Stone Ridge Reunion II

I was lucky enough to meet up with another Stone Ridge family on Thursday in Athens. I taught Ariadne in third grade (same class as Sophia). I feel very lucky to continue to have these connections with former students and their families.

This is mom, Ariadne, Phaedra and baby sister in front of the Acropolis Museum which just opened about a month ago.

Road Trip in the Peloponnese

We rented a car for 3 days - we had a super time at the beach on Monday and a fun 2 day road trip.

Tuesday we drove to Corinth to see the Corinth Canal - spectacular turquoise water. We then went over to Loutraki to visit a Stone Ridge family. We spent about 4 hours at the beach, having lunch and catching up!

We continued our day to Mycenea to visit the ancient citadel and tomb chamber. Then we continued on to Nafplio. John successfully found a great hotel right near the main square and harbour. We were all impressed with Nafplio from the town square full of children playing and adults sitting at the cafes to the cute shops to the magnificent castles.

The next day we continued north to Epidaurus to see the famous theater. Actually, Dwain and Flynn had recently seen the Phedra there which starred Helen Mirren - it is rare to have an English performance there. Supposely Tom Hanks was in the audience then too. And then we continued home.

Stone Ridge Student Reunion

On Tuesday, July 21, I met up with a family from Stone Ridge in Loutraki, Greece. The family is Greek-American and I taught Sophia the oldest daughter in third grade two years ago. It worked out perfectly as Adele and family and I were on a 2-day road trip beginning at Korinthos just west of Loutraki. (see next blog)We met the Spinas at a beautiful beach right on the Korinthiakos Gulf. Sophia, Kathryn, Jane and mom were all there and Papou (grandfather) joined us too! We spent a good 3 hours swimming in the beautiful blue waters and catching up and then had lunch in a taverna.

It was great to see you all (Spinas) and am so glad we still have the connections to meet each other here in Greece!

Exploring Athens with Guests #3

On Saturday and Sunday, we did the tourist thing (well actually I didn't go with them on Monday - I didn't think the Acropolis had changed much since I was there last week!!!) These were hot days! Alex did such a great job both days - she enjoyed the train ride through the main areas and sites of Athens. And was a real trooper climbing the steps of the Acropolis.

Saturday night we ate dinner with Flynn and Dwain at 1920 - Adele's "Where's the beef?"

High School Friend and Family Arrives...

in the taxi from the airport

Adele, John and Alex arrived from Toronto on Friday early afternoon. It was smooth sailing/flying from Toronto to Athens! All luggage arrived and we were back at my place by 2pm on Friday. My friend Dwain took Adele and I to the large grocery store where we stocked up as much we could - my refridgerator is quite small for a family of 4! We had a low-key dinner of roasted chicken and a homemade Greek salad.

Saturday - after Alex, shockingly slept in until 8.20 am - we got going downtown around 10.30. We went right down to Monstraki and hopped on the tourist train which took us through the most popular sites and areas. After we enjoyed a lovely lunch under umbrellas and fans which blew water/mist - how refreshing. Lucky for Alex (and us) ice cream is consumed daily!

Saturday night we took Alex to the toy store to get some toys for the beach and headed to a Greek taverna. We met my friend Flynn and Dwain for dinner as well.

Adele enjoying Greek coffee!

Alex has been very good - a real trooper considering jet lag, heat exhaustion, late dinners and not too many toys in my house!

The family headed downtown today to climb the Acropolis and visit other old rocks! It was a hot day today. I did not join them but was productive with renting a car for the next few days and planning some other "cooler" trips!







Tonight we will stay in order from an Italian restaurant and chill out on the balcony. Every day Alex says "Aunt Jill I want to go to the beach!" Tomorrow we will finally go to the beach!!!!!

