Beautiful Mykonos . . .

Glistening white buildings set against the beautiful sea!  Cafes, bars and shops . . . treasures on this quaint 
island . . . one of my favorites!

Our first close sight of Mykonos!

Fishing boat . . .

Making our way through the narrow streets . . .

Beautiful handmade items just waiting to be purchased . . .

Goodby beautiful Mykonos!

Memories of Greece #2

The Plaka Area . . . cobblestone walkways, narrow streets, zigzag stairs, home to shops, bakeries, and tavernas (small cafes). Most streets are free of cars so you can walk and take in “old time Athens”. . . This is the place to go eat, drink and listen to Bouzoukia . . .Greek music . . . you can even dance!

 
 

Plaka at night!

Syntagma Area or Constitution Square . . . This is considered the center area of Athens.  A huge plaza where you may see street entertainers, outdoor cafes, as well as the metro station.  The square faces the Parliament, where the “Tomb of the Unknown  Soldier” is located. It’s guarded day and night by two soldiers called “evzones” . . . dressed in traditional skirted uniforms .  Each hour on the hour the changing of the guards occurs and it is amazing to see!  The one soldier that assists in the ceremony and the only one that is allowed to speak told us there are two very important rules in order to become a guard . . . one must be tall and handsome . . . we told him they all fit the bill ;-)
Behind the Parliment is the Olympic Stadium which hosted the first modern Olympic Games!

The guard that could talk to us . . .with our two lovelies!

Quite the "show"

Getting ready to change the guards.

Greece Part 1

Upon our arrival to Athens it was easy to see the financial crisis that exists there.  Many changes since the 40 years that I was last there.  Buildings that were once thriving businesses now stand empty.  Unemployment is at 28% we were told, yet the people we talked to were warm, friendly and proud. 
The “must sees” in Athens of course are the Acropolis, Plaka Area and Syntagma Square.
Our first tour was the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum. The Parthenon, a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena, was the earliest monument built on the Acropolis.  It took 9 years to build this amazing structure and is now under reconstruction which is taking some 40 years . . .
The Acropolis Museum was constructed to exhibit the unique finds and architectural sculptures of the Acropolis.  While the exhibitions were amazing, even more so was the city that was discovered when they broke ground for the museum!  At the foot of the door and throughout the museum, glass flooring allows you to see this amazing ancient city.
Next week . . . Plaka Area and Syntagma Square also known as “Constitution Square” where we saw the changing of the guard!

The six women . . .  the famous Caryatids.

Views of the ancient city that was discovered below the Acropolis Museum!

Greece . . .

 In two days I leave for Greece!  The trip was sort of a fluke in that is was not planned out over a really long time or even expected.  It started out with my step mother asking my niece Lyndsey if she would go with her to Greece . . . she has always wanted to show her the country where she grew up and lived a good part of her life. Lyndsey then asked my sister and I to join them and of course the other special ladies in our lives, my two cousins and niece decided they wanted to come too.  So 7 ladies, (the New York group + one) 3 generations taking off to Greece!  My sister and I visited Greece over 40 years ago so we are really excited to see how things have changed.  We will be going to 4 islands and of course seeing the sites in Athens.  I am so thankful to be making these memories . . . and so thankful my hubby says “go have a great time . . . happy birthday!”  I won’t be slicing next week, but will be creating memorable slices to share when I get back.

My Birthday Reflections

Today I celebrate my 59th birthday . . . just saying 59 seems . . . well  . . . unbelievable to me . . . wasn’t I just 40?!?  For some reason this year I’m very reflective . . . maybe because a lot has happened over the last few years and there will be quite a few changes coming in the near future. . .

Three years ago to the day, I was hooked up to chemo . . . I told myself that this would be the last crappy birthday I would have . . . and so far I’ve kept that promise to myself.  A year later I spent my birthday under the stars at Ravinia, a beautiful outside music venue with family and friends, the next year I went to Cancun Mexico and this year I am going to Greece! 

The year ahead is bringing many changes . . .   I’m entering into my last year of teaching and I will be moving to New Mexico to begin a new life . . . there will be 7 of us embarking on this new adventure! As exciting as this is . . . I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a little sad too. Saying good-by to step-sons, daughter-in-laws, grandchildren and some of the best friends a person can be blessed to have will be very, very tough.  Hopefully they all know that there will always be a cozy bed and a nice glass of wine waiting for them!

Birthdays . . . they come quickly and that’s why it’s important to live life . . . make memories that are embedded into your heart forever . . . and always remember it’s the people in our lives that count not the things!