We've had a busy time in Athens and we've only been here for 18 hours. Last night, after arriving at 6pm and checking into our hostel, we headed out for a personalized walking tour a la Rick Steves. It ended up being the perfect time for it ... not too hot and the lighting on some of the sites was amazing. We begain in Syntagma Square with the Parliament and headed down the pedestrian mall on Ermou Street. We took a left at an 11th century Byzantine church, passed the restaurant we'd dine at later that night and continued up through the little 'village' of Anafiotika to views of the Parthenon and the Roman Agora. It really was lovely and we were completely enchanted with the houses and the views.
This morning we got up for an early walk to the Parthenon, wandered around there for a couple of hours, then headed through the Roman Agora back to our hostel. We checked out and now are heading out to catch a bus to Nafplio, our next location. Tonight, if all goes well, we'll be sitting in the ancient theater at Epidavros watching a production of Sophocles' Antigone.
30 June 2007
London - Westminister Abbey, Fish and Chips, and a show
Wednesday, after a croissant for breakfast, Jen and I headed over to Westminister Abbey. What an interesting mix of tributes to all sorts of people. Here are some of the highlights for me:
-Royal Air Force Chapel ...We few - We happy few, We Band of Brothers
- Elizabeth I and Mary I (Tudor half-sister)..."Near the Tomb of Mary and Elizabeth. Remember before God all those who divided at the Reformation by different convictions laid down their lives for Christ and conscince' sake"
-Lewis Carroll..."Is our life, then, but a dream?"
-George Eliot, George Frederic Handel, Rudyard Kipling, Charles Dickens, William Wordsworth, William Shakespeare, Jane Austin, Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Bronte (Not all were buried there)
-David Livingstone... Missionary, traveller, philanthropist...His last words written were, "All I can add in my solitude, is, may heaven's rich blessing come down on every one, American, English, or Turk, who will help to heal this open sore of the world." (What an inspiration!)
-The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (outlining the tomb)"Unknown and yet well known, Dying and behold we live, The Lord knoweth them that are his, Greater love Hath no man than this, In Christ Shall all be made alive"
I was struck with how much the idea of religion as an institution can make people feel as if they have a get in free card to heaven. However, if people truly believed in Christ and make him Lord of their lives, they would be made alive for eternity!
After Westminister Abbey, Jen and I headed to Covent Garden for a stroll and some fish and chips wrapped in paper from "Rock, Sole, and Plaice Fish and Chips." Jen had Plaice and I had Haddock. With salt and vinegar it was complete.
That night we enjoyed the musical "Mamma Mia." If you are a lover of ABBA songs, this is the show for you. It was definitely alive, upbeat, and full of energy. We ended our London trip sleeping at our lovely rooms(Thanks Dad!) and got ready for an early flight...
Stacy
-Royal Air Force Chapel ...We few - We happy few, We Band of Brothers
- Elizabeth I and Mary I (Tudor half-sister)..."Near the Tomb of Mary and Elizabeth. Remember before God all those who divided at the Reformation by different convictions laid down their lives for Christ and conscince' sake"
-Lewis Carroll..."Is our life, then, but a dream?"
-George Eliot, George Frederic Handel, Rudyard Kipling, Charles Dickens, William Wordsworth, William Shakespeare, Jane Austin, Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Bronte (Not all were buried there)
-David Livingstone... Missionary, traveller, philanthropist...His last words written were, "All I can add in my solitude, is, may heaven's rich blessing come down on every one, American, English, or Turk, who will help to heal this open sore of the world." (What an inspiration!)
-The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (outlining the tomb)"Unknown and yet well known, Dying and behold we live, The Lord knoweth them that are his, Greater love Hath no man than this, In Christ Shall all be made alive"
I was struck with how much the idea of religion as an institution can make people feel as if they have a get in free card to heaven. However, if people truly believed in Christ and make him Lord of their lives, they would be made alive for eternity!
