Athens meant more to me than I realised.
I arrived back from Athens yesterday and I have to tell you, it was one of the best trips I have ever been on. I haven't had that much fun in so long and I was beginning to forget what joys in life I could have just by having decent, genuine people around me.
Okay, so me being me, I'm going to give an organised, everyday account of the trip, mainly because I love talking and rambling...it is what I am best at after all.
Day One - Thursday 10th March 2011
I didn't go to bed that night, which was something I kind of regret considering I was absolutely knackered on the way to Athens. I arrived at college and got on the coach around 3am, admittedly feeling slightly worried as at the time I didn't really know anyone who was going. I knew them of course, but we hadn't talked or interacted very much in lessons.
From the start of the trip, we all got on really well. Jack, Lizzie, Jess and I clicked straight away and we spent the whole trip together being utter history geeks and following the maps around Athens. It was great.
Anyway, I was really nervous about getting on the plane and I think I went on about it so much people began to get slightly irritated with me (but were too nice to say anything). I had a huge fear about being frisked and guess what? I got frisked...
Eventually, we got on the plane and I sat next to Jack, who was really kind and calmed my nerves alot. I am very grateful for that!
For the rest of the day, we were let loose in Athens to do what we wished, and us as a group, as well as Ryanna (or the fleeceatron as Jack so kindly named her) went off to look at Hadrian's Arch and the Acropolis from a distance as well as trying to find something vegetarian for me to eat.
I must confess, at this point I felt I had known these people a long time, just because we were all getting on so well. My laugh and my smile were genuine, which is saying alot considering the recent issues I have.
Took a trip to Starbucks, before heading off back to the hotel. I was sharing a room with Lizzie and Jess, whereas Jack was sharing with Ian and Paul (who's real name is Oliver...I think). Ryanna was sharing a room with some girls who I honestly cannot remember the names of, as horrid as that sounds. We had our tea and went out at about 9pm to look at the city from a night-time's perspective. Such a beautiful place, I tell you.
Day Two - Friday 11th March 2011
A three hour bus tour on the fierce magenta coach (good times) with a tour guide named Rebecca, who I feel after a few hours, began to feel slightly exhausted by us foreigners.
We saw some brilliant architecture and eventually went to a museum filled with many artefacts. After a long and informative tour from Rebecca we all collapsed back on the fierce magenta and headed up to the Acropolis. Breathtaking. That is the only word I can use to describe being up there. You can see for miles and I hope at some point in my life, I will visit that place again. It is just too magnificent to visit the once.
Again, we were let loose and left to do our own thing, and our little gang (Jack, Lizzie, Jess, Ryanna and I) went to visit the Pnyx. Headed back to the hotel after stopping at Starbucks again and then went for an evening of bowling. Jack won the first one, of course, and miraculously, I won the second game. Don't ask me how, I must just have turned into a genius at that second.
It was on this night that I made friends with Ian, the guy who Jack was sharing a room with. We literally spent hours just talking, whilst everyone else was off doing other stuff. Of course we got teased for it, but it was just nice to have someone to talk to, you know?
Day Three - Saturday 12th March 2011
We had an early start that morning. Everyone had to be on the coach for 8, which by English time was 6am. Not only that but we had to get up and be ready, so we were practically up at 5 in the morning, taking it in turns for a shower, rooting through our suitcases and hurrying down to nibble on some toast and jam.
Had a long journey to Delphi, which was utterly worth it considering what we got to see. Beautiful ruins and one of the most wonderful views I have ever seen. We took pictures, climbed hills, laughed, chatted. I felt so content in that moment.
Had our dinner at a local restaurant (in our little gang) and I had the worlds best orange juice.
A long journey home and we arrived back at our hotel for tea. We were going to go out and have some fun on our last night but instead people stayed in the hotel and did their own thing. Some watched a film, whilst others went online to talk to their boyfriends.
Lizzie and I stayed in our hotel room chatting mainly. We talked about Disney films, books, television and horror movies. We scared the senses out of ourselves talking about scary things and couldn't not walk around together after that. It makes me laugh just writing about it. We were saved though by the rest of the people on the trip who came to our room and messed about until the late hour. They were sent out later on but at least we all had a laugh whilst it lasted.
Day Four - Sunday 13th March 2011
I slept well, in fact we all slept so well we didn't get up on time! Still got to the fierce magenta on time though. Thank god.
Plane journey went smoothly again, thanks to Jack. He let me sit by the window and look at the view, whilst holding my hand when we set off. Thanks! We had our own little feast on some muffins and 7Up. Oh and can't forget the Pringles. Yum.
When we flew over England, it was amazing. I couldn't take my eyes off it. It may not be as picturesque as other places, but it was home and it was beautifully British.
Got home and said hello to my smiling family, who stopped smiling when I forced them to look at the 569 photos I had taken. Feel their pain.
As the title of this entry says, Athens meant so much more to me than I knew it was going to. Jack, Lizzie and Jess are such kind, genuine people and they made me realise what friendships are meant to be like. They were nice, friendly and didn't jab at me for things I found interesting. They just accepted me, as cheesy as that sounds. I've gotten so used to my usual friends (who I've known since year seven) being so un-supportive of me and laughing at my interests, that I had forgotten that friendships are supposed to be about laughing and having a good time. I'm feeling teary as I type this and I know the trip may not have meant the same to them, but thankfully, I've realised I need to stick up for my self and tell my so called friends to jog on when they are being complete idiots.
Thanks
Iona Gibson (PiellaGibson)