I, Barack Hussein Obama...and my first few days in Athens

Now, I am fully aware that I am supposed to be writing about my experiences in Greece, but I must say one word about the inauguration. I was able to watch it with the rest of my program in the Academic Center and I literally had chills. Obama's speech was inspiring - that goes without saying - but for me personally, I finally let my guard down and simply enjoyed the rhetoric. (As an Ancient Political Theory major, focusing on Plato, I tend to be wary of overly charismatic and charming public officials. I am wary of democracy as well, but I was definitely proved wrong today on both accounts.) I know of very few presidents in the history of America who had the opportunity to say the things he did, to call on change and encourage the country to keep on the path of tolerance and justice. If Bush had attempted to make such a speech at his inauguration, or even many other presidents who have ushered in a new administration or political party, their speeches would have seemed hollow and cliched - as they often do. But in the case of President Obama, it felt profoundly sincere and moved me in a way that was even more thrilling than when he was elected. In any case, it was a beautiful ceremony and although it made me homesick for D.C. where all the excitement is, I know I will never forget watching the inauguration of the first African-American president from Greece.

Ah yes, Greece! That is where I am living now after all. I arrived yesterday afternoon after a mostly uneventful flight. But I met some nice kids from my program and we found the College Year in Athens people together when we arrived. I was then given a key to my apartment and hopped in a cab. Walking out of the airport for the first time, I already felt like I was going to love it here - but that might be mostly because it was 70 degrees and sunny rather than 5 degrees and gray like it was in D.C. last week. In any case, I pulled up to my apartment building and after struggling with my suitcases and figuring out how to unlock the door and how to use the elevator, I finally made it inside. I met three of my roommates at that time - Caitlin, Helena, and Emily, all from Duquesne. Our apartment is quite nice with three rooms, one full bathroom, one half bathroom, a kitchen, and a common area. Compared to NYC apartments, it is pretty spacious! I have my own room which is pretty spacious as well, with a personal balcony that looks out over the entire city. It is simply breathtaking.

My apartment is located in the Kolonaki area, which according to my TimeOut Athens, "since the mid 1880s..., has indisputably been the tip-top address in Athens." This is clearly seen in the luxury apartment buildings and high-end shops that populate the area - not to mention excellent looking restaurants and  coffee shops where chic Athenians take long drags on their cigarettes and sit for hours gossiping during siesta time. I am thrilled to be living in this neighborhood, but the one downside is that it is a good 20 minute walk to the Academic Center (AC) for CYA (and on the way home you have to walk up a huge hill). Although, the walk is very beautiful and passes right through the National Gardens on one side and the Presidential Palace on the other - like I said, it's a nice area. The other main area where CYA students live is called Pangrati, which is sort of on the other side of the AC from me. I haven't had a chance to explore it yet, but it doesn't seem quite as nice as where I'm living, although it's much much closer to the AC.

Finally, after I had checked in at the CYA AC, I walked back to my apartment (I managed to find my way there and back entirely on my own) and when I returned, Nelly was here. She is a friend of a friend (hi Michelle!) and an excellent resource since she speaks fluent Greek and has spent a lot of time in Athens. You can never underestimate the power of knowing the language in a foreign place. It is definitely a challenge for me, but I'm hoping I will learn over time especially since I am taking classes in Modern Greek. Nelly and I went out to find some food for me and then I walked around later with my other roommates before going to sleep around midnight.

Yesterday morning I woke up and went to the AC to pick up my books. It seems like my classes are going to be great based on the reading material...well there's Plato's Republic at least and anyone who knows me knows that makes me very happy. Then I did some errands with Nelly; we went grocery shopping and bought a phone for me. It is very helpful having her around as she negotiated the phone contract and read the food labels. Then we walked back to the AC for lunch and after that we explored for a few hours. We walked to Plaka and Monastiraki (the two areas that sit at the base of the Acropolis...so cool!), then onwards through Syntagma (good shopping) and back to the AC. Once there, we had a reception with the president of the program and then watched the inauguration. 

After that, we walked home, I took a power nap, and then we went to dinner in the neighborhood at 10:30/11ish (Elinor, I actually made it!). Then we went for a drink at a bar around the corner - it was very chic and hip and they were actually playing American music (kind of disappointing, but I hear not all the bars here are like that at least). Finally I came home around 2:00 am (not from jet lag...the Greeks just like to stay out late!) and went to sleep.

This morning I woke up and went to orientation with the rest of the program. They explained to us some of the guidelines of the program and how Greeks talk and act, etc. It was pretty informative but I also have Nelly to help me with that stuff! Afterwards I had to buy my Modern Greek textbook and then I walked home a different way, just to test myself. It turns out it's not very hard getting around so far - but I shouldn't speak too soon.

Anyway, now I have a few hours to relax/explore more before going back to the AC again (ahh so much walking!) to have a reception with the Deputy Chief of Mission in the U.S. Embassy before going to a taverna dinner with some of my classmates. Hope everything is well wherever you are in the world and I'll try to update again soon!

Filia polla (many kisses),

Mollie

P.S. I hope to post pictures soon...right now my [stolen] internet access is being too slow.