Today we had a free day in Thessaloniki! Quite a few of us decided to sleep in a little this morning (I even heard murmurs of room service escapades). I spearheaded a little jaunt to the White Tower, a cultural landmark of the city. The current structure, built by the Ottoman Empire sometime after 1430, replaced a Byzantine fortification that had previously stood in the same spot. During the rule of the Ottomans, the tower was used as a place of execution, and legend says that the tower used to be stained red with blood until a prisoner whitewashed the entire structure to earn his freedom. While this was most definitely not the case, it makes for a great story!
Much of the rest of the day was spent in either restaurants or stores, of which there are many. From jorts to jeans, even the most stoic of our classmates enjoyed trying on European fashion items. We were all surprised to find the city alive and bustling all afternoon, as we have grown accustomed to the siesta culture found in smaller towns. We had fun all day trying to pinpoint the quintessential Greek look, but were hard pressed to find a consistent example in the people passing by.
Later in the evening, my roommate and I found ourselves having a little date at a charming restaurant off the beaten path. It was there that we met an incredibly friendly Greek man who teased her about not being able to finish off her meal. This was not the first time we had experienced something like this, as leftovers don’t seem to be as much of a cultural staple here as they are in the states.
Overall, today was lovely! It was nice to be able to control our schedule for a day amidst the hustle and bustle of our coursework. I know many of my classmates took the day to catch up on rest, relaxation, and laundry. Tomorrow promises to more odor-free, and full of new adventures!
– Joanna Hancock
Oles in Greece 2020 