Much better
Once again I’m internetless for now, although I did find that free internet exists in my hotel. It’s just hard to use their computers because they’re a bit old, and I don’t feel like getting dressed to go downstairs to use one at the moment.
I have Jem cranked up right now, and by cranked I mean it’s on very very quiet so that I don’t bother others that are sleeping. I woke up this morning at 4:30. I didn’t see a clock right away, so I KNEW it had to be at least 7 AM because I had been sleeping for ages, but obviously I was way off. No issue though, I feel fine and I’ll probably get to bed at a decent time tonight.
Yesterday was exciting for me. In the afternoon sometime once I got the courage to venture off on my own, I went into a little café just around the corner from where I’m staying. Everyone looked at me like I was a fool because I didn’t know what any of the menu items were, but eventually I was handed a menu with everything in English and Greek. Once I paid and began eating, a customer decided to practice his English on me and asked me where I was from and what I was up to. After a few minutes of discussing how at a loss I am with his language, I asked him if he knew where a cash machine was located in the area. He pointed in a direction, but then decided it would be best just to take me. I agree with that, we had to go down some weird twisted roads that had a TON of traffic on them. After getting some money, we walked to Alexander Park and later to the Acropolis. His name is Walid by the way, pronounced “Valid”. The whole time he tried to teach me some basic Greek, but I think for the most part that was a waste of time. It was still fun to try though. Let’s see what I can remember (and spelling DOES NOT count):
Hello and good-bye (informal) - Ya soo
Hello and good-bye (formal) - Ya sas
Please - Parakalo
Excuse me - Signomee
Thank you - Efkhar…nevermind
I don’t understand - Then katalaveno
Yes- ne
No - o...nevermind again
That’s about all I can remember for the moment. Hopefully soon I’ll be able to get around a bit better with the Greek they teach us in class. Shoot, I start classes in the next few days, I’m getting excited!! Today I’ll move into my new apartment after I give the program a call. I can’t do that until 8:30 AM, so I think I’ll make sure all my stuff is packed up alright and then eat some breakfast first. If I remember I’ll post a picture of my new friend.
~Hours later~
I am now sitting in the court yard of the Athens Centre. It's gorgeous! I've movied into my apartment, and I have yet to meet my roommate, but I tried to give her the "good" side of things (closet space, bed side, etc.) so that I don't seem like some kind of ass hole. Things are great thus far!
I have Jem cranked up right now, and by cranked I mean it’s on very very quiet so that I don’t bother others that are sleeping. I woke up this morning at 4:30. I didn’t see a clock right away, so I KNEW it had to be at least 7 AM because I had been sleeping for ages, but obviously I was way off. No issue though, I feel fine and I’ll probably get to bed at a decent time tonight.
Yesterday was exciting for me. In the afternoon sometime once I got the courage to venture off on my own, I went into a little café just around the corner from where I’m staying. Everyone looked at me like I was a fool because I didn’t know what any of the menu items were, but eventually I was handed a menu with everything in English and Greek. Once I paid and began eating, a customer decided to practice his English on me and asked me where I was from and what I was up to. After a few minutes of discussing how at a loss I am with his language, I asked him if he knew where a cash machine was located in the area. He pointed in a direction, but then decided it would be best just to take me. I agree with that, we had to go down some weird twisted roads that had a TON of traffic on them. After getting some money, we walked to Alexander Park and later to the Acropolis. His name is Walid by the way, pronounced “Valid”. The whole time he tried to teach me some basic Greek, but I think for the most part that was a waste of time. It was still fun to try though. Let’s see what I can remember (and spelling DOES NOT count):
Hello and good-bye (informal) - Ya soo
Hello and good-bye (formal) - Ya sas
Please - Parakalo
Excuse me - Signomee
Thank you - Efkhar…nevermind
I don’t understand - Then katalaveno
Yes- ne
No - o...nevermind again
That’s about all I can remember for the moment. Hopefully soon I’ll be able to get around a bit better with the Greek they teach us in class. Shoot, I start classes in the next few days, I’m getting excited!! Today I’ll move into my new apartment after I give the program a call. I can’t do that until 8:30 AM, so I think I’ll make sure all my stuff is packed up alright and then eat some breakfast first. If I remember I’ll post a picture of my new friend.
~Hours later~
I am now sitting in the court yard of the Athens Centre. It's gorgeous! I've movied into my apartment, and I have yet to meet my roommate, but I tried to give her the "good" side of things (closet space, bed side, etc.) so that I don't seem like some kind of ass hole. Things are great thus far!