Kuwaits, Kites and Clean Monday

On February 25 it was the State of Kuwait's Liberation Day and the child on the right is in my class and her twin sister is in the other 4th grade class. Their father works for the Embassy and thus invited us to the reception.

Today - Monday March 2 is Clean Monday. Clean Monday is the Monday which begins Lent for the Eastern Orthodox Churches. Greek Lent is also for 40 days but they do include Sundays because Jesus resurrected on a Sunday. Greeks also the beginning of Lent the beginning of Spring - which today completely felt like it as it was about 70 degrees today.

Although it was a holiday today, bakeries were open. Today was a day to buy a special bread called lagana. You can only get this bread on Clean Monday. It is a rectangular flat bread with it's corners rounded off. I purchased some to share with my friends as we watched the popular activity of kite flying on Clean Monday.

First we climbed/and took the cable car to the top of Lykavitos - this is in the community/neighborhood of Kolonaki. Many embassies are located in thie area too. This mountain is taller than the Acropolis. Great view of the huge city!

Afterwards, we took the metro downtown (along with everyone else!) and walked around Thissio - flea market - Monastraki area. Since we did a great Greek meal yesterday after we saw the Bodies Exhibit - we chose our favorite Irish Pub James Joyce for a refreshing beer and Irish fare.

It was a great weekend of spending time with friends and enjoying the things to do and see in Athens.

However there are a few things I am missing: a dishwasher, soft towels from a dryer...