I had to wait for some time to get onto the ferry. Waiting is a killer, and boy did I wait for a long time. Riding the ferry was very interesting. I had a class C ticket, and if you can tell me what that means, it would be great. I wandered the boat wondering what was up until I just stood on the deck and enjoyed the view of the men loading the ferry. You try backing a semi into a boat. They were very skilled.

I sat so much that day and contemplated my situation and my life. It was a nice experience. I haven’t done that in so long, it was just incredible. I figured that since I’d be going to an art school that I should produce something as an artist. I wrote a poem/story. It was nice. I was prepared from that point to arrive on the island. I think that I now have the ability to produce art and believe that it is good. The one I wrote on the ferry was an accomplishment for me.

After writing, I wandered the ferry looking for a warm place to sleep. However, anything that was above freezing was infested by smoking Greeks. I swear to god that they are the reason that the world grows tobacco. None of them would survive in New York. Damn the people that put tobacco in the hands of the Greeks!

After 6 hours on the ferry, we made it to the Paros port in Pariokia (note this can be spelled any of thousands of ways you choose). It was beautiful to see the boat coming into the port as everything was lit up, and it was just a beautiful site! It was the dawn of my fairy tale.

At the end of the ferry ride, I ran into a girl that had been traveling around the world on her own for 10 months. She was the only person I had seen in days that spoke fluent English, and we got on well. I agreed to help get her a place to stay (at least find the one she was looking for).

Jane Pack was standing there with the entire art group when I got off the boat. I was introduced to them all. I finally met Suzanne, who I had been talking to for months. She said that the girls were going out that night, and they wanted me to come.

Jane showed me to my apartment. Apparently, I had been given the biggest and most incredible apartment of them all. I was told how large it was compared to everyone else’s. The bedroom had a huge bed, and I have a bathroom, a kitchen, a living room, a dining room and another random room that really serves no purpose that separates the house into three parts! The floors are marble as are the baseboards. I have a courtyard just outside with lawn furniture that will go on it when it gets warmer. I also have a fireplace. It is a quaint little place, and I’m excited to spend the next 3 months in it!

We went out to a bar called Karen’s. Karen is a bar tender from Ireland, and she lives in Greece. She was completely hilarious, and I spent a nice night drinking water and meeting everyone. We then went to the other town hot spot, where I met more people and found a computer for the first time! I emailed Jared and checked out what else it was that I had in that department.

Jared has been wonderful for this whole trip handling anything and everything that he can! I went to bed at 4:00 AM. I slept until 10:00. Now, I do warn you that living in Greece has its quirky little things. I woke up to a freezing house (literally it was under 32 degrees) and no water. I went out to seek a way to get my water on. If you ask Jared, he will be able to tell you some of the adventurous things that I have been through. You take things for granted like being able to lock a door (locks are not even close to normal here) and being able to take a shower with a showerhead that is attached to the wall (we hold them here). You also take for granted porch lights and warm showers. Learn that when you travel, these things are not always dependable. I will save the details for a piece of art later!

I spent the day exploring this beautiful island I somehow managed to land myself in. I saw an ancient temple and a graveyard. I saw some beautiful green water and windmills that have been used to make electricity. Best of all, I walked all around a church called the Church of a Hundred Doors. It is the oldest continually used church in Christendom. Fancy that. It’s on my island. I’m so privileged.

I went out to a bar that night again and met some Greek people. The people here have different viewpoints on life than the normal American, and I cannot say to you how beautiful it all is to me. I also talked to some Albanians, for which, my second piece of writing was made (read it on my blog).

I spent the rest of the day exploring what is called boogatza. It is the most delectable Greek pastry ever. Eat it if you can find it. I’ve never tasted anything so wonderful. And now my journal is going to consist of things I write to Jared.

This was what happened today.
Jared, It’s just amazing that I’m sitting here on a Greek Island doing what I wish, and you are there working. I would just be dying right now if you were in a job that you hated. I can’t tell you how happy I am that I get this opportunity to do this, and it’s so great that you’re over there taking care of me. No one else has the advantage there (well, parents), and I just think of how grateful I am to have what you’re doing. Thank you so much.

I did decide to do some painting, so that set me back about 50 Euro because I had to buy all of my supplies, sorry about that, I should have gotten everything in the US, but it was just a whim thing, and I really think I’m going to learn how to succeed here as an artist. It’s so important as to who I am.

