"...the wind was against them..." Mark 6:48

I thought that I would write the blog a little early this week, only because I have a good feeling you will laugh at my expense.  So here it is…

            Yesterday (Sunday) our group had plans of going island hopping to Delos and Mykonos for the day.  Because the weather was looking slightly questionable according to forecast, it wasn’t decided until the night before that yes, we were going.  Great news, right?  Wrong.

            The morning was already extremely windy as we arrived at the port, and the sea was looking terribly ominous.  For precautionary reasons, my professor handed out motion sickness pills for everyone to take.  RED FLAG, KYLE.  I got a little nervous when this was mentioned.  We loaded onto the boat and pulled out of the safety of the harbor, where we were immediately hit with the wrath of Posieden.  Up and down, side to side, free fall, side to side and up again.  Within minutes of taking off, of the hundred people on the boat, only of a handful of us weren’t projectile vomiting.  I was completely surrounded.  It was literally everyone around me.  And it didn’t stop.  For an hour and a half, stuck on a boat where sea sickness bags are getting handed out like candy, and rolling around and around and around – Kyle Olson Hell.

            Fortunately, most everyone moved outside up the stairs for fresh air, and easy over-the-side access.  I stayed down inside with my friend Brooke, who was afraid she would lose it if she moved.  Basically, it was a sick joke the universe decided to play on me. 

            When I got out of that hell hole, I got to go explore the ancient ruins of Delos Island.  I took a long climb to the top of the mountain (this thing ain’t got nothin’ on Half Dome though) and the 360 degree view was breathtaking.  I thought I might have blown off and down to my death because of that wretched wind, but according to Greek mythology (some drama went down between Zeus, Hera, Apollo, Posieden, and some prostitute), no one is allowed to give birth or die on that island.  And that is a law still in effect today.  I don’t really know how they enforce that kinda thing, but it made me feel better on the edge of the cliffs.

            Then we had to get back on the boat.

            The gale force winds had only gotten stronger since the morning, and by now, even the crew on the boat looked nervous.  As we rounded out of the harbor we could see swells coming in that were the size of the boat itself.  They cleared everyone off the deck and force everyone to stay down and inside – making it incredibly crowded.  We plowed full speed into the first swell and it felt like we hit a rock.  I was in the front seat and my window was completely submerged under water.  NO SKY.  We surged through and then dropped into valley of water.  There were times where we got stuck in between swells going sideways and twice I was sure our boat would capsize.  People were screaming, things were falling and it was pure pandemonium.  Crew members were running back and forth trying to get control of both the people and the boat. 

I loved it.  One of the most exciting 30 minutes of my life.  It felt like adventure.  I felt like a pirate.  My adrenaline was pumping as I braced myself in my seat and watched as we got tossed about like a toy.  I scanned my emergency exit, but I’m not going to lie, it was so thrilling I couldn’t help but laugh.  I think I just got to the point where I was beyond scared, and was ready to embrace disaster. When we landed in Mykonos, the crew applauded. 

The town of Mykonos paled in comparison to the excitement of the journey.  It was crowded and expensive and it just made me love Paros more.  Paros feels like home.

Well that about does it for this story.  Hope you enjoyed my misery, and my adventure as well.  I thought I would end with a picture of Bruce.  He eats small children.

Getting to Know Paros...

Hello!

Well, life is settling here in Greece and I still can’t seem to believe it. My apartment is fun and very inspiring. It is very much a struggling artist’s studio in Greece. I don’t know if I am struggling, but I am officially an artist in Greece. School started up this week, and I have each of the 5 professors here for a different class. One for painting and drawing, one for poetry, one for creative writing, one for digital photography, and one for black and white film photography. With all these classes though, I have a ton of work. I kinda forgot about homework until my assignments began piling up in the first few days. I am most often found out in the streets of our cute town taking pictures or writing on my lap-top at a café on the waterfront.

