view from breakfast at our hotel.
Pantheon.
view from the top.
olympic stadium.
evil eye.
Greece at night.
the infamous leaning tower of Pisa.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Greece & Italy
This past week, I was so lucky to be able to travel to Greece [Athens] and Italy [Pisa, Venice, Florence, and Rome]. I don't even know where to start... I loved Athens. Most people talk about how much they don't like the city, but I really didn't mind it at all. We stayed close to all the shops, restaurants, and flea markets in the city, and the balcony of our hotel looked straight out to the Acropolis. The Acropolis was incredible. I loved walking up the stone path to the top, and being able to see the Parthenon, as well as the first olive tree. The view from the top was breathtaking. I had to keep reminding myself to put down my camera, take a breath, and soak in the moment. From Athens, we ventured off to Italy. On our way to Venice, we stopped off to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa and eat some Italian pizza. Venice was beautiful. It was just like I imagined... I little sea village with gondola rides, Venetian masquerade masks, and delectable foods. Although we were only there for an afternoon, it was just enough time to fall in love. I can't wait to go back and visit someday. When we arrived in Florence, the atmosphere immediately became a little less calming and peaceful, and turned to vibrant excitement. Florence was celebrating the 150th Day of the Unification of Italy. Everywhere I turned there was Italian pride. The flag lit up in lights. The bands. The parades. The music. The foods. I love Italy :) I ate at a little whole-in-the-wall restaurant and had some amazing Italian soup, spinach, bread and olive oil, and red wine. [I miss my Momma's soup :(] It was better than any pasta dish I ordered all week! After Florence, we went to Rome. It was kind of strange, but I think I liked Rome better when I went the first time. This weekend, there was a huge marathon in Rome, so everywhere was packed. I loved seeing the Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica, the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, and Spanish Stairs again, but other than that, Rome was a little too busy and touristy for me. I think my next visit will be to Tuscany or some little village on the coast.
I know I should probably write more details about my trip, but I've been home for less than 24 hours, and in about 30 minutes a taxi will be coming to my apartment to pick up a few of my friends and me to start another adventure! We'll be in London, Edinburg, Dublin and Galway until April 4th. I'm even more excited about this trip than ever. I love that I'll be traveling without technology, detached from one world and completely submerged in another. A world of new thoughts, sights, people, conversations. Of revelations and greater appreciations. I'm so blessed to be able to experience all that I do.
Pictures to come!
Friday, March 11, 2011
How much greater is our Heavenly Fathers love for us?
The other night, I was feeling quite restless and decided to go on a little run down the bike path across the street from my apartment [and for most of you who know me, running is not one of those things I just love to do, but there I was... jogging away.] Anyways, I just kept thinking about my family, and how incredibly blessed I am. Seriously. I have the most amazing parents and sisters and cousins and aunts that anyone could ask for. Without my parents unwavering love and support, I would not be half the person I am today. Not once in my life have I ever had to question their love for me. The older I get, I realize that this is a sad rarity... that some people grow up trying to gain approval their entire lives, or feel unworthy, misguided, and simply unloved. And I got to be so lucky that I'll never feel that way... I thought about my Dad, who is quite possibly the most amazing man [and will be my favorite man until I meet my husband :)] and his love for me. My Dad loves me, all the time, every time, no matter what. And my Dad would die for me, if it meant that he could save me, or that my life would be somehow better off. Which got me to thinking about how remarkable it is that God gave me the love of my earthly father, just to show a glimmer of His love for me. Because my dad would die for me if he had to... because he loves me, and he knows that I love him back. But Jesus, knowing that the majority of the people He would die for didn't love Him back, He still died in order to save them. Not only to give them life, but to give them a better life. How great is our Father?
I think this might be my key to running: meditate on something that completely blows my mind and puts me in awe, so I don't know that I've just been jogging for 30 minutes straight and my legs hurt.
So Daddy, I just thought I'd thank you for being the most perfect representation of what God's love is for His children. And one day, I'll marry a man who loves his kids the way you love me, so that they will know what God is like, too. I love you :)
And since this blog is semi-dedicated to my Dad, I thought I'd share about his wonderful success lately. His little green electric car [NmG] was just being raced around by Bruce Willis [and signed!] for filming of his upcoming movie. Bill Gates checked the car out this week, and yesterday, it was at the White House. I'm so proud of you, Dad. I can't wait to come home and make commercials for you! ;) It just goes to show, with patience, trust, and a lot of prayers, God can make anything possible.
Check out the website: www.myersmotors.com
Let the Adventures begin...
"Don't you realize? The next time you see sky, it'll be over another town."-Mikey
The Goonies sure knew how to have an adventure.
.
Tomorrow will probably be the last, full day I get to just sit for, um, a month? Jeez. Starting this Saturday, my new, wonderful, couldn'taskforbetter traveling companions and I will be venturing off to Athens, and from there, we go to Pisa, Florence, Venice and Rome. Italy and Greece? Gah. Melt. Hopefully the rain stays at bay so we can enjoy all the delectable cuisine and historical sights with radiant sunshine!
And here it goes... Adventure #1: Greece and Italy [March 12-20]
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Carnival!
"Yo ho, haul together, hoist the colors high.
Heave ho, thieves and beggars, never shall we die."
Dressing-up is definitely up there on my favorite things to do list. Today's character: Pirate. Goal: Make it into the parade.
All over the world, people have been celebrating the last days before Lent with parades, food, drinks, music, costumes, and so on. In the US we'd refer to this as Mardi Gras, but in Cyprus it's called Carnival. Today, we went to join in the celebrations in Limassol. It was insane. It was 20x more intense than any Fourth of July parade I'd ever been to. Groups of Egyptians, Michael Jackson's, Scottish men, Fat Chef's, Mariachi dancers, Vikings, and Hippies flooded the streets, throwing confettiand spraying silly string in all directions. Music blaring. People dancing. I love parades. My friend Matt and I both dressed as Pirates and were determined to walk in the Parade. Finally, a group of Pirates came through, and being the awesome people that we are, we hopped off the sidewalk and became a part of the entertainment. After being yelled atto get out of their group and almost having an angry Pirate mom run me over with her child's stroller, we snuck in the back and successfully walked through the Parade; smiling, dancing, waving, and posing for pictures like we were meant to be there. Definitely the best part of the whole day. I could seriously dress-up and walk in a parade any day.
Happy celebrations everyone! Now go put on a costume and have some fun :)
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
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