Monday, August 29, 2011

the Acropolis & Santorini

While in Athens we headed to the Acropolis, which I knew nothing about going in except that it was on top of a mountain and that it's pretty. To see it close up, you have to walk up what feels like a million stairs. I'm not much of a hiker (understatement) but it was pretty rewarding to make it all the way to the top.





The food in Athens is so satisfying. Here's a classic Greek salad and some delicious chicken served with crispy, buttery pita:




After a couple days in Athens, we took a ferry to Santorini, where we spent 2 days.



On our first day, we spent a little bit of time at Perissa Beach, which is famous for its perfectly clear water and black sand. As it turns out, the sand isn't sand so much as rocks, which are pretty outrageously hot and might burn your feet if you don't walk fast! I took a dip in the ocean and a little nap.


In the evening we headed to Oia, which is a tiny picturesque town overlooking the ocean. Tons of tourists flock to Oia to see the sunset, which is considered one of the most beautiful in the world.




We had a quick dinner before catching the sunset. I had chicken souvlaki and we shared fried feta cheese, which you first squeeze with lemon before eating (we devoured it too quickly to get a picture).




The next day we went on a quest for good seafood, and I ended up having my best meal yet. We stopped at a random seafood restaurant near the beach (picked because its sign was in the shape of a fish), and I ordered the fish the server said was his favorite. I ended up with this:


Usually I'm not too keen on eating fish with heads, tails, and fins still attached, but when in Greece... I'm happy my squeamishness took a break, because this fish was seriously delicious. It was perfectly cooked, tender, and extremely fresh. It was served with some sort of lemon oil sauce. I ate the entire fish. OK, not the ENTIRE fish - I didn't eat his eyeballs or brains. I did eat his cheeks, though! We also ordered fried tomatoes, which are a regional specialty of Santorini.


In the afternoon we took a little trip to White Beach, which is only accessible by boat. I slept through most of it, but it was beautiful. The beaches in Santorini are gorgeous, but I think I've been spoiled by California beaches.



Our flight back to Athens left at 11:30, and on our way to the airport the hostel shuttle driver pulled over so that we could watch a fireworks show with him and his little daughter. The fireworks were coming from somewhere off the coast, and there was a ring of boats encircling it to watch. We don't know what the fireworks were for, but we're pretty sure they were in celebration of the volcano that created the island of Santorini. There was fake lava and tons of red sparkly fireworks, and at the end they sent up a bunch of blue and white ones - go Greece! The show went on way longer than any 4th of July fireworks I've ever seen. It was really cool to spent our last bit of time in Santorini hanging out with locals and seeing such a big celebration.

I've really enjoyed Greece, despite a couple pickpocketing attempts (luckily not on me, and extra luckily not successful) and the heat. The people here are sooo friendly, especially in Santorini, and we never had trouble finding anything because people were so helpful. Tonight we're headed to Istanbul, where we'll be for 4 nights. I think it's my longest stay anywhere, and I'm so excited!

xo,
Randi

Friday, August 26, 2011

Athens!

My friends and I got into Athens yesterday afternoon. To be honest, my knowledge of Greek cities is pretty much nonexistent, so I came with no expectations.

Our experiences here have been sort of a mixed bag. On the way from the airport to our hostel, two of my friends almost got pickpocketed! Sad. Luckily, the pickpocket wasn't very good at her job. The weirdest part about it is that she was in her mid 30s, attractive, and really well dressed. The area we're staying in is graffitied and not super pretty, but the surrounding area is full of adorable bars and restaurants with outdoor seating. The newer parts of the city are run down, but then you stumble upon beautiful old architecture.




We went in search of authentic Greek food last night for dinner. I don't know if what we had was authentic, but it was delicious for sure. We ordered moussaka, tzaziki, some sort of chicken dish, lamb with lemon, fried marrow balls (my first marrow experience) and something called "hot cheese salad" which was neither hot nor a salad. Everything was delish but the marrow balls and the chicken were my favorites.


After dinner we took a nice stroll around the city (we like to walk it off) and then had dessert at another restaurant. We ordered baklava and a dessert I've never had before called ekmek. I've never been a baklava fan and sadly I'm still not. I'm sorry, Greece. The ekmek was amazing - it had some sort of sweetened noodle stuff and.. well, honestly I have no idea what was in it, but it was divine.



We followed dessert with a trip to the rooftop bar at our hostel.


I think we planned to go to bed after that, but the bartender from our hostel invited us to go out so HOW COULD WE SAY NO? When in Athens, right? We ended up staying up until 4:30 in the morning and ate some delightful street food.





Some sort of grilled pork sandwich with lettuce, tomato, russian salad, hot sauce, FRENCH FRIES, and lord knows what else. Incredible.

Today we're hopefully going to eat a giant meat platter and some more street foods, plus go see the Acropolis and the Parthenon. Tomorrow morning we take a ferry to Santorini at 7 am - our hostel there has a pool, so I see major lounging in my future.

xo,
R


Wednesday, August 24, 2011

London

We spent yesterday and today roaming the streets of London. I'm super jetlagged and tired, but my impression of London is that:

a) everyone is REALLY nice
b) it's super clean - I've barely seen any litter
c) men here wear pink and purple like it ain't no thang.

Today I woke up way too early and we all headed out for a traditional English breakfast. As a big fan of bacon, beans, and mushrooms I was pretty excited about it.






Then we went to the Camden Market, which was HUGE and full of treasures. I bought myself a jingly bracelet for 50 pence.






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We spent the afternoon having delicious English tea with scones, clotted cream, cucumber sandwiches, and 5 different cakes. I'm pretty sure scones with clotted cream and jam are my new favorite thing.






Greece tomorrow!

xo,
R

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Bye!

I'm leaving tomorrow for a big exciting trip around Europe. Here's my itinerary:

London
Athens
Santorini
Istanbul
Stockholm
Berlin
London
Dublin
Amsterdam
Prague
Barcelona
and then Torino Italy, where I'll be for 3 months.

I don't have anywhere to live in Italy. So far my only plan is to eat a lot.

Bon Voyage!