Athens

Good Morning from Athens!

I have some mixed feelings as I wake up this morning and remember the rest of the group has flown home. I am happy that I will have some time and flexibility to do what I want, but am sad to say goodbye to new and old friends.

Yesterday, we left the beautiful Island of Poros around 10:30am, boarded a luggage boat in the scorching heat, and rode it across the bay to load on yet another ferry. The ferry ride was a couple of hours, and when we docked, we all loaded onto a bus and headed to the Acropolis for a tour.

Our tour guide was an interesting character, and seemed more concerned with giving us a vocabulary lesson than teaching us about the ruins. She kept pronouncing words as if we were little children. Luckily for her, we were all about to die from heat-stroke, so no one was paying attention.

The scorching heat didn't keep me from appreciating what I was seeing, although I was suprised to learn that the Acropolis itself is not standing as its original structure. In the 17th century, it was used by the occupying nation to hold gunpowder and ammunition. When lighting struck that year, the Acropolis blew to bits. It has been reconstructed as it originally was however, and it truly is a sight to see.

Mom has a picture of Sara in front of the Acropolis from a trip she took several years ago to Greece. I was determined to get the same picture so she could frame them next to eachother. (the one you see is ONLY one momma, I have other options). It was fun trying to remember the position Sara was in, as well as what she was doing....so we'll see how close I get.

Last night, we had our farewell dinner with the tour. We went to a great little greek resturaunt not far from the hotel, and had greek salad, house wine, pork slouvaki,and backlava (I'm positive these aren't being spelled correctly)

It's natural for me to get reflective when a trip like this comes to a close (at least one part) You always see a different side of others when they are about to fly home and that was true last night. Everyone was getting along and laughing and talking-not unlike most of the trip, but in a way that made me wish everyone wasn't leaving just yet.

Today, we have some free time before we check into our hostel here in Greece. I have woken up early and am going to figure out directions. Our tour guide Herbie is detained in Athens because of an ATV accident that sent one of the boys on our trip to the hospital (he's going to be fine ), but this means he will be staying in Athens another night. This makes me feel better because Athens is kind of intimidating and scary. We are having dinner with him around 7:00pm tonight.

I am slowly updating pictures. Here is the Greek link (with alot more pictures added)

More Greece

I am anticipating internet for the rest of the trip, but as you know, that's unpredictable too!

Talk to you soon!

Kate