As I have been wandering around Greece, I have definitely noted a few key differences in the culture between the US and Greece. One key difference I have observed is the amount of people who smoke here, as opposed to the US. This is definitely not a change I could adapt to very well. Just wandering the street I feel like secondhand smoke is definitely an issue, something I am not used to for sure!! Something that I would like to incorporate into my everyday American life, though, is the ease in which Greeks converse with each other and don't seem to have any qualms about getting outside of their comfort zones to do it. Traveling and getting to know a new group of people on this trip is definitely an exit from my comfort zone. Back at home in Poulsbo/Tacoma I definitely have my own independent way of living and dealing with certain situations and change does not often sit well with me. This is a quality of myself I am often pretty hard on myself about, telling myself that if I don't find ways to change, I'll be missing out.
Seeing myself here in Athens having such excellent times and conversations with classmates and my professors has made me think about myself differently. There are certainly two sides of me, I can be quiet and thoughtful, sometimes too much so, but I also have my Italian family to thank for giving me a certain ability to just be in the moment and be who I am without any qualms. Confidence in myself is still a daily battle some days, but this trip is definitely one way to get out of my comfort zone and gain that confidence. I so admire the Greek free spirit of just being able to sit in a cafe' all day and just chat and be in the moment!
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