Another update:
I am in Santorini, and I have a tan (yes, that's right... I am no longer little pasty-white girl). Since I got here 2 days ago I have been... laying around on the beach! It's been fantastic!
This morning, early, Ed and I walked up this MASSIVE mountain to get to Ancient Thera (you can drive, but we decided to walk) I hated every minute of the walk but the feeling when you get to the top is amazing.
Haven't been doing all that much really - as I said, just lazing on the beach.
But, so you all know what I've been up to, here you go:
Email 1:
I am in Santorini, and I have a tan (yes, that's right... I am no longer little pasty-white girl). Since I got here 2 days ago I have been... laying around on the beach! It's been fantastic!
This morning, early, Ed and I walked up this MASSIVE mountain to get to Ancient Thera (you can drive, but we decided to walk) I hated every minute of the walk but the feeling when you get to the top is amazing.
Haven't been doing all that much really - as I said, just lazing on the beach.
But, so you all know what I've been up to, here you go:
Email 1:
SPOILERS! (Click to view)
Hey guys! Well have just pretty much had my first full day in Athens!
It's about 8:30 and going to head out for dinner soon.
Thought I should let you all know that today I had my "life changing
moment" (Laura - you were so right!!!) Anyone who has spoken to me about
Classics will understand this.
I got up really early this morning, so that I could do a whole day and be
able to hide out in the middle of the day. Started out for Keramikos (the
ancient cemetary) but didn't quite make it. Got into the Ancient Agora
(the market place) and it was amazing. The temple of Hephaistos was so
beautiful, and I love the irony of the most well preserved temple in the
whole Greece is dedicated to the only god with a physical deformity!
After that, cruised down to Keramikos. The first thing I saw was a grave
stelea that we had spent SO LONG studying this semester in Archaeology
(Siobhan - it was the old woman with the maid servant. btw - how was your
exam?) Then Rob (some english guy I met at breakfast in the hostel) and I
had a beautiful 4 hour lunch (and I was right about the Saginaki!) at
this cool little out of the way cafe, and the waiters helped us with our
(bad) Greek.
After lunch, went to the Roman agora. Not that exciting, and got lost in
some little backstreet. Then, as it wasn't too hot, went up to the
Acropolis. Now - I was expecting to be amazed but... there is no way that
you can prepare for what happens when you look up at the Parthenon. It's
HUGE!!! I could go on and on and on about it - but my most wonderful
moment was - without a doubt - standing in front of the sacred olive tree
outside the Erechtheon. Now - as you all know, I have "Athena" tattooed
on me in ancient greek. This is the place that she staked her claim on
Athens! I can see that I will be up there again. I had to stop myself
from crying up there!
Tomorrow I'm planning on heading to the Archaology museum, and the Temple
of Olympian Zeus, and some other stuff maybe. I'm staying at Athens
Backpackers (thanks Laura) and one of the new guys in my dorm is also a
Classics major - we just had this HUGE conversation about the whole
thing.
Pete - the heat here has given me a new love of the heat behind the bar
at Witches. I will NEVER complain about it again! (And, I don't think you
understand what "sweating like a paedophile at a wiggles concern" really
means - but I do now!!!)
Laura - I know what you mean. It's just right here. The air is just so...
feels like home. I hope you are envious. We've got to get back here,
together, for a LARGE amount of time!!!
Mum - Keep the neighbours updates coming! There are cats everywhere here,
hanging out inside the Parthenon. Amazing!!! (To the boys and P: meow)
Gianni - yeah, no SAD for me - just lots and lots of heat. I hope I come
home with a tan.
Jess - wish Tom a good move for me. Let me know how you go.
Leah - if you want to catch up while you're here, let me know. I'm not
sure where I'll be at the end - just hanging out.
Emily and Luc - hello darling, take off your pants.
Luc - I miss you, my partner in crime... you make me what to cry!
Gem - hope all is well, let me know how you (and the little one) are
going. When are you due?
Anyway - that's all from me for today. I'm hot and hungry...
Love you all, hope everyone is well - e-mail me and let me know how
you're all going and what's up in Sunny (ha ha) melbourne!