This experience is amazing. I am starting to open up a lot. I’m finding that there are several things that I find that I am missing here. They are as follows. 1.) Fingernail clippers. I keep breaking those suckers and I want to cut them all off. 2.) Art supplies, of course I chose to take the painting classes! 3.) I laptop or at least our palm so that I can write where I please. I have become a most prolific writer here.

Something very unfortunate happened today. Someone graffitied our building last night, and we spent a lot of the day sorting that out. It was some Canadian person that was drunk and crazy. It sanded right off, and I believe that he will be deported from Greece! I learned a lot about restoring buildings though because John had to restore the building the school is in. He did it in neoclassical style, and it is beautiful. The paint is frescoed on. It’s not just painted on. It’s a part of the wall! I want to get into that stuff.

Today was my first day of classes for real, and it was just fabulous. This is the schedule I have taken on.
Monday:
10:00 Figure Drawing
18:00 Writing
Tuesday:
10:00 Photography
13:00 Painting
18:00 Art History

Wednesday:
10:00 Figure Drawing
14:00 History of Photography
16:30 Digital Class
18:00 Literature

Thursday:
10:00 Basic Drawing
12:30 Photography
13:00 Painting
18:00 Writing

Friday: COOLIO hikes with John. They sound AWESOME.

I’m also going to do some mosaic classes, but the instructor is on maternity leave right now! My figure drawing class was incredible. I’ve never drawn a nude model before, and it was actually great. I learned so much and the instructor really broke it down for me to really understand it. I actually got the hang of it, and my things really looked like people. Drawing is a subject I really want to conquer this term because I have all the help and experience backing me in the world.

I also discovered that John (the director of the school) worked closely with Ansel Adams. NEATO! He’s got some great work.

Things have gotten even quirkier really! I took a very cold shower this morning. We can’t figure out how to get my hot water to work. I turned on the hot water heater, and after 12 hours of heating, I got 1 minute of hot water. It’s just kind of funny. I’m learning more and more about how to close a door every day here. I’ve got the locks to my apartment down, but getting into the school is impossible at this point!

I was going to have to buy a coat because it has been incredibly cold here, but I went into the old student lost and found and found one, so I’m going to at least borrow it until it gets warmer. It’s a very nice jacket though!

I love quirky apartments. I’m just glad it’s not one that we bought. Our house is just perfect! Keep making it more and more clean. I have a cleaning lady that comes to handle mine once a week, but I’m spotless anyway!

If only you were here to sort out disasters with our network here. I guess there are a lot of little quirks in that too. It seems to be a motto here in Greece. I learned of this term that I have been observing so heavily. It’s a state of mind called Ti-na-kanomay. This is the motto of the Greek service industry. It basically means, we’ll get to it no worries, no rush. That idea at least.

I also got the great pleasure of dining Greek today. I discovered it is much cheaper to get the Greeks to make me lunch. You can get a Greek meal for less than 2 Euro. This stuff is GREAT. I had a chicken pita sandwich with yogurt inside. It was delicious. I now know where to eat lunch. Other than that, I have been surviving on bananas and yogurt. Both very cheap but delectable items here. Really worth trying.

I also discovered a great Greek item that is worth any part of the trip. It is called a Boogatza (that’s how it sounds). This is the most incredible pasty item you have ever tasted. I am going to learn how to cook it when I get home for all of my friends. This week is Carnival, and I am told that the bakeries will be making this fresh every day, and I can get it warm. I am SO into Carnival! The food here sounds delectable, and I can’t wait to devour it!

I have learned here the importance of art in life. It’s what runs you. I am going to post my first writing piece tonight. It’s something you can appreciate. As I was looking at anthologies of past art students, I realized that this man that is teaching my class has had the great honor of teaching students that you have taught. Three of them to be exact. I wonder if he notices any difference. He chopped my piece of writing. I left a little discouraged, but I’m going to make it even better!

I love this little town. The best thing so far for me is the fact that you can walk around saying “yasas” to everyone. That is the Greek version of hello. Unlike in America, you make eye contact and wish the person walking a good day. It is only the polite thing to do, and you get a quick “yasas” back or a “calimara,” which means “good day.” It’s so nice to be in a town where the people acknowledge each other’s presence.

