A Quick Stop in Copenhagen...

 

The return from the islands gave us just two days to prepare for "part 2" of the summer. It was not calm, nor was there a storm. It was a constant happy busy as we visited downtown Athens (including seeing an Athenian wedding in Plaka) and then said our goodbyes. Daddy took to the streets the night before the flight, meeting up with Peter and Ralph and John and others to watch Greece play the Ivory Coast. The game ended with a victory in the final play, at around 1:30 am and the entire crowd cheered and hugged the win. It was a good night, despite no sleep. 

We left the house at 2:30 am and headed to the airport. Boarded the plane at 4:00 am and slept all the way to Copenhagen where, for seven hours, we had the pleasure of hanging out with Uncle "Eko!  He picked us up from the airport and showed us around Copenhagen, then a rather stylish bakery where we picked up all sorts of yummy danish pastries and breads (as well as coffee) and headed to his new apartment for breakfast followed by a stroll down streets and a city park where it was necessary, of course, to stop and play in the playground. The visit was quick, but simply awesome.

Then, it was a flight on our first Dreamliner, with it's big windows and automatic shading features. Cool stuff!  The entertainment system was equally impressive for the girls.

Them Aegean Islands

And then 'Cott, 'Becca and Lizzie arrived, and our summer had begun in earnest. Patty also arrived the next day and, as was expected, the girls were happy as can be and the huggin' and the kissin' came fast and furious. The arrival brought with it smiles and a chance to rekindle times when chatting about nothing in particular was just a short drive down the street. They stayed in a hotel nearby since the apartment was overflowing already, but they were with us almost the whole time. So, what do you do when you see friends and want to catch up?  You head to the islands, of course!  And so off we went... Santorini (Irini's island) and Mykonos awaited. 

Irini insisted on explaining to everyone that Santorini was actually named after her. She was so happy to be there. It had been years since we'd been there before (and the girls had never been) and so we knew that the islands were more "developed" but didn't quite know how we'd take it. As it turned out the development is obvious, but the style and architecture is similar meaning there's just more of a good thing!  The tranquility of "out of town" cliff view accommodations in Santorini couldn't be beat and the kids quickly became accustomed to sitting out over the caldera and playing cards and or jumping into the small pool that waited for us each day. As the World Cup wore on we went here and there and ate and ate and watched sunsets galore. 

In Mykonos we also were able to rent some four-wheel drive motorcycles (what do you call them?), though we got a small car to take the girls around. TTmouz and Avi (and Lizzie too) were in seventh heaven with the wind blowing in their hair as they went from town to the beach and back. The water was crystal clear and though it was already quite crowded things were friendly and slow paced and quite lovely. The small walk streets that we remembered so well were still there and inviting us for walks to and fro. 

Of course, the trip was also time to reunite, to share stories and thoughts, to be together, and that took place quite naturally. Our return to Athens, and visit to Plaka and the Acropolis area was also well received by everyone. But more than anything, and despite the wonder of the locations, it was the hearts that were the highlight. The friends. The chats. The laughter. The playfulness. What makes life such a wonderful thing.

Summer Visitin'

The flights were long, as usual, but got steadily calmer the further we moved further and further from the tropics. By the time we touched down it was smooth sailing!  The temperature was a surprising 28 degrees, bringing delight to mommy's face. This time the cousins and Tia were with us so it was a larger than usual crowd. But it was not absent of wonder, none-the-less. We fell into the hubbub of a full apartment shortly after arrival (with the help of our very own 'saint' Stefan, who fixed up the house, got it cleaned, bought a new refrigerator and filled it with some food for our arrival. 

The days were not-too-warm and just right for all of us. The time was spent catching up with friends (Stelio and family and Vasil and family - including giggly little ones - were at the scene in Varsos within two hours or so). Then there was a wonderful night at Stefan and Vicky's place. It was the opening of the World Cup that night too, and as the celebrations were being covered on TV, their apartment had a special "air" about it. Vicky was seen scampering through the house chasing little girls. Tours were given. Flowers outfits were made and kid-friendly creativity was in the air! Pizza was ordered and the night wore on as if no time had passed at all. The "good nights" were filled with appreciation and a sense that this was family in deed if not on paper. We are so very fortunate to have friends like those we have in Greece. 

We also had a visit to Vasil and Sofia's house for the Colombia-Greece game a few days later. It was supposed to be a celebration of soccer, but it quickly became evident that the celebrations were only to be had by the Latin crowd which, joyously rose and screamed with every goal. The Greeks considered closing the sliding doors so as not to be embarrassed, but were able to keep themselves on "good hosts" status.

For a week we caught up on necessary running around, managed to see most everyone on our list, got play dates set up and enjoyed and prepared the house for the summer. There were also opportunities to show the visiting clan members a bit of the area too.

The May-June Rush

It was years ago, it seems. The May-June rush came at us hard and then the summer took over from there. Between plane rides and people to see it was hard to keep up with this blog. But there was lots of memorable momentous moments in there that just need to be shared. There was the Wet and Wild Days at their school, Carter's Birthday and goodbye :-( and, of course, Amalia's 4th birthday... pool party as demanded (by her) and hoped for (by mommy and daddy).

You'll tell from the pictures that it was a mad rush of people and celebrations. And it's exactly what it felt like. Where we live and work the four weeks prior to summer holidays rise every so quickly into a social crescendo of goodbyes and see you laters. It was fun and it was busy. There were also two notable goodbyes for our girls, who said their goodbyes to Carter (who Irini has known since she was born) and Marie (Irini's best friend in her class). They have now moved on to the US and France respectively, but we think of them fondly and remember them well. Sadly, but perhaps appropriately, it's all part of growing up. 

And then... the Rain!

Toward the end of the soccer session people started heading out. One after another families would wave and share weekend wishes. We stayed behind to play on the swings with a family of friends and classmates. Then it was time for them to head out as well so we naturally started to head for the exits as well. 

We were getting our things together when we felt it. A single drop of rain. It was unmistakably tropical: Broad and strong. Thump went another. We moved over to get under cover, but Amalia decided it was just too good to pass up. Out she went as the rain began to get stronger and faster. Soon her sister was out there too. Then the hoola hoops were introduced. Then came the discovery that over at the basketball court - where the coverings allowed for the water to fall in more concentrated areas - there was pure delight to be found. Perfect for a dip or sorts. Once there, and after a bit of play, Amalia noticed the playground in front of her classroom. She went over to check it out and what did she discover?  Wow!  These slides are super fast if you're sopping wet with rain!  She shot out of the slide on her first run, her bum hitting the floor. She looked up and giggled in glee. Irini, not to be left out, followed suit. The girls were happy as can be and daddy was too!

We had the extra shorts (the "just in case" sets for each of them). By then their smiles were so broad it didn't matter that the shorts had been rejected time and time again all morning in lieu of something less sporty. We came for soccer but we really enjoyed the time outside, literally singing in the rain!  It was awesome!

How wonderful to know that these two little girls, part and parcel of the modern iPad world, will stop everything to get out and soak themselves in good old fashioned precipitation!  May this happen time and time again as they grow up.