Happy in Athens and a Belly full of Bougatsa

Leaving Athens...

Last night in Athens with the family. Hike to the Agora—the main meeting place of Ancient Greece. Impressive temples and Byzantine churches still in tact. In awe of the structural intricacy of the ancient sites. The time and attention to beauty that was a part of everyday life. Nova poses on pillars as a goddess-and fits right in. We say goodbye to our last Athens street dog—one that Nova truly wants to take home. Say goodbye to the "haunted" house that Dan and Nova discovered on day one.

That night the Plaka is alive. Spanakopita. Greek salad. Greek "apple pie" to celebrate my dad's 75th b-day (3 b-day parties in Greece for him!) The Acropolis lit up like a million stars. Painters capturing it all. It’s a haunting electricity and I feel it buzzing through all of us. Buzzing with love and grace of being together in a place so old yet so alive.

The family ventures home, and through heartache, I explore one more day in Athens. So happy to Nicola join me (we met in Kenya in 2007) I know already that our time together will be incredible! We escaped the heat in Greece for two weeks until today. The temps go past 100 F! Ugh. We take the metro 3 stops back and forth to find a train office to buy our tickets to Istanbul. Stop off at the National Gardens. Booksellers on the street--Diary of a Wimpy Kid in Greek makes me smile! More cicadas filling the air with their sound. Children’s laughter makes me miss my family even more. I escape into the cool shadows—bright sunlight reflecting off the trees to create every color of green. Walking back through the Plaka in search of an internet café, I discover bougatsas—phyllo pastry stuffed with custard and covered with powdered sugar. I’m enamored by this delight and I chomp and swallow not noticing my entire body is soon covered by the white sugar. Tourist moment! I get lost getting through old neighborhoods behind the Plaka--I walk the entire outside perimeter, ending up passing the entire Agora again on the outskirts toward the Acropolis. Hot and tired, but never worried-- a happy belly full of bougatsa.

On Crete and the Cruise

Old fort out on the water, cobblestone streets, girls playing accordian at the center square. Shopping and goodies. Starbucks and Monster for Dan. We hear a buzz on the streets. Tom Cruise is somewhere on Crete! We cruise back around town, pass blue bobbing boats tethered at the harbor. On the cruise: Family time. Yummy food. Pooltime on the ship. Relaxation, Greek dance lessons, and Jacuzzi.

Magic Islands

Patmos and Santorini

Places to rest. Breathe in ocean air. Lounge on the shore and search for beach glass. Hike a volcano. Astounded by the geological stories-- the creation of the caldera of Santorini and how Minoans foretold the earthquake and volcanic eruptions and escaped. Brilliance of mind and land. Thermal coves, deep ocean swims, and a red bay. Ah the magic of these islands.

Ephesus, Turkey

Ah what grand Roman ruins! Spread out and rebuilt many times over. Through the main walkway, once were shops and the agora, the meeting center. The facade of the massive library and "toilets" for the men are still impressive and intact--giving us a glimpse at the advanced water system and progressive nature of this grand empire. Royal cats sit on pillars--even now giving us a sense of the grandeur and pristine nature of this site.

Outside the ruins, a Turkish bazaar. Men stop the children, giving them gifts, pinning them with "the eye of the owl" to ward off evil and bad luck. High pressure Turkish carpets for sale--but we make due with our first cup of apple, Turkish tea! Cheers to Turkey, and more to come!

Ah Mykonos--a gorgeous bay--white washed homes and the classic white chapel on the beach. Gentle waves bring me peace instantly. Cobblestone roads along the shore lined with small shops and wooden boats bobbing in the bay. Creeping pink bougainvillea contrast against blue doors. And against a vibrant sunset and crashing waves, the Mykonos windmills grace the background. Paradise. True paradise.

Deep Earthen Magic

Delphi. Pilgrims traveling far and wide to get their questions answered on the 7th day.

Questions that would solidify their future--good for bad. They began with the purification process at the sacred spring, a sacrifice--baby goat (ugh) cooked and ate there. Apollo himself spoke through the high priestess. Pilgrims would ask their questions, and he would answer--giving two sides of the coin--two possibilities.

Built on the side of Mnt. Parnassos, Delphi was known as the navel of the Earth--the magical meeting point of two eagles sent by Zeus from the ends of the universe. It encompassed all the important elements of Greek culture--drama and theater plus athletic events as well. The steep hike up the marble path gives a sense of the work it took to get to Delphi--and in the air the vanilla scent from the pines works its sweetness into me. It's a place of purity and deep, earthen magic. Apparent on the prophecies carved into stone. The future laid out right in front of us~

Olympia

Imagine you are an ancient Olympic athlete in Olympia, crossing the archway into the stadium. The hot sun on your neck, buzzing of cicadas fills your ears. You race across the track, sweat on your brow, a heartbeat so strong and fierce it take you back in time.

The grandeur of the site overwhelms us. The time and preparation to honor the athletes obvious. Through occupation, earthquakes, statues like the 12 Labors or Hercules survive, sacred places, like the site between the statues Hera and Zeus--the place of the reenactment of the lighting of Olympic fire. It's all still there--still vivid in the remains--everything recovered but the Hippodrome. Even remnants of the walk of shame--statues that honored and shame the cheaters of the great races.

The buzz is still there--and it's so apparent how important competition and athletics has been and will always be. What is it that drives us to compete? To push our physical nature? An innate sense of immortality? Here is seems that the gods and goddesses feel it too.

That night in the quaint town of Olympia--we have drinks in the Green cafe--under sycamores, surrounded by green glowing lights. An old Greek waiter that had a tough time with my minimal Greek created a new beverage for me--a mix with Morello cherry that becomes my favorite. The candle light flickers in the wind and kids play soccer along the streets.

The buzz is still there... ah, Greece. How do I love thee?