Just a couple weeks ago, I returned from visiting Greece!! I am so excited still, and feel so fortunate to have been able to go. We had a two fold purpose. I was going as a chaperone for the young ladies in our youth group at the church I attend but we also went to just visit and take in the sites. It was a short term missions trip as well and we met up with many others from around the world, about 105 people, and made some great friends while enjoying Greece.

We flew into Athens first. We then went on to a place called Porto Astro, to help with a camp ground area to Muslim Refugees. There is an inlet, not far from the Island of Evia, but still on the mainland. It is a beautiful place with huge hills surrounding, and a view of the waters surrounding Greece. What a wonderful memory to be a part of a thing where the kids are helping others while getting to see a whole new part of the world.

After this, we went back to Athens, to spend the night. The place where we stayed, afforded us a spectacular view of the Parthenon!! My jaw dropped when I saw it, and I was truly overwhelmed! This was my first view (not in pictures) of the Parthenon. The next morning we would go walk there and get to see it close up. :)

The first night, we had amazing Gyros/Slovaki, and we found a nice little place in Athens for this. I was amazed at how yummy they were! We saw some of the Greece nightlife walking to and from dinner, and had many chances to purchase souvenirs but held off for now. Later we would hit the shops for fun in that regard ;p

The next morning, we all geared up for a big day to go to the Acropolis, which means highest city, and its set on a massive chunk of rock. Absolutely stunning and beautiful, I will always remember going there, the feeling of the warm sun and taking in all the sights. Its almost overwhelming, because there is not only so much to see atop the Acropolis, but also so much to see FROM the vantage point of the Acropolis. Where do you begin to point that camera? :)

After walking through the very interesting streets toward the Acropolis, my legs immediately felt the slight incline, lol, and my thoughts were, this is very healthy and good for me! hehe I think we turned a way that took us around the long way , but we enjoyed this too, for we saw so much. We saw ampitheatres, temples, ruins, views of the city, random wildflowers, and just amazing antiquity to take in all around us. I loved everything, and the butterflies were fascinating as well, but unfortunately I couldn't get pictures of them, as you need much time and patience to capture them on camera, in my experience.

We went on to see the Acropolis, another amazing ampitheatre, Parthenon, the Agora, Mars Hill, Erechtheion, Agora Museum, Stoa of Attalos, Great Drain, and much more. As with many things, my only regret was that there was not more time to take all of this in. Its possible to spend much time at all these places at one's leisure.

The next day, we went to Corinth. We saw also Acrocorinth, or upper Corinth. By some , its estimated to be among the most amazing of acropoleis in mainland Greece. Ancient fortresses there, just blew me away. I was floored by all the ancient ruins and the architecture that still remained. Its hard to know where to begin. The Venetians and Turks also had times in history where they were here and left their mark. Its fascinating, and I hope to do a study of all that went on there. The views alone, breathtaking, and its free to visit, no less. Wow, I was truly impressed by this place. Nevermind, that in Corinth we had lunch with the acrocorinth in view, among many other things. We saw corners of remaining temples there, and museums filled with antiquity. It all made me realize how much more I have to learn. Something that is curious to me, is that there are natural springs up in the acrocorinth, which come down, underground and let out in the town below. You can still see the reflections of the water and hear it, from below, and its just amazing and impressive. Having the ability to store such water up above in acrocorinth is what made building and living up there back then possible, I am guessing.We had incredible lunch, a wonderful spread of all kinds of greek foods.

From here, we drove to Corinth Canal. The color of the water struck me, it was so beautiful. There is a whole history lesson there as well. Where do even begin to start unwrapping all there is to know about these places??

From there, we drove for many miles, to Kiparissia, along the coast in western Messenia. We were at a camp ground there ,for the remainder of our stay. My jaw dropped again when I saw the coastline there, and I was loving every minute of it. We fell asleep to waves breaking on the shoreline. :) We were not there solely to rest and enjoy, we worked hard on our other goals we had on that trip. We DID get to enjoy much more, and travelled around that area almost every day. We experienced many towns and villages and their views as well. We got to try many greek foods, and got to see and visit with some amazing greek people. One of wich was a 109 year old woman in a small village, born in 1900!! She really liked us, and her family, and kept offering us treats and stories to share. She had been through much, everything from WW2 soldiers that occupied her town, breaking her ribs, to surviving a intestinal surgery when she was 103 years old. She didn't want us to leave, and we didn't want to go, but we had to. I got tears in my eyes talking to her, and she did to me too, and wanted us to know she never did anything wrong to anyone and was so happy we came there. She and her family were so happy we brought New Testaments to read in their current greek language. (Orthodox approved, etc. We are not Jehovah's witnesses, nor Mormons..we just believe in the Bible and wanted to share those) They gave us these very nice wrapped ice cream treats, I have never seen anything like it. With hearts and flowers on the foil wrappings.. Her son could speak english and lived in other places in the world too.

Well, 1176 pictures later, I have much to show and remember, but I hope to have given you a taste here of what we did in Greece. I am overwhelmed at bing able to go. I almost still can't believe it, and I loved it so much. :) Over time, I hope to give more details and pictures, so check back.