These notes are my daily journal, and also partially what I am going to post on my blog, so be warned. A lot of this stuff is the raw inspiration I plan to use in my writing class!

Ya Hara
Chris

I must have been pretty naive to believe that going to Greece, 1/2 way around the world wasn’t going to be at least interesting. It’s as if I was put in a slingshot and flung here without hardly any knowledge of the fact that a place such as this would exist. Actually, I didn’t come here by slingshot. I got here well on my own. A hard-won journey made by a plane.

I spent about 24 hours traveling from my beautiful home to the next time I rested my head—in my almost destination of Athens. I flew from Portland, Oregon to Cincinnati, Ohio with very little excitement. I was on the plane for several hours and besides the fact that I was supposed to be at a window seat and landed the worst aisle seat in history. Thing were fine.

Well other than the fact that the fever I was running for the previous 5 days had not yet decided to break! It continued on. I have a tough body, and my body had a very tough time fighting it off!

During my barely 45 minute stay in Cincinnati, I found a little coffee shop and asked for a hot water. When I pulled my money out to pay, this nice lady waved me off. In fact, she looked at me like I was crazy for wanting to pay. I brewed me up some Good Earth tea while I waited for my first European adventure—a flight to Paris.

While I sat there listening to the stewardess translate everything into French, I thought “how many of these people around me could possible actually BE French.” I found out that it was quite a few, as I turned out to be the only one of two Americans on the plane. If they weren’t from France or England, they were actually making a connecting flight to Bombay—go figure. I adored listening to the French men speak in their accents.

I was on that plane to France for 7 hours, and I managed to sleep most of the way. My fever continued on. It’s a good thing that the flight wasn’t fully full, and the seat next to me was open. Less germs to spread on! I made it through being sick AND air sick with the wonderful invention of 7-UP. I would recommend flying Delta. We all had personal TV’s with many channels. The food was actually edible, and I ate my chicken breast while flipping between Friends, Finding Nemo and Jerry Maguire.

My flight to Paris got in 45 minutes late. I missed my layover, which I can understand. There was ice and snow surrounding the Paris landscape and we had a hard time landing. I ended up waiting in a very long line to get myself on another plane. I prayed that one would leave the same day, and I got my wish, it was 3 hours off. I got my ticket and walked toward the terminal.

The Paris airport is very confusing. Whole walls open up, but you have to know where to ask! When I asked if they could hand inspect my film at security, no one understood me, and I wasn’t going to try my French. They ended up calling the police to deal with me. The officer that came told me to open up my film canister, and I had the hardest time communicating that it was film. They still didn’t get it, so I told them to send it through the x-ray machine. It’s dark in there was the response I got. I let it slide, and went on.

When I went to wait for my plane, I was very tired, and I fell asleep. They kept making announcements about delays, but they were all in French, and I had to learn how to hear the language that I only know how to read. I was able to do that very quickly. And of course my flight was delayed due to ice and snow in Paris. I was cold, and I was tired. I fell asleep on the plane for 3.5 hours while they took me to Athens.

I wasn’t sure what I was going to do when I got to Athens with all of the ferries on strike and all. I found a travel agency. The woman there told me that yes; the ferries were on strike until Saturday at least! She was very nice, and gave me the way to a cheap hotel and some maps. I bought a bus ticket for bus E95 to take me to Syntagma Square. Not everything is written in Latin. They have it all in Greek. Don’t believe the travel books. They are wrong. I missed my stop on the bust because I had no idea where I was.

When I asked someone where to go, he grabbed my bags and hauled them and I off the bus. He told me to follow him while he left my bags on the side of the road with a friend, and he took me to get directions. I was told to walk 200 meters that way (and points) to get to the metro. So I walk 200 meters in indicated direction and, “Do you speak English, Please? Where is the metro?” “Lady, it’s 200 meters that way (points in indicated direction, same as before).” So I walk 200 meters in indicated direction and, “Do you speak English, Yes? Where is the metro?” “The WHAT?” “Umm metro, underground, train, the L the T the….” “Underground,… OH Miss, it’s 200 meters that way (points in indicated direction, same as before).” GRRR. So I walk 200 meters again, and it IS there this time. Athens has a very nice metro that was just completed for the Olympics not months before. It’s designed the exact same way as in DC, so I’m sure that it is American crafted because the more I learn about Greece, the more Xeno (non Greek) it seems.

