This morning we took the 0945 flight to Athens to do some sightseeing. By 1230, we were in the very center of town, in a small park called Syntagma square. The parliament building is directly across the street from the square. The parliament building was originally built as a palace for the first King of Greece in 1836, shortly after Greece’s independence from Turkey. It is just shy of 7,000 square meters (75,300 feet). It is the first neo-classical building in Athens. In 1924, Greece became a republic. The “old palace” was used for an assortment of purposes until the end of 1929, when parliament and the senate were moved into the building. The building also houses a huge library and many offices for assorted heads of state, including the prime minister and cabinet secretary. The front of the parliament building is called Constitution Square, named for the revolution in 1843 where people gathered there and demanded a constitution from the king. There is still a lot of political activity at that spot, as well as festivals at Christmas and New Year. A monument dedicated to The Unknown Soldier is housed inside Constitution Square. Guards in traditional Greek uniforms are always in front of the monument, and every hour there is a changing of the guard, which is a popular tourist attraction.

Today the road in front of the parliament building was blocked off, and no pedestrians were allowed on that side of the street. There were zillions of police all around the building, some redirecting traffic, most just sitting there. Apparently, they were expecting a president of an Asian county’s arrival, so security was tight.

We checked into our hotel near Syntagma square, and then John took us on a walking tour of Athens. We headed west to Continue reading →

Every year, in the village of Aghia, they shear all the sheep on the same day, and then have a huge party to celebrate. Koralia’s father, Dimitri, had invited John, Eric and Christi to the party. He picked us up at 11:00.

Our first stop was in the town of Aghia. Koralia’s mother has a gift shop there, and Koralia’s grandmother lives above the shop. We quickly visited the shop, and then went upstairs to meet the grandmother. She is another incredibly sweet, generous person who loves to feed people. As soon as introductions were completed, we were served enormously large pieces of a dessert made with apricots, water and cornstarch. It was awesome.

Then came Continue reading →

Koralia’s parents invited us all over for lunch today. They live in a small village called Perama, about a 15 minute drive inland from Bali. The drive over was along a back road, thin and winding, that passed through a couple small villages and some herds of animals, but for the most part the landscape was about the same as it is on the main highway.

When we arrived, we were shocked at the spread on the table awaiting us. And even more shocked to find out there was more food that wouldn’t fit on the table! After quick introductions to Koralia’s parents, sister and uncle, we were ushered to the table and told to start eating.

There was a salad made of lettuce and cucumber in a red wine vinaigrette. You actually don’t see much lettuce in Greece. Traditional Greek salads consist of tomato, cucumber, bell pepper (capsicum) and onion topped with a block of feta cheese, oregano, olive oil and olives. Of course, a traditional salad was on the table. There were also dolmades, which are a traditional appetizer of stuffed grape leaves. Usually the leaves are stuffed with seasoned rice. They were quite yummy.

They also served escargot. Christi had never had escargot before, and Continue reading →