Stare-down in the sacred tree

Yia sas!  Mom and I spent our second day in Athens exploring The Acropolis, The Acropolis Museum, and walking through the National Gardens.

While it was fascinating to see the Parthenon up close and personal, Mom and I both really enjoyed  learning about The Erechtheion, a smaller temple located near the Parthenon.  Although both buildings were built to honor Athena (the Patron God of Athens) the Erechtheion was considered a particularly holy and significant site.

Greek legend claims that on the site where the Erechtheion was built, Poseidon plunged his trident into rock, producing a spring of water.  At the same site Athena planted a simple olive tree. The olive tree produced the fruit that became the staple of Greek agriculture, and judges declared Athena the winner.  To this day an olive tree is planted on the west wall of the building to honor the legendary competition and Athena's victory.

While we were drawn to the temple because of the unique architecture, Mom and I both walked away bemused by what we discovered when we passed by.  A cat was perched in Athena's sacred tree, and at the base a stray dog was vigilantly staring down the feline, taking in its every action.  I'm pretty sure the epic stare-down garnered as many pictures from tourists as the temple itself!

Mom and I wrapped up the day with a glass of wine on the rooftop of our hotel, taking in all of Athens.  What is most fascinating about the city is the blend of antiquity with modernity.  If you consider the recent turmoil and protests Greece has endured, it adds an even more interesting layer to the history of this ever-evolving city.

Mom and I spent the past four days in Santorini, but they have mostly consisted of beach-bumming, seafood consumption, and reveling in the beauty of the craggy island.  I'll write more on that tomorrow!
{Mom in the rooftop bar of our hotel}

*Note: picture of Erechtheion is via interwebs: https://www.google.com/search?q=erechtheion&client=safari&hl=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=0_umUeD9EOHt0gWb14HoDA&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAA&biw=768&bih=928&sei=2PumUfS1M5Go0wW2i4CQBw#biv=i%7C4%3Bd%7CuxnFB8SvbZ_WLM%3A

efharisto

*Note: for an abbreviated way to hear about our trip, watch: McBrooHahas gadabout: Barb and Ellie's Video Journal: http://youtu.be/V6iXadgjw9I

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"What does efharisto mean?" Mom asked me twenty hours into our trek to Greece.

"Not sure, you'll have to ask someone" I said as I brushed off her question as a distant, and perhaps incomplete memory being drawn on.

The word, however, stuck with Mom.  Today she asked a (Greek!) friend and he told us it means 'thank you'.  He was impressed by Mom's memory, as I quietly meditated on how it's such an apt phrase to draw on.

After over thirty hours/four separate flights (what was three-months ago Ellie, thinking?!) Mom and I finally made it safely, soundly, and exhaustedly to our hotel in Athens.  Post-crashing and resting up, we spent the afternoon with our friend, Thomas, who made the trek from a town north of Athens to show us around.  We walked through Monastiraki Square, saw the changing of the guards at Syntagma Square at ate a delicious Greek lunch at a popular Athenian restaurant.  After saying goodbye to Thomas and catching a late-afternoon nap, we went up Mt. Lycabettus to see the sunset over Athens.  All in all, our first day of sightseeing has been an excellent blend of rest, venust, and fellowship.

And now for a broader reflection on our trip thus far: Mom is in constant awe of all things new and beautiful, and I am in constant awe of Mom.  I captured more of this sentiment in my journal tonight: "I love exploring and the independence of autonomous travel; combine this with Mom's patience, joyful spirit, and constant awe and excitement in all that is new around her, and I feel confident that this trip is going to be a defining moment of richness that we will carry throughout our lives."

With that in mind -- I am grateful for all who are supporting us with prayers and well-wishes, airport rides, and holding things down on the home front in our absence (and on and on I could go).

Signing off with a heartfelt 'efharisto' to all family and friends, all around the world.

{blurry IPad shot of the patio-view of the Acropolis that greeted us when we arrived to our hotel room early this AM}

hold.