We took a longer boat ride from Paros to Piraeus, the port of Athens. Then we hoped on the Metro to get to our hotel. We were pleased with the view of the Acropolis from the rooftop terrace of our hotel : )
We were walking distance from the main sights in Athens, so we got up early to beat the heat, and walked up the "back" way to the Acropolis. This way takes us through the ancient Agora (market place). Amazing to think how long these stones have been here!
Our first stop was Mars Hill, where Paul preached about the "Unknown God". I remember it very clearly from my childhood!
The slippery steps up to the summit of Mars Hill haven't changed at all! Maybe they are more slippery, but I remember them so well. They have actually built some new wooden ones that go around and up the Hill, but we HAD to go up the steps I remembered from when I was Blake's age...
Our kids made friends with a stray dog they names Klyde. He was a companion through much of the Acropolis. I was glad the Parthenon didn't have skafolding on this side...
Loretta and I have a picture of us on this spot taken during our college days. I'm sure we haven't changed a bit! The ancient sites haven't changed!
Our whole crew in front of the Parthenon! This may be our only picture with all 11 of us!! (wonder why)...
At Syntagma Square, we watched the changing of the guards who are in front of the tomb of the unknown soldier. I didn't realize that they only wear the white skirted outfits on Sunday! We used to drive by here on our way to church and I remember seeing the white skirted, traditional, outfits. The rest of the days of the week they wear tan uniforms. Of course, the pidgeons were a huge draw for our kids!
Garrett was delighted to have a whitie eat off his back!
Blake got one to land on his head!
Austin used bread to get this whitie to land on him. The other kids used corn kernels.
We got Greek snacks from a street vendor and escaped to the National Gardens for a cool walk and break.
We took the bus to Glyfada in search of our old house. A lot has changed and been built up, but we found the house and our old elementary school. This pic is looking at the school from the entrance gate, and I remember playing hop scotch on these squares!
That evening we met up with Klyde (the dog) while we were walking around the Plaka. This time he stayed with the kids, obeyed their commands and provided entertainment. They were sad to leave him : (
On this last night of our vacation, we enjoyed ice cream from our rooftop terrace.
The Acropolis looked beautiful from our terrace.
Everyone loves ice cream!
The Katch girls each added an entry to our journal describing Klyde, the dog, and what he meant to them. Our journal of this trip is a precious momento of our many adventures!!!
Kyle (Eric & Kelley's youngest) was the ring bearer. He wore a tux just like Stephens. Here he is with Tiffany's daughter, Elissa (Sherri's grandaughter). Ed, Ken, Sherri and Mike (the siblings) were all in attendance, but their mother wasn't able to be there.
Kelley and Courtney look beautiful! Courtney was the flower girl : ) We miss them so much! We were so blessed to live close to them for a while in Richardson!!!
Stephen and Staci's car wouldn't start after the ceremony, so they got to chill out rather than speed off after the wedding : ) They were married at Friendly Ave Church of Christ by their new pulpit minister, Jason Noble. Apparently, he knows Ben...
"I'll race you, Mrs. Katch!" says Blake
