Thank you University of Crete

 Thank you University of Crete!!!

The past couple days, we have had the opportunity to study at the University of Crete with Professor Manasakis and Professor Xenakis. The first day, we studied the issue of climate change and sustainability which we found out was a huge issue in the mediterranean. The climate in the mediterranean makes it a prime location for a climate crisis, due to transportation, urbanization, etc. We learned that the acceleration of climate change in this area is about 20% faster than the global average, this is very problematic! Professor Xenakis talked about migration and the different policies and approaches of the Eurozone. This problem really began after the Arab spring  and the Syrian crisis which has been increasing the number of migrants and asylum seekers which is very important to keep an eye on. There have been so many policies changed, altered and removed all together to get to were we are now and to get the EU where it is now. Rethymno is a very cool place with lots of beautiful architecture, rich culture, and good food. It was very nice to be able to see and talk about what we’ve been learning from a different perspective and from a new location.

 

History preserved

It is pretty incredible to see pieces of history right there in front of you just left. Abandon buildings, homes, and churches that give you an insight about who lived here before. In Alikianos and other neighboring villages you can see remnants of ottomans, venetian's, feudal lords homes. To see so much history in one place is so incredible and to know that we get to witness it before it is either forgotten to eventually taken down. We get to see arches that remain which is incredible. The eeriness of what seems like these people just picked up and left all of this behind is so intriguing and having people now live next to such historic sites is very cool to see how the community exists with the past as well.

 

First Week of Crete!

 

Γειά σου! Hello! We have started our first week in Crete. We have visited a lot of beaches such as Agia Maria, Stavros Beach, and Golden Shore Beach. Who can complain about beach time from 3:00-6:00 every day huh! The picture above looks over Chania and the Chanion Gulf. It is gorgeous over here, much better than the Boston ports! 

The institute has been so kind as well! There are cats here of course, and a recent kitten development. We are trying to convince them to befriend us. We are definitely close, I will have to keep you all posted. The food here is delicious; I start every morning with a fresh cup of coffee and toast. All the meals have been delicious, and every evening I am so excited what the ladies have whipped up for dinner. 

(Far-left Kaitlin, middle-left Casey, middle-right Julia, and far-right Me)

So glad I came with such great friends! So excited to explore more the island with them! Thank you Dr. Vamvakas for this awesome, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. 

PS- cheese fries are better at home

First few days...

 

      Finally, we are back in Crete! I am so appreciative and happy to be able to come back here and immerse myself in such a beautiful culture and society. The past couple days we have been acclimating to the food and weather all while enjoying the beautiful beaches and seeing some historical sites like the allied cemetery and the gravesite of Venezuelos. We went to a concert last night and it was so incredible, being able to take part in this community and watch how happy everyone is and how happy they are for each other is so beautiful to see. I love love love it here, thank you Doctor Vamvakas for welcoming us back here for the first time and again for some of us.

10 Day Excursion

It feels good to be back in Alikianos after our long journey away from Crete. It feels like returning to a home that I have known for my whole life. The journey was long and tough, and exhaustion peaked at times during the brutal heat. But it was very much an experience that I will never forget.

We began our journey in Heraklion where we rested and recovered from the long bus ride to the port. Heraklion was a beautiful, metropolitan area with lots of shopping and great food. The overnight boat ride was full of surprises with a restaurant on board and surprisingly comfortable beds (that felt like waterbeds half way through the night). And then it was off to Athens!

We raced through the city beginning with the "Return to Sender" exhibit that showed the fast fashion waste and the effects of overconsumption. This was one of the most powerful exhibits I have seen and really spoke to me for the issues that I could help tackle. We made our way to the Acropolis (with a delicious gyro stop along the way) and passed by many shops and vendors that had caught all of our eyes. There seemed to be smoke near the top of the Acropolis so the street was busy with emergency personnel. After that walk, we divided and conquered the city of Athens and split up until we met up later for our trip to the port. Then it was a short hour trip to Euboea.

Euboea was a grand experience for all of us. Thanks to Professor Vamvakas' connection to Mr. George Danis, we were treated like royalty. He was a very kind and generous man and I could not be more thankful. We shared many long meals together and lots of laugh. The weather was absolutely gorgeous. Our hotel was right near the beach which was amazing for the afternoons. We took a trip to a local vineyard where we tasted some of the BEST wine ever (it was a dessert wine but who says it has to be). For lunch we even went to a beautiful picnic-like spot overlooking the city of Karysto. On our last night, we met with the Mayor at city hall. He was very welcoming and offered many gifts. He explained the use of wind turbines and how it impacts the energy of the city. However, there was quite some confusion on the numbers that were being produced and used. After a quick 5 hour period of sleep, we all got up and began the long journey to Cyprus. From bus to boat to a delayed plane, we managed to arrive in the city of Nicosia on Friday night.

