Berlin there, done that

OH HEY BERLIN!!!

Easy Jet….you done did great kid, no really….I like the Easy Jet flights a lot....and no…snacks are NOT included….but I’m really ok with that….I’ll save the snacks for really important flights…like for when I go home…SNACKS will be very important…as are liters of water on treks….Weave and I started that tradition long ago…liters are good ANY TIME…every time…and snacks…well you ALWAYS need snacks…and it’s a fun underappreciated word…right then….BACK to BERLIN….so with the time change and the fact that DAY LIGHT savings time was hitting…did hit…or was going to hit…hmm I cannot remember….well this whole day light savings time really through me for a loop…I’m already 7 hours ahead in Greece and then went back an hour in Berlin and Prague…and yet again another hour…or ahead an hour….SO CONFUSING…which is why I’m still tired from this whole time-debacle.

WE arrived in Berlin STARVING and in search of our hostel…which we found pretty easily. SUPER! It actually ended up being in a SERIOUSLY prime location…no really…we had walked all around this area our first night here and this was PERFECT. IT was so accessible. MAD props to Kathryn...serious mad props…however, WE WERE STARVING…and I could have gone for some German food…to try it. I’ve never really had an opportunity to try German food…I mean I like hot dogs? That isn’t German though…I just don’t know…but instead we opted to search for the hard rock café. Ok so though I could have gone for some German whatever-ness…there is NOTHING like chicken….and…oh wait for it…BROCCOLI….I LOVE, live, think about chicken and broccoli more than I should…

SIDE NOTE: If you were to ask my mom what I would want for dinner on ANY given night and ANY given day repeatedly for 6 weeks straight…do you know what I would say…I want chicken…I LOVE chicken, we an unhealthy passion. If you ask me what I want for dinner on any given day I will probably and always say CHICKEN….FOR ALL THAT CLUCKS AND IS FABULOUS when I get home to America I want chicken for days straight….I also want sushi….but that is another story…I’ve gotta stop thinking about this…

THE SEARCH for the HARD ROCK was on………and in the process we ended up wandering randomly into major parts of the city like where the Jewish Synagogue was well what was left of it from the war and the brand new one built right next to it…it was really cool…EVENTUALLY we found it….woo…DUH, I got chicken and it was AMAZING….but let’s not talk about it anymore…I don’t think I can handle it without getting emotional….I’m going to need a moment.

OK much better….moving on….after our AMAZING AMERICAN-meal we just wandered. Wandering wanderers around Berlin, which was so awesome. I just love Berlin. I love the people, the culture, the crazy crisp air (check out that alliteration), the history is just so intense and captivates you. EVERYTHING about Berlin was really great, I absolutely will be returning. While we were wandering we found ourselves at the Brandenburg Gate AND the Reichstag. THEY were crucially lit up with tons of lights and colors and why you might ask?? Well alright, I’ll tell you. Because we had decided to visit Berlin during their Festival of LIGHTS! This was so cool. All the serious buildings, historical monuments, you know all the important things in the city were lit up with TONS of lights and images were being flashed into the starlit evening sky. MAN, I just really love Berlin. If you ever have the opportunity, just go….you won’t be sorry.
Amidst our wandering we decided to head back to the hostel to prepare for an evening out….the girls in our hostel room had given us some maps and things of where they went the night before. They were from Madrid and seemed really nice. Only one of them spoke English really well….but it we could still communicate. It’s funny these different languages….I mean we talk about whatever we want all the time and how are we to know that the people around us do not understand English….and how were those girls from Madrid supposed to know that both HJAY and I understand Spanish. I was really surprised that I understood most of what they were saying….I guess my 8 years of Spanish paid off? Haha mehhh NOT really.


We ventured out sooner than later after some quick preparations and walking toward the metro stop we came across an Irish pub called KilKenny’s. The same Irish pub we stepped in on our first night in Berlin….only we decided to go in because it WAS bumping…it was really loud…and when we walked in a MASS of gentlemen were all dressed up like Geeks crowding the bar area. Now we could have sat at a table in a more tame area of the bar…BUT I saw a table just CRYING for us to sit there….so we took a seat…and literally, LITERALLY 2 minutes….mere moments of us sitting down 15 of those geeks crowded our table….Drunken Englishmen are SO fun. We started chatting up a storm and they loved us and by us I mean Joana and the fact that Kathryn kind of sort of looks like Sarah Palin and can kind of-sort-of nail a dead on impression of her. Those Brits were so funny….they were in Berlin for a “stag” weekend….apparently ONE of them was going to get married….do we know which one? Not a clue….they all seemed to be so single it hurt haha. Anyway they were dressed to the 9’s in geek garb because apparently nerds and geeks was the theme of the Stag….the lucky guy getting married must be a geek in real life….either way it was really fun….so fun in fact that we closed the bar down with them….BUT we were not done so we decided to go to the AM to PM bar we ALSO went on out first night in Berlin because well it was open from AM to PM….or was it PM to AM….either way I was content….we went with just a few of them….I was rather taken with one of them. His name was Lee….and come to find it….haha he’s a professional cricket player…..http://content-www.cricinfo.com/england/content/player/12445.html he may or may not be in Wikipedia….mostly may…hmm….um random.

ANYWAY. AM to PM…..ok I was rather happy at this point and Joana’s great idea just sparked Britney Spears right out of me….GOOD GRIEF…seriously….DO NOT mention Britney when I’ve been out for an evening. It is not fair…I can’t help it and she knew it….enter embarrassing after thoughts here. HOWEVER, after a rendition of Lucky the bartender came over with a piece of paper that said American Idol Winner, Am to PM 2008…..and he gave me a shooter which was delicious….and the brittish guy that was trying to sing the American national anthem which was HISTERICAL got a shooter as well….and it was an inappropriate one at that haha….he lost…obviously….so I was in Britney mode and Kathryn was Sarah Palin for the rest of the night….I think we all lost our identities for a bit….and then it was like 4 in the morning when we were planning on going for the Gold for Berlin’s nightlife oh well…I suppose down the street never really hurt anyone….we had a ton of fun though….well worth the short walk haha. I video documented much of these events but…..how about that sad, sad tale….


GOOD MORNING BERLIN! I need shoes….pronto. MY FEET are hating me so Heather and I ventured out for some kicks while Joana and Kathryn got ready for the day……and ONWARD. We went straight to Checkpoint Charlie….this was really cool. They still had the post up with a guard though I don’t think he was a legit guard…but he certainly dressed for the part. It was good that I got a book the night before….Berlin in 24 hours…haha because that is what we basically had to do….24 hours and Berlin….CAN WE DO IT!? Ehhhh I think we could….so after we Checked out CHECKpoint Charlie haha get it…..so much CHECKING this trip hahaha get it again? We went to the Chez republic and saw a hockey game where the players CHECKED each other and now we were Checking-out CHECKpoint Carlie….SO WITTY!

Next on our list was the Jewish Museum. This was so interesting and architecturally incredible. Anna and Brosef I really think you would have enjoyed this….despite that you don’t like the architect who designed it…it was still really really cool. We learned a lot in that museum and just being in a city where there was so much more behind the history made it even more of an awesome experience. After the Jewish Museum H-jay and I went to find the Topography of Terror but on the way we found the Martin Gropius Building and that was pretty cool….and then it started to rain…eww gross…LUCKILY I had an umbrella so I was good to go! The Topography of Terror was really intense. The Topography of Terror is an outdoor exhibition that documents the past of the surrounding area so literally where this stretch of pictures, information and outdoor exhibit was/on was where the Gestapo headquarters used to be…literally on the walls of the headquarters they had all this information…..how unbelievable is that? To be in a place where not too long ago people were discriminated to unimaginable heights because of their beliefs….I literally was dumb-founded just thinking about it….I still am….

INSERT getting lost in Berlin like we got lost in Prague here…..and so H-jay and I were off just exploring Berlin like everyone should explore a city…getting lost. It was the best piece of advice my tour-guide from my high school trip abroad told me…just get lost…you won’t be sorry…and I’m not. We got lost and found the Berlin Wall which was amazing. We walked the wall until there was no more of the wall to walk…it was the longest stretch of the remaining wall that was covered in artwork. We continued to wander and walk and get lost until my feet seriously couldn’t handle it anymore…. (Later to find out that I strained the arch in my foot eeek!)

SO after some random shopping at the metro stations, which was really fun…AND a slipper purchase for H-jay because her feet were ALMOST as bad as mine…but still pretty bad….OY vey….walking miles every day is fun…just not when you walk so much that your feet cannot take it anymore….

While we were walking we knew that food was absolutely on the agenda. I really, really wanted to try some hardcore German food….especially since 1. H-jay is German and told me all about it 2. Because I was hungry 3. Because Everyone thought H-jay was German and just started talking to her in German which was really awesome and Hysterical at the same time.
We stumbled upon this German Pub/Brewery and it was really cool. It was right by the TV tower that you can see from all over Berlin. I got whatever H-jay told me to get…not because I can’t decide for myself…but because we wanted the same thing…haha THAT didn’t make sense….I don’t feel like re-working my last ideas…I just wanted food. We got some form of bratwurst, sauerkraut, and potatoes. IT WAS SO GOOD. IT WAS GREAT. SO I REALLY DID LOVE everything the people, the food, and the place….I heart Berlin.

