Destination: Greece!
At the end of my first year teaching English in Spain some friends and I decided to take a vacation to Greece. SNelson, a friend from college studied there and has ever since said amazing things about it, so I knew it was going to be wonderful 
What I didn’t expect was how incredibly hospitable and sweet the Grecian people were going to be! From the moment we arrived to the second I got off the plane in Madrid I felt like I belonged in that country, even though I only knew one word in Greek, Efharisto (thank you). But what I learned was that knowing that word and putting on a big smile can really go a long way (or maybe it was the fact that nearly everyone spoke English that made it so easy).
Each day in Athens and Santorini was filled with something exciting to do. One day we toured the Parthenon and all the ruins of Athens
Another day we took a day tour which consisted of walking on an active volcano, swimming in hot springs, journeying through a typical Grecian town, and climbing hundreds of stairs to watch a beautiful sunset.
Another day we rented 4-wheelers to tour the three most beautiful beaches of Santorini
Selfishly, however, my favorite day was my birthday! The girls really made it a special day. I awoke to a groggy rendition of Happy Birthday to You and a beautiful present. Then we explored the biggest ‘city’ of Santorini, Fira. And we ended the day walking around picturesque Oia, eating the most delicious baklava and being serenaded at an ‘off the beaten path’ restaurant, and lots of dancing at an Irish bar.
Saying hasta luego to the girls and adios to Greece came all too soon…
Laura replied:
Hello – this is random but I have just been assigned to Galicia for the teaching program and was hoping you could give me a few tips on the region. I am having a really difficult time deciding whether or not to take it, since I have a job in NYC and may have a fulltime at the end of the summer. I have always wanted to do something like this but it is a scary thing for me to commit. Please let me know all your personal thoughts on the region and your experience (of whether or not you would do it again). Are there multiple people who are assigned to each town or were you placed alone? Were you able to find a place to live quite easily? Thank you and I hope to hear from you soon!
Best,
Laura
ldfarbo@gmail.com
July 9, 2010 at 5:39 pm. Permalink.
Mary replied:
Hey Amy,
First, I want to say how GREAT it is to see a blog/website for a program participant! A lot of the other blogs don’t talk about things the way that you do, so thanks for your candor and thoughts.
Second, I recently got accepted into the Auxiliares program and have been placed in the Balearic Islands. I was hoping you could shed some light on a few things about the program. I wasn’t sure how to get in touch with you except via commenting, so you would be so kind as send me an email to my email address (mschwich at gmail.com) I’d love to pick apart your brain.
Thanks for the help! It’s much appreciated.
Mary
July 15, 2010 at 1:15 am. Permalink.