Finally to the Sea!

Hello All!

I know this is my second post for today but I'm going to add some pictures here! I have had a very long day of travelling and I'm exhausted. Basically after 5 hours on the train to Northern Greece, I took a bus to the village I'm staying at got lost, no one spoke English, and therefore it took me two hours to get to my hotel.

No complaints now though because this is beautiful and serene! I never imagined my hotel backing right out onto the beach My room looks out onto the Agean Sea and I feel at peace. This is just so exciting knowing that tomorrow I will get on the sailboat and actually be out there! So it was worth all the trouble and hassel of getting here.

I met the funniest people on the train ride today. I just have to share this. I'll post pictures below but let me tell you the story if you want to here: I sit down on the second train to Volos and I'm sitting with three young women. They were laughing with eachother and just seemed happy. One of the sweet girls tried to ask me where I was from and had little English. I told them from Canada and they were absoultly thrilled. Basically the WHOLE train ride we were all trying to communicate, we were laughing hysterically, and this young man sitting across from us and his fiance knew more english so he started translating back and forth. Basically we laughed for an hour straight and just had mini conversations. They were all such great and friendly people who really made my day. I'm so thankful to have had such a great laugh and so much fun with them!

As far as this evening goes I'm about to go take a swim in the sea and lay on the beach. I was just informed that tonight is their yearly Wine Festival on the beach with live music so I'm totally going to check that out too! I promise to update at least one more time probably tomorrow morning my time before I get on the sailboat. You won't here from me for a few days after that!

Here are some pictures:

I took this photo last night from the top of a shopping centre near my Hostel. That is the Parthenon and I'm really looking forward to seeing it later on in August!

Me, waiting for my train this morning.

Me, getting on the train.

The lovely Greek ladies I met. SOOO funny!

Off to the Train!

Hello All,

It is 8am local time and I've packed up all my stuff and I'm getting ready to travel by train to Northern Greece to a city called Volos. This is where I will get on my sailboat and travel the Greek Islands for 2 weeks. I am looking forward to taking the train and getting somewhere out of the big city!

Yesterday as you know I visited the National Archaeological Museum which was really neat, then I walked around, went to some Greek shops, and had to go on a decently long walk to the train station to purchase my train tickets. I had a really interesting evening last night. haha I met a group of some very funny Australians who were quite fun, we laughed alot and then watched the riot/protest together. Let me explain:

I was kind of a bit scared myself but they seemed to think it was fine. I guess the Nigerians who live here did some work on Greek buildings, didn't get payed, and therefore are protesting. They were lighting things on fire (and i mean lots of things), throwing garbage, and screaming into microphones as they marched the streets. And of course I find out that my hostel is in the Ghetto...so guess where they were marching??? haha RIGHT OUTSIDE!!! lol

Anyway, I am safe and all is well. It's probably a good thing I'm leaving Athens and then staying at a different hostel when I'm back! :)

Well, I will update once I arrive safely in my hotel in Volos. After that there will be limited updates when I'm on the sailboat.

My prayers are with you all back in Canada. Please keep praying for me as well!

Love, Maryse

A few Photos!

2:30 yesterday morning. This is at Syntagma Sqare.

I thought that well the internet was working on my computer I would upload some photos for everyone.

It's 2 in the afternoon and its very hot here. I spent my morning and noon hour at the National Archaeological Museum of Greece. It was a very neat museum with lots of cool artifacts, vases, and gold from way back in history. It is the weirdest feeling being completely alone in a new country but I happen to love this feeling and the fun of finding my way around on the busy busy streets of Athens. I probably won't get to see your "picture perfect" coast line of Greece until I sail the Greek Islands on August 1st. But for now here are a few photos!

Hope all is well in Canada!

I know this ones hard to see. But this is me in front of the Museam.

The busy streets of Athens.

Gold.....lots of Gold!! ha

Me taking pictures of myself cause I feel bad asking random people to take them for me. Man...not many people speak English here! ha

Last but NOT least! Ladies....how would you like to use THESE to put on your makeup in the morning??? haha

Isn't that crazy...in the 16th Century thats what the women used!

I made it to Athens...Finally

Hello!

I am here safely at my hostel. It is 3am on Wednesday the 30th and I haven't gotton a lot of sleep. So...I'm tired. I have had quite the little adventure since I left Calgary. I flew nicely to Frankfurt, Germany arrving at 11am and after that things were crazy.