We walked back to the hostel…aching every step of the way….LITERALLY and took a quick nap. It was decently late but we had to be at the airport at 4 IN THE MORNING....so taking a nap and then staying up all night was really the only option. We played cards….OF COURSE…..you don’t have to ask who won….just ask h-jay….she’ll tell you….haha I just LOVE playing cards.

Soon enough Kathryn and Joana came back from a serious night out and we went immediately to the Airport…..we made it back to Thessaloniki in one-piece, exhausted, but stoked about a great trip. I need more time in Germany THAT IS FOR SURE! I loved EVERY second of it and there is so much history and so much more to see there. I learned a LOT and I’m glad that I took my time and appreciated everything that I could. I’m not taking this experience for granted…I’m doing everything that I possibly can….when else in my life will I have this incredible opportunity….right? RIGHT!


The Saddest Tale of All the Tales:
We were unpacking after our long trip and all of our friends were anticipating some great and fabulous documentation. I tore apart my suitcase, everyone’s luggage, my purse, my jacket, I looked through everything and tore it all upside down. What happened to my camera? Germany happened. Auf Wiedersehen my amazing baby-blue cannon camera….Auf Wiedersehen……such a sad tale….such a sad end to such a great trip……I told you it was a sad, sad tale….was it not? I need a camera and pronto.


OH WELL…..with every good there is an equal bad….this was the bad…..no worries…I’ll get a new one…..maybe…..but anyway….I’ve Berlin there….and Done that….

NEXT TIME ON HLOCK DOES GREECE:
I’m not looking for Meteors…but I AM GOING to METEORA!!!! Just you wait avid readers…just you wait….but until then, so much love from my Grecian shores to yours.

-H

Czech it OUT!

LAST time on HLOCK DOES GREECE:



Heather found herself roaming the streets of Berlin and fell in Love with Germany....she met some students from Amsterdam who are awaiting her return to Greece to email and bribe her to come visit....it was a long night....a Great night....and soon enough she should be heading off to Prague.....but does she?



INSERT Theme music here, credits and enter DASHINGLY attractive main character guy and DRAMA.....



scatch that...bu that would have been neat...would it not?



OK OK OK Theme Music would DEFINITELY BE appropriate.....



hmm....

TWO HOURS LATER we were up and moving and getting ready to go….sluggishly….I DID not want get up…..HELLO I was super warm…and it was super cold everywhere else…but I did and we were BACK on the metro and BACK to the enormous train station. We found some breakfast….and hopped on the train and PASSED OUT. I was really excited about the train ride because we were headed right for Dresden, Germany. I have read so many books about Dresden or have been based in Dresden….the whole time we were riding through it I could only think about Slaughter House Five by Kurt Vonnegut… since that was the last thing I read that centered around Dresden. It just all blew my mind and all of Germany, as we were riding along, was really beautiful. The colors and the old buildings were so cool. I could train through all the countries actually. You see so much of what the country really is and even when we bused back to Berlin we got to see even MORE of Dresden….haha of course who was really interested in this besides me? Haha Heather….go figure.

WE MADE IT, after some seat confusion and some conversation with some Texans traveling and conferencing, we were in PRAGUE. The city of Gold, Bohemia, and Fairy Tales….and people that smell funny, speak funny and only smile if they have an uncontrollable itch. This is a true, a very true story. SO now what….well I needed money, and so did everyone else…..WHY?! I’ll tell you why….money is very important to buy things with….to live and stuff….right…so how do the Czech’s do it? With crowns….yeah I don’t know either….So we had to fine some…and then we did…and we’re all just rolling along at this point….slightly irritated because we went from Greek to German to Czech…..WHAT? too many languages…that have NOTHING to do with English…minus in Germany people knew English…and there were English there….hehe….oh there were English there…OK never mind…that is for later on…promise, promise…..OK SO language RIGHT…English thing…I’m really ready for it…I’m pretty sure we are ALL Ready for it….communication is VERY important…things I have learned here1. Sign language and the perfection of pointing to get what I want2. Speaking English even though I know they can’t understand me3. I speak broken English….even though I can speak it fine…because apparently I think Greeks are retarded…..I’m not going to justify that statement…it may or may not be true….hmmmMostly may.RIGHT THEN.OK Money check…finding an info desk about how to get around Prague…CZECH….get on a metro…CZECH…get on a tram for way to long and then get on the wrong tram and travel around Prague for an extra hour that we did not need to do…CZECH….found our hostel….CZECH INN…haha get it….we’re in the Czech republic and we were Checking in…to the Czech Inn hahaha SO WITTY those Czechs…even though I’m pretty sure it was a mostly English-speaking establishment…let’s talk about this place…I liked it…the rooms were huge the whole sleeping thing with the huge duvet covers…DON’T hate it…so with that said…go CZECH it out…www.czech-inn.com That’s where I was….HOK…so the guy at the front desk suggested some places to go/food things like that so off we went in search of food…and we decided that we wanted to try so traditional bohemian/Czech food.Ok. LAST time I came to Prague the food….NO BUENO…it was my least favorite thing about it…it was gross…I hated it….but….they gave me all the wrong foods…ergo…2nd time’s a charm…ok really I know it is 3rd time’s a charm…but how many times am I really going to go to Prague in my life right I’m banking on that this 2nd time was/is going to be my last….I’ve seen it, I’ve done it…the Czech gets a big CHECK in my book. GREAT so we go to this place and I took pictures of it and I don’t remember what it’s called but like I said before the end of my tale is very sad…..and sometimes a picture really is worth a thousand words…which is why I’m not going to type more on this subject…but I will pause for an important moment of silence and reflection on the sad, sad part of my tale…..

(Insert dramatic and pregnant pause here)(pregnant because H-jay suggested I use it….so it is her you should judge for the use of vocabulary…hmm think about it….yeah)(Why pausing? I’ll explain later…there will be more dramatic and PREGNANT pauses during the course of our journey)(I think I should just write a book instead of a blog)(I’m working on about 2,846 words right now)(that’s like 5 pages of text single spaced)(and we just got to Prague)(Should I stop with the inserts/side notes?)

Well alright….SO we got food...it was good…it was different…but mostly it was freaking good….I can’t even explain to you what it was but it was my first sight of red meat besides lamb since I arrived in Europe….Interesting? MAYBE!ANDDDDD off we went for the rest of the night…to where?WELL we hopped on a metro after Joana decided to go up to random guys who were dressed in normal non-athletic or sport fan attire…the looked just a bunch of dudes….getting on the metro…and she insisted that they looked as if they were going a Hockey Game….AND THEY WERE…suddenly we were surrounded by Czech guys that knew NO English except for one…but we could tell they were DEFINITELY saying something about us….and they helped us get tickets for 100Cr…which is the same as 4 US dollars….WHAT!? A professional Hockey game for 4 US DOLLARS!? Are you kidding me right now!? DONE! And before I knew it I had a flag in my hand…that wasn’t even a legit flag…it’s a flag that goes on a car window…um…I didn’t care…while everyone else got scarves but I waved my flag like WOAH because I was being an avid Hockey supporter for the home team…It was Really awesome…the fans are really intense and really love the players…they have drummers in the fan section and they were just drumming along and the crowd knew all these chants and cheers and some of what they were saying was in English…and it was pretty funny to hear them say words in English because it didn’t sound like anything it should…hmm…..AND then the home team lost but Coolest part of the game (during which we moved around a lot to get better seats that was neat) after the game the team lines up towards the fans and they showed their appreciated by taking a knee and the fans did some sort of cheer to them...it was really really awesome…WHY can’t we do things like that at home…maybe we should pay our professional sports players less….hmm…VERY interesting thought Heather…thank you I know…

ok just to clarify...that was my voice that was speaking about the interesting thought and then I thanked myself…not the Other heather….though she is baller and I appreciate her more than she knows…she’s literally reading this as I’m writing this…we’re going to Athens…she has a lot to say about things…she always reads my blog….If I’m going to be pluralized I might as well like it right…..that would really suck if I didn’t like Heather…right heather? “yes, that would really suck” VERBATIM PEOPLE….verbatim.

SO the game was really great and then we found ourselves IN another Irish pub..it was advertised everywhere in Prague so we decided we had to go….ok Heather and I …(both of us) LOVE bulmers…with a passion…or anything that is like it….we had Stowford Press at this pub and it was I thought better than bulmers but either way…it was awesome…so we find a seat and eventually meet the people next to us because they wanted a Kodak moment and SOMEONE had to capture it…hence a meet and greet which ended up going on for several hours….The three of them were from Ireland…WOULDN’T you know it but that is EXACTLY where I am headed to in a few weeks….so we talked a long time about stuff and things…I mostly with the two girls Kate and Anne and then everyone else pretty much focused on Ger…which is funny because that was a lot like Jerry…from Ps. I love you…..oh hey….it’s meant to happen…just let it happen…yeah just let happen. So we exchanged emails and stuff and things and after I decided it was a great idea to meet the bartender is name was Meril or Merb….pronounced Meril….I have no clue…please don’t ask my questions I can’t answer… so it was Meril or Merb or something like it…either way he looked Irish...he wasn’t, but speaking English is enough for me….right?

