Back from GREECE

Wow. Just WOW.

Greece was the most beautiful place I have ever been. I can't even describe it's beauty. If you haven't been to Greece, please add 'Go to Greece' to your life list, right now.

We started in Athens and then went on a cruise through different islands, and ended up back in Athens after a week. Our first day we went to Kiato and took a bus to Ancient Corinth. Before were we in Kiato we went through the Corinth Canal, wow. I am so glad I was awake for it, it was so beautiful and peaceful, so peaceful. We saw some amazing ruins in ancient Corinth. I can't even comprehend how old the ruins were, huge pillars and wall remains and even parts of statues from a time that I can't imagine.

Day two we went to the island of Ithaki, wow, simply breathtaking. We took a taxi to the top of the mountain and walked to the "School of Homer" and walked the steps of Oedipus. The view of the Island from the top was amazing. The sounds, smells and feel of the shining sun up there is something I wish I could recreate for all of you. To bottle it up and bring it home would be a dream come true.

The next day we were at Patras and took a tour to and of Olympia! The birthplace of the OLYMPICS! Did you know that when you won an event you got to eat free for the rest of your life? I would be all over that training! The food in Greece was delicious, almost too tasty. To see and imagine Olympia in it's prime, with the athletes there and excitement of sport and competition was amazing, even in the rain it was a fantastic place to see. I wish I had more pictures, but with the rain I got camera shy...if my camera got wet, and broke, I would be done.

Our 4th day we docked at Itea and went on the group tour again, this time to Delphi. The center of the earth where Zeus sent two eagles in opposite directions around the earth, where they met is said to be the navel of the world. It is also said that Delphi is where heaven meets earth. I believe it, the view was enchanting, I can't believe there is a place of such beauty in the world. No picture I took does the sight justice and no words can express the feeling you have looking out at the view.

The next day we were in Aegina, lovely city. I walked around alone most of this day, just taking in Greece. The fishing boats are just as you would imagine and the water is so blue, a blue I have never seen before. We ate near the fish market, only the freshes of meals. The food in Greece is so good. The people eat their meals and then sit out for hours and just enjoy eachothers company. Even in our rushed week of Greece we still managed to sit and r e l a x after our meals.

In just a blink of an eye, our week was over and we were back in Athens. We had a whole day and a half before our flight. We spent the morning at the National Archaeology Museum, they had the most amazing collection of ancient Greece. Athens truly has the richest history, and goes back so far. . .my brain can't handle it. I am amazed to see what has lasted through the years and see how well they have managed to preserve it. The people who can date these works and study enough to know backround information and give explanations for the art, tools, jewelry, and whatever else are heros to me, I envy them. In the rain we were off to find the Acropolis. First, we went through the meat market. I have never seen so much meat, insides, fish and other products of the animal world in my life. It was a strangely photogenic place too. Once we shuffled out of there we went for lunch and got pumped up for the Acropolis. With the heavy rain it was hard to keep our chins up. It took us forever to find it, well, not find the Acropolis, but get to it. We thought it would have been easy just to walk towards it, but the closer we got, the more difficult it got. We all started to get crabby and short with eachother with the rain and all. Eventually we were there, even in full rain storm there were still people up there. At the top our umbrellas were flipping inside out like crazy and there was no hope for them. The arcitecture is astounding! To think that all the pillars and structures were created with small tools is nearly impossible for me. And again, a wonderful view of Athens from the top, another wow. The next day we woke up and had to say farwell to our easycruiseone ship for the last time. We had a light breakfast at a cafe and then they let us leave our bags there while we walked around the market. The manager let us leave our bags there, how nice is that? I love the Greeks. The stands people had set up were great, people have created a lot of really nice jewelry and loved to barder. We only had an hour before we had to leave for the airport, but it was a great last hour to have. Our flight was only to Vienna, and then we had to catch our almost 7 hour bus to Prague. It took us awhile to get "home," but we were so mellow and filled joy from Greece. 65 degree, ocean side, colorful, marvelous, GREECE.

It is nice to be "home." Back on a schedule and a familiar place where I know how to communicate and find my way around. It is down to almost a month left of my time in Prague. This adventure actually has to end at some point.

with love from Praha,

Rox