Ti kanes?
So, I am a girl, hm…Woman, definitely not a teenager anymore, hm… so.. I am a person. I made the decision to experience a culture shock first hand…. Don’t get me wrong. I didn’t expect it to be a culture shock, but of course as I had really high expectations, even higher hopes, while still trying really, really hard not to think of this period as being the time of my life and blahblahblah, all that surreal stuff that we secretly yearn for, even though we would never ever, ever admit it to anyone..yiyks..a bit too late for that now…. Anyways…. Let’s begin with coming down from the airplane…
How can you loose hand luggage on a plan the size of a handkerchief?!?! When we got it half an hour later, I was seething, steam coming from my ears and my sister was stroking my hand in a feeble effort to come me down. All the Greek business man, who missed his connecting flight because of this said was: «welcome to the Balkans! « If I weren’t so idealistic, naive or whatever you might call it, I would have taken this as my cue to get my pretty ass back on the plane and run from this chaotic country…. But let’s face it, it’s easier to make mistakes, and blog about them :S Even after nearly 2 months it still shocks me that people can really move that slowly, that “siga,siga” is a life motto, so please do take into account at least 2 hours for a quick lunch, a day and a half if you wish to get anything done in a bank and no less than a week when you are in a hurry to find or receive something, but can’t get to it without help of some or other official.
Where am I? Greece. That beautiful country, with an insane number of islands, amazing beaches, notorious Greek lovers, where everyone gets wild, crazy, wet and tanned. The country of amazing history, guys who resemble their warrior ancestors and temperamental women with wild hair and a crazy outtake on life. I chose the wrong part of Greece for that, unfortunately. Here, tourists don’t come to party, but to go on a pilgrimage to Mount Athos. The closest thing we get to a club is a beach bar, which is undoubtedly cool, but doesn’t really provide us with the wild parties. Oh and for the hot Stavroses, Yannis’, and Christoses? Sorry to disappoint you, but definitely non –existent. Maybe short, stocky and full of themselves just isn’t my type. But really, how can you take a guy seriously, when he looks like a truck has fallen on them first, backed over them and then Tinkerbell came along with her magic dust to give them special powers. But don’t be worried. They’re not able to fly, turn invisible or walk on water; it’s something even more amazing, they have self-confidence coming out of their ears, and seem to be genuinely shocked if you do not find them simply irresistible.
But honestly, the one thing I find irresistible here are the beaches, with its turquoise water, sandy beaches and the no sharks rule…OK, the last thing has not been confirmed, checked or seriously considered for a moment, but this is what I’ve been told. The water’s supposed to be too hot for them. But just handy-dandy for me. Honestly it is amazing to go in water after a few hours of sunbathing without experiencing the same sensations that are associated with a heart attack. What brings an even bigger smile to my face is that the sea doesn’t seem to be able to form waves and you can float, goof about or swim for miles without the added bonus of water splashing into your ears, eyes and mouth. Will I fall in love with this unorganized country, or won’t I be able to hack it and will book a plane ticket home before the summer heat finishes? Hm…. Honeys, even I have no idea.