So how did Renee & I get to Athens, Greece from Split, Croatia? Renee & I took an overnight bus from Split. We bought the tickets at those travel agency office in Split. It was a bit sketch, because the travel agent gave Renee her receipt record on the computer and they gave me a paper receipt. I forgot the reason why that happened but we were afraid one of us wasn’t going to get on the bus. We had to ask our Airbnb Host for her opinion and she said it will be fine. Luckily, everything worked out. We went through Slovenia and Austria to meet up with our classmates in Munich, Germany. We only got out of the bus once to have our passport stamped. Once we met up with our class, we all flew to Athens, Greece. You’re probably asking, why didn’t we just go from Split to Athens? Well, our flight from Munich to Athens was already booked by part of our money for studied abroad (tuition fees, flights, accommodations, etc.).

We checked into Hotel Evripides and let the adventure begin…

Day 1:

We had free breakfast every day in the hotel and this was our view. You could see the Acropolis!

After breakfast, we had a couple of hours to explore before we had to meet at the Acropolis Museum.

Then we all met up and went to the Acropolis Museum.

After the museum, we explored a little more.

Then I got a necklace with my name written in Greek. It looks like “Bibian” and I still have the necklace till this day 🙂

Day 2:

We had more time to explore before we had to meet up with the class.

This was like their pharmacy drug store, just like ours, but CVS, Walgreens, etc.

Then we met up with the class and went to The Parliament. There were two guards there and we were waiting for them to do their exchange but it took a while and it was super hot. I commend those guys who have to stand there for so long in such hot weather.

Then my class and I spontaneously got on those hop on, hop off, tourist double decker bus and rode around.

Then we went to the Zappeion Megaron Park to get interact with the refugees. Now, I probably should have mentioned earlier of what the study abroad program was. It was a journalism class studying abroad about the Syrian refugees. We were there to interview about their experience fleeing from Syria, going through Turkey and Greece, up to Germany for safety.  More of those stories below in this blog.

There were games, sports, music, dancing, and other activities for the kids to enjoy.

I was glad that there was a health and safety team here just incase anything happens.

Then we all went back, relaxed, and my classmates and I went on to the top floor of our hotel and had white wine overlooking Athens.

Then we all went out for drinks! Fun times!

Day 3:

I remember my classmates asked/told our professors that we wanted to go to Santorini & Mykonos – but ofcourse we couldn’t do that, so our professors were so nice and booked all of us a 3 island hopping excursion! How fun is that?!

We sailed to Aegina first and had about 1-2 hours to swim and explore the town. The water was beautiful! Literally.  No filter at all!

Then we sailed to Poros and had a short time here – it was pretty much enough time to eat lunch on the island.

Then we got back onto the boat and sailed to the last island. We had about 2 hours to explore and swim!

So freaking pretty!!

Then there was this cliff that people were jumping off into the water. There was a rail to get up and to go down as well. My first time cliff jumping into water. The waves were definitely strong and the water was super salty. It was a little scary jumping in, but it was fun once you’re in! Thank you Keithy for letting me use your GoPro for this.

Nervous, but excited for another jump into the water!

Woo hoo!

Cheese! It looks like I’m drooling LOL.

and forreals, there is NO FILTER on any of these photos. The water is that clear and blue. It was freaking gorgeous.

Let’s do it again! 😀

I loved it. Thank you, Hydra!

Then we sailed back to Athens and called it a day/night.

Day 4:

*Please be aware that these upcoming photos and stories on Day 4 may be disturbing – we/I got consent as a class to be able to interviews and post about the refugees.*

We went to our first refugee camp and it was not an official one in Athens. As you can see this was just a camp/tents set up for these refugees who were waiting to go to an actual camp and get registered.

The refugees only spoke Syrian and luckily, our classmate, Jana, spoke Syrian and was able to explain and translate everything to us. They told us that this is their living conditions – in tents until they hear something from the police to move onto to the next refugee camp. They only have orange juice and bread to eat. They have to go across the street to use a faucet to take a shower, brush their teeth and get water. Sometimes they even go to the sea to do that if they have to. They said the police treat them like dogs and they are only in and out of the camp at a certain time. In the process, they have lost in contact with family members back in Syria. Some of the refugees said they would rather go back to Syria and die instantly than live in this condition and die slowly.

There are volunteers that come to donate food and play with the children.

This also broke my heart. Seeing this little boy going across the street by himself to get water and carry the heavy gallon back 😦

Then, we went to our 2nd camp and this was registered with the government. You can tell because their homes are portables and not tents. There’s even paramedics on site as well.

This family shared us their portable. The woman in the pink is blind and the man lost his leg from the bombing in Syria.

Before we left, we thanked them for their time and for sharing their story with us. They thanked us, and the man apologized and said, “I’m sorry I don’t have tea to offer.”

That made me heart sank.

It just speaks volumes on their character. They need more than we do.

Bless them all.

Day 5:

The next day, we did a walking tour and was going to go to the Acropolis, but it closed when we got there. Then had dinner as a class at Xenios Zeus.

Day 6:

Since we didn’t get to go to the Acropolis yesterday, my classmates and I went in the morning. It was beautiful and not a hard hike up at all.

Incredible view!

After that, Renee and I got fish pedicures! It was definitely at tickly feeling at first, but then feels so good afterwards. I would do it again 🙂 Definitely much needed after all of the walking we did these past few days hehe.

That is all of Athens, Greece! Then we headed to Lesbos, Greece. After Lesbos, we came back to Athens to board our flight to Munich, Germany. While we waited for our flight, we had half of the day, so we went to the library, the mall, and saw the Panatheniac stadium.