After Westminister Abbey, Jen and I headed to Covent Garden for a stroll and some fish and chips wrapped in paper from "Rock, Sole, and Plaice Fish and Chips." Jen had Plaice and I had Haddock. With salt and vinegar it was complete.
That night we enjoyed the musical "Mamma Mia." If you are a lover of ABBA songs, this is the show for you. It was definitely alive, upbeat, and full of energy. We ended our London trip sleeping at our lovely rooms(Thanks Dad!) and got ready for an early flight...
Stacy
London
Wow!
It seems that so much time has flown by already. I finished up my trip with Karen on Sunday and they drove me to the Winchester train station on their way to work. It was perfect as I was able to take the train to London and get there quite early.
After I arrived in London, I tried to get some of the sights I wanted to see out of the way that I knew Jen wouldn't be interested in. I went back to the Imperial War Museum that I remembered from my first trip but didn't get to spend enough time in. It really is very impressive. You walk into the entryway and there before you are the real planes, tanks, bombs, etc. from various wars and many countries. I explored several exhibits including the World War I and II exhibits, the Holocaust and Crimes against Humanity exhibits, and the Secret War(MI5 and MI6 spy stuff), and the Children's War.
The Holocaust exhibit has a portion on Auchwitz which made me think and pray for the 180 group that is visiting there soon. The exhibit is beautifully done, but doesn't capture the oppressive feel of evil as you walk through the Auschwitz gates, nor the disbelief and sick feeling you get from seeing the rooms full of items taken from the Jews (shoes, suitcases, hair, etc.).
The Spy exhibit was fascinating as I enjoyed seeing the collars, soap, etc. with invisible ink in them. The small weapons to be hidden on a person, etc.
From the war museum I spent time in Leister square, ate dinner in the courtyard of the Sommerset house, and went to the theater production of the "Drowsy Chaperone." It was hilarious as it opened with a dark stage and a voice saying, "Have you ever sat in a dark theater and thought, Dear Lord in heaven, please let it be good."
The next morning I left my hostel near Earl's Court and went to the Winston Churchill and the War Cabinet Rooms exhibit. It was fascinating. It was basically kept exactly as it was at that time with the same wall paint, books left where they were when people went home, etc. There were several rooms including the council room, map room, Churchill's secret room to telephone the president, the separate bedrooms for he and his wife as well as rooms for other working people.
There was a museum dedicated to Churchill. I especially enjoyed listening to excerpts from many of his speeches during 1940. I was reminded again of how dire the circumstances were for Britain at that time as they were one of the last standing against the Nazis, and the relief that was palpable as the U.S. joined the war after Pearl Harbor in 1941. It was the first time that Churchill felt that the war could be won. I loved this quote from Churchill about WWII. "I felt as if I were walking with destiny, and that all my past life had been but a preparation for this hour and for this trial...I was sure I should not fail." What an incredible man!
After that I meandered through the National Gallery. I enjoy art, but actually standing one foot away from Vincent Van Gogh's "Sunflowers" painting is amazing. The beauty, creativity, and genious behind such works really touches the soul in a way you can't put into words. These are the things that books can't teach you.
Next, I went to Victoria's Grosvenor Garden to meet Jen. I'm so glad I'm not traveling alone. It's so nice to share experiences together.
Cheers!
Stacy
It seems that so much time has flown by already. I finished up my trip with Karen on Sunday and they drove me to the Winchester train station on their way to work. It was perfect as I was able to take the train to London and get there quite early.
After I arrived in London, I tried to get some of the sights I wanted to see out of the way that I knew Jen wouldn't be interested in. I went back to the Imperial War Museum that I remembered from my first trip but didn't get to spend enough time in. It really is very impressive. You walk into the entryway and there before you are the real planes, tanks, bombs, etc. from various wars and many countries. I explored several exhibits including the World War I and II exhibits, the Holocaust and Crimes against Humanity exhibits, and the Secret War(MI5 and MI6 spy stuff), and the Children's War.
