So I haven't written in a few days...been milking my last week for all its worth! Last night the panayiri was in Karavostamo, and we definitely hit that up. Lots of dancing and eating. It's really nice how open and inclusive all the locals are. At one point there was a big group doing a dance that Eleni and I didn't know, and we were kind of standing off to one side watching, but one of the women grabbed our hands, pulled us into the circle and taught us the dance. The first few times we danced and partied with everyone (like in the past few weeks at various panayiri and the like) I felt a little funny, like we were encroaching on their traditions or something, but they're really anxious to share them, which is awesome. We also convinced Kyrios Nikos to bring us to Kampos yesterday afternoon instead of just Evdilos, so I got in one last swim and chocolate crepe. Hmm...what else...
I'm definitely sad to be leaving the day after tomorrow. Every weekend we stand at the top of the driveway and wave "Καλή Αντάμοση" ("kali adamosi" - basically the equivalent of "until we meet again") to someone - whoever is leaving that week, that is - and this weekend it's finally going to be me. :( Saturday I get on the ferry at noon for Piraeus (the port of Athens). It's the "express" this time - only 7.5 hours - and Dieter and Gisela (the couple from Germany) will be on it with me, so that'll be nice 'cause they're super cool and all.
Lessons are wrapping up...I had my last μάθημα with Evgenia this morning, which was sad :/. I have to take this moment to do a shameless plug for Mixalis...I highly doubt that anyone reading this blog is considering learning Greek in Greece anytime soon, but just in case any of you know anyone who is or anything, this school is really excellent. Although I moan about how much I'm paying, it's actually a very good deal and you really do learn an incredible amount. Plus, it's beautiful here and you can't beat the παρέα ("parea" is a very important concept in Greece, but there's no one word for it in English...it's basically like your group of friends). Anyway, the website is
www.greekingreece.gr. Plug over.
Hmm...so yeah...that's pretty much it. Tonight we're finally going to have an evening out in Evdilos, and hopefully I'll have time to snag a few Ikarian souvenirs. One of the more annoying aspects of the lifestyle here is that stores close for about 4-6 hours right in the middle of the day, from about 1/2pm - 6/7pm (presumably for "siesta", but yesterday we caught sight of the woman who works in one of the banks sunbathing at Kampos at around 4pm, so yeah). And since we usually go to Evdilos in the afternoons, from like 2-5pm, it makes it impossible to ever buy anything you need, 'cause the only things that are open are the restaurants. But tonight I'll have time for a bit of shopping...I mean, not that I have any money or anything...I think I budgeted about three euros for souvenirs, but I'll see how far I can stretch it. I also have to be able to fit whatever I buy in my suitcase...packing tomorrow should be a good time.
Well, no matter what I do I can't get my pictures to work today, so I guess I won't leave you with some pictures as I had wanted to. Perhaps I'll try again later. But if not...this may be my last post (internet access is weak in Calamos), so thanks for reading, everyone :) Hope everyone's summer is going well and I'll see y'all when I get home!
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