Christmas in Prague

Dec25 – light snow flurries fluttered around the air while we had our stockings in the hotel room – hung out – caught the train to Prague at 4.30 – arrived in Prague at 9pm – staying at a great hotel Metamorphis right behind the Church of Tyn!

Dec26 – after breakfast walked back to Old Town Square to get some money and happened upon at 11am to watch the Astronomical Clock do it’s thing on top of the hour! Then went on a bus tour of the city at 11.15. Went through Lesser Town, over a bridge parallel to Charles Bridge and up to the Prague Palace. Here we were dropped off to wonder for an hour – we saw the changing of the guards, St. Vitus’ Cathedral – which had spectacular stained glass windows and had a quick but yummy hot chocolate near Lobkowitz Palace – however not enough time to wander. Caught the tour bus and headed back to the other side of the Vlata River.

After the tour, we walked up in Josefov area – the Jewish area – with the Synagogues and the Old Jewish Cemetary. Then had lunch at Les Moules – a Belgian restaurant – had a great Trappe beer and garlic mussels.

Don Giovanni's opera



Went to see Don Giovanni’s opera with marionettes – the stage and the backdrops made the marionettes look life size until a puppeteer came out and looked like a giant! It was an interesting way to hear an 0pera and see a marionette puppet show.

Dec27 – walked to the other side of the river and then went up to the Prague Castle via a tram. Toured the Prague Castle and then Lobkowicz Palace – a great palace – where the ancestors of the Lobkowicz family still own it today. For 300 years, the Palace was passed down to each ruling Prince – in WWII the Nazis invaded it and confiscated the Palace along with the Lobkowicz family properteries. The items owned by the family were returned in 1945 – however they were all seized again three years later by the Communists. In 2002, the Lobkowicz family once again became the owners. As the narrator on the audio tourguide was a Lobkowicz person himself, you felt a real connection to his family and the long generations of his family tree. Very interesting.  We then attended a midday concert in the old chapel of this palace. There was a pianist, a violinist and a flutist – they played many popular classical music pieces for an hour.

Dad went home (due to feeling under the weather) and mom and I ventured back up to the St. George’s Basillica. Once leaving the church I ran smack into Erik Kunik and his son Atticus and Phaedra then caught up (they came to Greece the same time I did to teach at ACS)– unbelieveable I run into someone I know in Prague!

Mom and I then walk down the hill to Charles Bridge and then back home to a sleeping dad.

Dec28 - Walked down to Wencales Square and then back up to Charles Bridge, then did some last minute shopping.  For dinner we went to a traditional Czech restaurant - actually the restaurant was about 2 stories below ground with a medieval theme to it.  Since we hadn't had much of the Czech food we order a traditional combo platter filled with Czech food - it was so much food, but was delicious! 

It was great to see both cities again (it was 15 years ago and in the summer when I was last there).  It was even better to see them through the eyes of my parents as they had never been to either city.

It is unbelieveable how much history lies in both cities - and how connected they used to be.  There was definitely much more grandeur, wealth and power a couple of centuries ago.  We all noted on how Prague was more "Christmassy" than Vienna was even though 65% of Czech's are atheists. 

As we get older, I feel enriching ourselves with new cultures and experiences fulfills our lives much better than with unwanted/ unneeded materialist items.

on the Charles Bridge

Christmas in Vienna

Dec21 - Arrived in Vienna – found out Mom and Dad’s flight which was arriving in 3 hours was cancelled due to snow in Frankfurt decided to take a taxi to the hotel – Marriott – wise choice as they didn’t arrive for another 6 hours – however without luggage.

Had dinner at a traditional Viennese restaurant and then to bed.

Dec22- Went on the On and Off Tour Bus – first went on the ring around the center – seeing the outside of the Opera House, Hofburg Palace, City Hall, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, - catching a few Christmas Markets – trying different acholic and non-alcoholic punches – they serve them in mugs – you pay for the drink and the mug and then if you return the mug you get money back! Then went to Schonbrumm Palace – they had the best Xmas Market. Toured 22 rooms in the palace – Franz Josef and Elizabeth lived – parents of Marie Antonette….that evening went to a Brahms Concert with a choir. Afterwards we went to the famous Sacher Hotel to have the famous Sacher-Torte – a chocolate cake. The Viennese definitely love their cakes!