RIGHT…SO eventually we pulled ourselves away after SEVERAL hours complete with Stowford Press making it every step of the way RIGHT BY my side…it was an excellent night…trying to get back to the hostel….meh….a little tricky...but we got back either way and PASSED out because Prague in ONE DAY was about to go down…oh yeah…and boy did it ever….WE WERE UP sooner than later, I think we got a total of 3 or 4 hours of sleep…NOT even…but we had some SERIOUS work to do….annnnd OFF we went to Prague Castle which was really awesome. Mostly because I had been here before but I was stoked to see things that I had not seen/read…. during my first trek to Prague I didn’t really know or care about what I was actually experiencing…which meant for me that I was NOT going to take this opportunity for granted so I took my time in the exhibits…..Heather also wanted to take our time and go a steady informative pace….great minds think alike and it was really interesting to see and find out all that happened at Prague Castle it was inhabited by so many different people…from all over Europe…it was pretty baller…and I’m so glad I had the opportunity to find out more about Prague.

Soon after the castle we made our way down to “Old Town” which is my favorite part of Prague, naturally. It was my favorite the last time I came, and it was my favorite yet again….the old town part of Prague was basically like stepping into the movie set of Marie Antoinette or Amadeus…which makes complete sense SINCE Mozart lived and created in Prague as he was a Bohemian composer himself….so when we passed his house/museum which I had visited before it was at great reminder of all the famous creators before our time walked these streets and lived a hardcore bohemian, revolutionary lifestyle. Basically the old town of Prague was so cute, and really beautiful. We found food which was a CRUCIAL part of our day…..minus the fact that we had BOMB hotdogs earlier before we went up to the castle……

SIDE NOTE….the Czech’s have this hot dog thing right…let’s talk about it….1. Cook the hotdog 2. Bun….but not a bun it was bread with a hole in it the size of a bun….3. Insert dog/ condiments 4. No napkins needed….why because they did this whole hotdog thing right…..SO right in the center of old town we found a decently priced place to eat…we could have stayed outside and watched the huge coo-coo clock that everyone else was just GAZING and waiting for to chime….in all honesty, it’s cute…but haha nothing that impressive…. SO we opted to eat inside and let the hardcore clock-goers take the seats outside….besides…it was FREEZING anyway…Side note: Prague was ridiculously cold….I didn’t mind it…..YOU WILL NEVER HEAR/READ that again from my voice/mind….ever…..I don’t like the cold….I just don’t……but it made Berlin look like the deep south that never gets cold….despite that it really was cold there….and it made Thessaloniki look like a tropical island…..hmm.

SO anyway back to the food thing…so we sat inside and we all basically got the same thing we had the day before because it was that good….they made it way differently, but I wasn’t disappointed. A break from Greek food is never a bad thing…it’s not that I don’t like it…because Greek food is amazing, but….I’m ready for something other than olive oil and feta…Since those two things are in everything that we eat…woo. Ok on the table…JUST so we would remember who our server was there was a picture of him on our table in a picture holder thing…..haha um awesome…or at least I thought so…I’m pretty sure everyone else thought it was great too….SO the afternoon was ahead of us and with different interests we decide to split up….Joana and Katherine are off doing Prague and then…H-jay and I decide to do Prague….so we needed a game plan…and we made one….Just to get lost…..and to see some things simultaneously….but mostly we got lost…..we just started walking and saw things that I had research and saw some things that was on the map of Prague that some genius came up with and commented on everything…seriously this map was hilarious…..and it had all the important places of interest on it….we just started walking….and walking…..AND walking….and then we….ok wait, I forget what its called…you have two feet and I was wearing boots….ok I can get this…think…..so my boots were made for walking…and that just what they’ll do….and one of these days these boots are going to walk all over you? EXACTLY….we walked for hours and it was awesome. We decided we wanted to see the area of Vinohrady which is one of the oldest parts of the city and apparently this is where a lot of damage was done during the 2nd World War. BUT on the way there…while we were getting lost….we came across the most beautiful church….no really, This Church was stunning….the inside was literally lined with almost all gold…..That’s Prague for you....a mass was in progress but it was still amazing to peek our heads in size…..OH photo opportunities…..you have come and gone….I’d show you but….remember the sad tale at the end of this amazing journey.

SO after the church we walked around some important-esque Gardens and waltzed right along the river/water’s edge to the Fred and Ginger Dancing House….this was really awesome. Brosef, Anna….you would have loved this building….it was SO COOL looking and we went to see it….I’ve been trying to do things that involve cool architecture…..mostly because 1. I miss you guys 2. Because I should appreciate what you do for a living 3. It’s just so cool 4. I’m sucking up right now….5. did it work? SO we saw the dancing building and we passed by the National Theatre which I really thought was beautiful….and I REALLY wanted to see something, HOW cool would that have been to be in Prague and see and opera or something….however….a PROFESSIONAL CZECH HOCKEY game is just as baller....it may or may not be cooler than seeing an opera…mostly may…..how many Czech people do you know that sing opera? Exactly…..HOCKEY it is.

Side note: This blog is taking me FOREVER to write….I think I’m going to separate it into 2 blogs because it is SO LONG….and we’re still in Prague….ARE YOU JOKING ME RIGHT NOW!?

We also dubbed a building that was next to the beautiful National Theatre the bubble wrap building….it was like I could just go up to it and pop the bahgeezes out of it….I know what you’re thinking…..NO I’m not too old for bubble wrap….come March I’ll be pushing it….but simple pleasures….simple pleasures...

SO Heather and I just kept walking and walking and we pass many faces just faces….and I see a face that looked kind of familiar but we just kept walking and then we see another face….and “WOAH!WOW!”… “NO WAY!?” Um it was a few of the CYA kids we had met in SANTORINI and it was the same guy that put us up for a few hours after our boat ride and layover till our train back to Thess….um HOW RANDOM!....we weren’t even at a tourist part of the city….we were just walking along the river taking our time…..HOLY RANDOM….that was awesome….and we told them of cool things to do and cool things they SHOULD know….it was just really random….

so then Heather and I kept on WALKING some more and found ourselves on Charles’ Bridge. This bridge is pedestrian only with towers and a beautiful view of the city…..no really, it was amazing….and the bridge connects OLD town to NEW town….wasn’t that a great idea they had! Way to go you Czechians…..way to go! Along the bride we saw a huge tower that was definitely a defining landmark on Charles’ bridge. I had no clue that you could actually go up to the top of the tower and so we did…but RIGHT before we stepped to walk in….I swear I saw a face that I had seen before…and so I shout… “Bobby?!”….and THERE Bobby is…..just chilling with his parents in Prague….SO WEIRD! Last weekend I saw him at Mt. Olympus at the Refuge lodge…and NOW I’m seeing him in Prague….PRAGUE out of all places….are you KIDDING me right now….We are tons of miles away from Thessaloniki and Greece and here we are in a HUGE city seeing people that we know….um….SMALL WORLD….no literally, when you are in a completely different country and you see people that you know….it just proves how small the world really is….A.MAZE. ING….done and DONE. SO we went up to the top and saw all of Prague took a video documenting our fabulous sight and all the things we had done….but where the video is…well….remember…the sad tale at the end of my journey…for it is a sad, sad tale indeed.

After our bridge adventure and RANDOM rendezvous with another ACT student we kept randomly walking around and stopped in a random hostel to see if we could find out any information on the nightlife. We had planned on meeting Kathryn and Joana for the pub crawl of Prague, so we headed back to the center of the Old Town, Stare Mesto where the astronomical clock was. A huge mass of people were gathering like it was New Year’s Eve….everyone was just staring up at the clock…to be honest it was awesome…..just random people gazing up with their jaws unhinged…waiting for the BIG CLOCK to coo COO….with random objects flashing in and out of its windows like a marry-go-round of sorts…..wow….VERY impressive….I too would wait an entire hour to see this clock strike and gaze motionless at the awe inspiring spectacle……..sarcastic much? OH Much…haha either way…you need to see this if you ever go to Prague…just one of those things that you need to witness….My Nana would have flipped over it…just like the Coo-Coo Clock that always goes-off right when it should in the heart of Florida where there is nothing but butter and gator football fans.

WE were supposed to meet the people in charge of the pub crawl but instead Heather and I decided that we were EXHAUSTED and my feet were really, REALLY killing me…mostly my left foot…the arch area…not good not good….AND SO we opted to go back to the Irish Pub from the night before…just to get a Stowford press and call it a night…..but when do Heather and I go out for just a drink and it be JUST a drink….EXACTLY my point….we walked into the bar and found a seat in front of the W.C…..mostly because I didn’t want to sit in the main bar area because well Merb, Meril, what’s-his-face was behind the bar again….and well my self-consciousness got the best of me…Luckily my compadre had my back and was all about sitting in front of….the….Double-you see.

We chatted and reflected on the day’s events for a bit and after about an hour…it was definitely bedtime, FOR SURE….and WOULDN’T you know it but RIGHT as we were going to jump out of our chairs and head on home…this dude comes straight out of the WC and asks if he could take a seat and join us for a bit….and well….I’m always up for new people especially those that speak English….SO NICE this English thing….striking conversation with him he had expressed that he had been from London in the “WUHST TOWN EVA”….and LITERALLY mid-question he PASSED out….seriously…just PASSED OUT…right in the chair at our table….um…what….WHAT…WHAT do we do with this…OBVIOUSLY someone had decided to drink like the Irish….and he went SO big that Bfriend was literally toe-up done-zo. LUCKILY, his friends came over and started to mess with him and apologize for him….they were cute….yep…his friends…all rather attractive…with accents….ACCENTS….in ENGLISH….now you think about that for a second before I continue…did you think about it? GOOD. SO they were all from different parts of the world….there was Jamie from Ireland, Tom from Australia, Sleeping guy from England, and another guy from Scotland – who knows how they knew each other! Jamie was a commander in the Irish Navy….UM HELLO….take me to the gun show because Bfriend had MORE than 2 tickets….GOOD GRIEF! THEY were hilarious and had MADE the night…including my suggestion of an American tradition of those who pass out….(never leave your shoes on if you’re going to pass out…..you are then FREE game)…and so a pen/marker was put to good use…..haha….oh yeah it was….BUT soon enough we decided to head back to the hostel because

1. We were EXHAUSTED

and

2. We had a CRAZY early bus back to Berlin. (Insert friend cheese sandwich…Czech tradition on the way back to the hostel….it was nothing SHORT of AWESOME….) Luckily, sleep happened on the bust from Prague to Berlin….it was JUST as long as the train ride….so it wasn’t bad at all and we were BACK in Berlin by 11:30….we still had the whole day ahead of us! SWEET!


