Larisa, Greece

In this entry, I want to write about my friend Athanasia's graduation, which was also my opportunity to visit the city of Larisa and revive the erasmus spirit! I had never been in Larisa before, but I had heard a lot about it. Apart from Athanasia, my friend Elena, whom I also know from my erasmus time. I had never been to a graduation ceremony, either, so I was very happy that the first graduation I'd attend would be that of my best friend from erasmus.

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I took the night train to Larisa on a Saturday night. There were trains all day long, but the night one, that leaves a bit before midnight, is much cheaper than the rest of them. It was supposed to leave at 11. 55 p. m., but once we got in, they told us that there was some kind of technical issue that they had to fix before we'd go, so we'd be late. We left at 01. 00 a. m., but at least we were waiting inside the train and not out in the cold! During the trip, I was listening to music and watched a movie in my notebook. At around 03. 00 a. m. I was too tired and sleepy, but I was trying not to sleep. There was even a chance to miss my stop if I wasn't careful, since Larisa was in the middle of the journey and afterwards there would be more stops. So, I tried to stay awake -and, thank God I managed to do it. We arrived in Larisa in less than 4 and a half hours. Larisa was too cold, especially a bit before the crack of dawn, but at least the girls had come to pick me up from the train station -their house wasn't far away either. It was the first time I saw Elena after she'd finished with her placement, so I was really excited about it! We arrived at their house and I felt comfortable right away, since I know the girls very well. The house is very cosy and I liked it a lot. After talking a while to catch up, we all went to sleep, because we were very tired!

During the next days, I got to see the city of Larisa: it is rather bigger than I thought at first. There are many places to visit. What I liked the most was an ancient theatre which was built outside and it reminds you of ancient Greece. I also liked the forest of Larisa. All around the river, there is a park and then a forest. This place is ideal for walks, while many choose to go ride their bikes there or go jogging. The guys also told me that there are often horses in the park! Unfortunately, I didn't get to see one, but maybe I will next time! I also enjoyed walking around the shops of Larisa and seeing how different a city can be from your own, depending on the habits and little details of everyday life.

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One thing that really surprised me and I don't think there is anything like it in Greece, was a milk vending machine. It is a vending machine which provides local people with fresh milk 24/7. Its trademark is a smiling cow and it gives you the choice to buy a plastic bottle and put the milk there or you can just use your own bottle. It was just round the corner of the girls' house and I noted that it was quite popular, since there was pretty much always someone waiting to get milk!

My first days went on like this, more or less, and so we reach the day of Athanasia's graduation. Athanasia studied Agronomy in Larisa's Technical Educational Institution. The day of the graduation we woke up early and took the bus to her University. We had to wait an hour, but after a while many of her friends came to see her as well, so the waiting wasn't that boring. When the ceremony was about to start, all the students gathered on the right side of the room. The rest of us sat in the seats to watch them get their diplomas. Athanasia's friends and I chose some rather good seats right in the centre of the room in order to see everything well -and, also, to take photos. Some of the University's teachers said a few words to the students and, after their speeches, it was time for them to give the diplomas to the students. First, the students took their vow -one student was reading the vow first and then the rest of them were repeating it together. Then, the teachers called the students by name and each one went in the front to receive their diploma. I felt proud of my friend and I was happy to be there!

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Since I didn't have the dates for my exams yet, I decided to stay a few more and see the girls. We hung out together with their friends and they showed me around places in Larisa. One night, I even met a couchsurfer hosted by Athanasia in their house. Her name was Elizabeth and she was German. She only stayed one night in Larisa, as part of her transport back to her country, after a stay in Greece for agrotourism. Furthermore, I was excited to see the laboratory where Athanasia worked. I would always hear about it in her stories and it was just like I had imagined it: a classic laboratory, clean and organized, in the University's building.

After some days, my exams' dates were already out and I decided to return home. I have really nice memories from Larisa and I am sure that I will go back soon in order to visit the places I haven't seen yet!