Dec23 – Went to the Hofburg Palace to watch the famous Spanish Horses – Lippanzzer – Europe’s oldest breed of horses – most of them are white – actually they are born grey and turn white as they grow/mature. We watched for about an hour as about 7 riders did morning exercises with their horses – everything from walking backwards to sideways to having the horses practice picking up their feet in a ballet like fashion – it was like these horses were pointing their toes/hooves. Some horses looked like they were prancing and dancing. One rider had his horse stand on his back two legs only. The long rectangular room had two balconies in which watchers like us could view the practice ring (though it was not a ring it was a rectangle). The room was grandeur with carving ceilings and glass chandliers – unfortunately we were strictly forbidden to take photos.

That evening we went to a restaurant called Vincent’s in a neighborhood – unique food – about 7 courses over 3 hours.

Still no luggage. Dad dropped his camera and it doesn’t work anymore and mom’s boot sole came right off!


in front of Schobrumm's Palace

However on this day, Mom forced Dad to go to the airport and plea and beg to search and retrieve their luggage. Grudigling dad took a taxi to the airport and while finally being allowed to enter baggage area and search for their luggague he found the two pieces completely on two ends of the room which was filled with about 1000 suitcases! At the rate the baggage handlers were moving they would have never gotten their luggage back.


St. Stephen's Church

Dec.24 – We thought we didn’t have anything to do today but boy were we busy. We began the day by going back to the Hofburg Palace to visit the Treasuries Museum – this is where we saw many jewels and royal clothing worn by the Hapsbergs (Franz Josef and Elizabeth). We saw the largest emerald in the world about 2700 karats and beautiful crowns. We then went to another famous restaurant – famous for its cakes – called Demel’s – I had a lovely apple strudel. After a little rest we went to St. Stephen’s Cathedral for the 4.30 Vesper services in which the Cardinal Kristofer… was attending. Although it was all in German and no real Christmas hymns, it was great to spend Christmas Eve in such a splendor church. There were not enough seats for everyone so people just stood beside the pews!

After church we hurried down to Kurgberg Palace – a small palace in the Stadt Park in front of our hotel to attend a Strauss concert. It was one of those tourist attractions, however, it was good lively music with soprano and bartone singers, 2 ballet dancers and a small yet effective orchestra.

After the concert, we then again hurried up the street to an Italian restaurant called Danielli’s for some pizza.

Aside notes....– mandatory to check your coats at concerts and some restaurants, however, you also have to pay to do it – random!

Tons of people with dogs – dogs are welcome in stores and restaurants!

  

A White Christmas

I will be having a white Christmas this year!  I am very excited to spend Christmas in two countries.   I flew to Vienna, Austria today.  I was to meet Mom and Dad a few hours after I flew in but their flight was cancelled from Frankfurt to Vienna.  However, they will be now arriving in about 2 hours!  Frankfurt and London have really been hit hard this winter with snow.

We will be wondering the streets of Vienna - going to the Christmas Markets, drinking mulled wine and I am sure watching some more snow fall!  As well as attending some operas and concerts.  We will be here until December 25.  In the afternoon of Christmas Day, we will be taking the train to Prague.  We will be there until Dec. 29, then we will depart back to our countries of residence. 

These two countries will mark the 8th and 9th countries of travel this year (2010).

Merry Christmas everyone! 

Death of a Student

Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful.  And believe me, I am thankful.  I am thankful I have known and taught so many children in my 15 years of being a teacher.  Some of my students are in 5th grade while others are sophomores in college!  But this blog entry is about one student in particular, Joshua Newman.  I taught Josh at ACS (American Community School in Athens) my first year here in Greece.   His family was here for 3 years - left after my first year (grade 4) and returned to Herndon, VA. 

First day of school Grade 4 - ACS

Joshua was the big friendly giant.  He was the tallest boy  in our class but he was so kind and sensitive - like a big teddy bear.  Joshua had epilespy.  Fortunately, he never had a seizure in grade 4 at school and only had some minor tremors but as he grew and his body was changing the seizures were increasing.  Josh was working with doctors to find the correct meds and dosages to help control his seizures.  But, on Sat. Nov. 20 in the middle of the night, Joshua had a terrible seizure and died.  His mother found him in the morning already gone.

