If life was perfect, it would be boring.

So after school today I decided to walk to the nearest Cosmote, a phone company here. My HR friend had printed the directions so I could use a paper map to navigate the route.

I don’t have a working Greek phone yet; I need a SIM card that will give me a phone number and data to use. Until then, I’m on airplane mode!

I began making my way to Cosmote, using the map, and finally got close after walking about 20 minutes. The nearest landmark was a church. I walked around to find the little shop on the other side of the building, and low and behold, it was closed! I had double checked before I had left; Google said they should be open until 5:30pm, and it was only 4:45! But oh well, there wasn’t anything I could do.

I took a minute on a bench to gather myself and enjoy the beautiful church before me. Then, I decided to make my way back, using the sidewalk on the opposite way of the street I had come up, for a change of scenery and to check out some shops that had looked interesting on my walk up.

I went into a few stores to look for some items I still needed, but didn’t find anything, so I continued my way back to where I started from.

But I walked, and walked, and walked. I couldn’t find my school! I began getting a bit nervous, and kept walking. Maybe I just have a bit farther to go, I kept telling myself. So I kept walking along the main road.

I had passed a nice looking (double story!) market on my to the phone store that I wanted to check out, and decided to ask someone, “Which way to MyMarket?”. They looked at me funny, and in response to that, I then asked “Metro?” And pointed with my hands. That would be more helpful I thought. They pointed straight ahead, so I kept going.

And I kept going. I was still a bit anxious, and just decided that it must be coming up soon.

It didn’t really come up soon.

But I continued on, yay for perseverance!! Finally, I stumbled upon a McDonald’s. I know what you’re thinking, “Why are you eating American food? You just arrived a week ago!”. Yes, while that may be true, I thought to myself, “Free WiFi!”. I just had to go in.

I went inside, ordered some dinner and sat down to look at my Google Maps. It turns out I was about 4 minutes from the nearest metro station! Great news!

I finished my meal and began walking a bit. But, you know how when you use Google Maps, sometimes the first part is the hardest, because you don’t know initially to take a left or a right? Yeah, me too.

So I took a left. That wasn’t right! (Get the pun?!)

I went the wrong way, again. BUT, I realized my mistake and was about to turn around when I saw this beautiful plant nursery. I decided to stop in and look around.

I’ve never been a plant lady, but I’m very intrigued. So I began searching for something small I could ride back with on the public transport. I decided on a succulent. I found this one. It was beautiful, in it’s own little way. It was perfect to me. (I know, it’s getting a bit cheesy at this point)

I found a colorful pot and brought that along with the plant up to the counter. The lady working started to take a scissors to it to cut off the part that has ripped. I stopped her and said, “No! I like little mistakes.” She smiled and looked at me like I was a bit crazy, but went on with everything.

I managed to find the nearest metro station and figured out my way from there.

Moral of the story: mistakes are going to happen, and why not just celebrate them?

I don’t ever want life to be perfect, it sounds too boring.

Thanks for reading.

❤️
~Anna