Mar 19, 2013 - Grease

Hi everyone! I'm in Grease! Did you know that the first Olympics was in Athens, Grease! My favorite sport in it is the ice skating! I love to ice skate! I went to a museum with a lot of pottery because Grease is known for its pottery! The pottery is so ancient! Did I mention I love to make pottery! There are so many gods! I can't name them all! Thor is the god of lightning, Aphrodite is the goddess of Love, Beauty and Eternal Youth, and Athena was the Greek goddess of Wisdom, Skill and War! That is all I know! Aphrodite is my favorite!...

Mar 18, 2013 - Greece

In Greece we found out that they held the first olympics! Iv never seen the real olympics but Iv seen it on television. When you think of Greece what do you picture? I picture the ancient stadium in ruins. I really like the thought of having their food! I like the goat and spinach roll thing. It sounds really gross but its good. I think you all would like Greece!

Jan 4, 2013 - Athens at last!

After a grueling bus and train ride from Budapest, crossing many borders and varying geography, I have arrived in Athens. I found a lovely room in a small hotel overlooking a square in the Plaka , the old town centre of Athens. It has a beautiful curving wooden balcony that extends out in the square where old men sit on benches surveying the bustling life going on around them. The Plaka fairly pulsates with activity, between the bars and restaurants, the shops and markets, no one stands still for long. Yet, for all its life, Athens is so...

Nov 12, 2012 - Athens

Instead of taking one of the ship tours of Athens, we decided to head out on our own (with the help of Rick Steves' book!) We spent the morning at the Acropolis, focusing on the Parthenon. It was quite a climb up to it! We have decided that the Europeans just loved climbing hills and building things at the top! It certainly has kept us in good walking shape! The Acroplois was magnificent. Right before beginning the climb up to the Parthenon we stopped at Mars Hill and thought about Paul's speech. We had lunch at a delightful Greek...

Sep 24, 2012 - Olympia to Athens

After breakfast we head out on a early morning (8:00am) drive through the mountains, a very scenic route on our way to Nafplio, a nice stop along the way for a cup of Greek coffee. At Nafplio we stop to explore one of the old castles built some 700 years ago, a great stop then on into the city and a chance to walk around the old square and get a bit of lunch before hitting the road again to explore the next castle this one older built around 1300 years ago but is just the ruins of what was there. As we head on to Athens we stop at the canal...

Sep 6, 2012 - Athens and The Greeks

And I'm up at  9am. Breakfast goes till 10, but the Walking Tour starts at 10am. So, I pour myself out of bed and onward to Breakfast. Yeah, never had one like this. 2 rolls, Large Americano Coffee with 2 hardboiled eggs. Makes sense. Protein is good when walking 5miles. Glass of OJ too. Done there and heading to the tour. Large group of 25 people signed up! Normally, they have about 10-12. Our guide made us introduce ourselves to everyone which I thought was cool. Once you mention Texas, especially in Greece, people take note. All about...

Sep 5, 2012 - Athens, Greece. I'm flying!

And it's raining a bit when I wake up. Head down stairs for some quick breakfast and to see about the bus or train to the airport. It's about 830am. Grab all my foods and chow it Down. Mug of coffee, cup of OJ, croissant, and toast. Ask the nice blonde girl behind the desk for what is better to the airport. Bus or train? Either, they are about the same. Bus leaves at 910am, train at 935am. Bus may be hard to make. 15mins till then. Well, head back up, finish packing my goods. Step outside, it's still raining. Grab my jacket and I'm off...

Aug 10, 2012 - GREECE!!!

Hi all,  I'm not sure where I left off last time. I think I was part way through Contiki? Anyway, we've had quite a relaxing couple of weeks. Once the tour ended, we were back in London for 4 nights. We rented an apartment in Whitechapel which smelt strongly of spice. No matter how many windows we opened, we could not escape the smell. We managed to watch a little bit of the olympics while we had the place, however I think we broke the tv as it stopped working suddenly...so that was the end of that. There was a supermarket about 100m down...

Aug 6, 2012 - Athens

OPA! Disembarked at 0700 after and evening with fellow passengers in the bar..we have quite a few different characters in our family. we have the sambuca lush Kerri and her big sister Lee who has to always watch out for her loud speaking sister. we have ray from Australia a single grandpa, tony and Mary from new Zealand youngish 50 couple..he is lots of fun..and kind kooky, his wife is lovely but quiet compared to us! more on the others later. everyone onto the bus and off to the acropolis in 40 c weather..wow had to be a mountain goat to...

Jul 14, 2012 - Saturday - The Lost Day

I call this the "lost day" because Saturday ends somewhat inexplicably in flight. It began pretty well though. I had planned on walking to Spring Garden, taking the subway to 30th St., and then taking the rail to the Airport... but it was raining. So I'll return that way probably. To counteract the weather, and soothe my anxious nerves, I took a cab to the airport. More expensive yes, but it was a breeze. So was the Philly Airport. I may have caught it on a good day, but people were friendly and helpful, and I seriously breezed right...

Jul 9, 2012 - Athens and Ephesus

We started Sunday with a trip through Athens to the acropolis. Tim amd I had both been there many years ago, but the amount of restoration has increased since then. Athens certainly shows the signs of the recent economic struggle - graffiti and garbage quite present. We saw a lovely Greek folkloric dance show over lunch which was a great respite from the intense sun and heat. Monday morning found us up early on a bus to Ephesus. The history and artifacts there were absolutely awe inspiring. Since Tim's last visit many years go, they have...

Jul 2, 2012 - Athens

Athens was our only full day in any place for this tour. We spent most of the day on a walking tour with our awesome guide George. From ancient libraries and market places to to the famous acropolis and Parthenon, it was an interesting day. And to top it off, we watched the changing of the presidential guards, all dressed up in their tunics and pom pom shoes. The changing of the guard was a well choreographed routine that looked more of a dance than a military march. We then finished the day with a traditional Greek dinner before drinks in...