We had a tour around the rest of the island and I got to snap some pictures of some beautiful ports, towns, and beaches. This place is pretty gorgeous. I get lost on cobble stoned streets that were made to confuse pirates, but really only just make me late for class. I can’t help but to think of it like the island of Catan though. The only difference is that there are marble quarrys instead of ore.

Days consist of cafes, class, and usually playing volleyball or swimming at the beach till sunset. I’m sure that will begin to change when it gets a bit colder, but for now, I am in study abroad heaven. There is a dog here who is so fat, he could easily pass for a prize winning fair pig. I thought it was prego, but we found that he was a boy. We call him Bruce. Bruce can be found taking about 15 steps and then breaking to lay down on his side all around town. But he’s most commonly near the bakery.

Because I can’t get it anywhere here, peanut butter is the one thing I crave the most. As a substitute, I have been using nutella in mass amounts on everything I eat. People here are getting to know us students and I already walk through town and see familiar faces. The students here love to go out way too much, so sleep is sometimes hard to find. The bar that we all like to go to is small and owned by a 5 foot nothing, little Scottish woman named Karen. She is 45, rude, has the dirtiest mouth I have ever heard, and she loves me. I don’t know why.

I love hearing news from home, because not much really ever changes on this island. It’s so fun and simple and inspirational here, and I try to remain busy so as not to get to thinking about everyone I love at home. For now, my heart is happy. All of you with babies back at home, keep practicing the word “Kyle” for me, cus I’m not there to drill it into their heads, and they need to know who their favorite person is. Love you all!

~K

my address:

Kyle Olson

c/o Barry Tagrin - HISA

Box 11

Parikia, Paros, Cyclades 84400, Greece

Here I Am!

Two long days of traveling and I had finally arrived!

Two in the morning, with two bags at my side.

I meet with a girl who was on my same flight

So we call for a taxi and go off into night.

 

I arrive in the hostel, and, most interestingly…

I meet my new roommate!!!

(She sleeps naked, you see)

Two beds are taken but one still remains.

The girl that I’m with, makes quick on her claim.

So I crawl into bed - with the clothed girl - no doubt,

But she suffered from night terrors, as I’d come to find out.

 

The acropolis by day, and Plaka by night

Everywhere with marble and ruins in sight.

Dinner with the group and then out to an “art bar.”

Our teachers lead us to, like the locals they are.

But we found our way home, as a matter in fact.

It’s such a beautiful city, I just have to go back.

But my poor weary eyelids could take in no more,

Back home at one, and up then at four.

 

Out on the ferry we waited for day.

Heading off from the docks we’re now on our way!

The Mediterranean – an indescribable blue!

It’s so rich in color, but also clear too!?!

The wind whipped up water, what a salty surprise!

Tastes good on the tongue, but it burns in the eyes!

 

Then out pops the island and I feel home at last!

We get assigned to our rooms and unpack and relax

So here now I sit, in my room at my desk.

Looking at all of your pictures, and knowing I’m blessed.

 

We toured our town, got a feel for the beach.

Everything everywhere is in walking reach.

A bit like balboa, but a little bit old.

The marble streets I get lost on are sight to behold!

And my school, we saw for the very first time.

It was like out of a dream, it’s one of a kind.

Tucked in the streets and up marble steps,

Through gates and arches – it’s as good as it gets.

 

Glasses of wine, with our orientation.

Being this happy was an overwhelming sensation.

Classes of poetry, painting, and writing galore.

Did I mention photography – ugh, my school’s such a bore.

The professors are wise, but they let us pick what to do.

There are some strange students, but there are great ones here too.

Santorini, this weekend, Mykonos the next.

Then off to Turkey! Who would have guessed?

I love all the people, I can’t wait to explore.

But don’t worry everyone, I still love you more!

 

I must get some sleep, I’m becoming a clutz

And there’s a bug in this room that is driving me nuts.

I wish I could see you and give you a hug

Seriously now, what’s the deal with this bug.

Goodnight friends and family, I’m missing you here!

I love you!

Yamas!

(oh, ya, that means, cheers!)

 

~K