Words cannot express how I feel and especially how the Newman family is coping with this.  My heart goes out to his parents and his two older sisters.

Terrific Time in Turkey

  I had my first vacation in 3 months!  I went over to Ankara, Turkey to visit my friend Flynn and do a week long road trip with him and another couple whom he works with in Ankara, Jonathan and Amina from Derby, England. We had a fantastic holiday! Not only was our weather perfect, we all got along so well and I laughed more than I have laughed in a long time! We particularly laughed learning about the American and British language of phrases and figurative language! After an evening out in Ankara on Saturday night, we loaded up the car (my suitcase taking up most of the room, as I am embarrassed to note... - but I was expected to pack for cold mountain air/snow all the way to my bathing suit for the beach!!!) Sunday we headed down to Cappadocia. It's difficult to explain Cappadocia. It's kind of surreal - a setting for Lord of the Rings or something in the sci-fi genre.

The Cappadocia area has these unique rock formations made 9 to 3 million years ago when ancient volcanos erupted and left the sedimentary rocks which formed from lakes and rivers. People carved into the rocks to form homes, churches and monasteries into the caves. Our hotel in Goreme was also in the rocks - our rooms were in caves! So cool!

The first night in Cappadocia we went to see the Whirling Dervishes.  I was unable to take photos of them, so here are some figurines of them.  The Whirling Dervishes symbolizes a seven part mystic cycle to perfection.  They vow to stay in poverty.  The Mevlini order is an Order in Turkey and the ceremony is Sema.  The Sema is only one of the many Sufi ceremonies performed to try to reach religious ecstasy.  These men basically whirled around in one place and then moved from corner to corner while one man twirled in the middle for 20 minutes at a time - with their hands in the air and their eyes closed.  And when they stopped, they were not off balanced or ill - as you and I would be!

Jonathan, Amina and I went horseback riding through some of the valleys of Cappadocia while Flynn decided to hike it.  After a beautiful day of discovering uninhabited caves and seeing the leaves change color we all went to the spa.  Again, all except Flynn, went for the traditional Turkish bath, mud mask and full body massage.  Heaven!  This "spa" was also part of our hotel.  After some time in the suana we lay on the marble stone in the middle of the room which was heated and we had warm water poured over us.  Then the ladies while wearing exfoliating mitts removed the dead skin off our bodies.  Rinsed us down again and then covered us with bags of bath bubbles - the cleaning portion included a full body massage too.  Then we were rinsed again, wrapped in a towel and went to rest in the resting room while someone painted our faces with mud!  After the removal of the mud, we continued our spa day for another full body massage.  It was heavenly!  All for 50 Euros! 

We had great food wherever we went and the Turks were all so pleasant, friendly and helpful.  On our way out of Cappadocia to go further south we went to one

of the 5 Underground Cities in Kaymakli.  These underground cities were mostly used by early Christians who were in hiding before their religion was accepted.  There were tunnels and rooms made in/under the mountain.  In this city, there were 8 floors - we were able to explore 4 of them.  The tunnels from room to room were quite narrow and low - we had to crunch and walk to get through them.

It was pitch black in this room - Underground City

Amina, Flynn, Jill

Jonathan and Amina

We stayed in a small town so we were close to the Ihlara Valley.  This area was breathtaking as well.  I do miss fall - the leaves were changing, crunching under my feet and it smelled of fall - lovely!  It was 360 steps down to the valley.  We hiked and saw a Greek orthodox church dating back to 325 A.D.  When I have shown some of my Greek friends my photos - they have commented instantly about the Greek pictures.We then made it down to the beach - and boy was it beautiful!  Since all Muslims were on holiday as it was the Eid al-Adha - the day of Sacrifice (I was in Egypt for this holiday last year!)  We hadn't done enough hiking so we went to see the Pit of Hell and Heaven Hollow - the Pit of Hell we saw from above and to see the Hollow of Heaven - we had to hike down 460 steps - down yes down into a cave!

