Climb Every Mountain..but don't wear shorts..

I am so proud of myself. I am trying so many new things and facing every challenge that comes my way here. I have branched out from my cheeseburger plain and eaten foods I couldn't even put a name to-- nor tell what they were composed of. Today I faced a new challenge. I climbed the mountain that is across from our hotel. Mountain climbing seems to bring out the amnesia symptoms in me. Each adrenaline-pumping, near-death experience quickly escapes my mind just in time for me to try it again. This summer, for example, I hiked in the Ozarks with my youth group. I forgot the horror just in time to eagerly agree to go with some friends today.

It started out with a steep climb up a paved road. I was breathing a little heavy, but my optimism was still beaming across my face. Then, the actual mountain hit and the thorns that were included free of charge. I have never seen so many thorn bushes in all my life. They were all different shapes, sizes, colors-- some actually kind of attractive until they tore into my poor legs. Dearest Tommy tried to tell me to change into long pants, but I-- the mountain climbing expert-- decided I wanted to make a fashion statement and wear my cute brown shorts. I won't be wearing them for quite a while since my once marvelous Jergen's Body glow-tanned legs now sport cuts and scrapes. Haha.

It was so gratifying to get to the top and realize the feat you just accomplished. You could see all over Athens from the top-- it was breathtaking. By the time we got to the top though, a few pictures were all we had time for in order to get back before dark and in time for dinner. We made it thanks to the bravery of Nic Wildman and the helpfulness of a few Greek boys. Nic was the only guy and helped many of the womenfolk down the mountain. He would help support our back or legs and would apologize for touching us. Danielle (who cracks me up) goes, "Nic, I don't care where you touch me or what you do- just get me off this mountain!" When we lost our way, a few Greek boys helped us find our way down the rest of the way and led us to our hotel. It's a good thing "thank you" is about the only Greek word we've learned and we shouted "Efaristo!" many many times!

Even though I am about to die of soreness, a few of them wanted me to play basketball..so we'll see if I can make it one trip down the court. Then, I'll do some homework..I promise..

I forgot to mention yesterday that I bought this cool ring and got some handmade sandals yesterday at the Plaka. Love em!

You Look Greek...Greeky, Greeky!

Today we made our first trip into Athens to shop around the Plaka. Can I just say how much I love this city? It is beautiful and so chic. I almost feel like it is too good for me-- haha. Here I am, brown Wal-Mart skirt, plain sweater and some Chacos surrounded by these elegant women in expensive coats and boots that zip up to their knees. They sit at cafes, smoking their cigarettes-- I go to the walkby gyro stand so I can get mine for the low price of 3 euros. (Here, you pay for your table and the atmosphere too...) I am just going to say it. Greek guys are so handsome. There. You got me. I admit it. Their dark, slicked back hair; their olive complexion; the way they walk around confidently dressed in fashionable attire. Though their boldness comes off a little strange to an American girl, it is oddly refreshing.

I don't know why. I mean, in the states I feel invisible-- here, they look at me like I'm a Greek goddess. Speaking of me being a Greek goddess, this one rather nice looking store owner asked where I was from when I told him America (apo tin ameriki..impressed? haha) he replied with: "Ohhh..you look Greek. You're Greek. Greeky Greeky!" With each Greeky Greeky, he preceded to grab each cheek and pinch them like an old lady at a family reunion. He then leaned over and kissed each side of my face. (The greeting here. Hard to get used to.) Oh, another thing I found interesting. Every time someone would ask what state in America I was from-- when I replied Arkansas, their faces would light up and they would exclaim, "OHHHH...BILL CLINTON!" I would just nod my head and they were so excited, like me and Bill were tight buddies or something.

We went to church tonight and it was so moving. They have so many people that speak many different languages. Some were from Iran, some Egypt, some Russia, so many others. During communion, they each said a prayer in their language. One of our guys started in English and the others followed in their language. Being my mother's daughter (no offense, Mom), tears started to stream down my face. The Greek prayer giver concluded with, "We speak different languages. Our cultures are diverse. But we are unified." Isn't he so right? Paragould, Arkansas is not much for an introduction to different cultures and how they relate to God-- so naturally, I would find this very emotional. I wasn't the only one thank goodness. Lauren, who has become a good friend, was next to me and she was teary too.