NEXT TIME ON HLOCK DOES GREECE:

DOES Heather make it back to Berlin!?? WHAT IS THIS SAD SAD tale she speaks about...WHAT MORE COULD possibly happen on a small Holiday in Europe!!!! OH....if ONLY you knew....and you want to.....which means stay tuned...stay posted....it's all happening.

B to the E to the R to the L to the I to the N to the PRAGUE

So there we were bright and early on Thursday Morning. We were pumped. We were ready. We had no way to get to the airport. A TAXI! What a GREAT idea…yeah, I knew yous was smart. OK first off…..this had been one of the earliest mornings I had seen in Thessaloniki. Minus the few nights where I had met the morning before I had even met my bed……WHY Thessaloniki do you NOT believe in LAST CALL!? You’re killin’ me SMALLS!

SOON enough we were OFF in a taxi to the ENORMOUS, GIGANTIC, OVER THE TOP airport of Thessaloniki. Alright so you caught me, I lied….the airport has one floor. Left OR Right….after a little struggling trying to figure out how exactly this check-in thing worked….I mean….left OR right….I had never been so stressed and so concerned for my well being before…so many options….so many choices….WHAT SHOULD I DO!? BUT we figured it out and soon enough we were ready to go. Luckily we were one of the first people in line so we got to board in the first group of passengers….it’s a good thing too because apparently Easy Jet likes to overbook their flights and if you aren’t there in time…SORRY CHARLIE….which is funny because we went to check point Charlie…..that’s really not that funny is it? OH OK I see how it is….


Sorry about the tangent…now, where were we…AH YES ….
(always wanted to use that line….sweet placement right?)

WE decided to sit RIGHT in the front of the plane closest to the exit….ok side note…..the Easy Jet planes are actually REALLY nice…and like brand freaking new….everything reminded me from that movie View From the Top….you know….”you have to put the right emphasis on the right syllable.” I was HIGHLY fascinated….EVERYTHING was orange….and there are NO assigned seats….ergo (oh hey easy jet we’re the company that likes to overbook our flights) I don’t even know why I keep mentioning this….I haven’t had a problem with easy jet….like I’ve said before and I’ll say it again!!!

“NO one got ahead by sitting on their BEHIND!” yeahhhhh that’s going to get old soon…it may or may not have already gotten old….mostly may. RIGHT then…..I found a sweet magazine that said on the front “This issue of Easy Jet blah blah blah is YOURS free to KEEP!” I so kept it….Listen this trip was all about scrapbooking…..and my goal was PAMPHLETS, passes, TICKETS…everything but believe me….I have a very sad tale to conclude with…..BUT Until then!

Our flight took only two hours…it was nice and quick and the time difference was CONFUSING…I don’t care for it…nope, not at all….we only went back an hour so that was nice that we gained sometime….Soon enough we collected our bags and we prepped for a tundra of COLD. OK seriously….I was SO EXCITED for cold weather…just something that would allow me to wear the clothes I planned on wearing while I was here….NEVER IN MY LIFE will you probably hear me exclaim my excitement for cold weather….but seriously….what part of seasons does Greece NOT understand? I DON’T get it….ok I can do without winter…NO problem….but without FALL….OK that is PUSHING IT….Mt. Olympus was great because I got to taste fall….but then I went right back into Spring forever….I don’t even care about spring that much….Spring is just there because of Summer…and I LOVE summer…but seriously….Fall is my season….Summer is my time to prepare for the fall….Oh hey Bronzing….the colors, its crisp, its sweatshirt weather with jeans, Fall is more of a Tradition in America. It’s not just a season….it’s what brings people together FOOTBALL (which I don’t really care about) APPLE FESTIVAL (you Lockwood’s should know how MUCH we love APPLEFESTIVAL) Fall is what starts a new year….not the “new year” ….I’m still on the school schedule….School def. defines my year…and will always since I’ll be in school forever, I want to get married in the fall…I mean FALL is just awesome….


OK OK ok you get the point….but GERMANY….we made it….we were in Berlin…and it was FALL everywhere….and I was loving it….we went from smoke encrusted confusing spring temperatures of Greece to a country where people weren’t smoking with every step they took….the AIR was breathable, I could hear the crunch of leaves under my feet….I think I was in Germany a total of 5 minutes and then I knew that 1. I could live here forever 2. I love the fall 3. I love Germany…..WHATEVER I said about Germany before was a COMPLETE unjust statement. I saw a shady, barely part of Germany on the border of Austria…this was the Real Germany and I was SO excited to be there….WOO me…


SO after we got some advice from an information desk in the Airport we went to the metro, which was SO efficient and took you EVERYWHERE/ANYWHERE you needed to go. We buzzed by lots of stops and we had been riding the metro for QUITE some time but soon enough we got off to find our hostel. We got off at a small stop, with no people around….we all began rolling our suitcases....ALLIE let me borrow her Suitcase….AND she has REALLY nice luggage because I don’t have a small carry on case….it worked out perfectly…and Heather….well Heather just bought a really awesome piece of Luggage from down the street…..(since you’re reading this right now Heather) haha you TOTALLY struggled with that bag of yours….it came with wheels that really did not wheel…and you could tell we were coming not by all of us carting our bags behind us…but because Heather was always fighting with her bag….no one said anything but I’ll tell you what I thought it was so funny….haha GOOD work Heather…..you done did good kid….
SO we rolled around a road or two and over a bridge…the leaves were SO orange and I was breathing REAL AIR for the first time in weeks!! SO EXCITING!!! We came across our Hostel….International youth hostel of Berlin…and the room was small but actually I really liked it….ok and Madre…you were so right about those Duvet covers….I NEVER WANT TO USE ANOTHER COMFORTER AGAIN….seriously…Ok I know about how awesome they are and how they aren’t new to the world, but I never really experienced the awesomeness that SAVED my life because I was ridiculously warm and I am ALWAYS COLD…..they don’t do sheets….ok they do a mattress sheet but it’s just a duvet cover and a HUGE PILLOW the size of half the mattress itself….listen…I could seriously sleep in Germany forever…however that was ANYTHING but the case….

SO we dropped off our stuff and ON we went to find out HOW in the world we were getting to Prague the next day and to find some food. We hopped on the metro and zoomed to a HUGE metro station which also happened to be the train station….seriously this thing was GIGANTIC and it was architecturally cool….(Brosef…Anna….I know you know I know.) We found our way to the ticket office for the train and let me tell you what those Germans are SO efficient…literally everything moved so fast and without complication….before we knew it we booked our train to Prague for the next morning (KILLER EARLY) and then we walked down to the bus ticket office and booked our bus for our return to Berlin….Well that worked out Ridiculously well….

So since we had our travel arrangements set for the next few days we ventured into the city of Berlin. Seriously, I loved Berlin. I think I would like ALL of Germany if I liked Berlin this much. I had done some sweet research so I knew what was up about Berlin, I even made a cheat-cheat for our journey of all the important things we needed to see and do….(someone had to be the mom…and I have learned OH so well) we walked along the streets to see some things that surrounded us…there were tons of people out and about…TONS of people on Bikes…but once we realized where we were we decided to hop BACK on the metro and go to a more central part of the city….we needed FOOD and fast…..We found a stop that looked good enough and walked around and found ourselves at a fountain with King Neptune and lots of other mythological creatures. We took some time to see one of Berlin’s largest churches….I think it was called St. Mary’s but it’s hard to remember exactly. Just walking around this city was so cool….everything was old but new at the same time…like it was refreshed….FINALLY food time…took care of that and then we continued on our way and found ourselves at a café/bar called AM to PM… it had the COOLEST chairs ever….really these chairs were SO neat…ok no we didn’t sit in them (this time) but they were really cool…and we got our first pints of German Beer….


Ok let’s talk about this…


I don’t really like beer all that much…..I like wine and drinks that really don’t have any alcohol in them…haha it’s a façade of alcohol really…but I’m in GERMANY….OF COURSE I had to have German beer…and let me tell you what…IT was actually Really good. I have never had a beer like that before….it made me appreciate it WAY more than I ever had….I guess that is what happens when all you know is the cheapest beer college can buy..unless I’m with padre and even then…meh…Beer just isn’t my thing…I’m not saying that I’m not a BEER drinker…it’s all meh to me…but it was really good. So Props to Padre and Brosef….I doubted you for all too long.
SO after AM to PM we found ourselves at an Irish Pub called Kilkenny’s and I had my first experience with Bulmer’s….Ok….THIS WAS AWESOME….who does this…I knew I was Irish for a reason….this was great and we definitely were on the lookout for Irish pubs the REST of our trip….HOWEVER, the pub was occupied by older people and we were looking for a younger crowd so we left and wanted to find out where the young people were…..


