What’s wrong? You can’t read that title? Well now you know how I feel.
I’m a foreigner in Greece right now. After 48 thousand hours of traveling I finally landed and I’ve been basically sleepwalking through some pretty amazing experiences.
Yesterday I handed someone my card and asked for a vanilla latte. The answer I got was “Τότε δεν εξυπηρετούν τα εδώ σας moron.” to which I responded by pointing at some random drink on the menu, “that will do!”
My heart beat wildly when they swiped my card because it’s all I have. No idea what I need to do to get my hands on some of those fancy Euros I see being tossed around. Since my coffee this morning I’ve pretty much been avoiding any kind of transaction that might require me to speak actual words. Which means I’ve been eating the m&ms I brought on the plane with me for the last 48 hours. I refuse to make any more transactions without assistance. I need a translator.
I never really appreciated or cared about what non-English speaking visitors must feel when they visit America. I didn’t realize how nerve racking it can be to be surrounded by people who don’t have a clue what you’re talking about. I have to say, spending some time in those shoes is a little uncomfortable. The people here are looking at me like I’m crazy. This is exactly why I don’t leave the country.
I think I’ll be a little nicer to foreign speaking travelers from now on instead of screaming, “HUH? LEARN OUR LANGUAGE DUDE I DON’T UNDERSTAND A WORD YOU’RE SAYING.” From now on I think I’ll just hug them and stroke their hair and say, “Hello Foreigner. I know how hard this must be for you right now. I want you to know that I’m kind and I accept you even though I don’t understand a word you’re saying.”
I think foreign speaking visitors would appreciate that.
Not creepy at all.
Alison@Mama Wants This says
Greece is looking AWESOME!!
Google Translate is pretty good by the way. I only say that as I assume you have awesome Internet access :)
jennyonthespot says
You livin’ thah dream. Of course you can’t read anything in the dream, but… ya know ;) SO excited for you. And also jealous, but mostly excited ;)
Paula Kiger says
So excited for you …. livin’ on M&M’s in the country of Ouzo and Opa! Get out there and find some awesome Greekness (but I know it’s hard ….).
PhaseThreeOfLife says
Beautiful photos!
And really… any excuse to eat nothing but M&Ms for 48 straight hours is pretty amazing. ;)
Have fun! Sounds like a great experience.
Vicarious Chelsea says
The pictures are awesome! But I think you should take that kindness to foreigners an extra step and invite each and every one you meet into your home for a meal and some English lessons. Just think of the blog posts…
Eve {beautiful spit up} says
You should’ve invited me to be your translator….My hubby is Greek and I speak Greek, Spanish, French and Italian!!! :-)
Cyrene says
I am green with envy but so happy for you at the same time! Only in my dreams have I ever been to Greece! Sigh.
I can’t wait to hear more about your trip. :)
June Freaking Cleaver says
What an adventure! I’m sure when you get to the Olympics venue, they’ll have folks who speak English, and you can have someone to tag along with. Soak up the local culture, try the local food!
Kay @ Mommy Fabulous says
GASP! Greece? I’m so jealous right now! Live it BIG, Girl! You deserve it.
hillary says
Yah not creepy at ALL. You poor dear! Go find yourself some hot Greek guy to guide you around. Wait…maybe a nun? I don’t know. The point is, find someone to help you! And remember: you’re in GREECE! I would kill to be there right now.
Loukia says
Everyone speaks English in Athens! Seriously, when I’m there, I don’t even speak Greek! Unless I want to totally freak them out so I start in English then end in Greek and they’re like, “You weird Americas!” Even though I’m Canadian, but whatever, same (almost) difference.
If you need a translator, I’m your girl. Just tweet me or send me an email with the subject: OMFG?
:) ENJOY GREECE! OPA!
Kimmy says
OMG!! LMBO!!! Greece, huh?! I WANT TO GO!!! Who the heck are you there with?! You sound like you’re all alone on this trip.
Ryan (The Woven Moments) says
Let the foreigner petting begin!
CaJoh says
It’s all Greek to me. Enjoy your adventure without a translator.
Jennifer says
There has to be some kind of translator app. You should look into that.
A Mommy in the City says
Your pictures are amazing! Hope you’re having a great time. I felt the same way when I traveled to Brazil. I wouldn’t go anywhere without my dad bc he was the only person I knew that spoke Portuguese.
S Club Mama says
Wow, how did I miss you were going to Greece?! Awesome! With kids? Sans kids? With husband? Sans husband? Either way(s) – sweet!
Momma says
I am still mad at you for going and not bringing me….
…hmph.