Overall, this has been a great day. I love it here. All the people I live with are great and our home is fantastic. I kind of feel like I'm on MTV's "Real World" minus the drama and fighting. We all live together, eat together, sit in the big livingroom together. It's so neat. I love you all and miss you!

My First Little Trip

Hey everyone! I just got done with our second mixer. I kind of feel like I'm trying out for a social club again. It's fun though to learn things about people.

Today we made a trip to Sounion-- it was about an hour away. On top of this mountain, the rubble of Athena's temple is located and many columns from Posideon (the god of the sea)'s temple. It was beautiful. Surrounding it was the blue Aegean sea with small mountain islands springing up, sitting like giant lily pads upon the sea. I just posted some pictures on facebook of it actually. I will admit, I am not usually very observant. While here though, I find myself looking out windows and I can't seem to take my eyes off of the landscape. "How Great Thou Art" runs through my head and I wonder how anyone could believe that all this "just came to be."

On the tour bus, we heard some myths about the story behind where we visited today. I will try to get this right. Apparently, Poseidon gave a gift to King Minos of Crete. It was a bull that rose out of the water. Minos did not do with the gift what Poseidon thought he should, so he put a curse on him-- and the king's wife ended up falling in love with a bull. She did what you do when you're in love (if you get my drift..haha) and ended up creating minotaurs-- half human/half bull. All the minotaurs would live in this temple and every so often men and women were chosen to go in there and become minotaur snacks. It goes on and on. It's hard to believe that people believe these stories, yet as I pondered this on the bus I realized that it's the faith that makes them real. Many Bible stories are very unlikely and miraculous, yet we accept them as truth. It is what they have heard since birth. Now, don't go thinkin' I believe in minotaurs. Haha.

We had pizza and we're watching a movie right now. I don't know if I can stomach it thought. 300. About the Spartans. It's historical, but very violent. I might go work out in our cool workout room. I have been doing Tae Bo with Billy Blanks. Haha. Love ya'll.

Brain Overload

I thought I was going to conquer the jet lag, but I overestimated my body's ability to deal with the change. I go to bed okay, but wake up about 3 a.m. and can't seem to go back to sleep. It doesn't help that the stray dogs that I told you about bark and fight and howl in the wee hours of the morning. It is a good thing that our rooms don't come equipped with guns and ammunition-- because I would take it upon myself to be the new animal control officer. The situation would definately be under control. Haha.

We had class all afternoon starting at 8 a.m. It was kind of rigorous and a brain overload coming from Christmas break, but it was interesting too. We went over all the places we are going to see next week when we go on our tour of the Acropolis. We learned all about the Ionic, Doric and Corinthian columns and the Greek gods. Some of the stories are so bizarre-- I wonder what Greek Sunday school was like. Did little old ladies teach class and have felt boards? Could you imagine telling 4 year olds that Athena was born full-grown when one of the gods took an ax to Zeus' head. He had a massive headache-- I mean, I would to if I have a grown woman with gold armor in my cranium. Geez. I would have loved to see the coloring pages those kiddos took home.

Well, I'm really exhausted from the day and trying to soak all that information in, but I am trying to stay awake so I can sleep tonight. I am kind of anxious about how the academic part of the semester is going to go. Every course seems challenging and I'm taking an online class that has a lot to it. I'm trying not to go into panic mode. Haha. Love you guys-- thanks for reading!!

Explorin'

Today we mostly had orientation all day-- got to know the ground rules. You know, everything from refraining from "inappropriate relations" and taking a swig to the lesser law of no flushing toilet paper. I think I can handle it. Afterward, we had our first humanities class. My appreciation for what we are studying has increased already. Truth be told, if I was sitting at Harding reading these same books I would die of boredom. Being here gives me a new world view and just makes me think about how important the past is. We then had lunch which was really good today (so much for the hope of losing weight) and then I went exploring with some friends.

