Saturday, Phil arranged for a bus to pick up the whole group and take us to Sounion, which is where the Temple of Poseidon is. It also has a very nice beach, where we spent the whole day. Then we ate at a taverna on the beach and had fresh vegetables and tzatziki sauce. mmm. Then, we went up to the Temple of Poseidon to explore and watch the sunset over the ocean. There are truly no words to describe this, so I will put up pictures instead.

Classes are going well. We got a ton of homework for this weekend, so at the beach everyone was reading. At least we are all in this together! Things are settling down and I’m starting to get into a routine which is really nice. Now there’s just four days of class and then we are off to Crete for some more adventures!

And now I am in Greece! Robin and I met up with a few guys on our trip in the airport, so the 5 of us found our way to the campus, where we were given food in a great gesture of Greek hospitality. Today we had an all day orientation, which included a neighborhood walk so that we could find all of the local resturants, supermarkets, etc. According to our tour guide, the bakery that is housed underneath our apartment is one of the best in the neighborhood! We were welcomed in and given some delicious bread! Our campus literally sits next to the Old Marble Stadium, which is the Olympic Stadium that they built for the 1896 Olympics. There was a reception tonight as part of orienation, afterwhich we sat in front of the Stadium and had an incredible view of the Parthenon at night. Greece is amazing!

Robin and I also already made our first Greek friend in the neighborhood. We were walking from our apartment to the campus and came across an older man on a four wheeler just sitting in the middle of the street. He didn’t speak English very well, but we figured out that he needed us to push him because his engine died! We pushed him the street a little ways and helped him park his four wheeler. He said thank you and pointed out his apartment and said if we ever need anything to go see him! It was funny because we had just come from a lecture about how hospitable Greeks are in general, and here we had proof! It was really awesome!

Tomorrow is another day of orientation, including a dinner at a local resturant to get to know other students and professors from the College. Then classes start on Thursday! This has already been such an incredible experience, and I can’t believe it’s just starting!! Pictures should be coming soon!

I have been looking at pictures of people who are already traveling around Europe, which makes me excited to get there and add my own pictures and stories! Along with that excitement, I am nervous about all the unexpected things and new experiences that are waiting for me. I know that once I am in Europe I will be great, but it’s this transition that makes leaving so hard.

Once I get past the good-byes, I will be better. This summer has been incredible hanging out with friends and family, meeting new people and reconnecting with old friends I had lost touch with. I know that there are so many incredible memories and experiences waiting ahead of me, but getting through the next 12 hours is the real challenge.

So, it is a bittersweet time to leave. Excitement about the opportunities ahead, while remembering the good times at home. But the summer is over, and the next stage is about to begin. The next time you hear from me, I will be in Dublin, Ireland!

Ever since February 22, I have been waiting for this moment. I’m getting ready to live in Europe for 16 weeks, taking with me only a backpack and a carry-on suitcase. (If you’re wondering how I am doing that, I would say it’s thanks to Rick Steves’ packing tips and a Dad who follows those tips VERY faithfully. I’m not upset about it, and I’m sure that when I am carting my stuff all around Europe, I will silently be thanking both of them. It just seems weird to be living for 4 months with 7 shirts, that’s all!)

All summer people have been asking me if I’m excited, and the answer is “duh! I get to live in Greece and Rome for 4 months! Why wouldn’t I be excited?!” As the takeoff day becomes closer and closer, I still cannot believe that I am going to Europe. All of my other friends are getting ready to go back to school, and it still hasn’t hit me that I will not be heading back to Minnesota. I’m sure once I get off the plane in Europe, I will ask myself “what the heck are you doing here?!”

As scary as this experience seems as times, I absolutely cannot wait to start this new adventure and see where my travels will take me! Look out world, here comes Becca!