Finally, the moment I've been waiting for, a trip to Acropolis! We got to semi sleep in yesterday (hooray!), but when it was time to head down town we didn't take a group bus to get there like we've usually done, instead we learned how to use public transportation for the first time! So from what I remember we have to... Walk down to the bus stop, get on the right bus, get off at the right stop, go down to the metro, make sure to head to acropolis instead of the airport (the opposite way), and then figure out which stop to get off at, sounds easy enough right? I wish! I've got to remember how to get to Athens (and back!) for the next time I go back! I'll be revisiting soon because I have to visit a museum for an assignment (actually excited about this one), annnd there is lots of cool (aka not as touristy) shops around down town Athens.
Even the view from ground level of the Acropolis was spectacular! The picture I added was taken right when we arose from the metro station, and I'm pretty sure the building to the left of the picture is a monastery (two picture worthy places in one!). As we got closer to Acropolis the view just kept on getting better and better (I didn't think it was possible either!). They tortured us some more by taking a pit stop halfway up on a rock that over looked the city, but thankfully I could still see Acropolis, there were TONS of people there.
Even though it was blazing hot outside (not a cloud in sight to provide shade), I was in awe when we finally got to the top, I don't think I could have whipped out my camera fast enough (so many pictures to take!). Last semester I was able to take an Art Appreciation class for one of my General Education requirements and we studied some Greek art (including the Parthenon of course!) So I was more than excited to actually be able to see it up close and personal, and it's also nice that I have a better understanding of the history behind it since we discussed it in detail during class.
That reminds me, today was the first day of class at the Greek college Deree. I'm taking an Art History class and this being a college in Greece, I was expecting maybe a Greek professor or something. Nope! For the whole semester I will get to listen to a flawless British accent. Yup, that's right, he's English! He reminded me a lot of the guys from Monty Python and along with my notes for class, I was also keeping track of some of the amusing things he said during class (don't worry, I was still paying attention!). One of my favorite expressions that he used are a "nutty nutshell," a "nitty jumper," and the time when he referred to American football as a watered down version of rugby! Needless to say, I definitely won't be bored in this class!
After lunch we were able to walk off the food a little bit and do some shopping. There were a bunch of cool shops to look at and not all of them were the same touristy shops that you normally see in areas like this. We were even lucky enough to be there during the Flea market, where we got to see a lot of cool different things (it's a lot like a flea markets I've been to in the US but in a Greek setting).
Once we were officially shopped out and exhausted from the heat, we met up with our professor so that we could make it back home without getting lost. And for some reason I find metro stations really interesting (maybe it's because we don't have any in Florida), but what's even cooler is that there is even old and ruiny stuff inside the metro station!
So tomorrow I have to get up early once again :( so hopefully I can get to bed a little bit earlier tonight (this girl needs her sleep!) so I can be energized and ready for tomorrow, round 2 of downtown Athens! This time we are going to check out some of the museums and churches that were assigned for site reports, wish me luck!
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