We started walking aimlessly and found a guy around our age and so Joana, the brave, bold, and outgoing individual that she is went up to him and immediately before she even spoke he said “I’m sorry I don’t’ think I can help you” UM perfect…Of COURSE YOU CAN…the next thing I knew we were at another cafe/bar all outdoors and COLD which I didn’t mind….with a ton of random people that spoke English? DONE conversation with people our age that can understand us!? I already liked Germany but it was SO NICE to hear English. Eventually some of them fizzled off and it was the four of us and 4 of them…who were they? THEY legit were some of the nicest, coolest kids I have ever met. They were from Holland on a school trip looking at Grad schools….though they already had degrees? I’m not sure…they were all in the same field some science or something…WAY over my head….but they study and live in Amsterdam and they made the city seem so awesome….not what everyone says it really is…they told us about all the touristy stuff is NOT the real Amsterdam…..we spent just hours talking and hanging out and it was really awesome….after spending some time at the bar they asked us to go back to their hostel with them and hangout there….since all the hostels have bars and lounges it was a great idea….we spent even more time with them just hanging out and talking…it was so fun and really a great experience...and they all wanted us to come visit them in Amsterdam which was AWESOME of them to even suggest especially when they were adamant that we stay with them and they will show us all that Holland and Amsterdam had to offer…I mean this is REALLY hard to pass up…but Amsterdam really isn’t in my travel plans….but someday….holy Random night right? SO soon enough we had to jump on the metro because the metro stopped running around 4 in the morning. So we jumped on and we got to as far as we could before the metro was done running for the night. There were sketchy guys next to us on the metro they were young but they were belligerent and none of us wanted to deal with it…so we found a taxi as soon as we could and got back the hostel in one piece.







AND WHAT happend NEXT!???



you'll just have to wait!!!!





.........Czech it out.......until next time.......



-H

HEY ZEUS!!!

Once upon a time there was this God-guy.....not the Gee.Oh.Dee...but I'm talking the guy with the white beard....the thunderbolts....the togas.....the strap-like sandals that were once appropriate for the male gender to sport daily.....the puffy white clouds.....yeah....that guy....you know him.....you love him.....B-lock and Anna have a cat named after him......OH HEY ZEUS.....hahaha take a minute think about what you just read.....Hey Zeus....haha get it? OK ANYWAY.....right then...back to my story.....well we all know of the Gods and Goddesses....but where did these mythological characters chill on their down-time....where was a place to call their own in the earthly world we now currently live in.....well I'll tell you. Mount Olymus. Thats right...... Mt. Oh. LYM. PUS.....and why is this story significant? Well, I'll tell you. I rocked it. I climbed it. I owned it. I schooled it. I got my ass kicked by it and I currently can't walk up or downstairs so I have resorted to taking the elevator at all costs. I'm currently sporting my t-shirt that I paid 10 euros for....and it was SO worth it....it marks the elevation of purchase....and I am feeling super awesome rocking it out for everyone to see....because it says

"oh hey look...there is Heather...."

..... "oh cool....yo dude what is she wearing? ....is that a t-shirt from Mt. Olympus...the ones that you can only get at one of the refuge's where its between a 3-4 climb/hike but mostly a climb that is really intense and makes you want to drop off the cliffside that is basically where you are hiking because its about 3 feet from the small narrow and dangerous path where you have to climb through?"....

"for sure".....

"nice, homegirl is awesome"

...."yeah dude....yeah"

(note this conversation is fabricated for dramatic and necessary effect, thank you.)

THAT'S what my T-shirt says....right now....CURRENTLY......I'm very excited...can't you tell.....so you want to know of my adventures? My climbing escapades? My experience trying to be like padre and brosef in their prime of scouting and Philmonting and stuff and things?

I thought you did.

SO THERE I WAS. Bright and Early on Saturday Morning October 18, 2008.....4 hours earlier I was still out and about enjoying a Friday night as intensely as I could.....I'm pretty sure I was still rocking it out when I woke up on that Bright and Early Saturday Morning....but Allie had this journey planned, mapped, and ready to go....so I decided it was do or die.....no regrets.....do it all while I can....and this was going to be WAY cheaper than the trip the school had planned a few weeks earlier for the Study Abroad students....ergo.....I went for it......Allie, Danika (Allie's sorority sister who is studying with CYA in athens), and myself were ready to rumble and make the trek to chill with the Gods....I had my backback and prep-ed myself for the tundra that would be waiting for me......needless to say....we were all pretty stoked to get started.....SO pumped right here......as you can see......

We headed down our street to the Kiosk...got some much needed water and snacks....snacks were CRUCIAL for our adventure....and found ourselves in a cab headed toward the fabulous bus station in Thessaloniki. After a short bit of confusion and not being able to comprehend things, we found the appropriate ticket booth and filed in line....where once again confusion set in.....listen....sidenote action time: WHAT PART OF LINES don't GREEK people understand.....oh you want to buy a cookie....ok wait behind the person, who was here WAY before you, to make their purchase....then it is your turn.....right...? RIGHT......Right? WRONG.....this wasn't just at the bus station this is everywhere in Greece....why stand in line when we can all just force ourselves into the same direction and wait for something to happen! GREAT IDEA....and so, I appreciate the soul who created the line....math or not....line or curve....there are reasons....there are purposes....and I'm really glad that the American society has this on lock down...no cutsies...no butting...just some innocent jumped a few sneaks here and there....not huddled masses of people.....right then....

SO we obtained our 8 euro tickets to Katerina....easily found our bus...popped on board...(also note...they have assigned seats for busses here? awkward? kindof....) AND we were on our way.....minus the fact that the bus stopped and we were the only ones left on the bus....and well we just didn't know what to do with ourselves....so we got off once the awkward feeling set and and hopped on another bus to Litchoro....and seriously if we didn't get the rush of awkward what should we do feeling....we would have missed the bus....as soon as we got on it was cruisin and movin. Luckily it was a short trip from Katerina to Litchoro and before we knew it we were THERE gazing upon the mountain we were about to conquor....we grabbed some shots of zues and some shots of the mountain from where we were.....ran to the little market store...grabbed some tp.....after our first realization and our first broom stop in this little town....they were squaters....awkward AND inappropriate kindof haha either way.....we had to persevere and this was the just the beginning of our "just do it/ impossible is nothing" attitude. JUST LOOK HOW PUMPED I AM!!!

SOON enough we went to the taxi stand where we jumped in off we went to bypass 6 hours of climbing and get to a resonable place to start our ascent. It costs a whopping 23 euro to get a cab up to this place....we were constantly zig-zagging...it was like Santorini all over again....HOW in the world do these people drive the way they do?? I mean....they are practicially driving on the edge of a cliff at devestatingly fast speeds.....I mean they must go to special driving schools because if I were to drive up or down these roads someone is bound to get hurt....and someone is definitely me....ANYWAY so we made our way up to the top....grabbed a few important and crucial shots of our beginning AND off we went.....

FINALLY SEASONS!!!!!!

We began in a spring-summer climate and walked straight into fall. It was absolutely AMAZING...to smell fall and walk through fall...it was like being home.....I love the fall....I really do....and the colors were so intense....seriously. I don't think I have ever really appreciated nature like this before....I was walking through it and all the leaves were mostly still on the branches in different and vibrant shades of yellow, red, brown, and orange....it was so awesome......However, atleast 5 minutes into our trek....it dawned on me....and the fact that I was out of breath....that this was going to be SO hard......We found a rock with Zues and Hera painted on artisticially and took a serious stop once we reached some benches and it seemed like it was a designated place to rest.....Looking out....we were literally walking through clouds.....with the Gods......on Mt. Olypmus....HOW cool is that.....SERIOUSLY....how awesome is that! AND so we decided to document our trek by film which will be edited and posted once my multimedia class kicks into video mode...until then I just have blurbs I'll post in this and you can see how awesome haha and how ridiculous my commentary really is....ahhh haha maybe TV isn't meant for me...though it is still on my list of things I should probably do when I grow up.....LUCKILY Allie brought a marker and just like hundreds of people before us, we decided to leave our mark.....I left my words on Mt. Olympus......and I left the mark of 32......I'm not sure why I decided to write what I did....but something told me that I needed to.....I made a promise and wrote it down in my creative writing class after April 16......I do, because 32 can't.....and what better place to keep it in my mind and in my heart...than with the Gods where impossible is nothing....

AND so our journey continued with PLENTY of breaks, lack of air, sweat like you WOULD NOT believe, video documenting, and silence.....YOU try talking to people when you are out of breath and struggling up rocks.......seriously.....we legit were scaling the sides of this mountain....both hands for gripping....it was really intense....We stopped at this really HUGE rock top...where other hikers were taking a break.....I'd like to emphasize what kindof hikers were there that we made friends with....they all had serious hiking backpacks, serious hiking boots, serious hiking poles, serious hiking gear, and looked like they were ready for everest.....and there was us....with day backpacks, american incrusted t-shirts, and sneakers.....that's it....Oh hey beginners on a seriously serious Mountain....well so I thought it was....

