Feb. 5—I don’t know where the days go

Days are going by so quickly. I constantly feel like I am just waking up and then night time falls.

Highlight of today…going to aristoteleous square. It is a main strip downtown with many restaurants and shops. We got there just after sunset so the sky still had some color. All the buildings were very ornate and lit up to perfection. This was also our first real glimpse at the Aegean Sea. Mountains sat across the gulf from us. It is amazing and I can’t wait to get up into those mountains. I hope to make a trip there very soon. I need to get away from the city to forget the craziness of this entire situation. New students arrive each day. Just as I begin to feel comfortable with everyone, a new batch shows up. My roommate arrived today! I met him briefly…he was going out to eat as I came back. People are making dinner upstairs…family style. There seems to be more students in the upper levels than on the first floor. My room is tucked at the end of the hall so there isn’t much traffic coming my way. I usually have to go find it. All good though. There are a few rooms on the 7th floor that have breathtaking views. I could stare out at those and forget about everything. I try not to think about those views though. Mine will suffice. I’ve got a good imagination of what I would like it to be.

I got a cell phone today and phone cards for both the phone and public phones. I am really looking forward to calling home. I can’t wait to here the voices of back home. I figure I will call around 1 a.m. to catch people after work. Courtney, I can’t wait to hear your voice.

I went for a walk around noon today by myself. I headed in a direction I haven’t gone yet. I found many lamp stores. I consider that the lamp district now. It was good to get out and stretch my legs. I walked through a parking lot that people pay to park at. I think I upset the two men watching the lot. I think walking through is discourages. Not sure yet.