Mykonooooooooooooooooooooos.

Thursday saw us travel to our first Greek island..... MYKONOS.

AKA the party island.

After a beautiful goodbye dinner with H's family in Athens in the middle of the bustling city, before venturing up through the street markets to a spectacular bar that overlooked the Acropolis (glowing from the strategically placed lights around its base) it was a breathtaking end to wonderful start to our adventure. I was also terribly spoilt by H's family who gave me very special gifts to represent my time in Athens, a bracelet with the Greek eye symbol to ward off the 'other' evil eye, keeping me safe and bringing me good fortune & also a lovely necklace with a tiny glass bottle attached, with the eye symbol on its top and filled with white and blue sand (to represent the Greek colours) and two tiny rocks and shells. As I don't know any Greek YET they were able to very sneakily trick me and I was unawares that they were sussing out my taste! It feels even more special when you are able to make connections with people despite not being able to communicate with them through speech.

It was sad to leave Athens, but I was itching to see what the two and a half hour ferry ride would bring me too...... and I was not disappointed!!

Pulling into the port, all I could see before me were the white concrete houses even more obvious and beautiful due to the dry, barren and mountainous landscape that is Mykonos. Scattered between them were the winding roads, filled with scooters, four wheelers and small cars (needed to get through the impossibly narrow streets). We were met at the port by our hosts wife, who took us to our apartment in Mykonos town. All I can say is WOW!

We could not have been luckier in terms of location. We unloaded our suitcases and were led through the tiny cobblestone alleyways, pure white apartments lining either side with brightly coloured hand rails and window shutters. Everything looks fresh and bright because of the white walls, down and down we wound further and further into the bustling inner core where small shops appeared on either side. Selling tourist items, clothes, hand made greek jewellery, hats, bikinis, cafes with traditional greek food, souvlaki shops, kebab houses, gelato bars, crepe stations with windows full with stacks of nutella (DROOL). It was the most surreal experience because it was like something you see from a postcard or a film set in Greece. Conveniently, our apartment is right above a 24hr gelato bar...... WINNING!! Bueno flavour is the current favourite.... but there is still plenty of time to try some more. After dumping our bags I was itching to explore, first stop was the windmills on the corner of the hill, then down to little venice, loaded with the freshest seafood restaurants, more wandering through the streets, down to the old port to glimpse the ridiculous boats resting in the harbour and then back to our room to formulate some plans!

We rented our green scooter and went for a hoon around the island (I tried not to poo my pants), crazy drivers, opposite sides of the road and drunk tourists aside we arrived at our first beach spending most of the day relaxing in the sun and swimming in the clearest blue water I have EVER seen. Little Venice was on the dinner menu, calamari, octopus, prawns saganaki (in a tomato and feta sauce), a Greek salad.... of course, fresh sea bass and some bread with the traditional olive oil and balsamic vinegar. As the night as still young.... and we are in Mykonos we hit up a cocktail bar for some mojitos before indulging in a nutella, banana and almond crepe..... pushed the limits with that one and I tried not to empty the contents of my stomach onto the street. 

Day 2- a quick peak at super paradise beach (we nearly ran out of petrol) so had to make a detour to paradise beach tropicana where we did some more all important tanning, cocktail drinking and witnessing the beginnings of what tropicana is most famous for..... Sasa the sequinned elephant thong wearing MC.... let me paint a picture for you, he's Italian, fully waxed and oiled, his bits sit strategically inside the elephant trunk and he loves to shout out rude commentary to all of the wasted singles, who are in Mykonos to have a good time..... if you know what I mean. After a few songs and drinks we returned to the apartment and then headed to dinner at another seafood restaurant where more of Mykonos's best seafood was devoured! After a little walk through the markets it was time for bed ready for more ADVENTURES!

Today we got the most delicious breakfast, spinach and feta pastries at one of the oldest Greek bakeries still operating with the use of a proper wood fired oven. We then spent the day at Psarou, my favourite beach so far with the most relaxed atmosphere and beautiful water. We are just about to venture out for some Italian and have a few more sneaky cocktails to top the night off, when in Mykonos!!

Tomorrow another visit to Psarou is on the cards and is our last full day on this beautiful island as we say goodbye on Monday and jump aboard our next ferry to Santorini!!!

Hello Europe. Hello Harry. Hello to the best five weeks of my life!

The European adventure has officially begun.

