Turkish Rug 2010

The symbols are old family crests, each having a different meaning. Plus they represent an area and family. The salesman was explaining all of them to me, but of course I didn't retain any of it. Just that I fell in love with the carpet. We had to sign the back of the carpet so you would know that you actually got the carpet you had picked out, and the carpet hadn't been switched after you left the showroom.

My Turkish rug just arrived today from Capadoccia, Turkey via Atlanta. I just love it. The photo doesn't really do it justice. It's so beautiful. The Rug Factory had so many beautiful rugs it was hard to choose just one, you wanted to buy one of each. Several people bought two. I hadn't planned to buy a rug, I was thinking more of a gold bracelet, but I got to thinking I have lot's of gold, but not a Turkish rug. When they offered to pay shipping and do customs how could I resist. Rusty likes it too. It's a hall runner about 8 ft long. Looks beautiful in my hallway in the town house. Gold will be next trip. Don and Geralynn are just leaving Athens tomorrow for the states. Their blog has some beautiful pictures of Santorini and Mikinos if you haven't been following it, you should. http://www.myrah.net/ and then go to Greece 2010 awesome photos. Geralynn is a great story teller too.

Perfect afternoon in Greece

The perfect way to leave Greece, eating and taking pictures. I'll post more when I arrive home.

Our seaside restuarant with a great view, weather was perfect.

This was a veal hamburger and fries. Tomatoe with feta cheese and olives.

To see more photo's go to: http://picasaweb.google.com/lowdivideroad/greecelastdayvisittolocalseaside2010

Corinth Fortress Climb

After the canal we headed to another fortress high on the hill. This one over looks the whole Corinith valley and waterway, Needlees to say it was another one of those days where the climb was straight up and on cobblestones. The cobblestones have become so worn and smooth that they are slippery even when dry. I can imagine how dangerous they would be when wet. There were different levels to the fortress, at the third level I stopped. I was high enough and the view was spectacular. Don & Geralynn continued up another two or three levels. We had a great time climbing around in the ruins wondering how did they do this? As we left we were still puzzled as to how they could get all that stone up there? Down below was another ruins area of a more ancient city of Corinith where there were Roman columns and lot's of rubble. the entrance was locked so we just peaked in and continued on home. The roundtrip drive out to the canal and the fortress was 186 miles so we had a pretty good day. Traffic going back into Athens was pretty heavy as it was the end of a four day Easter Holiday. This is the end of my vacation too. But what a vacation. I will post my picasa album album after I return home.

This was our lunch spot, how nice they left us a table and chairs.

Entrance gate to Akrokorinthos from the 657BC

For more photo's go to: http://picasaweb.google.com/lowdivideroad/greececorinithfortresswalledcity2010

Cornith Canal, Greece

Our last outing with me before I return home was to Corinith, I wanted to see the Corinith Canal. It's not nearly as big as the Panama Canal but it was dug out of solid rock in the early 1890's and opened in 1896. It cut 161 miles off the route to Athens. Small freighters, small cruise ships, sail boats and things like that can pass through. None of our modern day super tankers or cruise ships its just too narrow. But it was spectacular to see. Looking down over the bridge you keep saying how'd they do that? It is amazing. On the old bridge underneath there is a bungee jumping platform, so if you're feeling brave you couuld try that during the summer months. Not me of course.

It was quite spectacular to look down into the canal.

For more photo's go to:

http://picasaweb.google.com/lowdivideroad/greececorinithcanal2010 Another cool blog with lot's of information about the canal check out: http://www.sailblogs.com/member/quilcene

2004 Olympic Greece Rowing Center

Easter morning before we joined the group for Easter dinner we took alittle drive out to the Olympic Rowing Center Where the 2004 Olympics were held, it was less than 3 miles from their home. So off we went to take a peek. Of course we couldn't actually get on the grounds but we could stand and look through the fence. There was a group of rowers out that morning using the facility to train. The water was smooth as glass. Seems like alot of money to spend for such a short time. They don't do a good job of maintaining the area around it either, lot's of weeds and bushes. Just a short distance from the rowing center is the starting point for the Marathon Race also. The main street is called Marathon. Seems this is where the ancient 1st Marathon runner ran taking news of a battle to Athens and his grave is also out here. Apparently that's why they call it a marathon.

Starting point.

Below Finish line and grandstand. More photo's: http://picasaweb.google.com/lowdivideroad/greeceolympicrowingcenter2010

Greece Home Exchange

Kitchen looking into the living room

Living Room

My purple bedroom

http://picasaweb.google.com/lowdivideroad/greecehomeexchange2010

Easter Greek Sunday

Sunday morning the sun came out and it was a beautiful day. Everyone had been telling us it always rains on Easter, well not this year. We brought the California sunshine.The father (George our host) and sons had prepared long racks of lamb the night before. They went out doors and started to BBQ about 8AM. The women were busy preparing the other dishes in the house. Around 1:30PM the music started getting loud so we ventured down to join in the activities. folks were dancing and singing. The food started being served and it never stopped, half of the things I have no clue what they were, but they were delicious. The music seemed to be Greek folk songs and love songs, everyone knew the words so they all sang along, even as they were eating. Many would get up and dance and then return to eating. They are very passionate about their music. Our host's son-in-law was the DJ, he was a George Clooney look alike only much better looking and younger with more hair. He loved to sing as he played the music and he'd get up and dance solo and sometimes with his wife. His wife danced the whole afternoon, she's very passionate just like George about the music. Needless to say the whole afternoon is an experience we'll never forget. I'll post my picasa album soon, I got some great video and Don is uploading them to UTube so you can see them. you may have to go to his blog to see the link: http://www.myrah.net/ and then click the Greece 2010 link.

George and his daughter and his grandsons start the dancing.

Easter eggs are all red! Special game is played with the eggs.

http://picasaweb.google.com/lowdivideroad/greekeaster2010