What an amazing gift this trip has been for us all.
Friday, April 19, 2013
Heading home
We are all safely checked in and awaiting our first flight on our long journey home. Yesterday, day eight, was lovely. We visited a very windy Cape Sounion and saw the Temple of Poseidon. The afternoon was free time and the girls did a great job infusing the Greek economy. We went into the center of Athens for a traditional Greek evening at a tavern. Greek music, food, hospitality and dancing. It was a perfect last event. Our tour director, Irene, got us to the airport bright and early. On the bus ride, she told us one last story. Irene is a phenomenal story teller. The moral of this last Greek tale was, "Always look forward, never look back and all the things you want in life will be following you." That's the truth. We gave her hugs and an acrostic poem courtesy of Ms. Cote and now we fly to Paris, then to Amsterdam and then on to Boston.
What an amazing gift this trip has been for us all.
What an amazing gift this trip has been for us all.
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Loving Greece
Our adventure is winding down, but it's not over yet. After three days in the countryside (being safely transported by our amazing bus driver, Spyros, and led by our Greek goddess of a Tour Director, Irene), we are back in Athens, which many of the girls referred to as "home" when we arrived this evening!
The day after our Saronic Islands cruise, we traveled to Delphi. Delphi was the ancient site of an oracle who was the voice of the gods. Our tour guide, Penny, spoke to us about how we often know the answers to our questions, but we seek them from others for reassurance. That's what people did at Delphi. Thousands of years and not much has changed. On day six, We went to Olympia and saw the birthplace of the Olympic Games. Some of our group even participated in a 200 meter race on the grounds of the original stadium! We spent the night at a little resort on the sea. Life is good. Today we traveled to Epidaurus, an ancient theater, and climbed 121 steps to see the breathtaking view from the top. The afternoon brought us to Mycenae, a 3,500 year old royal tomb and the Corinth Canal. We have seen, touched and experienced castles, quaint villages and many antiquities. We continue to meet amazing people and we are looking forward to Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon in the morning!
Ka-lee-NÉE-khta.
that's how you say good night in Greek. Try it, it just sounds good :)
The day after our Saronic Islands cruise, we traveled to Delphi. Delphi was the ancient site of an oracle who was the voice of the gods. Our tour guide, Penny, spoke to us about how we often know the answers to our questions, but we seek them from others for reassurance. That's what people did at Delphi. Thousands of years and not much has changed. On day six, We went to Olympia and saw the birthplace of the Olympic Games. Some of our group even participated in a 200 meter race on the grounds of the original stadium! We spent the night at a little resort on the sea. Life is good. Today we traveled to Epidaurus, an ancient theater, and climbed 121 steps to see the breathtaking view from the top. The afternoon brought us to Mycenae, a 3,500 year old royal tomb and the Corinth Canal. We have seen, touched and experienced castles, quaint villages and many antiquities. We continue to meet amazing people and we are looking forward to Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon in the morning!
Ka-lee-NÉE-khta.
that's how you say good night in Greek. Try it, it just sounds good :)
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
The Renaissance Community Commitments in Greece...
Respect - We respect our Tour Director, Irene, because she's a boss and we would be nothing without her.
Responsibility - Even though we have no curfew, we manage ourselves so that we get the sleep we need and meet at all the designated times and locations.
Cultural Sensitivity - We embrace all the new people and cultures we are being introduced to as well as speaking Greek as much as possible, (ef-ha-Rees-STO is how you pronounce thank you!)
Self-Discipline - We resist the urge to eat gelato and Greek pastries at every meal.
Courage - We take Greek dance lessons in a cruise ship dining room full of people.
Perseverance - We keep touring and sight seeing even though our internal clocks are completely off since Greece is seven hours ahead of home.
Friendship - We stick together on this international adventure and support each other while we are away from home and our families.
Responsibility - Even though we have no curfew, we manage ourselves so that we get the sleep we need and meet at all the designated times and locations.
Cultural Sensitivity - We embrace all the new people and cultures we are being introduced to as well as speaking Greek as much as possible, (ef-ha-Rees-STO is how you pronounce thank you!)
Self-Discipline - We resist the urge to eat gelato and Greek pastries at every meal.
Courage - We take Greek dance lessons in a cruise ship dining room full of people.
Perseverance - We keep touring and sight seeing even though our internal clocks are completely off since Greece is seven hours ahead of home.
