T-3days and counting!!! :)

We're back in Athens and it feels so strange that the program is slowing down to a close. I've been in these peoples' lives for almost six weeks now and it's bittersweet to think that our time together is ending. I has been a great time and I'm surprised that we still get along and like each other. :) As much as I know that we are all excited to go home and see our loved ones, I have really come to enjoy the friends that I have made here. I have learned from and laughed with so many here and have grown and changed in good ways because of it. I hope they feel the same way.

For me, our trip to the North culminated with our visit to Olynthus. I gave my site report here and chose it specifically so I could do research by reading my UW professor's book. Weeks of research limited to a short presentation, but I enjoyed giving it and I hope my classmates learned something. The focus of the site was on the organization of classical houses and households, but all you can see there are foundations about a meter high. So, in other words, there's only rocks piled upon more rocks to form short walls. The last thing I wanted was to show my classmates more rocks, so at the end of my presentation, I sent them on a mission with house plans and had them test their archaeological skills by pointing out rooms and their functions. In their house plan envelope, I also included an answer key for each house. I thought it was a fun activity (that's the teacher in me taking over). :) It was an amazing place, especially after all I had learned about it, so I had a great time.

The rest of our stay in Thessaloniki was pretty great. One of my classmates gave us a tour of the city (and evenincluded a stop for delicious gelato!). I also went to a couple of museums. Most of my Friday morning was free to explore the city, so I spent a couple of hours shopping. I finally felt like I was on vacation!! My alone time exploring the city made me come to love Thessaloniki even more. It reminded me of a European, downscaled version of New York City. The city is relatively young (about 100 years old because of a great fire way back when) which is pretty remarkable for a Greek city. The city that emerged from the ashes is so incredibly diverse and hip. There are so many different groups here that make the city a mishmash of culture. I had a great day. We had a long seven hour bus ride back to Athens and we made it just in time for a delicious free dinner at Loring Hall. Food tastes much better when it's free (says the graduate student!).

We also had a free day our Saturday back in Athens, which was such a luxury. I spent the morning finishing my gift shopping and exploring the city. And then I relaxed the rest of the day reading and hanging out with friends. I felt so spoiled to have such a wealth of free time, that I didn't know what to do with myself! That evening a group of us decided to go out to dinner and head to the Areopagus. We brought a 'jug' of wine (some of the wine here comes in plastic bottles... it's not the best, but it's super cheap!) and sat and watched the sun set. It was absolutely beautiful. Walking back through the city late in the evening on our way back to the school, I regreted not having more free evenings to enjoy the vibrance of the city at night. It's a completely different place with tavernas filled with people enjoying their evening meals and lingering in caffes over coffee and good company. The city that the sun scorches in the heat of the day emerges in the cool of the night... and I realized that I love this city. I have really been blessed to have been able to experience and learn all that I have in these past six weeks. I really appreciate the opportunity I've been given to spend my summer here.

Today we took a hydrafoil (a super fast ferry) to the island of Aegina to visit the Temple of Aphaia and the Colonna. It was a laidback, fun trip. But I started the day in a mad rush. I had been spoiled these past two days with free mornings, so when I had to leave at 7AM, of course I overslept. But not just me, Suzy (the other Asian) as well. (My body lost its early morning wake up training!) I was definitely glad not to be the only one. I can tell I grew up in a 'shame culture', because the rest of the day I was completely penitent and was no less that five feet from my professor's side at all times. :) But aside from the scrambling morning start, it was a great day! And now we have only three days left of the program... it should be a fun time. Jason should be here very soon. I hope he's reached Copenhagen by now.

Well, family and friends, I will be home soon enough to greet you with a smiling face and a nice tan. But until then...