Majestic Meteora

Due to the Greek political elections, all schools were closed on Friday and Monday. I can honestly tell you I have no idea what the views of the men running but they keep mandating these elections which is fine with me because it means no school and an opportunity to travel somewhere! So this weekend, my friends and I went on a 5 hour road trip up north to Meteora. Although historians do not know the exact date when the monastaries were built, they believe the monastic life began in the Byzantine period. Meteora means 'in the air' as these monastaries seem to suspend atop of the rocks between earth and heaven. At the peak of this area, there were 24 monastaries - now there are 6 (4 for monks and 2 for nuns). The rock formations are incredible themselves but add the monastaries and it is sheer beauty. The buildings seem to have grown out of the rocks. There is a lot of greenery around which blends the natural beauty of this area. I went to St. Stephen's and Roussanou (nunneries) and the Holy Trinity monastary. We drove to the Metamorphossis monastary - the largest, but only saw the outside because it was closing.

My quiet time and the monks' quiet time -

his looks more peaceful and natural than mine!

Oktoberfest 2009

Within 44 hours, my friends and I flew to and from Munich, Germany and experienced the festivities of Oktoberfest!!!!
We were a little worried that we would not get into the beer tents as most people make their reservations 11 months ahead of time. However, we learned that if you are willing and able to drink at 10 am - you are all good!

Saturday morning drank at Paulaner Tent, then took a nap and went out in downtown Munich for dinner. Sunday morning drank at Hofbrau Tent until around 2pm.

Oktoberfest is much more than 15 beer tents which can hold about 6, 000 people - imagine 6,000 people all drinking 1 litre steins of beer, eating chicken, ribs, bratwursts, singing and smoking - kind of like a fraternity party!!!! And outside the tents, it's a huge fair with rides, food, games, souvenir stands, etc. And for the most part everyone is wearing the traditional German clothes!
What an experience! Ein prosit, Ein prosit.....

Thanksgiving Trip Booked

Okay I have booked my Thanksgiving vacation - I am going to Egypt! I am so close - only a 1.5 hour flight. I will be flying into Cairo.

Does anyone have any suggestions of must-do there? I have found a great company which I make an itinerary. Besides the Pyramids and doing a camal ride - does anyone else have suggestions? I will be there for 4 nights and 4 days.

The website I am looking at is www.touchegypt.com - it was recommend to me by other ACS families.

Let me know!

Can't Sit Still- Next Trip Booked

As my friend Lara so clearly declared - "You can't sit still!" I can't!
My friends Dwain, Kate, Lindsey and I are going to Munich to attend Oktoberfest next weekend. I am so excited! Our plane tickets are booked, our hotel room is booked and now we need to work on getting reservations for the beer tents!!!! We leave at the crack to dawn Saturday morning and get back late on Sunday evening.

Jill's Rejuvenated Weekend

I had a "Jill" weekend and I LOVED it! A "Jill" weekend is time for "me, myself and I." The rest of my friends went to an island for the weekend. Saturday, I did errands around Agia Paraskevi. I, finally, finished unpacking my suitcase from Santorini. I did laundry, purged some clothes and purses, had photos developed, cleaned, sorted through papers, etc.
Sunday I didn't leave my pajamas until 8pm. I spent the day on the computer - organizing photos, surfing the web, Skyping, writing (responding) to emails. At 8 pm, got dressed and walked down the hill to watch the new Harry Potter movie at the open theater - of course, it rained! Fortunately, I came prepared, found coverage and put on my raincoat! I was kind of disappointed with the movie. Not much action or climax. But then again always good to see a movie in English.
Today, I skyped with a friend in Hawaii (it was Sunday there and it was Monday morning here - weird, eh?) then went to the post office, bank, pilates place, light place, grocery store. This afternoon was the best part of "Jill Weekend" - I used part of my gift certificate to the Grande Bretagne Spa. I got an hour long hot stone full body massage. It was heavenly and now I feel quite relaxed!
Everyone should take time for themselves. I know it is easier for me but I highly recommend it! "Jill's Weekend" was needed and was a success!
Now back to work tomorrow - probably more students, chaos and stress but that's tomorrow and today is today!

First Day of School in year 2

Today was the first day of school. Last week I had popped into school to show Suzanne around and picked up my class list (as far). 14 children - 7 boys and 7 girls! I thought great this is what I need from last year's 25 kids. Today was the first day of school - I have 21 students - 12 boys and 9 girls. There are almost 200 new students in the entire school.



Most of the newly added students are Greek children whose English language is very minimal. It really makes me upset and frustrated for the school to accept children with little to no proficiency in English - the native 100% Greek children have schools to go to. What about the foreign children or the Greek/another nationality students? They have limited schools to choose from. It isn't fair to the other students to keep packing in these children - it's not fair to us teachers. We have limited spaces, we don't have enough desks - to provide a good education (which parents are paying for) and to really help the students and provide more one-on-one help is very difficult to do with so many students. I feel badly for the non-native Greek families and children.

But as my friend says - nothing I can do about so just smile and teach!

Make-A-Wish Visitor

Today I met SuAnne and her husband John whom I met through Make-A-Wish in Maryland. They were in Athens for 2 nights before they began their island hopping vacation. I was quite impressed to learn they only brought carry-on luggage with them for 3 weeks - impressive!

We walked around Syntagma and Monastraki and then went to one of my favorite tavernas in the plaka. I don't know the name - I just call it the blue chair restaurant.

It was a nice visit. A photo will be posted here later when they send me it. I, surprisingly, forgot my camera!