Before I start on my amazing day today I should probably mention what I did yesterday just for the record!

So for those of you who dont know, I find Athens to big one dirty big stinky hole full of feral dogs, dirty men, smokers and smoke butts everywhere and lots of homeless and depraved people. The fact that there are some serious historical treasures here doesnt seem to matter to anyone!!! I have been attempting to fill my days with any form of activity that will distract me from the filth of the city. My walking tour which I previously wrote about was one of those distractions, as was my visit to Plaka where I discovered the best ice cream in the world and the best giro's ever. Ever! I actually went back to Plake yesterday just go get this icecream and a giro. Amazing. Before that I went to a sermon in this big old beautiful church. Impossible not to be humbled, amazed and feel the presence of something greater than yourself in that place. I stayed for the whole service which was in English and a few words really stuck with me. The minister said "do not tell god what sort of god he should be, where he should be or when he should be there. do not seek god out in only spectacular events, seek him out in quiet moments, moments of darkness and lonliness, moments of hope and moments of confusion". And I walked out thinking god was right there with me in this s***ty place, and I dont consider myself religious!! So after this sermon I walked down a street popping into many a museum along the way. Being a student is a real bonus, if I didnt get in free to these places, I got at least half price. Stoked. So museum hunting filled up most of my day.. I wanted to go to the outdoor cinema that night, but the movie didnt start till nine and somehow i thought it wouldnt be a good idea to walk home at 1130 by myself through the winding streets and alleys of Plaka and down my street where all the prostitutes live! So I trudged home feeling rather sorry for myself and wishing matty was here to take me to the movie. It ended up pouring down rain so then I didnt feel so bad and spent the night reading trash mags on my bed, thanks verity!!!

Today I was determined to get out of this place! So i got up went to the store and bought myself some chocolate, some biscuits a big magazine and some fresh fruit, jumped on the coastal tram and rode it all the way to the last stop, ending up about an hour out of athens at a beautiful beach! I was so so excited. I have never paid to get into a beach in my life, but it was worth the three euro to have my own little table, sunbed, umbrella and a perfect view of the ocean with surrounding little cliffs and islands. I couldnt wipe the smile off my face!! I spent the whole day sunbaking (and ended up scorched because I fell asleep in 37 degree heat, stupid lying weather forecast!) drinking cocktails (that were delivered to me!) reading trashies and eating chocolate, and my favourite- floating in the ocean. I just floated for hours and hours. It was beautiful. And when I wasnt floating I was on my sunbed just listening to the waves crash on the shore and feeling a million miles away from civilisation and the centre of athens. Absolute bliss! It was a amazing experience and made me feel a whole lot better about my situation.

I am really excited tho to be going to beautiful vienna in a couple of days and with only a week to go its made all the more sweeter! I cannot wait to be at home in my peter alexanders with a hot chocolate and my family! I have a had a crazy/beautiful/emotional/stressful experience and I have loved it/hated it/wanted it to go forever/cried myself to sleep! but now I am more than ready to come home. I cant thank mummy and matty enough for being there in the crazy times and the wee hours of the morning when life wasnt the magical fairytale I wanted it to be. You guys have been an amazing support. Thankyou.

More from Vienna to come!!

All my love xoxoxo