Heather @ Mrs. Southern Bride says
Ugh, I felt the same way in France! Thankfully, my husband knew enough French to get us around. If only I could master a handful of languages… ;-)
CJ says
I can read that :D
I speak Greek, so it’s an easy thing :)
trash says
In Greece? Swiping your card? Don’t worry, given the state of the Greek economy your mystery drink will probably about two nickels and a dime.
Jenny says
Now I know why I never cross the pond. I won’t understand a word anyone says to me. My sis-n-law always wants me to go on mission trips to foreign countries and that just freaks me out. What if I get hurt or am in dire need of a latte and no one understands me? I am giving myself a panic attack just thinking about it.
I think your knew approach to foreigners will not be creepy at all ;)
Have fun at least it is beautiful, just smile and point and I am sure you will be fine.
Kisatrtle says
Looks like fun but I think you should have brought a friend. Like me!
Val says
Awe beautiful! As for some cold hard Euros… Find an ATM and withdraw some cash. Or stop at a bank for a cash advance on your card. Either one worked in Ireland and you get the best exchange at the point of the transaction.
Can’t wait to see all the gorgeous pics from your trip!
Cam - Bibs & Baubles says
great photos. Enjoy and hopefully you’ll eat something other than M&M’s soon. :)
Kimberly says
Those pictures looks great! I would be LOST in another country. I can relate!
Jessica says
Of course they won’t think it’s creepy if you hug them and stroke their hand while speaking a language they don’t understand at all.
Nicole @MTDLBlog says
WOW. You are one lucky lady. And, what happened to you taking me in your suitcase Hmmmm?!!!
Kimberly at Rubber Chicken Madness says
Ooooohhhhh! I am SO jealous. Sure you don’t need a sherpa? I know they’re from Nepal, and you’re in Greece, but we could try it? I’ll bring a Greek/English dictionary (and more M & M’s). Pretty please????
Okay. I’ll stay stateside and eat a gyro. I’ll squint at the lady sitting two tables down until she looks like you, so I can pretend I’m in Greece after all.
Sigh.
Have a fantastic time!
Kid Id says
And here I was thinking somebody hacked into your site. Glad I clicked on the link to further assess the situation. You should have stopped of in NY on your way there to acclimate. No one speaks a lick of English in NY, and they have their own country of Long Island where they speak Italianglish. No worries. You can stop by on your way back and you can all hug each other at that time.
Just Call Me Lynn says
GORGEOUS! I am so stinkin’ jealous!
Jen says
I loved Greece. Enjoy!
stef says
I would be freaking out a little. So not a world traveler. At All. Have fun!
Jen says
Nope, not creepy at all!
Crystal says
Sounds like an interesting vacation and it makes me want to overnight you a cheeseburger or something!
Of course no one would find that creepy…
Jessica says
I can understand and respect the situation that you’re in, but I must admit that I’m mildly concerned about your lack of nutrition in the past 48 hours. You should probably at least have some wine with those M&Ms!
Dominique@Dominique's Desk says
Lovely pictures.. I too would be lost if I can’t communicate in a foreign land… enjoy the trip.
Jennifer says
You are so funny! I hope you have a great time. Keep an eye out for McDonald’s–I’m sure there’s one of those around there somewhere!
Blythe says
I find that a nice humble expression and a lot of pointing and smiling can get one through a lot in foreign countries. And if you learn one or two words (ie “Hello” and “thank you”) you can consider yourself a Greek superstar!
bcIMthemommy says
I wanna go to Greece. I don’t care that I don’t speek Greek and that the locals would look at me like I’m an idiot or from another planet…. But really that’s so cool! Have fun!
Cathy says
I’ve only traveled to a non-English speaking country once. I will never forget arriving at the airport in Denmark and knowing that I needed to buy a train ticket. I found the machine but all the instructions were in Dutch and it was not intuitive. I stared at the machine while a line started to back up behind me. It was so embarrassing. Finally some guy in line came up to me and asked me if I needed help (in English!). I was never so relieved. So yes, go be nice to foreigners. They will like it.
Untypically Jia says
When I was a teenager I actually taught myself Greek (for fun, yep). And by the time I was an adult I only retained enough to say “good morning”, “I’m tired”, and call my Greek boss an “idiot”.
I hope you have a blast there once you get past the “it’s all Greek to me” phase of the journey. Eat lots and describe the food in detail! *salivates*
Marta says
I am so jealous you are in Greece!
While its been a long time since I was globetrotting I have found that as long as you don’t try to speak VERY loudly and slowly in English people will generally try to help you and figure out what you’re trying to say.
You can always try charades.