a day in the life

So as of now I've been living in another country for a solid two weeks and let me tell you, it's probably going to be a doozy coming home. I'm living the life. Everyday I get up, walk a few blocks to Mamma Mia's, the local place we eat breakfast at, promptly eat about 7 pieces of toast, then it's off to the rest of our days festivities. After breakfast, the first thing we do is work on learning Greek. The most useful words I've learned so far are swear words, but really. When listening to locals speak, it's easy to pick out words you recognize and a lot of them are less than appropriate.

After Greek lessons we break into our classes, I'm taking a photography course...again. It's pretty awful. I have to walk around the island and take photos of things I like. I doubt I'm going to make it through the class without crying. PSYCH. It's a very relaxing class. I'm learning a lot about how to use my DSLR, which I didn't in the first class I took. We have simpler shots that are due daily and some larger assignments that are due at the end of the week. We usually get plenty of time to take our photos and most days I have time to work in a proper Greek siesta...If there is one thing that has stayed steady throughout my transition from the states to Santorini is my need for naps. Naps on naps. One day, I took three which would probably not be news to many.

After our photo class, we either have free time or we go on some crazy adventure with Peter. By the end of this stay we will have hiked every inch of the island. Thursday, we took a quality two hour hike to the top of the mountain, and by hike I clearly meant climb. We had to climb over plants, walk on the edge of cliffs, and jump over loose rocks in our path. I spent more time looking where to put my feet then looking at the view...I didn't feel like dying.

If we aren't logged into an exhausting adventure with Peter, I usually spend my time at the hotel pool or at the beach. Earlier this week, I went cliff jumping with some friends. And as tough as I like to think I am, I didn't make it through the first or second jump without a buddy system, holding my hand and counting down. I wasn't afraid of the jump...I was obviously more afraid of losing my top...but public nudity isn't a shame here so I didn't have much to worry about.

Yesterday, was our first weekend off without classes. And man. It was GLORIOUS. Marios, the hotel owner, threw us a pool party in which we celebrated life in Santorini with a free drinks and lots of sun.

It's a tough life here on the island.

Here's the link to my photo blog...ch ch check it out!

http://courtneyinsantorini.blogspot.gr/

Love.