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| Greek Holiday 2002 |
| Picture Links Sites pt. 1 Sites pt. 2 Family |
| Kalimera!!! It's been almost been a month since i've been back from my trip. My body wasn't ready to get back to reality. It was still on it's 'holiday' schedule. With all holiday's, comes many stories and here is mine. But I would like to take this moment to say 'Efharisto poli,' to my Ate Annette, Kuya Ben, Chloe, Daphne, Auntie Nor and Ann [my boss]. With out them, I wouldn't have been able to visit Athens. 'You think you know, but you have no idea. This is the Diary of Michelle in Greece.' [For all you, MTV fans out there...] You could either continue reading or skip ahead and see pictures of my trip [there is a link to the pictures at the bottom of this page]. I departed on Friday, March 8, from LAX at 855am. I was taking a flight from LAX to JFK. If you've taken a trip after 9-11, then you'll know about the long lines and random searches. Well, I was at the airport at about 615am. My first line was the baggage check in, which was about an hour wait. Then the next line was 30-40 mins just to get into another line that takes you through security. The security line was about another 10 minutes wait. By the time I got to my gate, it was time to board the plane, another line. When the airlines says to make sure you get to the airport 2-3 hours before you leave, it's no joke, be there between 2-3 hours. The plane ride from LAX to JFK was pretty relaxing, considering I had a window [w/o the wing view] and the seat next to me all to myself. My connecting flight from JFK to Athens wasn't too bad either. As soon as I got into JFK, I was out. I didn't even sit down for 10 mins before my plane was boarding for Athens. I arrived into Athens on the morning of March 9. As I was walking towards immigration, I spotted my Kuya Ben. It's cool having family and friends meet you at the gate. All those times that we took that time for granted, just drop the people off on the curb. Now you can't even have people wait for you at the gate no more. Sucks ASS. The Athens airport was pretty nice and clean. We were in and out of the airport w/ in minutes. As we were walking out of customs, there was Ate Annette and the girls waiting. It was wonderful seeing them after a few months. When I walked outsides of the actual terminal all I was thinking 'Toto we ain't in Long Beach no more.' Yes, I had a little culture shock. Everything was in Greek. I was stereotypical American, looking around for translation from Greek to English. There were a few signs that were translated into English, but majority of the signs were in Greek. My first stop in Greece was my cousin's house. The first thing came to my mind was, 'OH MY GOSH! WHAT A VIEW!!!' Yeah, I was screaming it in my head. If you know me I love different views wherever/whenever. While I was in Athens, I had the opportunity to visit a few Antient sites. I had a speical tour guide that took me to the Acropolis, Ms. Chloe. Chloe was excited, she woke me up on Sunday morning and said 'Aunite Michelle, I'm gonna show you the Acropolis okay?' Come on, how could I say 'no' to a three year old who's offering to take me to the Acropolis. It was an amazing experience. Seeing the site where Democracy was born. Going to a place where you only thought you could learn about in history books. Visiting the Temple of Athena and the home of Drama [Theatre of Dyonisis]. On Tuesday, Ate Annette and Daphne took me to Sounion. It's the southern most tip of the main island of Greece. It is also the home of the Temple of Posidion and the Santury of Athena. The drive there brought us through different towns, such as Vari and Varkiza. We did stop in Vari for a quick look at a bakery. Oh my gosh the bakery that we stoped in was huge. It was probably the size of Kings Hawaiian Bakery in Torrance including the restaurant. While I was there I peaked into the lives of people who live in Greece. I went shopping at the local grocery store. Which happens to be 'Alpha Beta,' a name that some Los Angeles residents might remember. I tagged along with the family to a few social gatherings. But on Friday, March 16, Ms. Chloe had a Carnival program at her school, St. Lawrence College Three weeks before their lentent season, they have something called 'Carnival.' It's just like Mardi Gras elsewhere. Well, Chloe and her classmates dressed up, walked around their school and the higher grades performed some dances for the family of the students. Oh, the one cool thing that I also got to experience, was my birthday. One night at my cousin's house, they sang 'Happy Birthday,' to me. We each had our own ice cream and a piece of Greek dessert. My last full day in Greece was spent on the sea. Along with the Oani family, we went on a cruise to three neighboring islands, Poros, Hydra and Aegina. I really didn't know what to expect when arriving into the ports of these islands. My favorite island was probably Poros. It was like a minature Catalina Island. Just one street along the water filled with tavernas and little gift shops. But the best part of the cruise was watching the sunset on ship. It was beautiful, yet cold. As soon as our ship got back to home port, I knew my trip was coming to an end. The next afternoon I was on a plane back home. While I was in Greece I learned a few new words: a restroom is called 'wash closet,' 'to go' there is 'take away, 'a cellular phone' is 'mobile,' and 'vacation' is 'holiday.' Anyway my Greece trip was an experience that I will not soon forget. Well enough of my babbling on my trip. I hope you enjoy the picture section of my page. Take care and I hope all of you guys are in the best of health. By the way, this isn't the last you'll hear of me. I've got another event coming in a few months that you'll be sure to hear about, Avon 3-day Breast Cancer walk. Heaven's high, -Michelle O:-) [email protected] |
| Updated: 04/05/02, 0334pm |