Packing up, yet again!

So, I got the fellowship!! yah!!! I cannot wait to go to Greece. I have been researching the places that I am going and finding places to stay this past week, inbetween writing both of my papers. I wrote my music essay yesterday in 8 hours. Yes, that is right. 3,500 words in 8 hours. I turned it in and am now done until June 3rd. My exam is just a 90 minute writing session. It should be easy enough. I wrote the essay for that class, too. It was actually really interesting once I started doing the research. I'm glad to be done with my essays!!

Here is my itinerary for Greece:

FLY OUT OF LONDON- 13th May

May 13th - 15th: Athens
Dimitri (CRAMP)
Phone #: 00306992390154
He is working till 6pm, but he said to call and we will work it out.
Address: Find Platia Amerikas & he will pick me up
Lelas Karagianni 15
Athens, Attiki, 11473

May 16th – 19th: Iraklion, Crete
Stelios Papardelas
MSN: stepup88@hotmail.com
*Waiting on phone number
Taking ferry from mainland to Crete, he will pick me up at 6am.


May 19th – 22nd: Sparti
Lefteris Xanthakis
Phone#: 6973989777
Possibly picking me up at the port in Athens and driving down to Sparti.

May 22nd – 25th: Patra
Petros Kolotours
*Waiting on phone number
He is a university student and has a friend, Giorgos Kakavas
(Phone#: 00306937185677)that I might split the days with.

May 25th – 28th Rafina
Spiros Misokilis
Phone #: 00306978998963
He is a photographer, but may not have loads of free time. Hopefully, I will take a
day trip out to Mykonos island. I’ve heard it is very interesting!

FLY OUT OF ATHENS- 28TH May
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I really hope that I have not spread my time too thin. I wasn't sure what all there would be to see in each place and don't want to stay in one place the entire time. Plus, no CSer would let me stay for two weeks..I don't think. I have talked to all of my hosts online and they all seem pretty relaxed, so it should be a good time. One is a student in Patra. I will be sleeping on his floor..Should be interesting. :) Another is in the olive business, which should be really cool to learn about and see from a local perspective. At least two do some work as photographers, which will be helpful. Stelios, in Crete, said that he should be able to show me around quite a bit, so I am excited for that as well! Overall, it should be a great trip!

I am trying not to idealize any of the places, as I really do not know what to expect. Of course, each stay, each host, each town will be different, but building up expectations is not what I want to do. Just because Petros is a student does not mean that his life will be completely different or even similar to mine. I have no idea what it will be like and I love that fact! I leave on Monday night to catch a bus from Swansea to London Gatwick. It's an overnight coach, 10:30 to 4:00 in the a.m. My plane leaves at 6:20 a.m. and gets in around noon in Athens. I have to get ahold of my first host, so that should be interesting. I really hope my phone works there. I checked online and the Orange website says that it will.

I still have some things to get done before I leave. I need to top-up my phone at the store, so that I will have a receipt. I also have to get some traveling items, like soap and ssunscreen. I also want to get a book on Greek language/culture/places to see. It will be helpful and give me something to read on the bus and plane. I have yet to decide if I want to take my iPod. I feel like if I have it, I am so disconnected from the world. Sometimes that is a good thing, but I think the point of this whole trip is to be very connected to the modern and traditional world. If I am constantly plugged in, then what's the point? Well, I guess I just answered my own question. I am not taking it. ;) All that is left is packing on Sunday/Monday during the day. Saturday will be spent getting things that I need and just relaxing. Sunday is Carnage here in Swansea and it's Tricia's last day, so it will be a crazy day alltogether!! Monday morning will probably not find me in any mood to pack, but I know that will need to do one last load of laundry and finish packing in the afternoon.

I cannot wait for Greece! it is just another great opportunity that the universe has put at my footsteps. I will take advantage of every moment, learning as much as I can and documenting it all with my camera! I will try and write as much as I can over the two weeks, but I cannot guarantee anything. I will be keeping a written account, too, so it will get in here eventually!! See you in two weeks!!

Wish me luck!