The Temple of Aphaia

The Temple of Aphaia is on the Island of Aegina.   This Temple is one of the best preserved Doric Temples in Greece.  I didn't get the full story, but Aphaia means something along the lines of "disappear" or "vanish".  The temple is dedicated to Aphaia who fled when Posiedon tried to seduce her....That story could be completely made up or a combination of things I learned this weekend, so don't quote me on it.  But anyway, here are some pictures of the temple.

Sarah, Wendy, Rose, Maggie, Claire, and Kaitlyn

Me and the Temple

These have been some pretty random photos of the temple which probably all look the same to you, but oh well.  I think they're pretty! The architecture of them is really amazing, the corner outside columns are actually bigger than the outside inner ones to give the illusion that all of the columns are the same size.  I am going to be taking an art class but it is more history than actually doing art, but hopefully I will be able to do what is called a "co-curricular learning certificate" and study with a sculptor.

Aegina Cont'd

Sundays suck because everything is closed.  I went to go the supermarket with my roommates so we could get essentials and it was closed.  Then I went to go get a gyro because I was starving and they're cheap/filling, and the gyro place was closed! merrrr. Anyways, here are some continued photos of the Island Aegina.

Me and Kaitlyn under Tree at Workshop

Inside of Crazy Tree place

Workshop grounds

Worskhop center and pistachios

just me being artsy

Random Cemetery

This is Rose being....Rose

There is an interesting combination of trees here.  There are cactus growing under pine trees and aloe plants that are six feet high.  There are also these really cool trees that look like a Christmas tree that you would put together yourself.  Very barren and random.  They grow very tall and straight but sometimes grow sideways out of the ground.  Apparently their name means immortal because they will sprout up randomly and grow forever.  Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of these trees, I just have random pictures of my friend Rose, who is pretending to be Miley Cyrus (above).  

Island of Aegina

We went to the island of Aegina as part of our orientation.  Most of these pictures are just scenery.  On this island we went to what they call a workshop which is this center that puts on programs for people and the people can stay for free if they do four hours of work around the center.  The island is known for pistachios so there are some pictures of the trees.  We also went to the Temple of Aphaia which means to disappear.  I will post more pictures throughout the day, but the rest will go up on facebook so check there too.     

Workshop center

Προσθήκη λεζάντας

pistachio trees

workshop room 1

workshop room 2

view of owners house from the workshop

View from the roof

Θα ήθελα τρεις γυροσ κοτόπουλο, παρακαλώ

"I would like three chicken gyros, please!"

I have no exciting pictures for you, because I'm in orientation all day.  Yesterday I had a real greek gyro.  It was pretty good, although they put french fries in it.  That's odd, but still good.  We went to a bar last night too, thankfully the bar woman was really sweet and accommodating and spoke Engish.  Although today, in language class we learned how to order drinks, which would have been helpful to know.  Today wasn't much different, I order ice cream at a bakery...but the woman didn't know English and I didn't know enough Greek so it was awkward, but the ice cream was good.  In language class we learned how to make "Καφές ελληνική" which is Greek coffee and we learned how to make frappes.  Part of orientation today was transportation, how to take the bus and trolley.  Which consisted of giving us a map, the tickets and saying good luck meet us at a bakery in downtown Athens.  No worries, we all made it there and back.  Tomorrow we are going on a trip to two islands Aegina and Agistri.  I will be there until Sunday, so there probably won't be any more posts until after the trip, but at least then I will have lots of pretty pictures!

I did this phone....very old looking with rubber buttons, which was also interesting to navigate because it was entirely in Greek until I had my language teacher help me change it. 

Well I guess that is it for now and the weekend. 

Καληνύχτα (goodnight!)

The Supermarket- Είμαι αλλεργική (I'm Allergic)

Today we went to a supermarket.  It was two floors and had basically everything including a deli with meats and cheeses, a separate section for fish.  They have everything from organics to granola bars to slippers and shampoos.  There are many little individual places along where I live like bakeries, butcher shops, and places to grab fresh fruits and vegetables.  Unfortunately I won't be able to eat from the bakeries or order coffee in a cafe because I'm allergic to the world.  So here is what I bought... 

Pasta and Barilla!

Austrian Milk (not my purchase)

Eggs, Carrots, Lettuce, and strawberry Jam

They sell Barilla sauce.  They also sell cereals like Special K although I believe it is flavored very differenlty.  The Austrian milk was here for us when we arrived.  Have yet to try it... And to the left are some very random things that I bought just because I figured they would be useful, eventually.  Well it is almost 9:00 PM here, I guess it's time for dinner...

How We Live Part II

Washer 1

 As promised, here are pictures of the little washer.  It looks simple enough from the outside...

Washer 2

Washer 3

You have to unlock the inside and then load your laundry into that tiny hole that is the washer (right).  Still have yet to figure out how to put detergent in it.  The settings are by temperature and then another knob has pictures of a flower, what looks like a science beaker and a painting pallet, and a feather.  I attribute that to mean delicates, heavy duty, and light? I guess we'll find out.

How We Live

 We survived our first day.  We are on the fourth floor of the building, lots of stair and the smallest elevator I have ever seen. For those of you that know me well, you know I have tons of clothes.  I brought only one suitcase with me, all of those clothes below are supposedly going to last me four months.

Closet Space

Bed and Balcony

Balcony

Desk

Our bathroom and shower

DO NOT throw toliet paper in the toliet?

Kitchen 1

Kitchen 2

Kitchen 3

 Everything in this apartment is miniature.  Miniature kitchen and bathroom.  O and we are not aloud to flush the toilet paper down the actual toilet....interesting.  The oven in the kitchen reminds me of a kids kitchen play set.  Still working out the formatting of the page, it's difficult because my internet is insisting that I read Greek.  I think it's a little early for that.  On a sidenote, we just found our washer....it is probably the smallest thing I have ever seen.  I'm pretty sure you could only fit maybe 3 shirts or dresses at a time.  Pictures to come.