So I have been seriously slacking on this blog thing. The last couple weeks have been INSANELY busy. Sooo I'll apologize now for how long this blog might be

So lets start with a few weeks ago. One night me and a few of the girls went to play Basketball with some French boys we have become friends with. The basketball games are super informal but extremely fun at the same time. Well this night we played until it was dark and we couldn't see anymore, and somehow we all came to the conclusion it would be a great idea to jump in the sea. Now, let me emphasize the fact that it was pitch black out and I have a fear of the bottom of the sea in the daytime, let alone at night. But somehow, I survived. It was a ton of fun. We all splashed around in the sea, knocking each other over, ya know all the typical "lets all flirt like we are twelve" stuff. Totally innocent, but totally fun.

The next morning we were off to our five day vacation! Yes we got a vacation on our study abroad, amazing I know. We were going to spend three days in Santorini (which is where sisterhood of the traveling pants is filmed) and then two days in Paros which is another touristic island. We took a large boat to get there. Oh but first we spent the day in Athens! So let me tell you about that.

Athens is possibly the coolest place I have ever been. And the Acropolis is mind-blowing. We spent a few hours there and then did a bus tour of Athens. After the bus tour we ate, and then did some shopping. If any of you know me, you know how happy this shopping trip made me. After Athens we said goodbye to our professor and we were on our own to head to Santorini! (Well our two TAs were also with us.) The boat to Santorini was a long trip. We boarded the boat about two hours before it was supposed to leave, so naturally we sat down and ordered wine. Well, leave it to the American girls to consume the entire ships' quantity of white wine before the boat even left the port. Whoops.

We arrived in Santorini about 130am. We were all so tired that we just wanted to get to our hotel to sleep. (Turns out our hotel was called 'Hotel Margarita'….fitting.) Well we didn't realize that the ride up to our hotel was about to be the scariest moment of our lives. Never in my life have I been on a cliff so high, or so close to the edge. Ya know, if we were driving around a cliff like that in America (which would never happen for safety reasons) we would all drive slow and cautiously. Right? Well not in Greece. These people WHIP around corners so fast I swear our bus was on two wheels. All I can say is thank goodness it was dark out or I may not have made it through the ride. After that our three days in Santorini were wonderful in every way. The first day we went cliff jumping. Possibly the coolest thing I have ever done. I was standing up there, staring down into the bluest water I had ever seen. I don't remember making a conscious decision to jump, but all of a sudden I was flying through the air. They had told us that to avoid pain when hitting the water we needed to jump pencil straight. I think I started that way, but soon got distracted by how long it was taking me to hit the water. I smacked into the water looking like I was sitting in a chair. Now let me tell you, I have NEVER had a wedgie like that in my life. I thought I broke my butt. I put on a smile while I swam to shore trying to dig my bathing suit bottoms out of my brain.

The next day we went to an old Volcano and hiked around. Took some amazing pictures too. The next part of the day is possibly the funniest and most memorable. We decided to ride donkeys up the mountain. I'm not a horse person, never have been. We have a mutual dislike for one another. But I thought, hey, Im in Greece. Suck it up and get on the damn donkey. So I hopped on with the help of an old man who spoke absolutely no English and just smiled what I think was supposed to be a reassuring toothless grin. And off my donkey went! He was quite enthusiastic about our little hike up the mountain. While some of my friends donkeys refused to move, mine took off with gusto. I named him Buddy. Buddy and I were doing well for a few minutes…until another donkey caught up with us. He must be into competition…because the minute he saw that donkey it was on. He charged ahead without ever taking a break. Do you think Buddy walked in a nice line up the stairs on the mountain? Oh no. We zigzagged back and forth across every five or six steps. I'm pretty sure he even tried to throw me over the cliff a few times…and I had multiple scrapes on my legs to prove it. My friend Erins donkey just flat out refused to move, so the old man tied their donkeys together and led her up the mountain on a leash. We finally made it to the top…and I vowed never again. By the way, I was laughing so hard the entire time I had tears in my eyes. Possibly my favorite experience so far.

Our last day in Santorini we went snorkeling. SO FUN. By the way, my new favorite outfit is a wetsuit and flippers. There are pictures to prove it. I would recommend snorkeling to anyone, definitely worth the money. Or at least in Greece it is. Then we headed to Paros. Paros is another beautiful island. Our time there was spent much more leisurely. We all lounged by the pool or headed to the beach. At night we did casual shopping or just went out for a few drinks. It was nice and relaxing.

We finally got back to our island (Lesvos.) The other night we decided to go over to the French boys house for a bit and drink some ouzo. (Disgusting alcohol that tastes like black licorice, but all of Europe seems to be obsessed with it. Mind boggling really.) Then we all headed down to the beach to hangout for a few hours and stargaze. Well it turns out there was a Greek wedding going on! And yes, we crashed the wedding. We then joined the circle of Greek dancing, linking arms and everything, while people shouted and laughed in a language we couldn't understand. It was an experience I had wanted all my life, I just hadn't known it. I will never forget it.

Well…I'm sure I am missing a TON of stuff…I need to be better about blogging more. I cannot believe I have less than two weeks left in this beautiful place. This weekend we are heading to Turkey—I'm sure I will have many fun stories when we get back from that too.

Until then!

Brette