Fast and Slow

Posted by: Alyssa Cashman on: February 21, 2009

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How’s Greece?  That’s what everyone back home keeps asking me.  I have no idea how to answer that question.  It’s so unlike anything I’ve experienced, so I don’t have anything to compare it to.  And I don’t know if I love it, just like it, or really don’t like it at all.  I’m pretty sure it’s not the latter, but some days my patience certainly wears thin.  There are so many examples of great times and kind people but also many examples of freezing searching for taxis and uncomfortable confrontations with the Greeks in our apartment complex or fellow students at ACT.

I suppose I’ll start with the positive. Thursday was Tsinko Pempti (literally barbeque or burnt Thursday). A cross between Mardi Gras and Halloween, people gorge themselves on meat and alcohol leading up to Ash Monday, the beginning of Orthodox lent.  We went to Milo, a converted mill which hosts lots of entertainment events.  It was freezing that night, and waiting for the bus was quite a chilly experience in our dresses and costumes. Once we got there though, we were the first ones on the dance floor.  The night is kind of a blur, but I had an amazing time.  It was a Brazilian themed party, so there was lots of Latin music, a Brazilian drumming troupe and Brazilian dancers. The drumming troupe was incredible (I think I took about 30 pictures).  Really one of the best experiences I’ve had here.

Brazillian dancers!

Brazillian drumming troupe

Me and Brazillian drummers

Last night we went for sushi at the Pollock Bar.  Jill and I passed on sushi, getting some spinach ravioli instead which was fantastic.  The other girls got sushi, although just how much they would be getting got lost in translation.  Most of them ended up with one or two pieces of sushi.

Today we hit up the market again, where I got some chicken, strawberries, cucumbers, fresh bread and tzatziki!!!  Delish.  We then went to the Archeological Museum, but our tour guide left a little to be desired, so Jill and I broke away from the group and explored on our own.  We had to evade the Nazi museum curators, but we made it out alive.

As for the negatives, we all agree that we hate the taxi drivers. Some of them are helpful, but if they don’t want to take you somewhere, they are extremely rude. The usually say no, give us a dirty look and speed off. We were a little concerned we were going to get stranded at Carrefour today after a shopping expedition. Carrefour is like a Wal-Mart on crack (unfortunately there are still screaming little kids everywhere you turn).  We finally found a cab driver who would cooperate and made it home.

Also, there will be no Greek men for me.  They are too forward and almost always creepy.  The girls and I agreed that American men are much better (shocker!)

Needless to say, there are days when I love it so much here I never want to leave and there are days when I long for non-crowded buses and people who speak English!  I love the friends I’ve made here but I definitely miss my friends and I hope they don’t forget all about me while I’m over here and say “Alyssa who?” when I come back. Of course I also miss my family and am excited for my parents to come visit in May.  I haven’t even been here for 3 weeks, but it feels like forever.  But it also feels like it’s going really fast.

So how’s Greece? It’s a never-ending culture shock with thousands of emotions, highs and lows, laughter and memories, loneliness and frustration and experiences that I hope will have a profound affect on me.

Tags: Tsinko Pempti