A phrase often used when unable to understand something - "It's all Greek to me". Well, I was lucky enough to go to Athens, Greece for a week of training for my job, and I came to have a very clear understanding of that little phrase! It's more than just not understanding or not reading Greek. It's a matter of not even being able to use logic or similarities to other languages to figure things out! But even with the language difficulties, it was a great trip!
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| Girls in my training. |
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Mike, me, Brunha, Charlotte
Dessie (instructor), Susan, Erne |
I attended a class with 5 other people, one from Athens, one from Switzerland, two from Albania, and one from Belgium. The gentleman from Athens was married with a family, so he wasn't able to hang around with the rest of us in the evenings, unfortunately, but the other four women and I had a blast in the evenings, shopping and eating and just getting to know each other. At the end of our last day of class the five of us went "out on the town", did some exploring and shopping, and then went to dinner at a nice restaurant that had two older Greek gentlemen playing Greek music! I really wanted to learn some Greek dancing, so I asked another woman customer if she would come up by the musicians and show me some steps. That language issue sprang up because she understood that I was going to show her, so we were up there kinda' lost. Luckily a gentleman who was there with his wife came up and showed us some steps, and that began a fun night of dancing and making new friends! In the end there were other people who got up and joined us too! (but not any of my friends from the training! They were too busy cheering me on!).
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| Some of my dance partners |
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| Two of my dance partners |
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| Flag in the wind at Acropolis, with rain clouds moving in |
The training ended on Thursday, but I stayed on for the weekend so that I would have a chance to see more of the city. It's probably the only time I will ever be in Athens! On Friday my goal was to see the Acropolis, which ended up being a rather unique experience. It was sunny and warm when I left my hotel, so I didn't even need to take a jacket - or so I thought. By the time I had climbed up to Acropolis, clouds moved in and the wind picked up, blowing 20 - 30 mph! I couldn't stand still without the wind pushing me forward! Pretty soon I began hearing thunder rolling all around the city and felt a few sprinkles. I could see it raining in almost every direction! Since the steps up to Acropolis are made out of worn stone, I decided to head back to the bus stop before they got wet and slippery. It was a good idea, and I almost made it! Missed it by about 100 yards, and in that short distance, it poured!! A guy was running up the steps with an armload of umbrellas, planning on making a fortune I'm sure. He told me he wanted 10 euros for one - about $12. I pointed out that I was already soaked and didn't really need an umbrella at that point! But as he bargained down, I thought it might be good to protect me from the wind, so I ended up buying one for 3 euros! Glad I didn't pay 10 because as soon as I opened it up, the wind caught it, turned it inside out, and broke 2 of the spines! But it DID help shelter me from the wind, so I guess it was worth it!
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| Acropolis at night from Metro Station |
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| View of the city from Acropolis |
Saturday was spent wandering different areas than I had been before. I spent quite a bit of time at Zeus' Temple and Hadrian's Gate, and then just wandering around. I found a neighborhood full of things that priests would use in the Greek churches - icons, garments, chalices etc. Deep rich colors and quite beautiful! And no matter where you wander, in the middle of shopping areas, business sections, or living spaces, I always saw lovely old and little churches tucked away between things!
Hidden churches
Temple of Zeus and Gate:
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| Moustalevria, a Greek Grape Juice Pudding |
I had some great food there, too! The first night we went out together, I had a mousaka that was to die for! It was melt-in-your-mouth delicious! I also found a traditional gelled dessert made from grape must. The must is mixed with nuts of one kind or another and prepared in little clay pots. When I bought it for 1.8 euros (just over $2.00), I got to keep the little pot! My plan was to eat one every day so I would end up with a whole set of these little pots, but there were just too many other good things to eat, so I only ended up with one!
