First Impressions

For those of you who ever have to catch a connecting flight at Heathrow, you should know you have to go through security again. You should also know that bottles of water show up on their machines. It may even be worth noting that carrying a bottle of water will result in your belongings being thoroughly searched, your electronic equipment being investigated and spot-checks being performed on liquids you are carrying. They are very nice about it all though in the best traditions of British politeness.

The film on the flight was Mr Margorium's Wonder Emporium. I'm not a film critic but it wasn't bad for a kids film. I have to say that I was incredibly disappointed to have missed Kermit the Frog's cameo while I was busy choosing my alcoholic beverage from the drinks trolley.

As the plane came into land, I did have a moment of "what the hell am I doing here?" as the reality of being on Greek soil hit home. I was reassured once I'd made contact with the school and managed to meet my tutor at the correct metro station. I was even more reassured once we made it to the apartment.

After showing me around, Marisa (the tutor and school director) toook me to dinner. She had a little chat with the guy in the kiosk downstairs about tavernas in the area but we eventually caught a cab upto the school and went to a restaurant there. It was a pretty casual place with a lot of students and the food was good.

It was an ideal opportunity for Marisa and I to get to know one another a bit better but I have to admit I was slightly flummoxed by the "so tell me about yourself" question. What are you supposed to say when you are asked that? Spout your life history? Tell her all the minutiae of daily life in your family? List a load of random stuff? I went for the broad history (language student, local government wage-slave) and a limited story of what I had been doing for the last year (sod-all and baby-sitting). Perhaps the random stuff would be more interesting but there is always the risk that a stranger will start to question your sanity. Let's try it and see what you think.*

I love really good dark chocolate especially with orange, cloves, vanilla, chilli, but sometimes only a creme egg will hit the spot.
I adore music of all descriptions but I can't sing or play an instrument.
I like to dance and jump at gigs and I don't care who's watching.
I burn really easily and worry about skin cancer.
I like my freckles and can't imagine what I'd look like without them.
I have green eyes. They were blue until I was 14 then they turned grey.
I like pashminas at the moment.
I enjoy learning new languages while it's easy but I'm a bit lazy to do the hard work.

Talking of languages, I have to master the word for plumber pdq. I have to leave my keys downstairs for him but they don't speak English. I don't speak Greek but I figure I can just hand them over with the word "plumber" and they will understand. I hope.

So today will be about discovering my neigbourhood. While we were walking last night, we had a view down the street of the Akropolis. I did actually think that maybe I could see it from my balcony but the sunshades cut off the view. The apartment is in the Keramikos district so it's pretty close to the archaeological sites. I'm going to go to the supermarket, then have a little wander round and take some photos.


*I don't want a report, thank you.

Panic over!!

Spoke to the school director and accommodation is sorted and someone will meet me in Athens.

*breathes huge sigh of relief*


As independant as I am, it's nice to have some things sorted for me.

Of course I am a control freak now and again so I was a little worried.

Ready for the off

erm......no, not really.

Not much of a surprise and I've always been Queen of the Last Minute Rush. I'm pretty much organised and I have a couple of days yet so it'll all work out. I think my biggest concern is hoping the school in Athens manage to find me an apartment to stay in!

After the initial excitement I started to worry and doubt my abilities. Strangely, I'd always doubted my ability to teach but now I'm more confident about that and less confident of my knowledge of English grammar, but hey, that's why I'm going to school.

Christmas was the usual family scrum but more so. Nobody seemed to have any idea of what presents they wanted so I bought myself a grammar book on behalf of my mother. Joy.

So that's pretty much it. I've said my goodbyes and I'm ready for the off.