We paused for a photo session, yoga, and some snacks....but yet again we were on our way....by the 3rd or 4th hour....I was ready to get to the stinking refuge....I was nasty.....and so was Allie and Danika.....I was tired....and my legs have never had that intense of a workout EVER...this puts all of my pre-season, in-season, and post season practices, workouts, everything TO SHAME....that intense...yeah how bout it....on the upside...everyone we passed...was extremely friendly and nice......Yay for Greek class and learning hellos and things like that.....so eventually it got to the point where we were just about to hurt something or someone with our exhaustion....WE just wanted to get there....no big deal.....and finally I asked someone who had just come from that direction....GREAT NEWS....only 10 minutes till the refuge...and so we started to REALLY book it....and once we got there....it was the greatest feeling/thing EVER....seriously.....I mean....we climbed for hours.....and made it through some intense elevations.....from fall straight to almost Christmas weather.....not to mention documenting the aftermath of such a long and intense hike....ew gross.....and stretching....we really could not WAIT to go inside and get some food.....

We headed inside the refuge and it was packed...there were a TON of people there...all the tables looked decently full....luckily there were fire places...THIS was a great thing! After cleaning up a bit and taking off our shoes....and I really wish someone would have filled me in about the whole no shoe thing in the refuge because those shoes they gave me to wear were really awful....BUT we ordered some food which was actually pretty good and then we weren't really sure what to do with ourselves...just the fact that we were all so drained from everything we could have passed out right then and there....BUT we weren't ready to call it a night yet and it was only around 7(WE would have played cards but we weren't allowed to play cards in the lodge.....WHAT!? it's considered gambling....ok I think that this is just silly and stupid....what would I gamble with??? all I had were my shoes and my backpact....i mean sure lets bet my gross-ass sneakers that are covered in mud and have trampled over yack/goat poop all afternoon.....right......ok anyway) by the time we had gotten ourselves situated and payed for our beds....this mountain guy took us around and explained things about how everything worked...the refuge works off a generator so at 10:30 it goes to pitch black.....no heat....BUT they give you TONS of blankets so I was really comfortable the whole night...minus the fact that we decided to pass out around 8 and then I found myself awake at 1 in the morning unable to sleep anymore....this sucked the big one....I just wanted to sleep but I found it really difficult...maybe i was sore....or maybe it was the weaksauce matress pad on the bed....but either way.....sleep was just not happening for me....MEH.....AND finally when I did wake up....I felt like I had just gotten to sleep...WHY does this ALWAYS happen!!?? Not many people were stirring when I was awake and out of the room...but I saw the light on in the hall way...I was in different building than Allie and Danika which I didn't mind at all....just sleeping.....but I saw the light on and I was pumped for the morning because pitch-black with no flash light other than my cell phone...borderline really creepy....and I mean REALLY.....so we were up and ready to go....grabbed some breakfast...which was called "breakfast" when you ordered it...and let me tell you what....to pay 4 euros for bread with some condiments and a cup of hot chocolate....was WAY over-priced....BUT what are you going to do....I was too far away to do anything about it....SOON we were outside and ready to go for day two....this time....we were CRUCIALLY geared for the cold weather....AND of course we had time for a fabulous photo Op....AND day two filming.

October 19, 2008

.....so the first day, I was ALL about it....I was in the lead....moving fast....since I'm a fast mover...it was going well....no problem....day two.....MEH meh MEH!.....I had NO motivation whatso ever.....it was like pulling teeth trying to get myself up to the top......we had a few stops and it got cold really fast......downside is that it was all so steep and it was looking rather dark from up above.....it was a good thing we left early because we were able to see everything without the clouds covering up the rest of the world below us...but don't worry, we were soon in walking through them just like Zeus did/does....you know whatevs. We got to a good stopping point and I was defintely ready to quit......well not quit....but dub it our "top" we were at a cliff's edge it looked as though it was the top....but ALLIE was in "i'm going to the top" mode....if she hadn't 1. pushed me to go on this trip 2. pushed me to go to the top I would have regretted it for the rest of my life....so shout out to Allie....homegirl you rock.....SO we went even further and it sucked....and it was hard...but we did it.....as it was starting to snow....it was absoultely incredible.....so there were clouds everywhere below us and I could see clear across to other mountain tops....but when it came down to it....it wasn't the actual height we reached...it was the fact that I did it....that I pushed myself that hard...and to be honest this has been the hardest thing I have yet to do in my entire life.....there was such a rush of accomplishment and pride and just LOOK what I can do....haha and then I had a serious ephihany.......besides that I don't exactly "hate climbing/hiking" in fact I'm pretty sure I really liked it....it was a lot of fun...and though I'm paying for it now...it was one of the best experiences I think I will ever have....ok but back to my ephihany....ok so.....no I didn't "find myself" on Mt. Olympus...it wasn't anything that life altering....I think through this whole Grecian process I've really developed a sense of who I am......but it isn't about finding yourself....it's about learning yourself.....you can't find yourself....I mean....I was never lost.....but I just learned alot more about what I can do if I push myself....though it was a different kind of push....and I've realized more about Hlo in the past 5 weeks then I have in the past 3 years...it was SO AWESOME....I wish I could have more words to describe it....but seriously....thats like it....it was just AMAZING!

SO at the top we took more film haha which was fun....complete with seperate shout outs to my girls in Kappa Delta.....I FREAKING MISS YOU ALL.....and I rocked my letters on the top of Mt. Olympus....which was awesome....check me out kayDEE...holllaaaa.....and I did a shout out to the fam....AND Joann because I ROCKED Mt. Olympus and what better way to do an independent study on Roman and GREEK mythology than to actually EXPERIENCE it first hand....you know how I do.....AND we met our friends at the top who took pictures of us earlier and I had shared a room with at the refuge.....haha best thing about them was def...."DO you have the FACEBOOK!" OF COURSE I have facebook.....in which case I am waiting for new friend requests and pictures that they took of us.......ahhh aweome....

SOONER than later we started out trek down....it was a SERIOSLY sweet change to go down and not up....but holy moly my toes and knees started to KILL.....OOOOoooobaby....I'm still feeling it.....and WE COULD talk on the way down.....which was awesome....finally not out of breath and just watching our foot placement....we all had several slips on the way down to the refuge because there were just loose rocks EVERYWHERE.

WE finally made it back to the refuge WAY faster than going up....we grabbed food....postcards WITH the offical stamp OF elevation (OH HEY SCRAPBOOK) and my 10 euro t-shirt....woo...which is freaking awesome by the way....there is Greek on the back of it....that spells LEGIT all over it.....annnnnnd then soon enough we were heading back toward our starting point. EXCEPT when we hit the more forest part of the trek like in the beginning with all of the fall colors......the trees and leaves completely changed....it was like walking through a movie...I KID you NOT....it was SO beautiful....seriously......it was like all the orange and brown leaves decided to coat the ground over night.......it was like walking through leaves in October in PA way back when and then jumping through them slash getting ready to carve pumpkins....(no pumpkins here...I KNOW right!?) But it just reminded me to smell the change in seasons WHICH is my favorite scent....musk if you will.....and BAH....it was so awesome....IF only you could have been chilling with the GODS like I did......

SO we made it back and we were SO exhausted......once we saw people dressed in normal clothes we knew were in the right place....note: if you are going to walk in the woods...don't wear heels...I don't care if you think it's cute/ that's what you do....don't wear heels in the woods if you're walking on a trail...that's stupid....ok....don't be dumb" ANYWAY so we got a cab BACK down the mountain and our taxi driver was so awesome.....ok so it did cost another 23 euro...BUT he took us straight to the bus station....and then to the train station so Danika coud go back to Athens AND THEN back to the bus station and he only charged us 6 euros for quite a bit of carting us around....AND helped us out major and tried to explain things the best he could...you go cab driver....you go.......AND so....ALLIE and I grabbed some snacks....I LOVE popcorn and I FOUND it here....in which case...I decided that we should get it....and of course chocolate...because I just sweated and worked off atleast 10 lbs of my life......and this top we thought we would be smart and get off the bus at Katerini....only we weren't supposed to......HOW are we supposed to KNOW this......anyway....so we got back to Thessaloniki in two and tired pieces and had the cab driver take us STRAIGHT to CORNER pizza....because Allie and I have decided to dub that our new Sunday tradition....

moral of the story: I learned myself on Mt. Olympus, don't wear heels in the woods, impossible is nothing, and I really like Corner personal Pizza......and that i'm still in crucial pain and cannot walk up or downstairs but luckily there is an elevator that takes me from my second floor apartment to the ground floor.....who's going places? This kid is.

Until next time sports fans, this is Hlo signing off......

AND THIS WEEKEND......I'm off to Berlin and PRAGUE......check me out nowwwww funk show brothaaaaa

love. love. love

-H

Forgive me Father, for I shopped again.....

ITS NOT that I’ve been buying myself to death because hello….I’m on a budget here….BUT…..I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE shopping….it’s what people do here….they go out at night and shop during the day…I’m just trying to be one with the culture…..DON’T you worry….every decision has been a very important one and a valuable purchase….and AND My Christmas shopping is almost done…I AM SO AHEAD OF THE GAME….I’m pretty excited about this…usually I am waiting till the VERY LAST minute to Christmas shop, but it’s so hard to not buy a whole country when I know the people I love would love everything that I am seeing and doing…..I can’t help but think about my everyone at home and how much I wish they were with me seeing and doing everything that I am…well….seeing and doing…..funny how these things work out….


