Up date!

So I've been in Thessaloniki for about 4 months now, and I was having such a good time I neglected my blog. I'll start oFf with some highlights from the last few months:

1. I started and finished my first semester at ACT.
2. I've adapted to my environment
3. I haven't been to a beach yet :(
4. I experienced Oxi day.
5. Just celebrated Christmas and New Years, and now we are in a new decade!
6. I learn more about the place every day, and I appreciate it that much more.

Ok, So the school that I go to has a pretty diverse population considering its Greece. Greeks seem to be the smallest portion followed by various balkaners, and then the study abroad students (mainly American) make up the largest percentage (I'd say about half). The classes are limited in subject and even more limited based on who enrolls in them. For instance 2 of my classes were dropped because there weren't enough students in them. One was intermediate Greek, a huge disappoinment being that I wanted to continue learning the language while I am here, but even with out the class I've learned more Greek than I thought I could learn. It helps being around my Greek friends.

Thessaloniki is a big city, and very heavily populated. Where there are alot of people there are also a lot of cars. I come from a place that you don't really walk any where or take the bus, its been a bit of a challenge adjusting to crossing roads that stop signs are optional and redlights are still green 5 seconds after they turn red. Traffic is crazy in Thess, but perhaps that will change in upcoming years since there is a subway being constructed. Apart from adapting to the transportation, I've also become accostmed to the way grocery shopping is different here (you price your own fruit and veggies by weighing them yourself, and you bag your own groceries). I'm learning new words everyday, and I can communicate enough to get what I want.

to be continued..