Surviving the Cyclades

The Cyclades are a group of islands in the Aegean Sea, southeast of mainland Greece. The islands got their name, deriving from the Greek name κυκλάς, the sacred island of Delos. Two hundred and twenty islands make up the Cyclades, however, for island hopping, you will only visit the major ones. These include: Amorgos, Anafi, Ándros, Antiparos, Delos, Eschati, Ios, Kéa, Kimolos, Kythnos, Mílos, Mykonos, Náxos, Páros, Folegandros, Serifos, Sifnos, Sikinos, Síros, Tinos and Santorini.

Now, for a young backpacker looking for meeting new folk and party friends, the islands you want to pay attention to are Mykonos, Ios and Santorini. Why? Because Mykonos is the most all around popular party haven, Ios is the cheapest island, and Santorini is a historical must-see destination.

Mykonos: If you are looking for the ideal Greek looking island, you hit the jackpot. This 6 mile brown, barren looking island with rolling hills is littered with breath-taking white washed, blue shutter houses. Mykonos is know as "the windy island," and in the summer months of September and October, the wind can be pretty brutal. Mykonos's main town, cleverly named "Mykonos Town," is a maze of narrow streets and side alleys that will lead you to stumble upon underground tavernas. The island
offers people from all ages to enjoy the all-night family owned discos, traditional Greek restaurants, beach parties a bit of R & R.

Santorini: This island supposedly known for being where the ancient city of Atlantis was. Many travelers come here for a romantic gettaway, historical adventure or a donkey trek you will never forget! Santorini has 3 popular areas. Fira, which is the cliffside town that faces the caldera. Perissa, which is a town located on the opposite side of the island, which allows easy access to the Black Beach and cheap drinks. And Oia, which is on the tip of the island, and is most famous for the breathtaking sunsets. Santorini is a hot spot that cannot be missed whle visiting the Greek islands.

Ios: Also known to travellers as "the cheap island," Ios offers young backpackers 1 euro Mythos beers, 2 for one cocktails and a hillside tangle of bars, clubs, shops, and Porky's, the best Gyro bar on the planet. Exploring Ios is very simple, as you can hop on an ATV or scooter and drive yourself around the island for a meer 15 euro + gas prices. But don't forget to bring your driver's license! The beautiful island brings flocks of Italians, Australians, Americans to the cheap hostels, and my favorite Franchescos!

Tips: Do not always plan your route weeks in advance. You can always pick up a ticket the day before you want to leave for the next island. A quick check on Hostel World for a cheap hostel on your next destination and a trip to the Blue Star ferry shop will give you enough idea when to leave.

Greek Language

I am by no means skilled at the Greek language. Besides English, I only know American Sign Language, which is not spoken. But when you are traveling through Greece or living, you should try to learn as much as you can. So let us begin with the basics in English and phenetic Greek and I will give a few links to some of my favorite free audio lessons. The capitols in the phenetic spelling is the emphasis.

Basic Conversation:
Hello = "YA-sue" or if you are refering to elder or plural people "YA-sas"
Yes = "Neh"
No = "O-he"
How are you? = "Tee kah-nis?"
Thank You = "F-hair-eh-STO"
Good = "Kah-LA"
Very Good = "Poe-LEE Kah-LA"
Where are you going? = "POOH-Pas?"
Where have you been? = "Pooh-ESSAY?"
Where is... = "POOH E-nah..."
I want... = "Thelo..."
Why = "Yah-tEE"
Where = "Pooh"
What = "Tee" I know this is confusing with the phrase for "how are you," but it translates..

Common Words you will hear if you listen:
"Ella" This means "Come" or "Come here" Most of the time they use the word to answer to phone.
"Malaka" This is basically "Asshole" But every male always says it to their friend or anyone. So it can be a light, playful word as well.
"YAH-mas" Cheers!
"Da-xi" This means okay.