IN WHICH CASE, life in Thess has gotten to be pretty normal for me….I’ve found my routine….it’s going to be really weird when I go home…but I know that I have learned SO MUCH and have done SO MANY AMAZING THINGS that have really shaped who I am…..I know I have changed….I’m not sure how….but I’m finally at the place I’ve been begging to be at for over a year…mostly since even my freshman year of college…..I just needed time for me….MY thinking has concluded with the fact that I’ve been looking so hard for something that I didn’t even need to be looking for…..I just needed to take some time to listen to myself and take myself out of a busy life….and just focus on me….I know that when I go home I’m just ready for life to hit me head on….I’m right where I need to be…regardless of where it is going to take me….haha sorry for the seriousness….but every now and then…seriousness is a good thing right? I certainly hope so…..so Forgive me Father…..for I shopped again….haha or something like it.


Until next time….

-Hlo

Santorini PART 1

SO....when Wednesday afternoon hit I decided on a very important decision. To do or not to do...that is the question? So you know what I said? Let's do it. AND before I knew it, it was Thursday morning and I was walking down to the center with Heather. OK note to self...shopping in the morning is what needs to happen from now on for always because the stores are all open and they are NOT crowded...THIS is great news...also note. Thursday is the day to shop because everything is open WAY later than any other days during the week....fully noted? NOTED. Right then...SO Heather and I...ok I know...heather and heather...whatever, that is beside the point...SO we walked to the center looking for the travel agency that she used on wednesday that would secure my fate for one of the most amazing weekends EVER. Right then...so...we walked...and walked...and missed it...and skipped it...but eventually...WE FOUND IT! Ok lets be honest...a little run down if you will. Let's go with a top 5 list...ready? me too.

1. Heather (not me...though I think I should be included in this) has no sense in direction....or is it that she has a bad memory...either way it doesn't matter Girl is freaking awesome...
2. Heather makes my name look baller...and she's reading this blog...right now...currently....creepy.
3. Travel agency: Sketchy, helpful, and decently cheap
4. How does Sketchy and helpful go together?
5. They don't.

SO as you can see...the travel agency was worth the walk because they got me ready, set, and geared-up to go...I'm talking the ferry tickets, the train tickets...everything... the whole "kit and kaboodle" (how often do we get to say this...because I really think this is an underrated phrase that may or may not have been coined as a key phrase for a dogfood brand..mostly may) ANYWAY...AND side note...after I got tickets...oh yeah I got a cell phone....clearly a remarkable morning and a prelude to an even more remarkable festive weekend....OK so let me get to this...enough of the suspense....where exactly DID I get tickets to?

ok well I'll tell you...you really shwant to know shwhat it shwas? Mehharlight....I'll tell you shwhat it shwas...

I got tickets to....SANTORINI...ok...take a minute...lets pause for a moment of awesomeness....

pause...

insert SOTP PICTURE HERE....

AND done.

Thats right....Santorini...this is the place that when you hear Greece...THIS is what you think of...the little old lady's that look like they should live in shoes and if we were in Russia we would certainly call them bahbushkas (actual babushka pictured on the left)...this is the place with the white-washed buildings sitting on clifsides...houses that have no sense of even ground...this is the place where Blue roofs and red roofs are the only kind of roofs you'll see...this is the place where donkey's are not just an animal..they are a way of life for EVERAYBODAY. This is the place where the streets really aren't streets at all and they are just stone walks lined with stores and people and with the traditional white linen clothes....THIS is the place where people are begging you to rent a VESPA or a four-wheeler...(note: the demographic on the island was a little off when we went....and by off I mean that we were the minority...it was about 98% asian and then 2% us....and those asians...just LOVED the vespas...Good for them...I imagine its difficult to do in China where you can't really walk...or breathe...I should probably just go there...and stop stereotyping...yeah...about that) ANY WAY...this is just a PLACE that just thinking about it...google picture it...whatever...it doesn't matter...either way...it takes your breath away.

SO we went to class after our extremely productive morning and before I knew it I was ready to rock, ready to roll...and waiting for a train to Athens. OK SO....it didn't take us too long to figure out how the train station in Thessaloniki works...I mean it wasn't too hard..just not in English...like everything else....which isn't a problem..the problem here really begins when I don't know Greek...that's the problem...taking a class can only get you so far in life....ANYWAY so....WE figured it out and waited on the platform...ok let's get excited for a second...why? I'll tell you....

When was my first time on a train? ok last spring when Becca boo and I went all the way to philly and when we were so excited to see Tristan Prettyman and we get there and findout its cancelled...and let me tell you...bitter taste in my mouth still...very bitter..train was bad juju...so I'm a little apprehensive about this...until...chugachugachoochoochoooOuuhhhhshhhhhhhh stop. The train was here. Ready to go. (side note: please excuse my spelling and the fact that I keep changing my tenses....internet is awful here....and I have a lot to say...tense change needs to happen regardless...and spell check just doesn't happen slash my mind moves faster than my fingers on my keyboard....so I'm explaining now that errors are, will, and have already happend)

SO as I was saying...the train was here....ready to go....unfortunately my seat was not with Heather and Danica....(whom also went to Santorini...Danica goes to TECH....WHAT are the odds!!) SO they got a wagon-seating section, where as I was in an open/assigned seating area....they walked to their car which was connected directly to the car I was in...and I just took a seat....feeling a little uncomfortable...and saying to myself over and over again...do NOT put this bag down...so I decided to hug my bag....the entire trip....people are sketchy....I was NOT about to risk someone stealing something....especially THIS BAG....SO as I was saying...I took my seat....there was an empty space beside me...but that just means that a stop along the way someone will sit there...and across from me were two small old ladies.....they were hardcore Greek....and they were hardcore outgoing.....I can definetely see them a few good years ago being ballsy and loud....insert voice from the avid reader here: "But Heather....how could you determine that by simply looking at those two old ladies sitting directly accross from you?" Well avid reader....I'm glad you asked....

I have talked to Greek people before...not that big of a deal....I didn't know anything really...but now....it was time to put my Greek class to the test....they started talking to me....it was awesome....a little humiliating....and funny as all get out.....The woman did not speak an OUNCE of English...but I managed to say that I was a student in Greek WOO me...and said some other things.....it was getting a little frustrating and the woman next to the one that was talking me was laughing her ass off while it seemed she was yelling at her friend...apparently I think she was saying things she should NOT have been saying...however....it took me about 5 minutes to understand that she thought I was pretty....I liked her already...but THEN Heather came down the car and said that no one was in their wagon and I should sit with them...and I was all about that....sooo haha as I stood up....the two women were laughing so loud and talking to me...and soon everyone else was laughing at the situation too because I was trying SO HARD to speak/ understand what in the WORLD was going on....needless to say....it was an awesome conversation in which I have no idea what was said...but it was fun all the same....so I go back to where Heather and Danica were and....let me tell you a serious of emotions/ words that came to mind when I stepped into this incredible car:

-WHAT!?
-Where is Harry Potter?
-SIX FLAGS
-Insert Harry Potter Theme Music Here
-They don't have Jelly Beans in Greece......not even the any flavor ones....bummer.

SERIOUSLY.....we spent 6 hours in the life of Harry Potter...it was the greatest most uncomfortable experience ever....it was so worth it....minus the SKETCHY Greek guys that kept on being really inapprop....ergo we closed the curtains to the door and that was the end of that...

also note: I literally hugged my bag the entire time....yeah...you thought that didn't happen...but guess what avid reader....I did...yeah...how bout that.

6 hours later....its still dark out....its in the mid 60's in the early morning....and we made it

ATHENS....first time really being in Athens...though I have not seen much of it....only when it is dark have I seen Athens...but have no fear...what I have seen...I don't like it as much as Thessaloniki....its too big....AND we have a trip in November to see all the important things....BUT the Metro in ATHENS is really nice....it's new-ish and that was fun....we just popped right on the metro to the port where our ferry was waiting and already bording for the Grecian Islands! (I hugged my bag the entire brief metro ride) SOON enough we were at the port and jumped on the ferry....blue star to be exact....we found a place to call our own for 8 hours....but....I don't think we realized that boats mean wind...wind means cold....but south means warm....SO eventually it was to get warm....BUT the boat was pretty intense...an 8 hour tour.....whatever happend to a 3-hour tour? Gilligan's Island please? NO 8 hours....it wasn't a bad trip....we slept a bit...played cards a bit...Heather likes to call it OJ but mom and I know that it is called shanghi....and that is NOT how you spell shanghi but.....that's ok...we had that conversation about spelling issues...its all about getting this blog out! RIGHT....ok SO.....I owned.....a bit....Heather did well too...and Danica...well.....she's a good sport.....she tried!! Remember that's what matters.....the effort...not the outcome....right? haha WELL the boat stopped at several islands on the trip to Santorini.....we got to see them all really....naxos...that other place...haha and another one? haha the whole trip was really great because we had things to look at other than water...and it started to warm up....SPEAKING of things to look at....so it is really difficult to tell if someone knows Engish or not.....Insert very attractive guys here....they sat directly behind us....and myself being the ignorant American began talking normally....saying well stating the obvious....that they were both really attractive....WE should talk to them...next thing I know....they were speaking English in really great Austrailian/Brittish IT DOESN'T even matter accents....downside: they heard us say everything also downside: they understood everything we said...downside again: no contact was made......so as you can see....when you assume...you really do make an Ass out of U and ME....OHY VEY! SO some island pictures are necessary and then we'll get into the heart of it all....