Flynn and Jonathan:  Are these guys in the correct spots?

 

I swam to this castle with Amina!



Sunrise

It really was a fabulous trip.  Of course, I didn't plan anything, just showed up and went.  Thanks to Jonathan and Amina for making the plans and choosing the roads less travelled!  Thanks also for Flynn for letting me join you on your first of many adventures in Turkey! 
I, of course, have many more photos (took 423) so if you are interested, just let me know and I will send you more!!!!

Food to Festivities

I have had a busy week!  It all started on Monday when I signed myself and 3 of my friends up for a Greek cooking class.  It was about time I learned how to cook some Greek dishes.  it was definitely my type of cooking class - drinking wine, chatting with old and new friends, observing and participating if you want!  Our teacher was an American woman who had married a Greek and used to live and work as a caterer in NYC.  There was a woman there from New Zealand who had lived in Athens for about 18 months as her husband worked for an American company and another woman there who was from Belgium, who had recently married a Greek!  So we drank wine and made Mousska, Chicken and Lemon soup "Kotosoupa Avgolemono" and a garlic/potato puree "Skordalia".  Then we sat down and enjoyed it!

Wednesday was ACS's annual Pumpkin Patch Halloween Carnival.  I went as a witch, saw my former students, had some good ol' American hamburger, baked goods and drinks.  Boy it poored that evening!  Later that night, a newbie had a Halloween party.  I was dressed as the game Twister.  That was a late evening - returning to my house around 3am!

Thursday was a national holiday here in Greece - Oxi (Ochi) Day - when the Greeks said No (Oxi) to the Italians.  So I spent the entire day cleaning and preparing for my first dinner party.  The theme was an autumn dinner party and the weather just turned fallish and chilly, so the fireplace was put to good use!  I think it was a successful dinner party for 8!  It was heavier on the apps and desserts!  But for dinner I made the Butternut Squash Apple Soup.

So it has been a very busy week with all that - doing lessons and reading and writing my assignments for my online class!  Tomorrow is the 2500th Anniversary of the Athens Marathon - I will be walking in the 5 km route with Miah and Harper!

Where in the world should I live?

Sadly it is that time again to begin filling out papers and thinking about where I want to work.  So I thought I would ask you my friends your thoughts - you know me the best.  Where would you recommend I live?  and/or not live?  [N. America is not an option at this point].  And don't think of yourselves of where you would like to visit me, think about me - where would be a great city/country to live in - anywhere in the world.....

Lovely Autumn... Happiness.... Good memories

It was a beautiful day here!  Blue sky, sunny, about 75 degrees F, slight breeze - we were just missing the slightly changing colors of leaves!

Started working on my last assignment for my online class (it is due by tomorrow).  I went to a great gym class this morning - maybe I will achieve 3 times going to the gym this week!  Came home and made Nutty Fruit Muffins - an alternative for breakfast for my diet.  Had lunch on the balcony.  Finished and sent in my online assignment.  Had a lesson.  Read a chapter from The Happiness Project on the balcony.  Went to the grocery store for some essentials.  Made homemade butternut squash and apple soup.  Listened to music and had some wine.  Today was happiness.

This butternut squash soup recipe I received 15 years ago and I try to make it every year.  it was from a dear older woman named Shirley Morton.  I was a senior in college in NH. In the fall of 1994 I was doing my internship at New London Elementary school and I got really sick.  I had bacterial pneumonia, was hospitalized and came close to the white light!  After a surgery and when I was released from the hospital, I needed a place to recover - the dorms weren't really an option.  So this wonderful woman, Shirley Morton, mother of a teacher at the elementary school invited me into her home to recooperate.  I had never met her before.  This was one of the wonderful attributes to a small New England town.  I lived with her for about 2 weeks.  We played a lot of Scrabble.  I don't really remember what else we did, I think she chatted with me a lot and I remember she made hook rugs?  Anyway, one day she served me this delicious soup and so I got the recipe.  I sent a Christmas card every year to Shirley and then one day her daughter wrote back to inform me that unfortunately her mom, Shirley, had passed away earlier that year.  I think it was a least 5 years ago.