The Holocaust exhibit has a portion on Auchwitz which made me think and pray for the 180 group that is visiting there soon. The exhibit is beautifully done, but doesn't capture the oppressive feel of evil as you walk through the Auschwitz gates, nor the disbelief and sick feeling you get from seeing the rooms full of items taken from the Jews (shoes, suitcases, hair, etc.).
The Spy exhibit was fascinating as I enjoyed seeing the collars, soap, etc. with invisible ink in them. The small weapons to be hidden on a person, etc.
From the war museum I spent time in Leister square, ate dinner in the courtyard of the Sommerset house, and went to the theater production of the "Drowsy Chaperone." It was hilarious as it opened with a dark stage and a voice saying, "Have you ever sat in a dark theater and thought, Dear Lord in heaven, please let it be good."
The next morning I left my hostel near Earl's Court and went to the Winston Churchill and the War Cabinet Rooms exhibit. It was fascinating. It was basically kept exactly as it was at that time with the same wall paint, books left where they were when people went home, etc. There were several rooms including the council room, map room, Churchill's secret room to telephone the president, the separate bedrooms for he and his wife as well as rooms for other working people.
There was a museum dedicated to Churchill. I especially enjoyed listening to excerpts from many of his speeches during 1940. I was reminded again of how dire the circumstances were for Britain at that time as they were one of the last standing against the Nazis, and the relief that was palpable as the U.S. joined the war after Pearl Harbor in 1941. It was the first time that Churchill felt that the war could be won. I loved this quote from Churchill about WWII. "I felt as if I were walking with destiny, and that all my past life had been but a preparation for this hour and for this trial...I was sure I should not fail." What an incredible man!
After that I meandered through the National Gallery. I enjoy art, but actually standing one foot away from Vincent Van Gogh's "Sunflowers" painting is amazing. The beauty, creativity, and genious behind such works really touches the soul in a way you can't put into words. These are the things that books can't teach you.
Next, I went to Victoria's Grosvenor Garden to meet Jen. I'm so glad I'm not traveling alone. It's so nice to share experiences together.
Cheers!
Stacy
28 June 2007
We're alive!!!
And we're exhausted. Stacy is already getting ready for bed. Shows you where her loyalties lie.
I'm running on about 17 hours of sleep for the last four nights. Ugh.
London was great: Westminster Abbey, Covent Gardens and Neal's Yard Cheese (mmmm), Fish & Chips from Rock and Sole Plaice, and Mamma Mia (a musical composed entirely of ABBA songs ... how can you go wrong?!).
We're in Milan today ... got up at 2:30 this morning to catch a 3:30 shuttle for London's most remote airport (say it with me - don't fly into Luton, don't fly into Luton). We've already had gelato TWICE, we saw The Last Supper, and we've just returned from seeing Candide at La Scalla Opera House. AMAZING!
Tomorrow morning we head to Greece. (Poor planning on my part ... we're exhausted!) We hope to get a chance to post some pictures from Athens. See you soon!
24 June 2007
Avebury Village
Just wanted to post a picture of Avebury for you.
I visited Avebury back in college and was fascinated by the town and its surrounding mysteries.
I visited Avebury back in college and was fascinated by the town and its surrounding mysteries.
Cheers! from England
Hello to all my family and friends!
I've started my European adventure over here in jolly old England. I was greeted by lots of rain. :)
It was a bit of an adventure finding my way from London Heathrow over to Winchester to meet my friend Karen. Everything ran late, so I missed many of my connections by bus and train. When I finally got to Winchester, the TI (tourist information office) was closed, so I just had to start hoofing it and ask people along the way to point me toward the cathedral. I knew the pub I was meeting Karen in was nearby on some sidestreet. Finally after ducking into another pub when a downpour started, a nice man took me right to the "Slug and Lettuce." I learned while we walked that he had grown up in Colorado Springs!
That night Karen and Eric took her parents (They were finishing up their trip there.) and me to their favorite local pub where I had lamb shank. Then I got to use Karen's "wellies" (rubber boots) to walk home through the fields as mist was rolling across. It was very country and picturesque to see as well as stepping on the horizontal planks to cross over the tops of the fences.