SOON enough.....after cards, some snack-age, changing, you know.....we see it.....the white buildigs, blue roofs, the cliffs...everything.....OH HEY SANTORINI!!! that's what I thought to myself.....OH HEY for sure.....so we docked and got of the boat in a hurry....we found a quick way out instead of waiting in lines trying to get out of the boat....however...i'm not really sure the way we went was the right way to go....we ended up exiting where all the cars and vehicles were on the boat....hmmm....ANYWAY so we walk out...and there are TONS of buses and vans....and there was a mas of peopl holding signs and brochures.....trying to get people to stay at their hotels....we walked over and looked at some one the places.... little oldman caught our attention...I saw a picture of a pool...and I though to myself....DONE.....(though dissapointment was going to set in eventually....) HOWEVER he started to give us prices....started at 45 a night for all three of us....mehhh no thanks....so he went to 40....and we though meehhhh no thanks....and then he asked us how much were we thinking.....and I said between 20-30....and he took 30....WHEW...but....his Wife Anna....DID NOT LIKE THIS....ANNA is to come later on.... SO he took us to a van and we got on with several other hotel go-ers and off we went up the cliffs....it was way intense.....it was back and forth up this island.....imagine the zoom zoom commercial....and the z shape......over and over again.....zig-zagging the entire way up to the top....and there were HUGE charter buses doing the same....it was this monstrous caravan of HUGE vehicles carting up tons of people....to drive a charter bus or just a regular car on these roads is INSANE....no guard-rail....and you're basically driving on the edge of the cliff....it was borderline scary....but mostly beautiful because we could see everything from where we were.....eventually our van made several stops at different hotels....especially the one with the pool that I saw in the picture....but nope...not for us (dissapointment major)....and then we finally got to our hotel....."ANNA's" hotel......and let me tell you what.....she was not going to let anyone forget that it was her hotel either!

to be continued........

CHALKIDIKI.....a three hour tour.

OK so last weekend I went on a trip the school sponsored...on a scale from one to fun, I'd say it was pretty neat! We had to wake up KILLER early...very early...however....my early...and your early are probably two completely different things....I'd like to stress that I haven't had an 8 am class since freshman year and even working I didn't wake up much earlier than 7:30....so when I had to wake up at 6....I WAS not the happiest of campers...BUT someone had to wake up on the right side of the bed.....SO...I did the damn thing and OFF we went. Our first stop before we hit the beach was Mount Athos.....the town we pulled into was definetely tourist-central...It was called Ouranoupoli, mostly old people who were VERY excited to meet Americans....I stepped off the bus...and a HUGE gust of wind hit my face....OH no... Ok when they said this trip was the "last swim!" I really thought it was going to be amazing outside. It pitter pattered here and there, we had some sun as soon as we hit Mount Athos on the boat, but it was SO COLD....obviously when you are on a boat it will be windy and cold regardless. I wasn't unprepared, but I was not prepared for such cold conditions....ANYWAY. We get on the boat and I'm pretty pumped.......why?

Because.

It was going to be

A three hour tourrrrr......(I nose-goes Ginger)....

AND off we went...there were a good bunch of people on the boat...all super old enjoying their retirement no doubt.....the water is SO BLUE.....It is so blue that I took the liberty of taking a film...dedicated to madre..explaining that the water is "like blue...like, like really blue" I appologize for my lack of adjectives...and just everything that is said within the film...mosly you should turn your computer on mute...right now....yes....now.

SO thats that haha. ANYWAY back to Mount Athos...so the tour was basically a ferry ride around the island side where a TON of Monasteries are nestled (ooo great discription word)....Mount Athos is considered to be the "holy mountain" and is said to be the highest point of Chalkdiki's most eastern peninsula. (thank you travel book for your vast information on everything Educational woo you.) SO Mt. Athos is autonomous republic ruled by 1,700 monks who line in its 20 monasteries.....ok take a second....breathe it in, breathe it in...it always goes down smooth.......thought about it? HOW MANY MONKS have you seriously seen...YET ALONE 1,700!!!! WOAH...Oh hey Greece.....BUT only guys can actually set foot on the peninsula...so the boat trip was as close as i'm aloud to get....bummmmer.

The monasteries were actually really awesome....brosef I think you have appreciated the arch. here....idk I was impressed....but what do I know? haha....SEAGULLS....ok normally I hate them...but HOW intense/ awesome is this picture???MY POINT exactly...so cool.....and the award for best photo of a seagull taken in the study abroad fall semester of 2008 goes to........

ME!.....if someone beats me i'd like to shake there seagull ridden hand.

SO the next few photos are of the monasteries I saw...AND then I'll show you Mount Athos because according to my camera I liked the Mountain way more than I thought. Right then....If you really want to know MORE about the monasteries...I may or may not be the girl to talk to...mostly not.....The boat was loud from the engine and it was hard to hear the greek and english explanations of everything that we were passing...LUCKILY for my really awesome travel book...I know what is up for the most part...Wooo.

Woooo ok here are two monasteries.....awesome....and I would put more pictures up but INTERNET is SO SLOW...for the love! So the next picture is of MOUNT ATHOS!!!!!

So after the boat ride we grabbed Gyro's in the town...a lot of people went to tavernas but I really like walking around and going to see what I can see.....in which case...we found an AWESOME bakery which was nothing short of sooo goood....AND we walked along the waterside so we could experience the Aegean SEA!!!

SO soon enough we were back on the bus travelling about an hour to the BEACH and our hotel/resort type thing we stayed in....seriously....Imagining this place in the summe is way intense....it really was the last swim...mostly because all the hotes and little resorts were closing down until summer next year....all things considering....the place was SO cute...and i wish it was warmer...it would have been awesome....However...despite it all we STILL went to the water and explored and then we went to the taverna in a small village later that night. All in all a seriously spectacular day.

This is where we stayed once we got here.....this picture right above..is the view from our Balcony...the beach is right there...there was a swim-up bar...I mean seriously...WHY did't I come to Greece SOONER!!!???? OY vey!!!

On sunday we went out to the beach pretty early....I was so ready for sun...and there it was...waiting for us....and I almost stayed out getting some sun for an extended period of time.....MINUS the fact that the wind was blowing WAY too much...so what I'm saying is...is that if the wind hadn't shown up I would be bronzed the Grecian way....BUT no....However, people did go in the water! It was warmer than the air temperature...and it is crystal clear and "like way blue" it really was amazing. I cannot wait till this weekend when Heather (not me the other one....("i'm reading your blog")...Danica and I venture to SANTORINI where the skies are said to be sunny...the beaches said to be black....(black sand beaches...oh hey Volcano....Dear Steven, So going to see a volcano...woo.) and the temperature said to be in the 80's....Bronze I will.....I CANNOT WAIT....yes mom I have sun screen. Sheesh.

NEXT TIME ON HLOCK DOES GREECE:

Santorini....where the roofs are blue, the volcano is calm, and my summer jobs earnings finally being put to good use.

Adio.

Hlo

I'm a DO-ER

SO there I was...I could have waited for everyone till they were done with class, but I've said it once...and I'll say it again...no one gets ahead by sitting on their behind...SO I was off...I walked myself ALL the way to the bus stop and got on...ALL by myself....I was a little apprehensive...but I was doing it...I'm a "DO-ER" and I had my mind set that I...was DEFINETELY going to do this...While waiting for the bus a woman started speaking at me....I think she thinks she was talking to me...but I feel like everyone is yelling at me...I HAD a ton of things I know I could have said...but it just didn't happen....All I said was..."English?" and she looked killer dissapointed...it didn't stop her from speaking at me...I think she had a lot to say....she laughed a lot....I got a little questionable inside....WHAT is she laughing at? ANYWAY...SO I got on the bus...BARELY...let's talk about how I had no room....NO room....the old women here are small...and intense...THEY KNOW what they want...and frankly they intimidate the crap out of me....I have no problem talking to little old men or just people in general...but seriously...YOU do not mess with little old ladies....EXCEPT if you approch them....they are nice...hmm did that whole rant make sense? Then Katalavena....which is phonetically spelled for "I don't understand"...NOW that I know this...I'm taking this with me EVERYWHERE! OK so I MADE it...all by myself...AND I walked allllll the way home, got off at the right spot..and I am so freaking proud of myself....Hlock wins again...(Dear Atet I miss you) As I was walking back...I had an epiphany. OK...I understand that sometimes I get up on the right side the of bed...and SOMETIMES I manage to dress to impress...BUT SERIOUSLY...what part of I'm not a horse, dog, donkey, or ANY SORT of Animal do these guys NOT understand!? You know the nose that you make a horses to make them go...its like a clicking sound...ok well HERE that is equivalent to the whistle...so I think...ok WHAT!? MAKING That nose does not make me just draw towards you....I don't sit when you tell me too..and the only time I come when I here a whistle is if Madre busts out the "lockwood we're in walmart and its hard to find you whistle" that we have used ALL my life...THAT is really the only time...(ps. I will so do that to my kids...insert thankyou madre here(thanks mom)...SO walking home it was click click more than it should of been...I mean the night before was HEATHER's 21st..and we had a TON of fun....not too much fun...though if you ask other people...both Heather and I may have had too much fun....IT WAS so worth it...SO THAT is my bus story all by myself WOO me. If my computer wasn't so slow I'd put on more pictures I promise when I have the patience I'll add them slowly but surely.

NEXT TIME ON HLOCK DOES GREECE:

I have no idea.


I miss you all more than you know.....