It's about 8:30 and going to head out for dinner soon.
Thought I should let you all know that today I had my "life changing
moment" (Laura - you were so right!!!) Anyone who has spoken to me about
Classics will understand this.
I got up really early this morning, so that I could do a whole day and be
able to hide out in the middle of the day. Started out for Keramikos (the
ancient cemetary) but didn't quite make it. Got into the Ancient Agora
(the market place) and it was amazing. The temple of Hephaistos was so
beautiful, and I love the irony of the most well preserved temple in the
whole Greece is dedicated to the only god with a physical deformity!
After that, cruised down to Keramikos. The first thing I saw was a grave
stelea that we had spent SO LONG studying this semester in Archaeology
(Siobhan - it was the old woman with the maid servant. btw - how was your
exam?) Then Rob (some english guy I met at breakfast in the hostel) and I
had a beautiful 4 hour lunch (and I was right about the Saginaki!) at
this cool little out of the way cafe, and the waiters helped us with our
(bad) Greek.
After lunch, went to the Roman agora. Not that exciting, and got lost in
some little backstreet. Then, as it wasn't too hot, went up to the
Acropolis. Now - I was expecting to be amazed but... there is no way that
you can prepare for what happens when you look up at the Parthenon. It's
HUGE!!! I could go on and on and on about it - but my most wonderful
moment was - without a doubt - standing in front of the sacred olive tree
outside the Erechtheon. Now - as you all know, I have "Athena" tattooed
on me in ancient greek. This is the place that she staked her claim on
Athens! I can see that I will be up there again. I had to stop myself
from crying up there!
Tomorrow I'm planning on heading to the Archaology museum, and the Temple
of Olympian Zeus, and some other stuff maybe. I'm staying at Athens
Backpackers (thanks Laura) and one of the new guys in my dorm is also a
Classics major - we just had this HUGE conversation about the whole
thing.
Pete - the heat here has given me a new love of the heat behind the bar
at Witches. I will NEVER complain about it again! (And, I don't think you
understand what "sweating like a paedophile at a wiggles concern" really
means - but I do now!!!)
Laura - I know what you mean. It's just right here. The air is just so...
feels like home. I hope you are envious. We've got to get back here,
together, for a LARGE amount of time!!!
Mum - Keep the neighbours updates coming! There are cats everywhere here,
hanging out inside the Parthenon. Amazing!!! (To the boys and P: meow)
Gianni - yeah, no SAD for me - just lots and lots of heat. I hope I come
home with a tan.
Jess - wish Tom a good move for me. Let me know how you go.
Leah - if you want to catch up while you're here, let me know. I'm not
sure where I'll be at the end - just hanging out.
Emily and Luc - hello darling, take off your pants.
Luc - I miss you, my partner in crime... you make me what to cry!
Gem - hope all is well, let me know how you (and the little one) are
going. When are you due?
Anyway - that's all from me for today. I'm hot and hungry...
Love you all, hope everyone is well - e-mail me and let me know how
you're all going and what's up in Sunny (ha ha) melbourne!
Email 2:
SPOILERS! (Click to view)
Hey guys,
Just another quick update from me, as I'm trying to kill time before it's
cool enough to go outside again!!!
Still in Athens, I'm thinking about heading over to Santorini in the next
few days, so that will be good! I have had the laziest day ever today,
here is what I've done:
-got up, late, had a shower.
-went down for breakfast with 2 of the people in my room (and english guy
and an american girl) who I've been hanging out with for the last few
days.
-hung out in my room
-went to buy a phone card, a bottle of water and a postcard
-hung out in my room
-phoned mum and Giann, but had to go because it was too hot
-posted postcards
-siesta
Yesterday was much more exicitng though, went to the Arcaheological
Museum and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. The museum was amazing, I had
told Ed, the english guy the story about Agamemnon's death mask (which,
short version: Schlieman excavated the site and found this death mask and
sent a telegraph to the Greek prime minister saying, "I have gazed upon
the face of Agamemnon" - the mask is about 500 years wrong to be
Agamemnon, but... I think he was just too caught up in the moment.") and
Ed made me close my eyes and led me right up to the case so I wouldn't
see the mask until I was right there. And, do you want to know what I
said when I saw it... that's right kids, "I have gazed upon the face of
Agamemnon"!!!
