While I eat my frozen spanikopita...

...I figured it would be a good time to give an update. So basically last time I wrote, I was recovering from my illness. I think I can safely say now I am totally 100% healthy again - or as healthy as I could be I guess. So that is definitely good news. This also meant that my weekend wasn't completely shot even though I did try to take it easy.

First things first though, I just wanted to say that my salmon/potatoes meal on Friday was delicious. It was a bit of an adventure with the Greek oven, but eventually everything cooked through and tasted great. Maybe I don't need those Greek cooking lessons after all....false.

Anyway, on Saturday I pretty much had a lazy day since I was still a little run down from the flu and it was raining anyway. I did go out to buy a rug for my room (especially beneficial for anyone who comes to visit me and might have to sleep on the floor) and then later in the day, I performed one of the most quintessential Greek activities: went to a cafe. My friends and I went somewhere above Kolonaki square where we got coffees and sat and talked for hours. It was a very chic cafe with big, bold red and turquoise designs and jazz music playing. I

 thoroughly enjoyed it needless to say. After that, some friends and I continued on to a taverna for dinner (at this point it was around 11 p.m...also quintessential Greek. I am learning quickly.) before we called it a night.

On Sunday though I did perhaps the most quintessential Athenian thing of all: visited the Acropolis. Although I had been once before, it was just as thrilling and exhilarating as the first time. It was better than chocolate cake and small children speaking Romance languages and Portuguese water dog puppies put together. There are no words in my opinion to explain the magnificence and pure bliss of seeing the Parthenon in person. Pictures cannot do it justice either, although I have tried (I took the one above). I am well aware that I am a Classics nerd, but I think truly anyone could appreciate the experience. I myself plan on rehashing this same experience at least a dozen times before I leave. You may think I'm joking, but I can get in for free with my student I.D., so there is really nothing stopping me.

After we left the Acropolis, we walked back through Monastiraki and got something to eat while we sat in the square. Eventually we walked home to Kolonaki, where I retreated to my bed for the rest of the night...despite my roommates and their enthusiasm for the Steelers playing in the Super Bowl (they're from Pittsburgh after all).

Yesterday was basically a normal day of classes and this morning was as well. But this afternoon Nelly and I went shopping, which is quickly becoming a dangerous endeavor for me. I am jealous of my friend Elinor in the middle-of-nowhere India where she does not have these material temptations. Fortunately (or unfortunately depending on how you look at it) there are nation-wide sales in Greece right now, similar to many other European countries. My most exciting purchase of the day was definitely my pair of authentic Greek leather sandals that tie up my leg. Now I'm just waiting for it to get warm enough outside to wear them!

Now I should get to reading for History and Politics of the Middle East (Why does that come up in every post? I must have way too much work in that class.) but I will update as more exciting things start happening.

Filia polla,

Mollie