September Reflection and October Resolutions

Where does the time go?  I cannot believe it is October already.  As I reflect on all that happened in September, I am pleased with how the month rolled out.  Even before reading The Happiness Project by Gretchen Ruben, I had already made up my mind to set goals for myself each month (and each day if plausible).  For September, my goals were to maintain on my diet, cook better meals, exercise almost every day, obtain some clients, put away my things so stuff didn't pile up everywhere, do some cultural things, start an online class, and read every day.  I know I was setting the bar a little high. But thoughts are those goals I didn't achieve I could roll over to the next month!

So how did I do?  Pretty well in my mind.  I have maintained my diet (eating every 4 hours 400 calories per meal, including a MUFA), I am cooking better meals - this goes nicely with the diet.  I have 2 friends over once a week and cook for them; the exercising almost every day is really not happening - I am lucky if I get twice a week  - but this is a chore for me - I don't like to exercise....
I did get enough clients.  I attended a variety of cultural events this month.  I joined a book club.  I started an online class.  I am taking Induction to PYP online.  This is the curriculum that I was supposed to be trained in and teach at ACS but the school dropped it when I arrived in 2008; and this is the curriculum that I lacked knowledge of preventing me of obtaining interviews and thus a teaching job in another country for this school year.  So I am thrilled to have found the class and am able to take the class online.  It began on Wednesday - I have one more assignment to do before Tuesday! 

I had a great September.  Relatively stress free - I am really enjoying my daily activities.  I am not bored and don't really miss the classroom.

However, stress has crept back into my mind as what to do about the future.  Here I just got comfortable with the decision I made about this year and the nagging question is where are you going next year?  Which job fair are you going to?  Where do you want to live?  Yes I know applications and paper work needs to be completed soon but I don't want this stress to engulf my life so early.  Why can't a good job just drop in my lap? (through Skype...) 

But on a lighter note, my goals for October are to close the drawers and cupboards after I use them, exercise, put away things at once, reply to emails within 48 hours, plan ahead a little more and maintain the goal achievements I have reached so far.

Book Club

Before I share about book club, I have to share my miraculous news - I fixed my bed!  I tightened up some "support" rods, put the "Jacob ladder" wooden boards back, I think it is tigher than it was ever before and the true test of me sleeping on it last night - it didn't collaspe!  However, if it does collaspe - that IS IT - it will be firewood!

I was invited to "ACS moms" book club last night.  Since it was the beginning of the school year, it was a time of sharing books we read over the summer and deciding which book to read for the month.

The house was in walking distance from me, which was good....  There were 10 of us there, most people I knew.    Most of these ladies/moms have children in elementary or middle school and of the 9 others - I have taught 4 of the moms' sons (3 my first year and one last year).

I was glad and appreciatative to be invited/included in their book club.  I sort of feel younger and I am probably the youngest but I definitely look the youngest too.  Most people I meet think I am in my late twenties not late thirties!

Many people brought 4-5 books to share (English books are hard to find and/or really expensive to buy)  There are no public libraries, not even for the Greeks.

Okay, so all of you who know me, I am not an avid reader (not like my mom), though I did read 8 books this summer!  It was unbelieveable how many books I HAD read that were brought out onto the table.  So people would I haven't read this book yet but heard it was good - and I would say "Oh I have read that book, it's about.... "  The Glass Castle, The Book Thief, Sarah's Key, Guernsey Island and the Potato Peel Society, One Day, Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Island - I felt quite knowledgeable and sophisticated!!!!!

I was encouraged to read a book called Say You're One of Them by Uwen Akpan - 5 short stories about children fighting for survival throughout Africa.  Also on my nightstand I have The Happiness Project (which I think ties so well into my life this year), The Return (written by the same author who wrote The Island - Victoria Hislop) and The Help.

So the book they decided to read was the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo- I was the only one who had read it and really thought everyone else should read it!  This way I still can still contribute to the discussion on Nov. 3 and have time  to read some other books on my nightstand!

Does anyone else have any recommendations for books we should read?

The book club gang and others are going to watch Eat, Pray, Love next Thursday evening. We are getting the whole movie theater to ourselves!


This is refreshing for me.  I am doing things which I was never able to do or just too tired to do.  I am already enjoying my year off - more to come on my reflections of September...