I took the easy-to-use metro to my stop OMONIA Square and then got off. I was looking for my place to stay, the Alma Hotel. I had become so exhausted from carrying around my 56-pound suitcase, so I stopped many times and asked for directions. Everyone was very nice. Especially because I was asking other hotel owners how to get to their competitions.

After a long walk and a great workout, I finally made it. I got my key and checked out my small, two bed room. Very 70′s like room that was clearly practical. I fell asleep and slept for 13 hours waking up in a bed of sweat. I think the fever finally broke. I was glad because I wasn’t sure if I was going to have it forever or not.

I checked out at 11:00 after exploring the Greek traditions of not flushing toilet paper and checking out (by actual use) the Greek version of a shower. It’s just a hand held head with water coming out. Nothing too incredibly fancy, and quite odd to a spoiled American. And so, me and my 56-pound suitcase set off on a new journey. Only I was smart this time, I had two backpacks before, and I consolidated it to being just a big bag and a backpack. I knew this travel was going to be easier than before. We set out to find Syntagma square, and using the metro, I had to problems doing just that.

However, after I got off the metro, I spent no less than 2 hours trying to find my next hotel, and after walking half way to the Parthenon and back many times (literally) I hailed a taxi. He charged me 5 Euro to go the 1 block away from my hotel that I was, but I may never have found it without him.

The second room was no more promising than the first. However I got to put my things down, so I had the day to explore. My hotelkeeper gave me a map of Athens and sent me on my way around. I talked to no less than 15 travel agencies inquiring on how to get to Paros. All reactions were the same.

“The ferry is on strike.”
“I know, but I NEED to get to Paros, I can’t stay in Athens.”
“Oh… Hire a room, stay for a while, drink some wine, have some dinner, all the same. No worries.”

And of course I was worried, and so I went to the next travel agency trying to find a flight or a fisherman who was willing to take me to a small island in the middle of the Aegean.

I did, however, manage to get someone to take pity on me and get me booked on standby for a flight to the island. If that failed, I’d no idea what lengths I would go to get to the island. I also went to visit the Acropolis. It was just incredible, and I can’t write too much here about it because it just took my breath away. The people that made the place over hundreds of years had such care of what went on, and even small things like the place where the bronze sculptures were forged were all carefully planned out. It was in incredible experience I would never forget, and of course I took photos. Definitely worth the 12 Euro to get in. Also, it was simply incredible to see the writing that had been put on stones in 600 BC in actual ancient Greek. The Acropolis had all the makings of ancient perfections.

Socrates, Plato and all other incredible Greeks walked on that hill as well. I was with greatness. The sculptures that have survived to today are simply amazing. Many of them were broken down, and it just reminds you how much time can change things, even stone!

It’s not how I thought it would be at all. However, it’s humbling to understand that some communication, some sculpture that was made in ancient times still exists today, and I saw the originals. That is so priceless. The preservationists are incredible and I’m so honored that I chose to work with a profession/major that is so competent and beautiful. The lengths they go to to preserve our history is just simply amazing. I was in my place on that little hill—for sure.

After the Acropolis, I went to Piraeus, the port city, to see if I could get any data or see anything that had to do with the ferry strike. I saw it for myself, docked boats, it really wasn’t exciting. Docked boats and empty ticket booths. I then went back to Athens for the most incredible thing. I had a Greek meal. It would have been much better I’m sure if I had done it in the traditional Greek way with people all around and a family, but I did it in my own unique style as the girl traveling alone.

I asked the waiter what it was that I should eat, and he took me into the kitchen and recommended that if I liked cooked onions that I have this. I told him to serve it up. It ended up being veal and onions. Neither of which I eat, but when I go into it with my large brick of feta cheese I learned to enjoy it very much. I ate quite a bit of the meal, and then I was brought Crème du la crème ON THE HOUSE. The people were so nice, and the food was so good. I was well taken care of.

One interesting fact is that I had dinner next to and practically ate with an actor from the play Cats. He was from Sydney, but he brought his wife and child to Athens to practice the play he is doing on tour around the world!

I finally figured out the Greek phone as well, and I was able to call Jared.

