Greece- quick note

I'm sitting in an internet cafe in Neo Kornithos - don't even want to know how hot it is, has been getting above 40 C (which is a bit intense). The dig is grand times thus far, been great meeting all these liberal arts types, learning about ancient times, having a community that is pretty welcoming and cohesive in just a short time.

I got to Athens on 9 June, stayed with the lovely Traci, Mike, Kate, and Laura. Explored some of the major sites but spent more time just hanging out. Then headed to the dig site and have been chilling with Andrew and Susan. The dig really got underway about a week ago, I've been the odd one out with my non-classics background (it's a heck of a story explaining how I got here) but think it's good to have someone who speaks living languages around to just mix things up if nothing else. Good mix of people, students are from all over and I've made some excellent friends already. And there's time to read! Huzzah!

Celebrated my birthday last week in high style - little Andrew and I went into town for a frappe, coloring in the morning. I went to the beach with Barbara in the afternoon, then threw a cocktail hour where people surprised me with sparklers, candles, singing and fun presents. Good times. Went out afterwards, Nikos, one of the restaurant owners in Old Corinth, is friends with the entire world it seems (I've met a Serbian guy (yay practicing), the police chief, and some others through him). Had excellent baklava. Saturday we had a big dinner at his place with roast lamb and all the trimmings, then a dance party on the terrace overlooking the ruins of Ancient Corinth. (I hate the fact that spelling for place names is all madness here changing). It was a great few days of birthday joy.

I think Andrew and I are basically entertainment for the whole dig. It's nice to be loved.

And I even have tan lines. yessir.