Sun and Sand in the Cyclades

We are enjoying the sun and beaches in Naxos. This is our second day here after a couple days in Mykonos. We enjoyed our time in Mykonos, but it is certainly a tourist destination, with cruise ships pulling in to port and partying till the wee hours. The main reason we were there was to see Delos, considered the center of the Cyclades. The quantity and quality of the ruins there was amazing. Mykonos town (Hora) was a beautiful town, all narrow alleys and white painted buildings on the hillside. Pictures will come once we get back.

We have a car here in Naxos, so we've been exploring the island extensively. The car is a Chevy Matiz, a little better than the "convertible" Beetle we had in Cozumel. There are some neat historical sites, and many old churches here. This is also where the bulk of the marble for the many of the ancient Greek building projects came from. Our plan for the rest of the time here on Naxos is to enjoy the beach and the cool Aegean waters. Then we'll be off for Santorini.

-G and h

Quick Post From Delphi

What a change of pace around here. This is a small town of around 3000, it does live off tourism, but is much more relaxing than Athens. We got in yesterday afternoon and checked out the town, and then visited the ruins today. Pretty amazing place with great views of mountains and the Gulf of Corinth. We stay the night tonight (it's 3:18PM) and then take the bus back to Athens. The plan is to head to the port of Piraeus and head to Mykonos.

-G and h

Here we are...

sitting in Syntagma square a few blocks from our hotel using Athens' free wifi (free here in the park anyway).
When we arrived yesterday we were wiped out from going more than 24 hours without sleeping.
So, today was our first chance to explore. We first went to the Acropolis and the Agora. This truly is a Disneylansd for historians. We also went to see the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the largest temple in Greece.
Gabe says I'm writing a novel here and I need to wrap this up.
-h

We're off!

Heidi and I are at the gate waiting to get on our flight. In 10 or so hours we'll be on the other side of the Atlantic. It seems like the plane is booked solid, so right now we're not even sitting next to each other.

They're boarding now, so see you in a few weeks!

-G

I love vacation

And this is only my first day!

I seriously have had the best day! I got out of bed pretty early...I thought I'd be really tiered from the restless nights of sleep I've had lately. But at 8, I was wide awake and couldn't get myself to fall back to sleep. So, I decided to get up and go to the gym. It's embarrassing to admit how long it's been since I've been there, so I won't. There were only about 10 other people there. Fantastic! When I got off the elliptical my legs felt like jelly, that gives you and idea of how long I've been avoiding the gym. But I felt great. It always feels great afterwards, but I have so much trouble convincing myself off the couch. I spent the rest of the "morning" reading this. The 4th, and final, book comes out in August.
My afternoon was perfect. It was helped out by how wonderful the weather is today. Currently it is 72 and pretty much clear of clouds. Other than the weather making this the perfect afternoon, I went and got my hair cut. Finally! I've managed to put it off for weeks. After my cut I walked down to Powell's, found a few things there, and then walked here to enjoy my much needed end-of-the-year massage. I had some pretty huge knots that needed to be worked out of my shoulders.
Now I'm home, waiting for Gabe. He had to work late today (usually he's off at 11 on Fridays). They have a TON going on, and being that he won't be back for 3 weeks, he felt some obligation. Now he's been waiting at the bank downtown for the last 1/2 hour. He's trying to pick us up some of these.
Well, we're heading out with some friends tonight to celebrate the beginning of summer. We'll be heading to Clyde Common where we'll be trying absinthe. The FDA loosened its restricitons on this spirit and I've been wanting to give it a try. I'll let you know how it is! Then we're heading to Bailey's Taproom. A place Gabe's been desperately wanting to try. It should be a fun way to start the summer, the weekend, and see our friends before we leave for 3 weeks!
Our list of things to do this weekend, in order to be ready for our departure on Monday, is at least a mile long. Hopefully, I'll be back on here before we take off.
-h

School's Out for Summer!

Thought it would be fun to share this with everyone today.  Gotta love the Muppets with a little Alice Cooper!

It was tough saying good-bye to my students today, and I'd much rather have one more day to laugh and have fun with them then clean my classroom.  My messy classroom and final trimester grades are still waiting for me in the morning.

We're pretty excited.  Our ETD (estimated time of departure) is quickly approaching.  We leave for Greece in 5 days!!!!

-h

Only 3 more!!!

That's 3 more student days anyway.

We had our Living History Day today at school.  I spent the day in costume as a Civil War surgeon.  Because I was so busy all day, I didn't have a single chance to snap a photo.  I'm really bummed out by that.

This morning I went outside to set up my field hospital.  I got help from a few colleagues to set up an easy-up tent to use for my cover from the terrible weather that was forecast for today.  (I don't think it got much over 50).  The wind was blowing pretty strong and I was concerned that the tent may not stay where I wanted.  Well, I should have listened to that thought and feeling.  I went back to my classroom to get the day started with my first period class and I then saw the most terrifying thing out my window.  My easy-up tent was on the football field.  It blew down the hill, past the grandstand and was on it's way off school property.  At that point I had 20 kids in my room (3 minutes before first period started) and there wasn't much I could do.  Other, than ask a trusted student to run out there and rescue it.  Which is what I did.  All that to say, my field hospital was not all I wanted it to be and it was cold and windy ALL day.  Luckily, the torrential downpours never came and I had some company.  Gabe reluctantly agreed to come and help me out this afternoon.  He was a great help even though he claims he's terrified of middle school students.

We are both spending the evening relaxing with a much needed hops filled beverage.

-h