3.4.05 I couldn’t sleep at all because I was so bloody worried about the stupid ferry strike, and I wondered if I was going to be able to get myself out of Athens or not. Also, the Greeks must have a theory about using clocks because the only inkling I could get of the time was the fact that the news was talking about the close of the New York Stock Exchange, which didn’t really help, as I didn’t really know the time difference or if the news was old or breaking! I woke up, watched the same newsreel I had watched all night and took a shower.

I must say that showers are much more tricky in Greece. I may come home with only half of my head clean, as I challenge you to hold something while trying to shampoo your long, blonde hair. Getting the soap out of the bottle, scrubbing your head and making a lather are all tricky with only one hand.

After my shower, I went out in search of a travel agency who could get me to Paros by any means. I had my fingers crossed that the standby flight was going to work out for me. When I made it to the front desk, the man that was there saw me and joyously announced that the ferry strike had ended.

Incredibly happy, I went out in search of an agent that would be able to get me on the first boat. The sun had just come up and it was beautiful to see all of the Greek people on their way to work. The fresh bread smelled excellent. I did manage to find a travel agency that was open. I walked in and asked about the “boat ticket” and the lady said, “not today.” I held back my tears as I left to go back to the hotel.

Sad, broken-hearted and confused, I went back to the hotel where the man insisted that he was going to get me to Paros that day. He got on the phone and in rapid and loud Greek he managed to get me at least a reserved ticket on a ferry! I called another travel agency and asked them to get me a ticket printed right now. They accommodated me, and it as incredible! I had then in my possession a ticket for the 3:00 (15:00) ferry that was going to take me at last to my final destination. I grabbed my bag and checked out.

Though I was again stuck with a 56-pound bag and nothing to do. I made my way to Syntagma Square and looked at the short, ripe orange trees while I felt the breeze go across my face. There I sat in Syntagma Square. It means “constitution” and was good news for me. The square is a nice little plaza where people get off the metro and talk and smoke (as all Greeks do). There are fountains and orange trees and birds and everything. It is such a nice, quaint little place.

Here are some comments I have about the Greek lifestyle.
• I say, “I need to get to Paros.” They say, “No worries, go in three days when the strike ends. Rent a room, drink some wine, talk to people and get something to eat.”
• People here are very laid back.
• Everyone you see is either smilish or stylish.
• There are no people trying to force you to buy their goods in the square. You can sit just peacefully!
• They are VERY open to helping and talking to foreign people.
• I was lugging my overstuffed and over heavy luggage up the staircase because the dumb American inside of me didn’t see the bloody elevator right there. A man walked over, grabbed my bag and hauled it up the stairs without saying a word. After hearing my large and prolonged thank you, he turned to me, said, “There is nothing to thank,” in his wonderful Greek accent and walked away.
• And I’ve come to the conclusion that the only way to not be a Xeno (non-Greek) is to not be a Xeno. I’m going to try it out, but it’s very hard to speak a language you know little of to a pro.

Hello, First off, mind the typos because this keyboard is strangely Greek in design! There is a lot of news for me to tell about.

First of all, Jared and I have officialy moved. We live at
660 NW Gleneagle Dr. Unit G-50
Sherwood, Or 97140

His phone # is 971-241-8024
Mine is # 503-560-8600

My cell is of little use while I’m in Greece, so just call Jared if you need anything.

So, I made my long flight around the world with great adventure. I got stuck in Paris for many hours while the runway was icy and few flights were coming in or taking off. When I finally did get to Greece, the ferry workers were on strike, and I stayed in some interesting little hotels while I was there. I got to know the metro system well. I saw the port city a lot, and of course I made it to the famous Parthenon (which was right out my back door). The olympics are still very big there with signs and posters everywhere. Being stuck in city is very interesting, and few people speak English, so I learned survival Greek, and I can read street signs now! It’s very safe though, and as I was forced to walk alone at night alone, it’s a good thing. All people who do manange to speak/understand English are very, very nice, so it worked out fine.

I finally made it to Paros, and it’s beautiful. Really the island and the city are something out of a fairy tale. The streets are narrow and stone, and they were built to confuse pirates. I must say that I still have a hard time finding my apartment! So I’m off now to find something to eat (olives and feta are VERY cheap here) and then take a walk in the Greek sun. You can always email me back, but it’s hard to stay in contact with everyone, so the group email is going to have to do for now. I’m going to try to post things on my blog, so check it often. http://yellocowphoto.blog.com

Ya Hara, Chris