Cyprus, and Nicosia specifically, is the most interesting place I have ever been to. The division between the south and north of the city, the intersection of all these groups of people, and the blend of antiquity and modernization created a city like no other. I spent MANY hours and steps walking around the city both day and night, and really explored it on my own. The downtown area was a hub of shopping and food. We tried a fantastic Armenian place that I may had visited twice more after. The city was lively and fun, with many streets to get lost in. However, the main attraction of the city was the emphasis on division between the Greek and Turkish sides. We crossed over the gate once and saw a completely different world than the side we were living on. It truly was an eye opening experience. The barbed wire is so prominent in every direction you look. The DMZ was filled with nothing except UN troops. However, what was interesting to me was a soccer field on the Turkish side that can be used in the dead zone. There was also very obvious immigrant population, especially in the working class. In the Greek side of Nicosia alone, there was a division amongst socioeconomic classes. The migrant workers lived a much different life than those that were among the rich and wealthy. It was really fascinating to see the complexity of the city through just the people on the streets alone. This was my first contact with the "east" and seeing it for the first time really opened my eyes to how little I have seen of the world. I would love to explore more of different places that aren't the easiest to travel to, and requires more of a challenge than just a vacation spot. 

These last 10 days have taught be so much about everything. I learned a lot about myself through my walking habits and how much I could eat and drink before the walking become difficult. I also learned a lot about why Cyprus, and in general the Mediterranean, is so crucial because it is such a crossroads in the global landscape. I am very appreciative for this experience because it has changed so much of my perspective already. We are back in Crete to finish up the program now; only 3 days left. I am sad to write that so I will closing my laptop now. Αντίο!

-Benjamin Paluk

Cyprus

 We are in our first full day in Cyprus! Last night we went on a mini walking tour around Nicosia to see a few important sites. We got to see the buffer zone which is really close to where we are staying. This makes what we have been discussing conceptualized. I am still having a hard time wrapping around just how crazy it is to see the border where the UN has control. To think about how beautiful Nicosia is and then have the streets surrounding be abandoned is unreal to think about until you see it first hand. So today, we did our class at the University of Cyprus in the cultural department! It was really beautiful in there! A group of us are working on some of our assignments in a coffee shop with Professor Vamvakas. Later today we are going to go in the Turkish occupied side to have a tour and see more landmarks! Very hot 96 degrees today but another beautiful day in the books! 

First Impressions...

The first week (and a half) is officially over! So far, our days are filled with three stimulating classes, sunny days at the beach, and a myriad of different excursions around the island. We take every opportunity to spend time outside admiring the natural beauty and have grown to appreciate the surrounding community within the town. My fellow peers and I talk (ad nauseum) about the wonderful food, people, and culture of Greece and I could surely write endless pages recapping our adventures. However, I’ll focus on my main 2 takeaways from the program so far.

First, I’ve noticed the difficulties in straddling the line between being a tourist and being an active scholar intent on seeking to better understand not only the positives but also challenges within the region. The environment is conducive to enjoying oneself, trust me, yet the challenges (like any country) are present if you look further. The orange juice is delicious … harvested by underpaid immigrants such as the Egyptian worker Aleh whom we met on a walk. The hotels are picturesque …. maintained by overworked hospitality workers who are fighting within unions to be paid fair wages. Our facilities at the Institute provide great Wi-Fi and clean water …. which puts a strain on the country’s natural resources and ability to transport such goods to the locals. The main way to avoid being a temporary apathetic tourist is making a concerted effort to stay cognizant of such issues and remind ourselves the reason why we are here, in the Mediterranean, within a study abroad program. As a group we are trying our best to balance thoroughly enjoying our time here and also tackling uncomfortable conversations regarding the stark reality of this beautiful island.

Secondly, specific to this particular group this year, I highly admire our adaptability and positive attitudes. One example is with our three arduous hikes through the Samaria Gorge, the Ottoman Ruins, and our “walk” to the Apostle Paul’s Church. They were difficult and challenging yet made a lot easier by our optimistic mindset and general camaraderie. We're all funny and light-hearted with unique personalities. Personally, I believe there are a lot of obstacles in life that require gritting your teeth and pushing through until it is over. However, it’s definitely easier being with a group that has the ability to do that with a smile on our faces (especially when there are idyllic beaches waiting at the end!) I’m looking forward to traveling this weekend and will continue to keep this blog updated.

All the best,

Mariana (“Mari”) Kordorsky