This morning, the breakfast crew learned their duties, one of which is walking each morning to the bakery down the street (down, because the street goes down toward the sea; up the street is the opposite direction toward the next town) and selecting and a sample of pastries for everyone to try. They got the coffee machine going for us and the stairwell got busy with echoing, happy chatter from the students as they walked down the marble steps. After breakfast we had our first class day. No one was sleepy at all because of jet lag and sitting still. ;)
Natasa is going to keep us well fed. We had roasted chicken, lemon potatoes (a Greek specialty), fried zucchini (Natasa told us this is another Greek specialty), and a salad with orange and cranberries. She made baklava for dessert. I wanted to get a spoon and gather the serving tray just in front of me. The students are being good about trying everything she serves.
After lunch everyone went on a Porto Rafti walking tour. We saw the different shops and restaurants along the way and ended our tour at the water. We walked along the harbor and out to what HUGgers call "the point." It's land that jets out to a point, with water along both sides. The students tried their first taste of Greek coffee – it is stronger than what we are used to!
Back at our campus, we shared more "house rules" at Orientation #2, and then shared tips and lessons about safety. Your students are armed with information and a safety plan.
Dr. Hopper arrived on our campus today. Dr. Hopper is the dean of international programs at HU and wanted to come spend time with your wonderful students. He's also leading one of the classes that all students are required to take to semester. We will sit as his feet. Before our next activity, we sat at the grand piano that is in our lobby. Dr. Hopper is an accomplished musician who has played all over the world, so we enjoyed a concert that was cut too short by the dinner bell. I'm hoping for many more piano listening opportunities while he's here!
Supper was Greek pizza, which was Natasa's homemade dough, a cheese that she said was NOT diet cheese, and topped with ham/bacon. Natasa also made a spinach soufflé, and there were tomatoes with a Greek cheese that was a cross between feta and goat cheese. She already had tonight's tomatoes on hand but informed me that we would do without tomatoes for the next few days because of the recent frost that the Athens area received. Everything's fresh here and it tastes like it!
After our evening meal, we had our first chapel experience in Greece, and Coach Beason challenged our focus; he wants us, this semester and always, to keep our eyes on Jesus. Coach Beason loves studying Paul's writings and shared with us some of the passages that are most helpful and meaningful to him.
After chapel, we sat around, told jokes, got to know each other better, and listened to Caleb play the guitar and sing for us until it was tea time – time for another snack and tea before bed. A friend of Natasa's gave her a lot of oranges recently and said, "Make something for your American kids!" She made almost a candied orange dessert snack with perhaps a lemony hint of flavor, as well. We had it atop the lemony yogurt cream type dessert that she served last night (she made plenty so she knew there would be leftovers - smart lady). Yumm-o, for real. I know the students will sleep well tonight – it's time to help our bodies adjust to the new hours. Ok. Night night. Much more to come tomorrow - our first day into the city!
Natasa is going to keep us well fed. We had roasted chicken, lemon potatoes (a Greek specialty), fried zucchini (Natasa told us this is another Greek specialty), and a salad with orange and cranberries. She made baklava for dessert. I wanted to get a spoon and gather the serving tray just in front of me. The students are being good about trying everything she serves.
After lunch everyone went on a Porto Rafti walking tour. We saw the different shops and restaurants along the way and ended our tour at the water. We walked along the harbor and out to what HUGgers call "the point." It's land that jets out to a point, with water along both sides. The students tried their first taste of Greek coffee – it is stronger than what we are used to!
Back at our campus, we shared more "house rules" at Orientation #2, and then shared tips and lessons about safety. Your students are armed with information and a safety plan.
Dr. Hopper arrived on our campus today. Dr. Hopper is the dean of international programs at HU and wanted to come spend time with your wonderful students. He's also leading one of the classes that all students are required to take to semester. We will sit as his feet. Before our next activity, we sat at the grand piano that is in our lobby. Dr. Hopper is an accomplished musician who has played all over the world, so we enjoyed a concert that was cut too short by the dinner bell. I'm hoping for many more piano listening opportunities while he's here!
Supper was Greek pizza, which was Natasa's homemade dough, a cheese that she said was NOT diet cheese, and topped with ham/bacon. Natasa also made a spinach soufflé, and there were tomatoes with a Greek cheese that was a cross between feta and goat cheese. She already had tonight's tomatoes on hand but informed me that we would do without tomatoes for the next few days because of the recent frost that the Athens area received. Everything's fresh here and it tastes like it!
After our evening meal, we had our first chapel experience in Greece, and Coach Beason challenged our focus; he wants us, this semester and always, to keep our eyes on Jesus. Coach Beason loves studying Paul's writings and shared with us some of the passages that are most helpful and meaningful to him.
After chapel, we sat around, told jokes, got to know each other better, and listened to Caleb play the guitar and sing for us until it was tea time – time for another snack and tea before bed. A friend of Natasa's gave her a lot of oranges recently and said, "Make something for your American kids!" She made almost a candied orange dessert snack with perhaps a lemony hint of flavor, as well. We had it atop the lemony yogurt cream type dessert that she served last night (she made plenty so she knew there would be leftovers - smart lady). Yumm-o, for real. I know the students will sleep well tonight – it's time to help our bodies adjust to the new hours. Ok. Night night. Much more to come tomorrow - our first day into the city!
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