A Weekend of Variety



Pamela Anderson



Enrique Iglesias



I started my weekend attending the last day of Eurovoice - the first  European Music Contest.  We saw half of the contestants about 14 of them.  it was broadcasted live on TV and online.  Guess who the hostess was..... Pamela Anderson.  yep!  Why?  I have no idea!  But the guest performer was Enrique Iglesias - it was a great performance.  He sang 4 songs.  Just before the third song some young audience member hopped on the stage and all the bouncers came to remove her but Enrique let her stay on the stage and he sang his song Hero to her!  it was great!

 

Enrique singing Hero to some girl who jumped up onto the stage!





Lacey, Christy and Jill at Eurovoice



 Saturday was a cool, rainy fall day.  I was up in an area called Kifissia and found this bakery/diner place.  The closest establishment to a diner I have ever seen here.   I had a ham omelet and cinnamon croissant all for 6 Euros!  And then took some fresh meringues home.

Last night I stayed home and watch the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo on my computer.  The neighbors' dog was left on the balcony as they went out and it sat and cried and howled for 4 hours until the owners came home at 1.30am.  So that is when I finally got to sleep.  But then at 4.30 am my bed collasped while I was sleeping in it.  I was so tired I just stayed in the bed.



Carrie, Susan, Catherine, Kim and Jill

Today (Sunday) I got up at 8 and went downtown to walk 2km for the Susan Komen Race for the Cure.  It was a good turn out of people.  And boy was it hot!  I sort of joined the ACS group - why not?  I was walking right behind the new American Ambassador and his body guards.  Then had lunch at Simply Burgers with some of the new faculty and then laid out on my balcony from 3-5 soaking in the sun.  It's 8pm now and I have been out here in my sundress enjoying the lovely weather and chatting with friends on Skype.



Me at the entrance





ACS Race for the Cure crew

Small World

The other day I meet a Greek family; the son goes to ACS and the family lives in my neighborhood.  As we were getting acquainted, the usual questions are asked... where are you from?  This is always a tough one for me and my answer is always a long one.  "Well I was born and raised in Toronto, Canada."  This always gets a pleasant response.  They expressed their wanting to go to Toronto as they have heard it is a wonderful city.  And I always pipe in the large Greek community!  Some even know about the Danforth!  Then I continue "Then I went to college in the USA and after college decided to stay and settled in the Washington, DC area."  This time, their response was "Oh, we went to America for the first time this summer!"  Most Greeks I have met who have gone to the US (America) go to one of these cities - New York, Chicago or L.A.  But this family surprised me as they said they went to Bethesda, Maryland!  I looked at them surprisingly and then said "I am from Bethesda/Chevy Chase area!!!"  What a small world!

Why did they go to Bethesda?  Good question!  Their son, Constantinos, who is a second grader has a gift for languages.  So the parents were trying to find a summer camp that focused mostly on English and Chinese.  And where did they find such a camp?  Well at Sidwell Friends in Bethesda, MD!

So the family spent a month in the Hyatt Hotel in the heart of Bethesda and walked Constantinos to camp every day.  As they shared photos of their adventures in my hometown, I would say "Oh that's the art structure between the library and the Giant grocery store."  What a thrill it was for all of us to recall our good memories of a place we both loved!

Mom declared that she loved all the restaurants in Bethesda and learned to eat and enjoy wonderful, fresh salads every day.  She also commented on how hot and humid it was there (they were there in July - small world - so was I) and how freezing cold the air conditioned areas were!  Air conditioners are not very common here.

Neat, eh?

Evia - Labo(u)r Day Weekend

The Sunday before school began all the "oldies but goodies" got together at Dwain and Miah's new house (which is so much closer to me, thank goodness) and we were discussing what we could do for the long Labor Day weekend.  I throw out the idea of asking Mary Kou (the first grade teacher) about her place on the island of Evia - I had heard that she has a camp ground.  Long story short, she agreed for all of us to come.

Being the social planner I am (and the fact I wasn't working)  I coordinated the 3 rental cars, directions, money collecting, etc.  Because there were 14 of us who went.  8 of 9 of us "oldies but goodies" and 6 of 9 of the "newbies."

