The Journey Begins

          Since our arrival here in Porto Rafti, the group has been busy conquering the Aegean seaside. Already we’ve visited the Acropolis, the Athens Mall, the Athens shopping square known as the Plaka, mount Porto Rafti and an AEK football match. Our destination campus at the hotel Artemis has already become a cozy home away from home. It took some to adjust to Greek life. One of the most important cultural lessons I quickly learned is that you do not flush the toilet paper in Greece. Other unacceptable things include waving with an open palm which is actually an offensive gestured, demonstrated by the AEK fans after a loss to rival Thessolonikki. The group quickly took a liking to the food, enjoying the fresh baked pastries and gyros as often as possible. Already we’ve learned a few important Greek phrases thanks to our sweet Greek coach, Vicky. She taught us the polite phrases necessary for living in a foreign country like, ”kalimera” which means good morning, and “efharisto” which means thank you. At the Artemis we have tea time each evening before popping in a movie. Already we’ve become a close-knit group. Its painful knowing that at the end of the semester we'll all go our separate ways, but I can already tell that this group of 30-some Harding students will forever be part of my life.