Greece

What to say about Greece. I'm going to start with some generalizations for an update, but considering I don't feel good I'm going to make it relatively short. The transportation strikes really made moving about difficult, but it was manageable, and it wasn't scary in my experience. There were a few times the cops were shooing protestors out of the way of our buses so we could get through. Also the acropolis was everything I expected, and more. I got to sit on the steps up to the Parthenon as the sunset, watching all different people appreciate the same piece of history. Also there weren't too many people, so it was even more pleasant. I got to sing karaoke in front of the Temple of Zeus, my friend Anny and I sang some songs from the Disney movie Hercules, and a couple of people joined in. The markets were finally what I had been wanting. Merchants selling either their own hand made crafts, like rugs and carpets. Or some things like jewelry. A lot of symbolism could be seen, like the evil eye, which is supposed to keep it away, and therefore is a good luck charm. This is an addition to my sort of good luck charm collection, I also have the horn from Italy made of red coral...sort of looks like a tamale but I think I talked about that earlier. I also ended up seeing Harry Potter twice, since I had enough money from my budget for this country. I also ate a lot of food. I had the best mousaka ever at a little family owned place. Down by their bathroom you could see the owner's wife, mother and daughter cooking the food for everyone. Not only that but I ate a "traditional greek platter" which had stuffed wine leaves, fried cheese, roasted peppers, grilled sausage, and tziki sauce along with a grilled eggplant salad and fish egg salad that was actually really good. Also a fried meatball that was amazing, and spinach pie, the real kind. We also had a glass of wine (we being Anny and I), and a piece of baklava. :) yumm  Walking around in general was just a lot of fun, the greek people are just amazingly friendly even while thier country is under so much turmoil politically and economically. It was wonderful to see, just so much happiness, and welcoming of strangers. Now I'm off to bed and I will try and continue this more tomorrow. Love to all! :)

Gwen