Fell down the marble stairs last night, on my way down from the rooftop
bar. I blame the ouzo. Jess, Mum, anyone who understands that Brown's,
booze and balance don't really go well together will understand this. I
have the hugest bruises! I also managed to fall off the bed and smack my
head on the ground. I'm really intellegent when I'm drunk.
When it cools down a bit I'm thinking of heading over the Pynx and the
prison of Socrates, but will probably just end up sitting in a cafe
drinking local white wine with Ed and Brandy (american girl) (and you all
know I'm not a white wine drinker, but 1L for like 2.50 euro - and it's
actually really nice!)
Anyway - that's all from me today, I'll probably head to the islands
tomorrow or the next day, and will probably e-mail you again from there.
Love you all, keep rocking out, don't drink ouzo, xxoo, Ellie.
Pete, Kate, anyone from Witches - I heard there was a fire, I only really
know what mum has told me from the news. What's going on?
(Plus, Pete - I have a few new dead baby jokes for you!)
Jess/Mum - Hayley's tupperware???
Just another quick update from me, as I'm trying to kill time before it's
cool enough to go outside again!!!
Still in Athens, I'm thinking about heading over to Santorini in the next
few days, so that will be good! I have had the laziest day ever today,
here is what I've done:
-got up, late, had a shower.
-went down for breakfast with 2 of the people in my room (and english guy
and an american girl) who I've been hanging out with for the last few
days.
-hung out in my room
-went to buy a phone card, a bottle of water and a postcard
-hung out in my room
-phoned mum and Giann, but had to go because it was too hot
-posted postcards
-siesta
Yesterday was much more exicitng though, went to the Arcaheological
Museum and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. The museum was amazing, I had
told Ed, the english guy the story about Agamemnon's death mask (which,
short version: Schlieman excavated the site and found this death mask and
sent a telegraph to the Greek prime minister saying, "I have gazed upon
the face of Agamemnon" - the mask is about 500 years wrong to be
Agamemnon, but... I think he was just too caught up in the moment.") and
Ed made me close my eyes and led me right up to the case so I wouldn't
see the mask until I was right there. And, do you want to know what I
said when I saw it... that's right kids, "I have gazed upon the face of
Agamemnon"!!!
Fell down the marble stairs last night, on my way down from the rooftop
bar. I blame the ouzo. Jess, Mum, anyone who understands that Brown's,
booze and balance don't really go well together will understand this. I
have the hugest bruises! I also managed to fall off the bed and smack my
head on the ground. I'm really intellegent when I'm drunk.
When it cools down a bit I'm thinking of heading over the Pynx and the
prison of Socrates, but will probably just end up sitting in a cafe
drinking local white wine with Ed and Brandy (american girl) (and you all
know I'm not a white wine drinker, but 1L for like 2.50 euro - and it's
actually really nice!)
Anyway - that's all from me today, I'll probably head to the islands
tomorrow or the next day, and will probably e-mail you again from there.
Love you all, keep rocking out, don't drink ouzo, xxoo, Ellie.
Pete, Kate, anyone from Witches - I heard there was a fire, I only really
know what mum has told me from the news. What's going on?
(Plus, Pete - I have a few new dead baby jokes for you!)
Jess/Mum - Hayley's tupperware???
Email 3:
SPOILERS! (Click to view)
Hey all. Again, just trying to kill a little bit of time, waiting for Ed
to get ready. Brandi left this morning, to head back to the States, so
that's a little bit sad. We drove her to the airport.
The three of us and two other american guys hired a car yesterday and
drove around Santorini. Well - I drove around Santorini. My hand is so
sore from smacking it into the door. They drive on the wrong side here,
and ever time I went to pull up the hand brake or something I
instinctivly went the other way.
