hours at Newark International Airport, 9 (relatively sleepless) hours on a plane, and a bus ride into the city, I have arrived in Athens, Greece!!

The flight was smooth-no problems at all! Though I tried to get some sleep, I found myself anxious and restless. After a few rounds of cards with my traveling buddy, Nazana Weeks, I eventually caught some Zs only to wake up to a neon sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean-talk about beauty! After another nap, I was awoken by the engine shift as the plane descended through the clouds. Sleepy and excited, I knew I was about to see another country for the first time in my life! Something mighty was stopping me from attempting to crawl out of my window and onto the wing so I could dance across those clouds. The view was magnificent. I eventually saw a little black line form beneath the clouds, a ship sailing on the Mediterranean. The brilliant blue of the smooth sky matched the rippled texture of sea, and it was impossible to tell where one began and the other ended. I soon saw little buildings dotting foggy hillsides. As we got closer to the ground, I wondered how it was possible that the hills were rolling and jagged at the same time.

After touchdown and leaving the plane, we picked up our bags, got our stamps and were off. The express bus to Syntagma Square, Athens was leaving in 6 minutes… SIX!! What to do, what to do? First: ask at the info desk where the bus picks up, Second: Run all the was down a seemingly endless corridor, Third: Find the bus, Four: Ask someone where to purchase tickets, Five: Run to the ticket booth and purchase, thanking the gods that you have some Euros already, Five: Load luggage onto bus and stamp ticket. All in under 5 minutes!! Anyone want to be my partner on the Amazing Race?

The thirty minute drive into the city went fairly quickly as I took in the sights of the mountains and interesting buildings (ALL of which have balconies, mind you!). The main drag into the city reminded me of…I want to say..Route 22 in New Jersey if it were much older, and less full of chain stores and restaurants. When we reached the downtown portion, we were let off at Syntagma Square, a beautiful plaza in front of the Parliament building. We walked a few blocks with our luggage and were greeted by Mr. Tom Mazarakis of the University of Indianapolis, Athens. He showed us to our apartments and gave us a brief orientation.

My first photograph in Athens:
The school buildings are located in the Plaka district, the oldest and most historical part of Athens. It stretches down the Acropolis hill.”Plaka” is a derivative of the ancient work used for ‘stone tile.’ All the streets in the area are paved with gorgeous slabs (when rainy like today, they are pretty darn slippery!).The University has a rooftop that overlooks the Acropolis. Needless to say, I will spend much time there!

After a much needed shower and nap, Nazana and I went out for dinner in our neighborhood. We ordered Scordalia and Mousaka, a traditional appetizer and main dish. Here is the gorgeous and delicious Moussaka:

For all of my photos check out my Picasa account: http://picasaweb.google.com/kathleenmodonnell7/GreecePhotos?authkey=Gv1sRgCKbhzPbJ1ZXFQA&feat=directlink

We walked around the Plaka for an hour or so, just taking in all the beautiful evening sights. And now, from my cozy bunk overlooking a square lined with vine walls as a church bell chimes midnight (no joke!), I bid you goodnight from Athens.

Peace, Love, and Greece!