Friendship - We stick together on this international adventure and support each other while we are away from home and our families.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Cruising the Saronic Islands
We took a full day cruise today to Hydra, Poros and Aegina. All lovely, all very different. The girls couldn't pass up the opportunity to swim in the sea.
Elizabeth says...
The weather is great.
It's fun!
I'm happy I'm here.
It's exciting that I got to take this trip.
It's fun!
I'm happy I'm here.
It's exciting that I got to take this trip.
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Abbie says...
This trip is amazing!
I love the unique custom made jewelry I just got, a Greek column with my name in Greek letters!
The shops in The Plaka were great.
Walking up to the Acropolis and taking pictures was a highlight of my day today.
I love the unique custom made jewelry I just got, a Greek column with my name in Greek letters!
The shops in The Plaka were great.
Walking up to the Acropolis and taking pictures was a highlight of my day today.
Emma says...
It's beautiful beyond belief.
European life is really different, in a good way.
I'm enjoying every aspect of this place and experience.
European life is really different, in a good way.
I'm enjoying every aspect of this place and experience.
Francheska says...
This is unique.
It's very cultural.
Everything from the food to the language is beautiful.
It's mind blowing in every way!
It's very cultural.
Everything from the food to the language is beautiful.
It's mind blowing in every way!
Ally says...
It's better than I could have imagined.
I never want to go back home to the cold.
The people are so friendly and they don't mind us speaking English!
I never want to go back home to the cold.
The people are so friendly and they don't mind us speaking English!
Zoee says...
I really don't want to leave.
This is paradise in my eyes.
Everything is so beautiful.
There is no way you could capture what I am seeing with just a picture.
Greece has opened my eyes to trying new things and I'm loving every moment of it.
This is paradise in my eyes.
Everything is so beautiful.
There is no way you could capture what I am seeing with just a picture.
Greece has opened my eyes to trying new things and I'm loving every moment of it.
Emily says...
It is really beautiful here.
Being here has completely changed my perspective on what life in Greece is like.
So far, in just two days, I have already made lifelong memories.
We went into the Aegean Sea at night.
The food is really good.
Being here has completely changed my perspective on what life in Greece is like.
So far, in just two days, I have already made lifelong memories.
We went into the Aegean Sea at night.
The food is really good.
Ayessa says...
Greece is warm.
It's a good experience.
People are nice.
The best spring vacation I have ever had!
You should come to Greece!
It's a good experience.
People are nice.
The best spring vacation I have ever had!
You should come to Greece!
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Greek yogurt is even better in Greece
We head to the Acropolis and Parthenon today. Energizing with breakfast at the hotel!
Architecture, the sea and gelato.
Wrapping up Day one. We took a walking tour of the neighborhood. We saw a beautiful Byzantine church and got a short history lesson. After the Guided portion, the girls wanted to go to the beach and get gelato. I could not deny them :)
A little adventure and we found a small beach. We took our shoes off and put our feet in. The water was warmer than any New England beach on the hottest August day. Although we are in a suburb, the nightlife is active. some of the girls noted that they saw a lot of people their age out walking around and that it would be nice to live here. Gelato never disappoints and the beautiful outdoor cafe' and people watching made it even better.
Good night from Glyfada, Greece.
A little adventure and we found a small beach. We took our shoes off and put our feet in. The water was warmer than any New England beach on the hottest August day. Although we are in a suburb, the nightlife is active. some of the girls noted that they saw a lot of people their age out walking around and that it would be nice to live here. Gelato never disappoints and the beautiful outdoor cafe' and people watching made it even better.
Good night from Glyfada, Greece.
Checked in!
We are at Hotel Oceanis in the suburbs of Athens. Dinner at 7:30 and a walking tour of our area. Hopefully everyone sleeps well tonight so we can be our best for the Acropolis and the Parthenon tomorrow.
Arrived in Athens!
We are in Athens! Quick bathroom break, baggage claim and then we meet our tour director, Irene Theotokatou. The ladies are eager to start practicing some Greek phrases. The world is our classroom!
Across the Atlantic
We are all sitting safely at Schipol airport in Amsterdam awaiting our flight to Athens. Greece is seven hours ahead of home. The excitement should help our bodies adjust to the time difference quickly. We have our first city tour in Athens as soon as we arrive. We will update as much as we can!
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