Santorini is so amazing and beautiful, and here is a quick run down of
what's been happening here:
Two days ago we pulled up to the port at about 7AM (yes guys, I
volentarily took a 10 hour boat ride!). We checked into a little hostel
in Perissa, and found out I'd lost the luggage lock keys so we had to go
get our locks cut off. After that trauma, Brandi and I went down to the
beach (black sand) and sat on Banana lounges all day. We also got
massages, which was wonderful. Ed was significantly more active, and went
snorkeling. Met thoes other americans and went out for dinner with them.
Yesterday, as I said, we hired the car, and drove to Red Beach - which
obviously has red sand. We were a little more active and went for a
massive swim around the cliffs, but mostly just lay on the beach. Jumped
in the car and headed around to some other tiny little secluded beach,
where we had lunch and proceeded to lay around on the beach.
All this laying around has given me a tan (I know, I almost couldn't
believe it myself!).
We went to Fira for dinner, that's the capital, and Brandi and the
americans left this morning.
I'm taking the fast ferry back to Athens on the 30th, so I have two more
nights here.
When I left I was a bit like, "what am I going to do for 9 days before my
program starts," and now I'm like, "I don't want to start this program, I
want more time!!!" When I leave, Ed is going around some of the other
islands, and I wish I could do it. I really want to go over to Mykenos
and Delos, but with so little time - I can't do it.
Tomorrow we're going to climb the volcano and sit in the hot springs.
Anyway - I'll see you all soon, hope everyone is well et. al.
xxoo Ellie.
Jess - glad to hear Tom's move went well.
Dad - love you, have a really good trip, see you when you get back.
Gianni - don't kill yourself on that longboard!
to get ready. Brandi left this morning, to head back to the States, so
that's a little bit sad. We drove her to the airport.
The three of us and two other american guys hired a car yesterday and
drove around Santorini. Well - I drove around Santorini. My hand is so
sore from smacking it into the door. They drive on the wrong side here,
and ever time I went to pull up the hand brake or something I
instinctivly went the other way.
Santorini is so amazing and beautiful, and here is a quick run down of
what's been happening here:
Two days ago we pulled up to the port at about 7AM (yes guys, I
volentarily took a 10 hour boat ride!). We checked into a little hostel
in Perissa, and found out I'd lost the luggage lock keys so we had to go
get our locks cut off. After that trauma, Brandi and I went down to the
beach (black sand) and sat on Banana lounges all day. We also got
massages, which was wonderful. Ed was significantly more active, and went
snorkeling. Met thoes other americans and went out for dinner with them.
Yesterday, as I said, we hired the car, and drove to Red Beach - which
obviously has red sand. We were a little more active and went for a
massive swim around the cliffs, but mostly just lay on the beach. Jumped
in the car and headed around to some other tiny little secluded beach,
where we had lunch and proceeded to lay around on the beach.
All this laying around has given me a tan (I know, I almost couldn't
believe it myself!).
We went to Fira for dinner, that's the capital, and Brandi and the
americans left this morning.
I'm taking the fast ferry back to Athens on the 30th, so I have two more
nights here.
When I left I was a bit like, "what am I going to do for 9 days before my
program starts," and now I'm like, "I don't want to start this program, I
want more time!!!" When I leave, Ed is going around some of the other
islands, and I wish I could do it. I really want to go over to Mykenos
and Delos, but with so little time - I can't do it.
Tomorrow we're going to climb the volcano and sit in the hot springs.
Anyway - I'll see you all soon, hope everyone is well et. al.
xxoo Ellie.
Jess - glad to hear Tom's move went well.
Dad - love you, have a really good trip, see you when you get back.
Gianni - don't kill yourself on that longboard!
So there you go, there it is.
Heading back to Athens on the 30th. I'll tell you what, my life is going to change so much when I get home. No more spending $150 at the pub every week. I'm going to put all that money away and as soon as I can - once I finish my degree - I am buying a one way ticket and getting the fuck out of Melbourne!!!
Love you all! Hope you are having as much fun and good times and I am!
VIEW 3 of 3 COMMENTS
If you leave Melbourne, where will you go?
it's freezing as all fuck here!