Stefanie's Visit - Guest #2

Stefanie (from Oklahoma, whom I met in Costa Rica in 2007 when volunteering) arrived on Monday, July 6 and just left today. We had a packed full week of ancient ruins, beaches, an island, out with friends and relaxing! Tuesday we did the typical Athens tourist events. Saw the Temple of Zeus, Acropolis, Ancient Agora - ate at a taverna.

Wednesday, Flynn, Stefanie and I rented a car and drove to Delphi. The ancient Greeks believed that Delphi was the center of the world, the spot Apollo chose as the home of his most famous oracle. After Delphi we found a great beach Agios Nikolas where we relaxed and swam.

Flynn and I in front of the Treasure House of Athens in Delphi

Me in front of Temple of Apollo


Thursday (after I got my Yellow Fever and Typhoid shots for Africa) Dwain, Miah and baby picked Stefanie and I up and we went to Sounio for a day at the beach! Great beach -pebble beach - clear waters.

Friday, I took Stefanie to Pantelis Melissinos' sandal store where she successfully purchased 5 pairs of sandals - not all for her!

We went to Mykonsos Saturday-Monday. Hotel Tagoo on Mykonsos Island - hotel's pool and sea view - not bad, eh?

Stefanie and I enjoying a drink at Jackie O.'s bar.

Me in front of Mykonos' famous windmills.

Me just before sunset - Hora - old town in the background.

A typical (yet fairly famous) church on the island. Supposely there are 365 churches - one for every day!

Finished Products

So my "moving items" arrived in mid-October - with these items - linens, dishes, pots and pans, books, school supplies, personal things, photos, etc., etc., etc. I shipped 54 rolls of toilet paper and 15 rolls of paper towel (because someone advised me that they were poor quality and expensive), I also shipped bath soap, trash bags, "feminine products" and "bathroom products - Costco - Advil, vitamins". Well I have just run out of the paper products - can't believe they lasted so long but they did.

Thought I would share!!!!!

Happy 4th of July!!!

Hello all my fellow Americans - Happy 4th! Today I played 2 hours of tennis, relaxed and then went over to Erik and Phaedra's place for a 4th of July BBQ - no fireworks but good company.

Last night I went over to my friend's Dave place - he lives in Syntagma (downtown) and he had set up a movie night on his roof. From his roof you can see the Acropolis and Lycetto.. something the tallest point in Athens. It was great, he had a screen, LCD projector, speakers, blankets and pillows to sit upon, popcorn and chips and we all sang along to the movie Mama Mia!!!! Good times.

Tomorrow going to our favorite Irish pub downtown - James Joyce to watch the men's final in Wimbleton.

A huge change here in Greece is that on Wednesday the no smoking in public areas law took affect. What a difference already has it been to walk into stores and the people aren't smoking in your face. However, this is the third attempt of the Greeks trying to pass this law - hopefully it will work this time!

Happy Canada Day!!!

Happy Canada Day to all my fellow Canadians! Thinking of all you today!

Tanzania Trip Finally Booked

Well after about 2 months of trying to figure out the best way to get to Arusha Tanzania and waiting to see if the trip is going to be a go - I have finally booked my flight to Tanzania. Only a month before I am to leave but it's booked.

Although I live in Greece, I have to fly up to Amsterdam to then fly down to Tanzania. I depart on July 31 and return August 13.

So today I went with my Greek-Canadian friend to the immunization building to get my shots. Thank goodness she was there as I don't know how I would have explained and they to understand what I needed. But oddly enough, they didn't have any yellow fever or typhoid immunization - they were all out. Really? How is this possible? Unfortunately for me, both my polio and hepatitis A immunizations had expired and I need to retake these. However, they suggested I do these 2 weeks after my yellow fever and typhoid shots. Which is cutting it rather close to my departure date. And I have "nothing" really to do this week and thought it would be a good time if there were any yucky side effects I could deal with them now verses when I have guests here. No such luck.

I did get the malaria pills from the pharmacy which my friend highly recommended. The immunization place had free malaria pills but you only took 4 - I didn't think that would be so affective so I paid for the pills.

We will see....