"Wanna Play a Game?"

**Note: Post Date is July 14, 2009**

“Hey you wanna play a game? It is called your wasting 87 dollars,” Bo says.  And I would have won that game too if it weren’t for my two lovely roommates waking me up. It was 7:30 and our tour bus was leaving at 7:45. I leaped out of bed, brushed my teeth, washed my face, dressed and jetted out the door to head for the gang plank. It was a close call. Well not that close seeing as we didn’t get on the road till about 8:15. We were headed for Delphi.

I’m glad it was a 3 hour ride to this mythical site, for I needed more sleep.  I even resorted to coffee at a rest stop along the way. I ordered a frappe, about one of the only things I can read on a menu. If there is one language that I cannot comprehend or even attempt to decode is Greek! Anyway the ride was a restful one and a scenic one too.  We were riding right in the center of these gorgeous mountains that engulfed our tour bus and my nerves. Once again I was riding on a narrow road in between a mountain side and a cliff! When is it going to stop!?

Well it finally did stop; once we arrived. All I had to worry about was the treacherous return. I was so excited to be there though. I took a Theater in Ancient Greece course a few semesters back and now I am actually seeing some of the historic sites. Our tour guide was stylish, humble and precise with her information and she seemed to love her job. And we loved her! She told us numerous myths through the sculptures we saw in the museum. She also discussed the progression of sculpture and the destruction of Delphi. Delphi is said to have been the home of God Apollo and the Oracle who served as the connection between mortals and the Gods themselves. Today only remains the ruins of this mythical place but you can still see the columns that hold strong. These everlasting monuments, such as the Parthenon, Delphi and the Olympic stadium, are what come across as impressive. They are our connection to the ancient times of this complex nation.

You would think that by taking these tours the amount of walking would decrease. We thought wrong. We walk absolutely everywhere. And not leisurely walking, but hiking up hills in the beaming sun, by mid afternoon we are already beat and ready for a nap! We not only had a three hour nap on the way home (I use this term loosely) but we also stopped for a Greek lunch. It was quite tasty and very filling. We were served a sort of spinach kiesh, cheese curd, a falafel ball, some sort of veal (which I didn’t like) and that was only the appetizers. For the main meal we were served a beef patty with some sort of cheese in the center, fries and a Greek Salad.  Dessert was a choice and I chose fruit which was absolutely the best watermelon I’ve ever had! No joke! All of this wonderful dining was with a overlooking view of those gorgeous mountains. It was a wonderful afternoon.

And it wasn’t over. We made one last stop at a Greek Monastery. I was actually quite interested in them. One of the churches are dedicated to St. Paul and within the church is said to be some remains of his body. The inside of the churches were quaint and calm. Why do churches always have the same smell? Anyways the girls had to put on skirts before we entered the Monastery. I understand the tradition and respect their wishes but it was pretty funny. I am once again satisfied with our choice in tours. With the numerous stops, the lovely tour guide and the huge lunch it was definitely worth the cost.

The day had sucked a lot out of us. So most of us decided to relax with an evening in or a night at a close bar. I, however, with the determination to get everything I could out of this trip decided to venture into Athens to get a look of the Parthenon and other sites at night. I took the metro, which again is ironically more affordable and more luxurious than New York’s public transportation, and headed to the great city of Athens. It was a simple and satisfying task that I’m glad I accomplished.

Today officially marks the half way mark on this extraordinary voyage (O0o0o I don’t think I’ve ever used that adjective yet)  and it also marks the fourth week. Recap.

Fooling Yourself by Styx

Your fooling yourself, you don’t believe it
Your kidding yourself, you don’t believe it
Why must you be such an angry young man?
When your future looks quite bright to me?

In the stream of our discussion of money and the negativity that can come along with it, the attitude that some generations have on their life and their future is quite upsetting as well. It scares me that some of the people in this program simply look at it as a party boat and a chance to get drunk all the time. I don’t know if everyone sees this as enriching experience, nevertheless they have done something right to be here. They have showed perseverance, passion and dedication into the extensive process it takes to be prepared for such a journey. Certain young people in my life have demonstrated more than less of those qualities. They have put school on the backburner and without recognizing its extreme consequences. I believe in youth immensely and want nothing more for people than happy lives. So it scares me when I see young students dismiss an education or push it to the side all together. I’m not a fan of summer school, but I am a fan of living. Life comes with many hardships such as money, health, relationships and labor that can only be eased by the will power to remain focused, educated and motivated. In my younger friends and family members I see a lack of motivation that is consequently stifling their indefinite futures. If there is one thing that has made all things possible including Semester at Sea is my undying motivation to create a fulfilling life. I hope this for them too and I only hope that my behavior can instill their desire.

O What a Day by Ingrid Michaelson

O what a day is today
Nothing can stand in my way!

I don’t think I will ever stop talking about the day we kayaked through the Adriatic Sea. It was a day to never forget. Enough Said.

Class from Chicago

What ever happen to fair dealing?
And pure ethics?
And nice manners?
Why is it everyone now is a pain in the ass?
What ever happen to class?

What ever happen to please may I?
And Yes thank you?
And “How charming?”
Now every son-of-a-bitch is a snake in the grass
What ever happen to class?

There ain’t gentleman to open up the doors
There ain’t no ladies now, there’s only pigs and whores
And even kids will knock you down so they can pass
Nobody’s got no class.

I’m high maintenance but by no means am I classy. But still nonetheless have some respect.  Since coming into your Europe people’s manners have just flown to the way side amongst both Americans and Europeans. Semester at Sea students have been not only rude to the hard working staff on the boat but also completely disrespectful to places such as restaurants, clubs and beaches in the nations we‘ve been visiting. There is a rumor that they trashed a club one night in Croatia and in result were banned from visiting the next nights. Also some guy spilled beer all over a public bus. They just totally disregard that they aren’t in their home town and that they need to remain dignified not only for themselves, but for this institution and for the name of our country. I can’t say the locals are any better. On countless occasions I have been literally pushed out of the way to get to the front of a line or just to give them more space. Service here is less than exemplary, they barely have eye contact and if they do it is for a brief second. People say New Yorkers are ruthless but my time in New York as been ideal compared to my relations here. Of course this is a overview. Not all my encounters have been negative but still what gives people the nerve?

Some People from Gypsy

Anybody that stays home is dead.
If I die it won’t be from sitting
It will be from fighting to get up and get out!

Some people can get a thrill
Knitting sweater and staying still
That’s ok for some people who don’t they’re alive

Some People can thrive and bloom
Living life in a living room
That’s perfect for some people of 105

But I at least got to try
When I think of all the sights that I’ve got see
And all the places that I’ve got to play
All the things that I’ve got to be
C’mon people what ya say!?

Say Yes! Some people who shall remain nameless just don’t get the point sometimes. A lot of the time they will head back to the boat at an early hour because they are tired or miss out on an entire trip due to minimal reasons. I understand it is their decision, their trip and completely their prerogative but in the nicest terms, “Are you nuts!?” You need to get out and explore! That is what this trip is about. Yes it may be tiring, yes it may be expensive but what were you expecting?  For someone who is extremely high maintenance I am roughing and toughing it out there in each port getting the most out of it that I can! This is why I took my adventure to Athens at night and this is why I will continue to maximize my time on the rest of this long, compact journey!

Good Night Athens.

Explore. Dream. Discover.

~Michael-Anthony

P.S.  It’s really hot here!