Mom's Qustions

Important: There are some issues that are out of my control and thus, the computer that I am on will neither allow me to check my spelling, which I know is bad, or to add pictures, which I know you want.

So, I asked my mother to send me a bunch of her questions and I told her that I would answer them in a private e mail with her, but none of the answers are things that I cannot share with everyone. On the contrary these are things that I think you all should get to know.

I want to know if you are really happy and having a good time?

• I am genuinly happy and I am having a great time. I am currently trying to line up a job here at Pinewood and there is a slim chance that something might accually work out. I have fallen in love with the city and while I do not know many of the locals I think that if I learn the language well enough they would be a friendly group of people.

I want to know what you are doing about food and laundry?

• I tend to cook most of my meals as it is much cheaper than eating out. Nothing is super expensive but to eat out all the time would be taxing. I eat eggs, cheese, spaggetti, fresh fruits, fresh veggies, lots of bread, and a ton of juice.


• I have not done laundry yet, that is another hurtle.

Do you have sheets on your bed and did the glue hold up on your sandles?

• I do have sheets on my bed, Soula was generous to give me two sets to use.


• The glue on my sandals, they were broken for those of you who did not know, is holding up well and as I hate wearing shoes this has been fantastic.

How are your new room mates?

• The room mates are one . . . well three in a million. They have all been travelling together for a while now and have taken me in as one of the group. It is wonderful to have people to share a glass of wine with.

Are you having some one to "play" with?

• While I have yet to meet any Greeks who are really friends the room mates and I do a lot and they actually took me out for my first real Greek night out. The clubs here do not close untill about 8. . . a.m. and thus most greeks do not go out until 2 or 3 in the morning. We went to a club called KSG and stayed there until 5 in the morning. It was pretty cool as the played dub reggea, a bunch of remixed marley, capleton, and eek a mouse.


• Also Roxanne and Soula, my Greek contacts have been taking me around the city to do the more traditional things, coffee, tavernas, historical sites and such.

I too, want to know if you have found a climbing gym?

• Unfortunately no, there are no climbing gyms to my knowledge and I am really iching to climb but it is going to be hard. Meteora, a big climbing area, is not that far away, but the issue is that the season has not started yet. While the weather, in my opinion is perfect for climbing, the community here still finds it too cold.


• In the mean time I have been going for runs along the aegean, I do 150 push ups a day, and at recess I do pull up on the playground with the kids.

Do you like your kids?

• The kids are exquisite. The only way to explain it is that they are incredibly cultured as they have lived all over the world, but they still act like children. Unlike the U.S. they are not expected to be adults yet.

Is the faculty treating you well?

• The faculty is wonderful, everyone is very helpful and open with ideas and I have been asked to observe in every classroom. The principle is an Aussie and she likes to give me a hard time which is really fun.

Did you buy anything cool yet?

• Just recently actually. Unlike the U.S. where Kohls has a sale every day, in Greece there are two sales a year, one in January and one in August. Everything is on sale, clothing wise. 30/70% off. I have taken advantage in the last two days and have bought two lightweight jackets, one black, one green. An interesting side note is that for the second jacket I went by myself and did the whole transaction in Geek, oh yeah!


• I am also going to buy a zippo, as literally everyone in greek smokes. No, don't worry I have not started nor do I plan to but it is not very customary for the women to carry their own lighters . . . you get where this is going.

What does the coffee taste like and are there sidewalk cafes?

• There are millions of sidewalk cafes as it is cutomary at four oclock to sit with all of your family and friends and drink coffee until 7. Unlike the U.S. where people drink quickly and do not linger to long as the staff of the restaurants want an open table if you are not going to buy anymore, it is awkward to order a second drink here as most Greeks drink super slow and just sit and talk. They also have a thing about eating while you drink, both coffee and alcohol, and so you always get an appetizer or sweets to eat for free. At one of the tavernas you can order a 4 euro glass of wine and then eat a full meal for free as they just keep bringing you dishes.


• While the specialty coffees are fantastic and the customary drink, frapee, a cold icy coffee is ok, straight greek coffe tastes like butt. I have taken to drinking cappucinoes.

Are the girls pretty?

• Greek girls are gorgeous but most are a bit haughty for my taste, fun to look at but a bit intimidateing and very expensive. This does not represent the whole population but is a pretty good representation.


• One of the girls that I live with is super cool but I do not think that I have a chance.

Have you figured out how to get around town?

• Getting around is easy and cheap. I walk mostly but a one way student bus tickt is only .25 euro. Directions are easy as the sea is south, mountains are north, the sun rises in the east, and sets in the west.

How's the money holding up?

• As long as I do not think of things in terms of dollars, greece is super cheap and I live on a little less that fifty euro a week unless I do something extravagant. The new apartment is expensive but worth its weight in gold, and I really can't complain. Once I start traveling more I''m sure I'll have to be a bit tighter.

When do you take over the classes?

• Ahhhhh! Monday. Reading, Grammer, Advanced fifth grade reading, and 7th grade biology.

Do you love teaching or is it too soon to tell?

• To be honest it is too early to tell. I can do it, and I am pretty good at it from what I have been told. But my experience is still pretty limited. I have only taught a hand full of lessons here . . . so we will see.

Is the school pretty modern and well equipped?

• No, neither, however they are bulding a new campus to open next year, of course.

Have you met any of the parents yet?

• Yes, I have met a few. I went out to dinner with their equivalent of a PTO a few nights ago and they are as eclectic as their children.

What is the weather like?

• Never listen to anyone from Greece, the weather right now is fantastic between 10 and 12 degrees during the day. OH! Celsius that is. The sun is usually out and I have only seen rain twice. However, I guess in the summer the city is swealtering.

Is the food as weird as it was on Anthony Bourdain's show?

• Not so far, now I have not done a lot of eating out but nothing seems too weird. There bread is wonderful and cheap, their fruits and veggies the same, the cheese is amazing, and the sweets oh the sweets, I should be fat but I force myself not to eat too much. Oh yeah, the wine lists are pretty impressive as well.

What kind of music do they listen to?

• Much of the music here is english language music and nothing extrordinary, the kids listen to a lot of greek pop which is awful in my humble musical opinion. However, there are a lot of street performers. Accordions and clarinets seem to be most popular and are wonderful. On sunday mornings there is a guy who sits down my the sea and plays a hammered dulcimer which is absolutly wonderful.

Well this is all for now, I hope this answers some of the questions floating around out there and everyone has a better underrstanding.

Yes Adam, I am right by the church. I live at 29 Agias Sofias St.

"To admit dehumanization as a histocal vocation would lead either to cynicism or total dispair."

/Freire/

Peace, Love, and Happiness
ian