my big, fat greek introduction

Without being too harsh, let's just say Athens isn't my cup of tea. We flew into the city on Thursday morning and took a less than scenic drive to our hostel. I think the little building was actually a "hotel" but our room was 4 twin beds pushed up next to eachother with no walking space. I shouldn't complain, especially because the place was clean and had hot water--things that might be hard to come by when we are gallvanting around India.

After a lovely nap, we got all ambitious and decided to explore the city. The buildings are pretty modern (and my modern I mean not made of marble with porticos and massive columns, like I pictured). The streets were filled with fake bag vendors crazy motorcyclists, and seemingly rabid, homeless dogs. In terms of ruins, there were these glass pyramids with the city's dusty remains in them every couple of blocks, but nothing too spectacular.

After wandering through the Athenian streets, we remembered that we hadn't eaten all day and were starving. (I can't even go into the meal Continental tried to pass as food. I think it was some pasta-chicken-possibly-broccoli mixture, but the neon orange color had me baffled. I passed and opted for a dairy-free granola bar instead). Jordan, who makes friends everywhere we go, met a lady on the plane and got reccommendations for a restaurant in the center of the city. It was supposedly tourist-free and delicious. (Both were true).

After dinner we were wide awake and still on American time so we decided to climb the Acropolis and see what all the hype was about. Of course the Acropolis grounds were closed, but there is this little path that winds up 2/3 of the mountain along the gates of the grounds and it's open all day and night. The top of the mountain and all of the ruins were illuminated, which made it eady for a quick game of "Guess the Ancient Ruin." Despite the multiple Ancient Greek History, Art, and Literature the four of us took over the past four years, none of us could correctly identify the Parthenon. (Disclaimer: There are MANY massive stone buildings with enormous pillars and that are rectangular in shape in and around the Acropolis. I just think the overtired/new location combo had us confused...)

Nothing really exciting or hilarious happened on our hike back down the mountain/hill/whatever you want to call it. We ended up heading back to our hotel and sleeping off our jetlag.

I'll write more about visiting the Acropolis in the daytime, our bizarre boat trip to Crete, and my life in Iraklio next time I get the internet.

-Jess

p.s. spell check does on this greek computer highlights all of my english words. just excuse the typos.

First of all, my apologies to everyone who I didn’t get a chance to see/call before I left. I was so busy fittng my life into a backpack, getting vaccinated, and renewing my passport. Per usual, I left EVERYTHING to the last minute and ended up taking my last Typhoid pill on my way to the airport.


So for those of you who are still in the dark (and there are a few of you), I am taking a 4-month long trip through Greece, India, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand. I’m traveling with two friends from Columbia, a 4500cu backpack (whatever that means), and a very low budget. If all goes as planned I’ll be back in the states around Christmas time, but Mrs. Carluccio is insisting that I return for her birthday on November 14th. In any case, I expect to come back with an empty wallet and a ton of stories, pictures, and videos.


Trying to fit my life into a backpack was a struggle. The bag itself is probably close to 3 and ½ feet tall and weighs 45 pounds (I blame the 120 dairy-free granola bars my mom forced me to pack. I‘m not kidding.) But in addition to my food supply, I am carrying a full pharmacy, a bunch of “disposable” Forever21 clothing, and the ugliest walking shoes you’ve ever seen. I think I'm all set.


Feel free to email or skype me (my ID is jessicaleighfig)!!



-Jess