Day 5: A Day in Hermoupolis
Tuesday, July 29th
Today’s Blog post is brought to you by Olive in Ms. Hrvatin’s English class.
The ancient marble isn’t the only thing worn down; who knew exploring paradise was so exhausting?
A Typical Day in the Life of a GSA Student:
8:00am – The entire group makes its way to the buffet to enjoy a delicious and nutritious breakfast to fuel our busy day ahead
8:45am – We split off into our respective classes to begin our lessons. Throughout the lesson, we had short breaks to grab snacks, water, and swim.
12:45pm – After our lessons, we are free to leave for lunch and explore town.
2:00pm – We reconvene in the afternoon for some independent study time.
4:00pm – Time to get ready for our excursion
5:00pm – 11:00pm – Excursion portion of our lesson in Hermopoulis. We arrive in the town, have a tour from a local guide, and then enjoy dinner and some free time to continue exploring.
Class Overview:
Ms. Hrvatin’s English class ventured down to Galissas Beach, where we enjoyed the sunlight warming our skin. The breeze blowing across my face and through my hair carried the salty ocean taste. The rhythmic sounds of waves crashing on shore were hushed in the background of our lesson. The light reflecting off the water caught my eyes as I looked off into the never-ending horizon. Class consisted of an interactive and engaging discussion of Shakespeare’s The Tempest. We explored the topic of colonialism and were able to separate into groups and discuss it in relation to the play and the various characters. It was highly invigorating learning about the deep, underlying meaning of the play and how it relates to the struggles and problems of that time, which are still present to this day. Relating a text from the 1600s to our modern world allows us to reflect on societal problems and the grave implications of colonialism, no matter the context or time.
Throughout our learning we were able to take various breaks; my fellow classmates and I took advantage of our classroom setting by cooling off in the ocean. Although we were taking breaks, it was almost as if we were stepping into Prospero’s and Miranda’s shoes and indulging in the play as we enjoyed island life. The tide rising and falling with the waves reminded me of Prospero’s temper and changing mood and his fight between the concept of reconciliation and revenge. Learning in this setting is incomparable to anything else and makes me forget I’m doing work at all. Being surrounded by remarkable views and nature while engaging in meaningful conversation allows me to relate to the content and my peers. Overall, the English classes had a great, educational day filled with fun.
Apart from the English classes, photography hiked up a hill leading to Saint Paku, a nearby church, which has an incredible view of the ocean and the town. As they learned about angles and composition, time was frozen with every click, desperately trying to capture the indescribable beauty before their eyes. But the truth is, no photo can encapsulate how truly unreal the experience is firsthand, breathing in the fresh air, feeling the stone ground beneath your feet, and watching people entering the refreshing water. According to one student, “Seeing Greece through the lens of a camera truly changed my life.” Afterwards, the students got to cool down inside the hotel as they practiced editing the photos they took.
The history students had a wonderful day on the patio, spending time together in the joint goal of learning about ancient Greece’s deep and fascinating past. The class participated in an interesting discussion about the two civilizations that most influenced the Greeks. Their lesson wasn’t just about memorizing facts and dates; they connected and heard real stories, which shaped the society they are in. This lesson made the society raw and real, demonstrating that this isn’t just paradise, it’s a place with a profound background.
Standout Moments – The Cats of Greece & Catching up with the Algorithm:
During the tour of Hermopoulis, we passed a historical, ancient church and headed down an alleyway towards the restaurant. Everyone was rushing to dinner because we were all hungry, eager to eat, when a tiny cat ran up to the group. It would not stop meowing, almost begging to be pet, so we did. Then we looked up and saw two kittens, no larger than a pair of mittens. They were sitting on the steps of a doorway, barely noticeable because of their size. Everyone was instantly in love; they were so unbelievably cute. I desperately wanted to take one home with me.
After spending some time with the kitties, we had to continue on our way to the restaurant, as we were already late. I felt gutted walking away; I wanted to take the poor things home and off the streets, but I had no choice. After dinner, still thinking of them, I went to a local pet store nearby and bought them some cat food. When we returned, the cats were nowhere to be seen; I was heartbroken. I wanted to feed them and care for them, so I decided to leave it there in the hopes of their return. As soon as the lid was peeled back, the original cat came darting out from the shadows. Relief rushed through me. Right after, the two kittens also came out from hiding, cautious but hungry. As they enjoyed their meal, I felt fulfilled and reassured.
Before coming to Greece, I had one silly goal: find the number one sun cosmetics brand in Greece: Carroten. Prior to coming on the program, my social media feed was filled with posts raving about the amazing selection and prices in the pharmacies. Carroten is a tanning oil that went viral in North America but has been around for 35 years in Europe. The prices are so inflated online, because of the popularity and the limited access, that I was hoping I could find it in Greece. As I was strolling through the town, we found a Hondos Centre and unknowingly popped in. This store had Carroten galore! There was an entire stand dedicated to all of their products. My group and I stocked up, eager to use it and get our tan on.
Exploring Hermoupolis:
On our tour around town, we visited three churches and admired the beautiful architecture. We found one spot looking between buildings that provided a clear view of all the homes and buildings as they gradually worked their way up the hillside. It was so beautiful seeing all the different coloured homes and how the architecture varied from that in Canada. After taking some photos, we headed to dinner, where we ate outside, enjoying the hot but fresh air.
After dinner, we were dismissed and walked around town, enjoying the different scenery and indulging in the interesting culture. By the end of the night, we were all exhausted; our feet hurt like we had just run a marathon. However, it was still invigorating and fun despite the tiring day. Experiencing the layered history and religion of Hermopoulis is highly interesting in understanding the modern culture and society. Observing the mix of religious buildings and their competition for representing citizens’ beliefs in Hermopoulis relates to The Tempest and themes of colonialism, particularly when Antonio and Prospero fight for control and power. The island in the play makes me think about the colonial legacies in Syros and the history leading to the modern Hermoupolis.
If you think Hermoupolis sounds fun, just wait for tomorrow’s blog post covering the unforgettable sailboat excursion. You won’t want to miss it!
