El Fin de Week Numero Dos

Another lovely close to another lovely week. This island, this country, this culture…almost beginning to feel like a new home. Except for the plumbing. Man, do I miss those good old American showers and toilets. Oh, and the U.S.A.’s relative lack of creepy gawking men who somehow avoid successful hygiene. Maybe even the locals get frustrated with Greek plumbing? Other than that…I’m finding the adjustment easier than expected.

Developments this second week:
I’ve finally run the gamut of my classes, and it should be a good exercise in self-motivation but at the same time a needed break from my typical tightly-scheduled existence. Go with the flow, right? My professors could comprise the cast of their own Paros-ian reality television show...quite the range of idiosyncrasies. I’m sure I’ll have a novel’s worth of stories once the semester’s through.
I’ve been soaking in the scenery, enjoying the peace of the island before tourist season starts, experimenting with my [almost nonexistent] culinary skills, exploring, learning that free wine should absolutely NOT be over-indulged in, and attempting to navigate the sea of dizzyingly unfamiliar cultural quirks. I learned the hard way that showing your palm to someone here is the rough equivalent of the middle finger in the states…it’s so hard to break the habit of a friendly wave! Blah! But I LOVE the laidback nature of Mediterranean living…seriously, we need to instigate a siesta session in the U.S. It could put an end to stress-linked heart attacks I tell you!
Yesterday we hiked into the mountains to one of my prof’s houses. I can’t even begin to tell you how pretty it was – wildflowers of every color and description covering the terraced hills, little houses and little farms, the smell of sage and thyme in the air, and the sea far below but never out of sight…I felt like breaking into a spontaneous Sound of Music chorus!! And I did, much to the confusion of my classmates. Yeah, call me a dork, but I’m one HAPPY dork. Plus I got in a bit of exercise to counteract the pounds acquired through Nutella and spinach/feta pastries.
Well, I should go check on my stir-fry concoction. I pray for the patience and sanity of my future husband and/or children since my kitchen mastery is definitely lacking. Cheerio!