Time to Say Goodbye

I hate goodbyes.

I hate them so much that I didn't attend the farewell dinner - it just is too much for me. I have a hard time with transitions, anyway...but saying goodbye knowing I will never be in this place again with these beautiful souls is emotional overload. I will miss so much.

I will miss strolling Thissio and looking for my favorite wheelchair buddy. I will miss people watching, the tourists, and shopping handmade treasures. I will miss feeding the taverna cats and the special treat at the end of the meal. I will miss the honey, the wine, and the incredible olive oil...and, of course, the lamb.

I will miss my favorite teacher, Despina, and I will miss my fellow students. I will miss the constant presence of ancient ruins and the chaos of broken sidewalks, taxis and motorcycles. I will miss the opportunity to just go sit in an incense-tinged church and walk through the National Gardens with my love. I will miss hearing the buskers along Ermou, and the sweet, welcoming smile of the waitress at Poco Poco. I will miss the Greek people - both the strangers on the street and the ones we have befriended. I will miss the clang of the church bells and the wave of the crane operator across the street. I will miss breakfast on the balcony in the morning sunshine.

The only one I have really said goodbye to has been Emma, but only because she was leaving this morning for an early flight. But, just because I don't have the strength to say goodbye doesn't mean I don't care. I care deeply and will miss all who have come across my path during this adventure in Greece. They will never know how much.

I hate goodbyes. Truly.

But I will always treasure all that I have seen, heard, learned, 

experienced, and embraced while here in beautiful and amazing Greece. 

Until we meet again.

Unforgettable Postcards from Athens

view from the balcony

in the apartment

the best gyros from Quick Pitta

this little guy is the pet of one of the kiosk owners - how funny!

morning coffee on the balcony

selfies in the park

catchin' the sunlight

while they all catch the sunset from Mars Hill, we enjoy the last of our time in Greece

view from the rooftop garden restaurant

More for the Scrapbook

 

Everyday view

for the record

We love these guys at Maiandros, our favorite taverna!

reflection of Greece

Don't wanna forget...

Demitrios, the best hairstylist in Pangrati.

The sound of the church bells.

Slippery marble and yellow sidewalks.

The conversations of moms in our apartment building fussing with their children on the weekends.

That they found Roman remains dated to 500 BCE right in front of our apartment.

I could probably forget the early morning jackhammer, though.

Chuck taking pictures of construction sites.

The tour buses of eager tourists flooding the platia in front of the stadium.

Religious icons sold right next to the phallic-bottle-openers.

Selfie-sticks and not-so-free roses.

That when you see someone taking a photo, you may want to, as well.

The sound of the front door of our apartment building slamming.

The standing-room-only public transit.

The fact that siesta is only kept by the businesses you want to be open.

The crazy locks on everything.

Buskers and street performers everywhere people gather.

Strolling Thissio.

Frappes, espresso freddos, and the best yogurt and honey in the known world.

Standing on the hillside in Delphi, looking out towards the sea.

Watching the store owners coming to life with the sunshine.

Every taverna featuring live music.

Taverna recruiters wanting us to stay as long as possible 

because I smile at everyone.

Pronouncing lamb as 'lamp'

The Greek-style-kiss-greeting of friends,

and the firm handshake of someone who was really glad we were there.

Dancing by the Cathedral in the waning afternoon sunlight

to our own private music.

And, we don't want to forget having the privilege of gazing upward and seeing the Acropolis, 

whether in the sunshine, or lit up in the night sky - 

it is this glorious past that is the true glory of Greece.

Last Day of Class

Last day of class. 

We are getting notifications for turning back in our books, 

our items from the apartments...

where to leave our keys when we leave.

There are good-bye parties, and end of the semester celebrations.

We are thinking of how to get everything into our luggage,

and how to get to the airport at an ungodly hour of the morning.

Soon we will be heading back to real life, back to our life.

Back to where everyone speaks our language, eats our kind of food, 

and drive rather than walk.

What will I miss?

the guys across the street at the construction site,

our friends at the tavernas we have befriended,

the freedom of 'camping' at a restaurant table freely,

the cheapness of everything...

The sunshine.

I will miss my Orthodox prof, Despina,

a sweeter soul I have never known.

I will miss the church bells, 

especially from St. Spyridon church

Yes, it was the last day of class.

And, what have I learned?

I think I will save for another post.

For the Scrapbook

morning coffee on the balcony

some new friends - our fabulous icon artist and my beautiful friend (and her mom) who helped me with Greek style

having fun at a taverna...thinkin' about Taylor!

Beautiful Spring in Athens

In the Park

Random Pics...and a few favorities

Chuck at his desk enjoying a lax schedule during Spring Break

a fun pic from one of our walk-abouts...this is somewhere in Kolonaki

Mmmm...Greek coffee

in the briki...Chuck is practicing making the
perfect Greek coffee for us

another fun sketch from the resident artist, Mr. Foltz - this was a little Mini sitting in front of the CYA buildings

love to see this on a test!

Just a few more weeks to go...

at our favorite taverna - Maiandros!

and our favorite band!

cats everywhere!

Yummies over at Kekko's...damn, we will miss those friends there!
(and, I am not talking about the sweets!)

these are so yummy...I can't even describe it!