It started off with a 3 hour plane ride from London to Athens, which was quite an experience on its own. Heathrow lived up to its reputation as the most intimidating airport in the word! I caught elevators several times, escalators galore and even took an underground transit train before I even got to my gate. But it was all worth it, because at the end of the journey I could finally be reunited with my Harry. After an anxious one hour wait, I finally saw his face coming through the arrivals gate and the smile hasn't left mine since. 

Athens is everything I expected it to be and so much more, of course the ruins are what Greece is known for but there is something special about the buzz of the city, its crazy drivers, its winding alley ways upon alley ways filled with something different around each bend, whether it be an ancient ruin, a market street, a mass of graffiti, or a group of old Greek men having a catch up and a ciggy on a corner. It is a city where you feel like you have been taken back in time but somehow dumped in the present. The population is huge making Greece a concrete creation of mazes. The only trees left are the ones that cannot be reached or those surrounding the ruins that evoke a magical, spine tingling, goose bump sense of what once was. 

Impressive as Athens is, my experience here has been made even more meaningful and culturally significant with the assistance of my own Greek translator and tour guide. Yes Harry is Greek. There is something really wonderful about being able to be involved and witness a huge part of someones life in a totally authentic way and I am loving every moment of it. The family's Greek conversations, the kisses on both cheeks, the laughter and just the real beauty of family, which I have missed a lot, even more than I first recognised over the past six months. 

Yesterday involved becoming acquainted with our apartment, which is small, but absolutely charming, with a massive courtyard that looks out onto Athens and up to the Acropolis (which is even more spectacular at night with its glowing lights). 

Our first full day involved a train ride down to Piraeus, Athens main port where we collected our Sea Jet tickets for our journey to Mykonos on Thursday. After a Greek frappe (similar to an ice coffee but a zillion times better) and some spinach pie it was time to head into the city and explore the bustling shopping and market district. A quick stop by Parliament house to check out the sweating guards (the poor things even have to have their faces wiped off from all the sweat, but still stand there all day in full uniform, long everything and a hat included). Before taking on the Acropolis, we needed some sustenance which was found at Thanasis the ultimate Greek restaurant, after a deconstructed kebab (best way I can describe it), the most delicious Greek salad with amazing feta and the bees knees of tomatoes and a few chips for good measure it was time to explore the ancient ruins.

Having studied Ancient Greece since college, and all the way through uni I was a little bit more than excited to see all the sights I had researched for so many years come to life before my eyes. I still couldn't believe it was real (p.s I'm still pinching myself). I don't even know how to begin to describe the amazingness that is the Acropolis, with ruins scattered all over it is a history buffs dream, but the realisation of how HUGE the Acropolis is, really puts things into perspective. The fact that they carried unexplainable amounts of marble up that hill took my appreciation to a whole new level. Half way up we took a detour and headed into a little museum FULL of Greek pottery, art and ancient jewellery, how they managed to create such intricate pieces still amazes me, you go you good things, you go. As we reached the top and saw Athens scattered below us it took my breath away and made me wish that I could have seen the ruins in all there original glory, seriously, mindblown.

After catching my breath, again, we ventured down, taking care as the marble is so worn down under foot that it is incredible slippery, also the paths are not prissy levelled out walkways, they are soldier material ok. At the bottom was the Acropolis museum. Mindblown to a whole new level. Hundreds and hundreds of original carvings and sculptures from the Acropolis are stored in here for safe keeping, and thank goodness they are because you don't appreciate the true beauty of what the Acropolis was until you see all its missing intricate pieces. Not just your average museum, well, if you think a museum built on top of an ancient street with glass panels so that you can see all of the ruins underneath is average, then you are a looser. It really is an inventive and beautiful way for tourists to see original Athens, but also beautiful in the way that those ruins will now be protected for future generations, just as they should be. 

Purchase of the day goes to the 5 bottles of water I downed, which made the heat a lot easier and the sweat floooooow. We slowly wandered through the markets of old Athens on our way back to the apartment, before deciding to get a taxi because we had no idea where we were and our feet were ready to give in. With day one almost over, a little tan, and some amazing photos I feel like the luckiest human in the world. 

How can I not. 

& the holidays HAVE almost BEGUN!!

Last week it was time for me to say goodbye to a lot of students at Portsmouth High as they move on up to the senior school and I move on off to Athens (eeeeeek). Can you tell I'm excited? 