So that is my basic lesson. I you want to learn some sentance structure and random words then visit www.kypros.org or if you are looking to buy a wonderful Greek language program, go to www.rosettastone.com

Schengen Treaty: Plain and Simple

Many travelers seem unaware of the Shengen Treaty. Here is all the information you need to know. Straight Up.

The unlucky countries: Austria Belgium Denmark Finland France Germany Greece Iceland Italy Luxembourg Netherlands Norway Portugal Spain Sweden

What the hell is it?: The Schengen Agreement was signed in 1985 in the village of Schengen, on the borders of Luxembourg, France and Germany. It established common immigration procedures between the signatories to the treaty. This treaty is not related to the European Union. When moving between Schengen countries, officials will often not want to see your passport,however, the duration of your stay is determined by how long you’ve been in all the Schengen countries, combined.

Meaning: To keep foreigners from setting up shop in any of those countries for to long. A traveler, meaning if you are American, Canadian or Australian, or any country with a Schengen Visa (non-EU/EEA), can only be in all those countries for 90 days COMBINED and unconsequetivly. So even if you spent one month in Italy, 3 weeks in Spain, one month in France, left the Schengen zone for UK for 2 weeks, and came back for 3 weeks in greece..this means you just overstayed your tourist visa by 2 weeks! In order to not overstay, you must make sure you do not stay the 90 days in a 180 day period. Ew. Can we say vacation ruiner?

Bad News: Sometimes they will scan your passport just for fun, sometimes they will check it to see how long you have been there. Sometimes countries don't even stamp your passport (which could be in your favor if planning to overstay)...if you get caught, you COULD have to pay a fine anywhere from 300-1500 euros, and if you don't, you are blackballed from the whole zone ie: basically all of Europe.

Good News: Un-fuckin-likly (regarding the bad news). Millions of travelers go to Europe and jump from country to country without having any clue about this law. Unless you are being retarded and selling drugs or open your mouth about how cool your illegal status for you beach bartending job, then they cannot always track you! The officials are aware that not all countries are responsable and stamp you. You definitly could have gone outside the zone for 3 months by personal car or bicycle and never got a stamp. Just look extremly confused and say you were utterly unaware of everything.

How do you know all of this? I overstayed 2 months. No questions. Knock on wood.

My advice? If you have overstayed your tourist visa, do not leave to go back to your mother country from the Schengen zone. Fly to UK, Turkey, Croatia...somewhere, THEN fly back.

Greek Island Hopper's Unite

Welcome!

This is where you can have all your travel questions about traveling the Greek islands answered!
Whether you are a poor college student trying to squeeze in some infamous Greek partying or a family of four wishing for an ancient excursion, I am your "It" girl when it comes to the Greek Islands.

A bit about me:
I am a 23-year old travel guru from Seattle, Washington. I have been doing something called, "dirty backpacking," which is a term I coined while scrounging around Europe back when I was 20. "Dirty Backpacking," is when you basically carry your whole life, on your back in a 15-30 pound backpack. This also includes cutting your budget very short, and not being afraid to eat a load of bread for dinner a few nights a week while traveling.


In a nutshell..here is why I have come to know and become ridicuously obsessed with the Greek Isles:

• Age 8: Became awkwardly facinated with Ancient Greek civilization


• Age 14: Tried to find a religion that worshipped the Ancient Greek Gods


• Age 15: Failed to find a religion that worshipped the Ancient Greek Gods


• Age 16: Became an expert on Greek mythology and a smart ass


• Age 18: Joined a sorority at Washington State University (Alpha Chi Omega) and learned the Greek alphabet.
  
• Age 20: My first introduction to Europe was via Greece, where I fell deeply in love with the language, art and complete culture.
  
• Age 21: Completed coursework in Ancient civilization and Greek mythology
  
• Age 22: Gave up my Starbucks job, my 3-year boyfriend, said by to my family and Seattle, took a leap of faith, and landed in the Greek isles working and finding the love of my life.
  

So here I am now. Living in the Greek isles with my Greek boyfriend. I know information about the Cyclades, Visas, Schengen Treaty, Work, Love, Music, Language and Culture.

Ask away!