1月10日我和lisa 乘坐katar airline 抵達雅典。aisec 接待人是一個教chris的雅典男生，we took the airport shuttle bus(which cost us 6 euro) to syntagma station and then took the metro to the Aiesec office. I remember clearly that it was a rainy day that day, i took one huge suitcase and a small one, excited about what going to happen.
In the aiesec office, I was told that L and I won’t stay in the same hotel and was super disappointed. Maria, the head of our project, was very kind and arranged us to stay together. It seemed at that time that everything will be fine. However, I felt desperate the moment I saw our hotel. It was so old and small, in my whole life, I have never ever lived in this kind of environment. The most unbearable thing was that the wifi was terrible. thanks god I have L. anyway, we settled here. Taking metro to the ngo office, eating sovlaki like every day cause Greece really don’t have much to eat.
Life was very boring in Athens. I can’t believe it is the capital of Greece. Even in the downtown, there were shops closed. Not much goods on the supermarket shelves. We took like two days during weekends to tour around Athens. We went to acropolis, many museums and the abandoned stadium that held the 2004 Olympic Games. As we have uk student cards, we don’t need to pay any of the entrance fee, which is the only good things.
During our stay in Europe, we went to Santorini, Rome, Frenze and Malta.
Days in Santorini
It is a beautiful but small island. Blue and white are the symbol of it. If anyone plan to go there, I will strongly recommend them to borrow a car cause taking the bus is really inconvenient, 2 euro/single way. But the bus never come on time so waiting for the bus took us like hours. L booked the accommodation on booking in Fira. However, it is not located in the center of Fira and one night when we walked back, it is terrible as there is no light and dogs barked loudly. We two girls were helpless and terrified and afraid that the smell of souvlaki we took will attract the dogs. At last, we took a taxi to our hotel even it only took 8 minutes to walk back. The taxi cost us 6 euro.
Oia is the most beautiful place in Santorini. It is a small town. We went there twice to take photos and we did have some really beautiful ones. The most interesting thing happened there is that when we walked randomly in Oia, there is a yellow dog, very fat and funny, followed me all the way. Seriously, all the way! Taking stares up and down, he just don’t stop follow me. At first, I was not very happy about that because it was a very big dog and I am afraid of big dogs. So I tried to get rid of it by walking very fast and take the steepest stares. Fat as the yellow dog was, it just never gave up following me, even if he breathed heavily and seemed to be exhausted. The good thing is that he never intended to touch me or get close to me. So at last, I finally accepted his accompany in Oia. When L went down to have some adventure and I didn’t follow her cause I was afraid of the cats. My yellow dog just stood there with me, to wait for Lisa to come back.
All the way, he really acted like a stalker. When we went to other dogs’ territory, no matter how they barked at him, he just followed me without any hesitation. He is one of the best part in Oia for me. When we left Oia, he just turned around and left………
Days in Italy
Rome is an amazing city!!!!!! The spagatti and pizza there were so delicious and the city is sooooo much better than Athens! every part in Rome is like architecture, we went to all the famous places in rome and then took the train to Firenze. Firenze is smaller but easier to walk around. I love Italy even though I am not interested in arts and architectures. Going to museum and ancient cites and cathedrals were really not my things. L always laughing at me because the most my favourite place in those places is the same. The chairs for resting!! I am definitely going to Rome again in the future.
Days in Malta
Malta is a republic country in the heart of the Mediterranean sea. It is really suitable for vocations. The weather is very warm even in the winter. I got a cold before went there so I wore many cloths and a coat, while many English old lady just wore T-shirts and slipper. L again laughed at me. We went to the most famous place in Malta---blue window, which in less than a month after we left collapsed due to the storm. We have to surrender to the power of the nature and we have to admit that we are lucky!
During our three trips, we all choose the Ryanair. It is the best cheap flight in my eyes. The staff are welcoming and the flight is always on time. The most important thing--- it is sooooo cheap!
The days in Athens was not very happy but the trips we took would be an unforgettable memory in my entire life.