We left Saturday morning (as some of us went to the U2 concert the night before). The 3 drivers went out to the airport and got the cars and everyone else met us at ACS.  We were on the road by 11:30.... it was about 1.5 hours straight north on the toll road and then we took a car ferry for 45 mins. and then just 15 mins once we landed on Evia.  I had to drive backwards up the ferry ramp onto the boat - I thought I was going to wet my pants!  Ask me to parrallel park any time but reversing - yikes!

Miah and I playing Cribbage

So we arrived at Mary's about 2ish.  We were shown around her camp grounds and property - huge for Greek standards.  She has 4 tents which sleeps 3 people each - the tents are large and have electricity and room for two beds and a small table and chairs - each tent has a small porch as well.  Then there are 2 cabins with bathrooms - each room also sleeps 3 people.  Then Miah and Dwain and Harper had the red house - they wanted a little privacy so Harper could sleep and her cries wouldn't wake anyone!  The other 2 first grade teachers were also there - my good friend Christina and a new teacher Ioanna.  Then Mary, her husband Vassilis and Vassilis "second" mom - Debby.

Mary, Catherine, Christina

Saturday night we had a delicious fish dinner with everyone there.  Vassilis had caught the fish - tsipoura (a

sea bream gilthead variety).  He grilled all 18 fish on the gas barbeque - while some people played cards, some helped Vassilis and some helped Mary make Greek salads.  It was an absolutely beautiful evening, delicious food, new company and good conversations. 

Mary told us about how her husband's family acquired the property in 1923.  Vassilis grandfather purchased all the land in Neo Pryseos (the village we were in) from the French government (he was a government official) and then sold it to the people and kept this plot of land for himself as it had the point, was on the water and had the house.  She told us about how the Germans took over the red house as it had great vantage points to see those coming across the waters.  There were stories shared about while the Germans were in the house, they had British pilots secretly hidden where the tents are now - dressed as Greeks doing farm work.  There were stories told about a belt filled with gold coins hidden somewhere in the red house and when Vassilis mother was still alive and there was some construction going on in the house, she sat in a chair and watched all the workers working and would be there if the belt resurfaced.  Because her dad had hidden it and no one knew where it was.  They are still keeping an eye out for it today!

Debby - the second mom of Vassilis is still there on Evia.  She wasn't a blood relative but when she was 10 years old (she's probably in her 80s now) her father and brother died in the war, her mother and sister died of starvation and she was sent to live with her aunt.  When Vassilis family would come to Evia for weekends and summers from Athens, they got to know her and she had kind eyes and was a friendly little girl.  Her aunt was stressed with feeding her own family and took her stress and frustrations out on Debby.  So one day Vassilis parents asked if she would like to come to Athens with them and she said yes.  After a while, the aunt told Vassilis' parents that she wanted Debby back or give her money to keep Debby.  After some legal dealings, Debby became  apart of Vassilis' family - when Vassilis was born he called Debby "mom" before he even called his real mom "Mom!"  Vassilis' father said that Debby could take their last name but she decided to keep her own because she was the only one left of her family.

In the northern part of Evia, where we were, it is green and mountainous.  So Sunday - we went for a hike.  We were heading towards a waterfall but when we got there there was no water - it was the end of the dry season!  So everyone else hiked up another hill 3 km to the top - and the Confers and I headed back for a swim and some relaxation.  It was quite unfortunate that the weather wasn't all that great.  It was about 80 during the day but no sun - just complete grey cloud coverage.

Sunday night we all went out for dinner and then played Catch Phrase for a few hours - good times!  Monday, Dwain got his snorkel gear and went out to collect sea urchins.  He was only to pick the females as you eat the roe.  So how do you  know if it is a female?????  If the sea urchin has things stuck to it like seaweed or rocks or other water debris.  Dwain did a great job - got about 25 sea urchins.  It took him a good hour to clean them and then got a small dish of roe.  Vassilis was a great teacher.  They mixed the roe with olive oil and lemon and served it on bread.  Dwain was proud of his hunting and gathering for the day!We got on the road around 12:45 to catch the 1pm ferry - then each car went on their way.  

Vassilis teaching Dwain how to clean a sea urchin.