It was an emotional day, filled with eating more than my fair share of cupcakes (the most delicious frosting included) but necessary to push through the days turbulence, I managed to breeze through without a tear.... Surprisingly! I have never received so many hugs at once in my life and I have never felt more appreciated or more satisfied that the last six months I have spent away from my family and my wonderful boyfriend have been worth it after all. There was never a moment when I second guessed that I was in the right place. But there really is no greater feeling than having a parent hug you and tell you that you have made a difference in their child's life, that they talk about you when they come home from school and you know that those lunch times holdings hands around the playground, band aiding scun knees and wiping away tears won't be forgotten. That's when I started welling up. It really was a beautiful day, I was spoilt terribly with cards of appreciation, chocolates and other small mementos from various girls, but I valued the hugs and the hastily hand written cards with ink smudges most of all. 

It's hard for me to explain just how amazing this experience has been so far and I have been so fortunate to be surrounded by the most wonderful group of girls, parents and teachers to help me on this journey. For them I will be forever grateful, it started off being a lot about exploring England, but I realise now that it is the people that I will treasure forever. 

With the weekend to relax I took myself for a stroll to commercial road and let my bargain hunting skills go wild with last minute holiday essentials, a few walks thrown in and it was a thoroughly enjoyable two days.

This week Halle and I spend our last week together before we go our separate ways over the summer and she heads back to America in early August. It's bittersweet, it's been a treat to get to know her. South Carolina is now on my list.... 

We spent today in the attic..... Cleaning out the costume rooms of course! We have Indian, villager, Tudor, nativity, pants with bums sewn in, hats and even a superman suit all now in their appropriate place. I tell you, that room has not been cleaned for years and I am thankful that England seems to have a poor excuse of a population of eight legged furry friends NO SPIDERS or mice phew. 

Tomorrow we tackle a cupboard filled to its top (floor to ceiling) of exercise books. Oh the joys of gapper duties, throw a little music on, have a chat and before you know it it's home time!

I only have 6 sleeps until Athens

6 sleeps until I am reunited with my favourite person

& 6 sleeps before I get to make my dreams come true! 

I cannot believe I am almost there, it has been a challenging but rewarding path that has shown me the truth in a lot of things, but most importantly the truth in love. 

Another week in the life of Miss Cragg

Drama examinations
Catch my breath
Sports Day
Music Examinations
Music Festival
Is how this week has panned out so far........
Tomorrow is the 4th of July.......
The most important American holiday of the year! Unfortunately Halle and I are on music festival duty. Which involves us sitting on stage, whilst being filmed, in the middle of a children's choir, for four and a half hours. Music to my ears..... Where are those ear plugs? Technically I'm on spew/wee/poo duty, if any of the girls need to partake in any of those activities I'm their go to person.... Delightful. Unlike my dad I won't have a spew bucket ready, just a cup of cement, no that's rude, I will escort them to the bathroom where they can go about their way. Let's face it, without me the show would not go on, it's an essential part of the evenings proceedings.
So back to the 4th of July celebrations that we cannot celebrate on the 4th given that we will not be home until 10pm and probably not in the best spirit for some American style partying aka a BBQ and some s'mores oh yeah that's right. A creation I am proud to be taste testing on Saturday.... The 5th of July aka backyard portable BBQ day, grilled chicken and veg and s'more eating extravaganza. For those of you that have not encountered the s'more, it is two biscuits, inside of which a piece of Hershey's chocolate is placed followed by a toasted marshmallow, the top is closed and you smoosh it into your mouth. Sounds awesome huh?!

Sports day was a great day, Halle and I were in charge of Nelson, the blue team. We did some chanting, played some Simon says, cheered until my voice gave way and got a little bit sunburnt!
The girls all had such a fantastic attitude with no crying about loosing races or complaining about having to run which made the day that much more enjoyable, so did the 3pm finish and no higher duty. Which meant....... SHOPPING.
I hit up commercial road and took advantage of the summer sales & can now safely say I am Europe ready!
With only 15 days to go it's getting even more exciting!!!

Saturday night (tonight) is the sixth form formal which Halle and I have been invited too. We are both excited to get out the heels and glam up a little and socialise with more of the girls that we haven't really been able to really get to know. A few wines and a little bit of dancing may be on the cards!

Next week is my final week before the summer holidays begin.
Junior and senior school awards evenings, celebrations assemblies, a family day,  a night out with the junior school staff and some goodbyes. But it all brings me that little bit closer to what I am sure will be the best 5 weeks of my liiiiiiiiiife.