The next day Karen, Eric, and I drove up to see Stonhenge and Avebury. Stonehenge was impressive. I just got out and took my picture through the fence as you couldn't really get closer. Avebury had a much larger circle of the stones set in a field full of sheep that you could walk through and even touch. There was also a large man made hill out in the middle of the field, and a long barrow of burial chambers that you could go into underground. It was a fascinating look at some of the oldest historical objects in the UK.
Today, Karen and I drove into Winchester (Eric was sick) and went to Winchester Cathedral for church. It was very "high church" with the organ and an excellent men/boys choir. It was fairly liturgical, but very beautiful. Communion was a little different as we had to walk to the front of the church and kneel while they came by with the bread and the cup to give you (everyone uses the same cup).
Then Karen and I went to have afternoon tea at the Rhinefield House which was beautiful. It was a gorgeous old place that reminded me of the old English aristocracy with the fish pond and gardens. Finally, I was able to visit the office where Karen and Eric work. Eric designs yachts and Karen does a plethora of different things around the office to help keep things running smoothly. The best parts, of course, have simply been spending time with Karen and getting to see her world. What a blessing it is to be able to better understand her life and how I can best support her and pray for her and Eric as they live over here in England. I couldn't have asked for a better beginning to my trip.
I've started my European adventure over here in jolly old England. I was greeted by lots of rain. :)
It was a bit of an adventure finding my way from London Heathrow over to Winchester to meet my friend Karen. Everything ran late, so I missed many of my connections by bus and train. When I finally got to Winchester, the TI (tourist information office) was closed, so I just had to start hoofing it and ask people along the way to point me toward the cathedral. I knew the pub I was meeting Karen in was nearby on some sidestreet. Finally after ducking into another pub when a downpour started, a nice man took me right to the "Slug and Lettuce." I learned while we walked that he had grown up in Colorado Springs!
That night Karen and Eric took her parents (They were finishing up their trip there.) and me to their favorite local pub where I had lamb shank. Then I got to use Karen's "wellies" (rubber boots) to walk home through the fields as mist was rolling across. It was very country and picturesque to see as well as stepping on the horizontal planks to cross over the tops of the fences.
The next day Karen, Eric, and I drove up to see Stonhenge and Avebury. Stonehenge was impressive. I just got out and took my picture through the fence as you couldn't really get closer. Avebury had a much larger circle of the stones set in a field full of sheep that you could walk through and even touch. There was also a large man made hill out in the middle of the field, and a long barrow of burial chambers that you could go into underground. It was a fascinating look at some of the oldest historical objects in the UK.
Today, Karen and I drove into Winchester (Eric was sick) and went to Winchester Cathedral for church. It was very "high church" with the organ and an excellent men/boys choir. It was fairly liturgical, but very beautiful. Communion was a little different as we had to walk to the front of the church and kneel while they came by with the bread and the cup to give you (everyone uses the same cup).
Then Karen and I went to have afternoon tea at the Rhinefield House which was beautiful. It was a gorgeous old place that reminded me of the old English aristocracy with the fish pond and gardens. Finally, I was able to visit the office where Karen and Eric work. Eric designs yachts and Karen does a plethora of different things around the office to help keep things running smoothly. The best parts, of course, have simply been spending time with Karen and getting to see her world. What a blessing it is to be able to better understand her life and how I can best support her and pray for her and Eric as they live over here in England. I couldn't have asked for a better beginning to my trip.
21 June 2007
and she's off...
It has begun.
It's 7:30pm on Thursday night. I just dropped Stacy off at the airport and soon she'll be on her way to England.
I have 4 more days here before I board my own plane. We will rendezvous in London next Tuesday at 3pm. And then, as Max said best, "Let the wild rumpus start."
It's 7:30pm on Thursday night. I just dropped Stacy off at the airport and soon she'll be on her way to England.
I have 4 more days here before I board my own plane. We will rendezvous in London next Tuesday at 3pm. And then, as Max said best, "Let the wild rumpus start."
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