The Greek Orthodox Church

I had my first experience of a Greek Orthodox church service IN GREECE this morning. (Mike and I were not able to go at all when we were here in 2005 due to unforeseen complications that arose....; I didn't go the first weekend I was here because someone told me service was at 6:30am [which it wasn't]; and this past weekend I was in Santorini [where we were actually supposed to visit a Monastery, but that got canceled because the monks were not on the island]) Aside from all of my excuses, I truly enjoyed the church experience here in Greece. I went to a relatively big church, which was very beautiful! The service started at 10:15am (and I showed up around 10:30... like a typical Greek). I walked in, kissed an icon and the Gospel, lit a candle, and sat down at the left side of the church. About halfway through the service, I was looking around and wondering why there seemed to be not too many men in church. I was sitting around all women (young and old) and I didn't see any men (except those who were with their families). But then, I noticed on the RIGHT side of the church (across the center aisle) that that is where all the men were sitting. Apparently the men are supposed to sit on the right side and the women on the left, but I didn't know that! It's not like that in America, as much as my experiences have shown me... The only time I've noticed the two genders split on either side is when I visited the monastery in Port Huron, MI, so I guess it wasn't that surprising--I was just not expecting it. I was going to go up and receive Communion when it was time, but I saw only some parents going up there with their young children, nobody else went up to receive, and Communion was over. I was confused. Next week I will try either to sneak up at the end, or try out another ekklisia (church) to experience as many different Greek Orthodox churches as possible!

After church, I stopped by a mini-market and bought some eggs and butter, and made myself some scrambled eggs with ham and cheese for brunch, along with an apple, banana, bread and jelly, orange juice, and chocolate milk. It was the most American thing I've eaten so far (usually eating souvlaki, gyros, spanakopita [spinach pie], tyropita [cheese pie], and zambonotyropita [ham and cheese pie]), and I've been craving eating eggs ever since I left the States. I suppose another "American" food I've had here in Greece is pizza, but Greeks eat pizza, so it's ok. :) We all found this really awesome pizza place.... soooo gooood... soo cheesey.... I've also been craving smoothies... something I so dearly miss drinking, like I used to 2-3 times a week.

Yesterday, I met up with my friend Ariste from the University of Michigan, who is also studying in Athens this semester (she is in Greece from Sept. '07 until May '08). It was so nice seeing here and catching up! We met up by the Olympic Stadium, and walked to a nice café and got some good (expensive) hot chocolate and talked for like 3 hours. Then we met up with my 3 roommates at this really nice (inexpensive) taverna, called Kosta's. That place is soooo good. They have excellent chicken, beef, meatballs, spaghetti, fries, bread, wine... I love it. A bunch of us go there like every 3 or so days. After dinner, I ended up back at Ariste's place and we watched some episodes of The Office, Season 2 on DVD... hehe... poli thavma!

I got sick this weekend.... I am starting to feel better, as my partial cold is starting to go away. It only started late Friday because I was walking around outside all day and the temperature was pretty cold. So Friday night I stayed in instead of going out to the bar/club with all my fellow study abroad-ers, and slept for 11 hours. I woke up feeling better, and today I'm taking it easy... staying in, doing some Greek homework, and doing some reading for my other classes.

MANNY OUT!