Yesterday we went into the capital city, Fira and walked around a bunch. In order to get to the water from the top of the cliff you needed to either walk, take a cable car down or take a donkey. All seven of the girls started to walk down but then Paola and I decided we would go back up and walk around the shops plus I needed to use the water closet anyway, WC for short. We went to a bunch of shops and I ended up buying a little painting of the Fira landscape. The rest of the girls came back from coming up the cliff and they rode donkeys up!!! Sounds like a good idea but these things are crazy. I know it would have been a good experience but I think I will be experiencing enough while I am over here. The walk down and up the cliff was excruciatingly hot and we are very sore now. I don't think I have ever been more sweat except for today but more about that later. We left Fira and got back to the hostel around 9 got gyros for dinner and then Angela, Hillary, Paola, Liz and I went to a new bar and met a local waiter, he was really sweet and ended up coming with us to the next club to meet the rest of the group.

This morning around everywhere. There were about 100 people on the boat with us and directions and information were given in Greek, Spanish, German, and English. Sure am learning a lot of new cultural stuff. First we went to the dormant but still active volcano and climbed to the top. Now this was a super hot journey. Just think no breeze, black rocks radiating heat... The view was absolutely amazing from the top of the volcano, we got a great group picture! After that the boat anchored outside of a cove and we were able to jump in and SWIM IN THE AEGEAN SEA!!! The water was so clear and warm. We swam from the sea into a cove where there were hot springs and the water was like a hot tub. From there we went to a small port between Fira and another city Ia and docked there and we were able to walk around the town a little bit. Angela and I went swimming again and let me tell you this is the clearest water in the world. We were sitting on the shore and we opened our eyes underwater and could see bottoms of boat way out and could see the bottom go on for about 100 meters and this water was the prettiest blue i have EVER seen in my life. Its my new favorite color. We then were dropped off in Ia to watch the sunset which is said to be the greatest sunset watching in the world but personally, 10 Pokanoket trail is the best place in the world to watch a sunset. When we were dropped off in Ia we needed to climb up the cliff again. So by this point we were all so tried and sweaty and gross and were not in any means getting on any donkeys we decided to run up. Crazy i know but we got there faster and more sweaty but we rewarded ourselves with ice cream at the top. I swear i lost 10 pounds today i really wish i had a scale. We got back tonight at around 9 and we are all getting ready and showered to go get dinner. Trying a new restaurant tonight!!