As I'm getting ready to leave Greece, I've been thinking about all the things that were so foreign to me when I first got here that are "normal" to me now. It's amazing how much I appreciate some of these things, even if that doesn't make a lot of sense. So here's my list:
Throwing toilet paper away. Greece has really crappy (haha - pun!) sewer systems so flushing ANYTHING down the toilet is a no-no. Not gonna lie, it was really weird to get used to at first. Especially because that meant you have to take out the trash every day. Not just once a week, like I do at home in the country.
Eating family style. My first day here, I was challenged to sit at a cafe longer than a Greek. It was a feat. They sit and sip ouzo, tsiporou, or frappes for HOURS. Two and a half to 3 is about the average. It's amazing! And they eat their meals the same way. They order family style--so they order a bunch of dishes and just all share. And they will sit there and enjoy it forever. The restaurant doesn't kick them out or kindly tell them it's time to leave. Greeks just like to host and they genuinely want you to have a good time. Not so they get paid more or get a better tip (because they don't tip here). There's just such an emphasis on people and relationships that I love.
Siesta. Mmmmm....love mid-afternoon nap time :) All the stores close. ALL OF THEM. So you can't NOT sleep or relax for a little bit. It's quite lovely. I've been to Spain and fell deeply in love with siesta time there but actually living in a country, and not just visiting, has made me appreciate it so much more.
Keys go in upside down. This was one of the harder things to get used to in the beginning. The teeth point up rather than down to unlock anything. I don't know why this is but it was probably the hardest because I have 4 keys to my apartment. That means, I have to use each of them and unlock 4 bolts. All upside down. Frustrating.
Lights on the outside of the door. When you go to the bathroom, this is the time you especially most forget about this....you'll walk in and reach on the inside of the door and the switch isn't there....it's on the wall OUTSIDE of the bathroom.
Hot water. If you want hot water, you have to flip a switch on for about 20 mins and then flip it off. Then you will have hot water. For approximately half the time the switch was on. I've had many sneak-attack cold showers because the hot water has suddenly run out after 5 mins.
No dryer. Not a big deal but I don't think there's much water softener here....so when you dry things outside on a line, they are rock hard. Bedsheets are the worst.
Mopeds. These things terrify me. To no end. They weave and dodge and come out of nowhere. They're gutsy. Red lights mean nothing to them. Frikin daredevils! Oh, and they are the loudest things ever.
Stray animals EVERYWHERE. In a city, Athens takes the cake. If you go for more than 3 mins without seeing a cat or dog....it's very strange.
Ruins. Just outside your apartment, next to your cafe, underneath your restaurant and hotel.....No big deal. Just some very old ruins.
Hearing Greek all the time. My first day here, I nearly cried because I had no idea how to communicate, how to read signs, how to understand what people were saying to me, or how to ask for help. After just a few short weeks, I can do all of those things. I can understand Greek and speak a little of it. Granted, not very well.....but I can figure things out slowly and get myself from point A to point B. I can order food, ask for directions, and say simple phrases. I also know a few curse words, though I haven't had to use them :) Well, that's a lie. I thought to use them once after my friend got "love-tapped" by 5 completely crude strangers. It's seriously going to be bizarre to fly home and hear English everywhere. I'll be able to understand conversations in public places. I'll be able to eavesdrop and know what people are talking about. It's weird to think about. There's so much mystery here because I can't do those things.
Throwing toilet paper away. Greece has really crappy (haha - pun!) sewer systems so flushing ANYTHING down the toilet is a no-no. Not gonna lie, it was really weird to get used to at first. Especially because that meant you have to take out the trash every day. Not just once a week, like I do at home in the country.
Eating family style. My first day here, I was challenged to sit at a cafe longer than a Greek. It was a feat. They sit and sip ouzo, tsiporou, or frappes for HOURS. Two and a half to 3 is about the average. It's amazing! And they eat their meals the same way. They order family style--so they order a bunch of dishes and just all share. And they will sit there and enjoy it forever. The restaurant doesn't kick them out or kindly tell them it's time to leave. Greeks just like to host and they genuinely want you to have a good time. Not so they get paid more or get a better tip (because they don't tip here). There's just such an emphasis on people and relationships that I love.
Siesta. Mmmmm....love mid-afternoon nap time :) All the stores close. ALL OF THEM. So you can't NOT sleep or relax for a little bit. It's quite lovely. I've been to Spain and fell deeply in love with siesta time there but actually living in a country, and not just visiting, has made me appreciate it so much more.
Keys go in upside down. This was one of the harder things to get used to in the beginning. The teeth point up rather than down to unlock anything. I don't know why this is but it was probably the hardest because I have 4 keys to my apartment. That means, I have to use each of them and unlock 4 bolts. All upside down. Frustrating.
Lights on the outside of the door. When you go to the bathroom, this is the time you especially most forget about this....you'll walk in and reach on the inside of the door and the switch isn't there....it's on the wall OUTSIDE of the bathroom.
Hot water. If you want hot water, you have to flip a switch on for about 20 mins and then flip it off. Then you will have hot water. For approximately half the time the switch was on. I've had many sneak-attack cold showers because the hot water has suddenly run out after 5 mins.
No dryer. Not a big deal but I don't think there's much water softener here....so when you dry things outside on a line, they are rock hard. Bedsheets are the worst.
Mopeds. These things terrify me. To no end. They weave and dodge and come out of nowhere. They're gutsy. Red lights mean nothing to them. Frikin daredevils! Oh, and they are the loudest things ever.
Stray animals EVERYWHERE. In a city, Athens takes the cake. If you go for more than 3 mins without seeing a cat or dog....it's very strange.
Ruins. Just outside your apartment, next to your cafe, underneath your restaurant and hotel.....No big deal. Just some very old ruins.
Hearing Greek all the time. My first day here, I nearly cried because I had no idea how to communicate, how to read signs, how to understand what people were saying to me, or how to ask for help. After just a few short weeks, I can do all of those things. I can understand Greek and speak a little of it. Granted, not very well.....but I can figure things out slowly and get myself from point A to point B. I can order food, ask for directions, and say simple phrases. I also know a few curse words, though I haven't had to use them :) Well, that's a lie. I thought to use them once after my friend got "love-tapped" by 5 completely crude strangers. It's seriously going to be bizarre to fly home and hear English everywhere. I'll be able to understand conversations in public places. I'll be able to eavesdrop and know what people are talking about. It's weird to think about. There's so much mystery here because I can't do those things.
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