Another New Beginning

"People travel to faraway places to watch, in fascination, the kind of people they ignore at home"



       3.52am this past Wednesday morning – I adore packing and organizing things, but this was almost beyond me. I knew I should have started earlier, but there were too many things to do. Loose ends to tie up at school, logistics for the trip, and people I love and will miss spending time with. How could this have been left to, literally, the very last minute? Especially since, being the thorough person that I am, I decided to reorganize and repack everything I saw laid out in front of me. Total time for above task: 9 hours. Success? I hope so, we’ll soon see. I just wish I could have brought everything. They told me to take half of everything I wanted to. Right, like that is going to happen. That will put me more at ease.

The mess after the real mess

       A whole semester in Athens; I can hardly wait for all the delicious fresh olives, endless electric blue waters, lazy siestas, the hike to Mount Olympus, an abundance of chivalrous European men I've been warned not to get too attached to, and breathtaking ancient architecture. A perfect blend of East and West, Greece is arguably one of the most interesting birthplaces of civilization and a constant feature in many a daydream of mine. Equally terrifying, though, is the prospect of leaving behind everything and everybody that have grown so familiar. It is a test of the hopefully resilient foundation I have been able to establish at college these past couple of years. My life just seems to be a series of culture shocks, direct and reverse. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.

       Miraculously, I added another four hours of sleep while travelling to the two I sneaked in the previous night. Travelling is a passion – it is familiar, comforting, and never fails to excite me in many ways. To observe the world in motion, at such a transparent moment in everyone’s lives, is amusing and intriguing. Everyone, on some level, is the same person. On a slightly different level, however, we might as well all belong to different planets. Curious glances and awkward eye contact make the effort and exhaustion worthwhile – airports are always a classic time and space to people-watch. It is always such a powerful experience when what you learn in the classroom about humanity can be applied empirically, and is observed and tested in reality. Or not. Few people surprise me, but when they do I become confused and excited.

Expected this one to fall apart at any moment

       Equally an amusing opportunity to watch the world go by is at an amusement park. Six Flags was on the agenda for the very next day. 12 hours of screaming so much it pained to drink water afterwards, staring open-mouthed at the diversity of the American population who stared right back at me, and repeated bouts of adrenaline-fueled fear and thrill made the day very memorable. I quarreled with the server about not wanting feta cheese on my Greek salad, was chased by an adorable little blonde girl who found my school ID card on the ground, and regretted a million times throughout the day the fact that I forgot any sort of hair tie; the result of which was not a pretty picture.

       That day was a great parallel to my feelings about leaving. The wait is neutral, a little frustrating. At this moment, right before I take the final step and get on my flight to the most currently discussed continent on the news, I am full of curiosity and too many questions. There is no going back from this point on, however. The climb up that steep incline should be even better, springing up yet more suspense and energy along the way. What I anticipate the most though, is the rush on the ride down – the rush of surprises, people, emotions, tastes, and everything life has to offer. The rush that makes everything worthwhile and my eyes sparkle with delight.

       Am I prepared for my shenanigans in Greece? I think so. I know all of three words in Modern Greek – please, thank you, and good morning. Google and YouTube have become my free Athens guidebooks. I just want to know who my roommates are already and where I’m going to be waking up for the next several mornings! Patience, I’ve come to realize lately, is a virtue gained through itself. Until I can proudly boast of it, I’m going to settle with enjoying my last fun-filled week in America. I can now comfortably call it my home away from home because of the lovely people I’ve managed to forge beautiful relationships with. Every person I’ve met and spent time has positively impacted my life in some way, and for that I will be forever grateful. Thank you for making my first study abroad experience at college the finest it could be, and please miss me a little.

Sometimes doors don't have to close for a window somewhere to open

       Study abroad, part II in Athens, Greece: I’m waiting. Anxiously, excitedly, proudly, and nervously waiting (especially for all the olives!). Oh, but please let my voice come back before I leave, that would be nice.