So-Crates

DAY 4
Today started quite leisurely after three days of go-go-go. We slept in until about 8:30 (and I use the word sleep loosely as I did very little of it), grabbed breakfast, checked out of the hotel, and headed on our way. First things first, hopped onto the subway again, which came with some drama/entertainment depending on how you look at it. The people in front of us in line at the kiosk had no idea what they were doing and got out of line very confused. J and I stepped up to buy our tickets and were halfway through when the woman tried to tell us it was her turn again. Mind you, this was midway through using the machine and she was trying to push her way back in through the side while yelling at us in Czech or Russian or something that was most definitely not Greek or English. I don’t know how she would even think we’d understand her, but that didn’t seem to bother her. J and I both starting yelling at her to relax and that she left the line so can’t just come back in, especially in the middle of our transaction. She clearly had no idea what we were saying either but I think our tone and body language was universal for “back the fuck up." She was certainly trying to intimidate us, but it wasn’t working. I don’t know who she thought she was thinking she could leave the line and just re-enter. Nope, not happening with us. We just closed her out, finished up, and went on our merry way. 

Popping my laundromat cherry...

DAY 3
I finally got a solid 6.5 hours of sleep last night and awoke to the wake-up call shocked that it was morning already. Although I’ve been sleeping in my compression socks (hi, I’m an old lady...but at least they’re cute ones), my legs were sore. J and I have been walking so much lately and it’s starting to take a little toll on my calves and feet, but we’ve gotta see and do as much as we can for now so I’ll live. 

After breakfast (where I finally had some delicious spanokopita) it was finally time for our Acropolis tour. Obviously the Acropolis is the premiere site here in Athens, so to be here two full days already and not do it was tough, but we had our scheduled tour today and were so ready to learn about The Acropolis and its history and significance. Our tour was early in the morning to beat the heat and the crowds as best as we could. We met our guide in the lobby and made our way to the Acropolis which, as to be expected, was pretty spectacular. The architecture, the history, and the enormity of it was absolutely incredible. Our guide, Kostas, was so knowledgeable and so nice and we were so happy that we had one for this site because we felt like we were getting as much out of it as possible and got to learn so much.  

On the hunt for toilet seats...

DAY 2
After a rough nights sleep (maybe a solid 4 hours) last night, when my alarm went off this morning, I was in a bit of shock that it was already time to wake up and head over to Panathenaic Stadium. This is where the very first Olympics ever was held. They opened at 8 and J and I wanted to be the first ones there and have it all to ourselves if possible. We ran over there and bought our tickets (student discount FTW again) and were the first visitors of the day, which, not gonna lie, was amazing. We ran on the track, climbed the stairs to the top of the stadium, and took pictures on the podium. It was awesome! As a runner, I was totally in awe. I know it is where the finish line for the now current Athens marathon is, which is really cool to imagine. (I mean after all, I was beyond pumped to finish the Illinois marathon on the Illini 50-yard line.) After playing around the track a bit, we went inside to the museum area of the stadium and saw all the torches from all the previous Olympic Games, winter and summer. It was actually super cool. Of course, all I could picture was the iconic moment of Muhammad Ali carrying the torch many years ago. Goosebumps. 

It’s All Greek to Me...

DAY 1
This morning began #RayRaysEuroVacay3 and I couldn’t have been more pumped. I haven’t been to Europe in three years and it feels damn good to be back. This time though, I’m not rolling solo, I’m here with a friend, J. When she heard that I had wanted to go to Europe this summer she asked if she could join since she’d never been.  Although I do love traveling alone and have basically only done it this way in the past, I knew it would be nice to have some company this time around so J and I decided upon Greece, Turkey, and Croatia and the planning begun. When the day finally came, there was a mix of nerves and excitement as to be expected. 

We had a flight to Montreal with a three hour layover until our flight to Athens. Randomly enough, on our flight to Montreal, we ran into one of my college best friends/roommate. I hadn’t seen her since we met up last summer, so not only was it nice to see a friendly face, it was fun to catch each other up on what’s been going on in our lives. She spent the entire layover with us (which included an order of poutine, because of course, when in Canada, do as the Canadians do) until her flight and then we boarded our 9-hour flight to Athens. 

Illinois 26.2: A Recap

12 is my lucky number. Champaign is one of my happy places. And running is something that I love so much. When you put all three of those things together, you'd expect some magic to happen, right? I would. On Saturday, it kind of did, and I am so so happy about it. I got to run my 12th marathon, the Illinois Marathon, in the very city where I fell in love with running in the first place, get a little redemption on my body for being hurt for so long, and prove to myself once again (because for whatever reason, I seem to need constant reminders) that I am a strong, determined woman.