Long story short, my flight to Athens was full so I waited 3 hours to find out that the next flight to Athens was full and then I waited another 3 hours until 9:30 at night and got the last seat on board! Thank goodness because I was starting to stress out.

Anyway, I arrived at 1am and took the city bus to Syntagma Square which is the Greek Parliment Building then I walked 15 mins at 2:30 in the morning to my hostel. Just a bit sketchy! haha Funny Story: I got chased by a wild dog that tried to chew my luggage. However at the moment it was scary. lol

Anyway...I am here safely and I'm really excited to wake up in the morning and actually "see" Greece.

Thanks for all your prayers! I'll post a few pictures tomorrow. I already have one of me at Syntagma Square!!

Cheers!

Goodbye Canada.

Hello!

Today has finally come. My bags are packed, I have said my goodbyes, and I am ready to take on an adventure of a lifetime.

I am the slightest bit nervous but mostly I am feeling excited. I know that all my dreams of whats to come won't be even close to what God has in store for me. This is what excites me.

I am flying to Germany this evening, and then I should arrive in Athens tomorrow evening on the 29th, but to everyone back home this will be around 8 or 9am tomorrow.

I expect that I will be quite tired when I arrive in Greece however I will be sure to write once I find my hostel in Athens.

Thank You all for your love, support, and prayers. I will update my blog whenever I can!

God Bless You All!!

Flights are booked!

Hello All,

So in 15 days I will be leaving for Greece. I have officially found flights that I'm planning to go on. I fly stand-by which means its not guaranteed that I get on but I still book myself which is exciting. I have made my decision to go to Dublin, Ireland for 8 days after I travel Greece. So I will officially be gone for at least a full month. I have always wanted to go to Ireland and see the beautiful coast and green country. I can't wait. My hope right now is that all my flights work out and that I get to my destinations safely. If not its all part of the adventure and I'll end up somewhere!

Anyway, I just wanted to fill you'll in and let you know that I'm getting super close to things all playing out. I have a website that I'm going to book my hostels on and hopefully as we get closer everything will fall into place. I'm really looking forward to getting away from everything I know and meeting new people and going on new adventures. This will be a well needed and good trip i'm sure. Thanks for reading! Below im going to post the description of where and what I'm specifically going to be doing!

Description: (Worth Reading)

Experience the challenges of sea life while working as a member of the crew. In the evenings relax as you gaze at the setting sun, laying safely at anchor in a remote cove enjoying fine Greek and international meals, good company and the gentle sounds of the sea.
Visit a variety of islands rich in beauty and history. Learn not only to sail but to seek God, seeing Him in that which He has made, discovering Him by His word and experiencing Him through the lives of His people.
Days at sea will be interspersed with days ashore on some of the most beautiful islands and coastal areas of Northern Greece. Tours can be organized to explore their interior, culture, architecture and history.
The daily schedule will involve sail training, knots, navigation, snorkeling over reefs and through caves, cliff jumping and windsurfing with lessons included as well as ample opportunity to relax with a good book or chat with a friend. Most days we will take the opportunity to explore God's Word in an informal and friendly atmosphere. Evenings will usually be in the quiet of a protected cove.

Thanks for reading!

Less Than a Month Away!

Today is July 2nd, and in 26 days I will be leaving Calgary in hopes of arriving safely in Greece. I am looking forward to this trip more and more each day but with that comes a little more worry and responsibility for finishing up all my plans.

I have yet to know where exactly I will be staying. The only days I have set for accomodation and meals is from the 1st of August to the 15th when I will be on the sail boat. Other than that I have NO plans and no idea where I'll be staying. Thinking about this scares me a little but at the same time this is totally what travelling Europe is suppose to be like. You basically don't have a clue where your going, you go anywhere your heart desires, and you hope that you can find a hostel each night to stay in. haha This makes me laugh. Oh....I'm excited!





On a side note from my trip...I just officially graduated High School on June 26th, 2009. I had a great graduation and will cherish all my memories of school. I plan to grow from all the great times, and learn from all the bad ones. I have made some great friendships especially in the last few years and I realize that starting september ( and for me I guess end of July) I won't be seeing alot of these people on a day to day basis. It is sad to think about and yet hard to understand because the reality is they are still here and until their gone I won't understand.

Anyway, enough ranting about that. I am really looking forward to my trip, I'm thankful I had a great graduation, and I plan on soaking up every bit of summer with great friends and family.



Maryse