We just walked around our area. We went down by the water and took pictures by the water, in nearby abandoned boats...you name it, we took a picture of it. We look like such tourists. Some of the people here catch squids from the water and beat them against rocks to tenderize them. We saw this elderly man and marveled at him as he nonchalantly beat the poor thing against a nearby rock. There are these huge, beautiful rocks all over by the water-- something tells me the squids probably don't appreciate that part of the landscape. I wonder what the man thought with 15 kids staring at him like we were at a Man Vs. Squid wrestling match or something.

We are having a mixer tonight after dinner to get to know each other better. I'm looking forward to making some new friends-- I feel like I already have. We have a good crew.

Little known facts I have discovered thus far: Greece has no animal control so stray dogs and cats are EVERYWHERE. We had like 10 follow us back to the hotel. People honk all the time-- they don't use it as a warning signal or anything. There is a lot of grafitti-- apparently the F bomb is quite popular, but that is the only English in the whole sentence. Waving here is an offensive sign. Those that know me know I am quite the avid waver, so I am trying to cut back.

I have a balcony on the outside of my apartment and have decided this is the coolest thing ever-- I plan to incorporate this in my home "when I grow up"-- even if I have a one-story house. Haha. I know I jumped all over the place in this entry, and I'm sorry-- but it's just a lot to soak in! I am enjoying soakin' it up though!!

I'm Here!!!

We arrived today in Greece at about 2:30 p.m. their time. Our bodies, however, felt like it was in the wee hours of the morning. I have been on planes ALL day and I'm absolutely exhausted. I have found that my motion sickness problem stretches from rollercoasters and fair rides to airplanes as well. The first flight I took from Little Rock was one of the worst experiences-- it was a lethal combination of the spinning tea cups at Disney World and Pharoah's Fury at the Greene County Fair. I was literally gagging by the end of it and the lady next to me eyed me with that "If you throw up on my cute outfit I'll kill you" look. I survived to the next plane which was slightly better and the others weren't so bad. I didn't sleep much at all on our 7 1/2 hour flight to Amsterdam. It was a combination of crying babies (I have now determined that small children should be checked with the luggage..haha) and over-feminine male stewards. As soon as you would start to get halfway comfortable the flock of Mr. Fancy Pants would delightfully declare that they were selling duty free items or that you could throw away all your rubbage. Or could they delight you in some tea?

Enough about that-- we got to Greece and we had a brief tour of the Artemis Hotel where we are staying. You walk in the hotel lobby and to your right is our classroom. Up the stairs are all our rooms. Probably a mix between Motel 6 and a 2-star Holiday Inn Express, our rooms are fairly nice for their purpose. I am rooming with my friend Lacey and we have a huge creepy clown face hanging on our wall-- it is scary. (Pictures to come). We then took a tour of Porto Rafti, the neighborhood in which we live. The water here is a beautiful blue, and it reflects the the white houses that tower above it on green, lush mountains. There are sailboats dispersed and it is a scene right out of a movie. I took some pictures, but I don't think it really does it justice.

We just finished having our first Greek family-style meal. It was fun to all be together and just dig in and share the food. I think for the first night most of us will shower up and head to bed early. It's been such a long 2 days...

It's Drawing Near...

My plane tickets FINALLY came in today-- which is one less worry on my mind. I was going to write my address out just in case you want to write me a letter or get in touch with me.

Ashton Reely
Harding University in Greece
37 Klm Leof.Porto Rafti
P.O. Box Markopoulo 268
19003 Attiki
Greece

Try fitting that on an envelope-- haha-- but really, if you have some time-- I love getting letters and cards. I am heading out Tuesday-- can you believe it? Wow! Keep me in your thoughts and prayers-- this is definately going to be a learning experience! I hope to come back with a new sense of self and a Greek hottie. (Ok, the last one would just be icing on the cake..haha) Love you guys!