I'm surprised this isn't a food blog

Finally I am in Paros, settled on the island where I will be until June.
Our group woke up bright and early (5:15 to be exact) and rolled our heavy bags down to the bus stop in Athens, until we arrived at the ferry to take us to our current island home.
When I was told ferry I imagined a little packed boat with a strong fishy smell..when in actuality it was three stories, resembling a cruise liner complete with a cafe and restaurant, outdoor tables, plenty of plush indoor seating and tv's (playing hilarious Greek soap operas).
One of the greatest finds of this day was located in the ferry cafe, a croissant type flakey crust pastery, with warm chocolate filling.
I've always been a fan of desserts, and chocolate filled croissants have never seemed extra special to me. But this...this was heaven.
After a good long 5 hours (that surprisingly seemed longer than my plane flight...thank goodness for my Hunger Games book) there was sight of our destination, Paros. We all rushed to the back end of the ferry and endured the cold wind and ocean spray to see glimpses of the white and blue houses that we have only pictured in our minds up to now. And those mental pictures were pretty accurate because about 99.9% of the buildings here are blue and white.

The atmosphere is much calmer than that in Athens, granted it is definitely less populated. But it's almost a whole different world. I still can't believe this is the place where I will be living!
The sun was out, though there was definitely still a chill in the air. There is a main walkway along the water that we take to get from our rooms to the supermarket (where today we stocked up on fresh fruit and whatever we could recognize despite Greek labels) and to the rows of stores and cafes and banks that interweave throughout this part of the island.

I am very content with the living situation, all the HISA students are staying at a place called Jimmy's Apartments, which is a hotel during the tourist filled summers here. The family that owns this is SO extremely nice and friendly, offering to help with every little thing. My little balcony overlooks lemon and orange trees as well as neighboring balconies. I've begun decorating and making this room feel like my own with pictures and my scarves and hats hung up, and gifts from friends from home.
The only things that remind me that I'm in a completely foreign country are the shower (which instead of having a fixed shower head, has one that you hold. I'm learning to separate my showering steps: pre rinse, put the shower head down, lather, and then rinse. It's actually not so bad) and the power outlets, which despite buying a new adaptor and voltage converter, is experiencing technical difficulties.
But despite those reminders, easing into this lifestyle is natural so far.
Tomorrow we have orientation and officially sign up for classes that start this week! Going to be an interesting feeling actually having projects and homework again..but the classes themselves should be interesting.
Now, as I'm sure you're curious, here's some pictures from today's trip:

 
 

Titanic pose

 

 

 

 

Currently obsessed with this, it's like a carbonated orange juice