Oct 25th-30th, Greece

There was a week break from classes at the end of October, so my friend and I went to Greece.  We spent three days in Athens and three days on the island of Santorini.  The weather was surprisingly great except for one windy day on the island.  Everyone kept asking us our reason for vacationing so late in the year.  Oh the people!  Greeks are so friendly and fun.  They eat dinner relatively late, like at eight or nine in the evening.  Emma and I would eat around six.  Then walking around the city, waiters would try sweet talking us into eating at their restaurant just to find out we had already eaten.  Bartering was also interesting.  Not every store's prices were negotiable, however the street markets usually were.  The city of Athens is not organized well nor is it kept very clean.  However the tourist sites are amazing!

The Temple of Zeus originally spanned the entire length from the cluster of columns to the far right one.  However time and war have taken their toll.  

Arch of Hadrian with the Acropolis lit up in the background.  

The Parliament building and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier were located on the east end of Syntagma Square (pronounced: seen-dog-ma).  The tomb isn't a real burial place, rather it is a memorial for all unidentified soldiers who die at war.  

At the top of every hour, a short changing of the Colors ceremony takes place in front of the tomb.  These are steeped in tradition.  Hence the ridiculous outfit and marching style.  Note that this soldier is clothed in full garb despite the 80 degree weather.    

Greek Orthodox churches were everywhere!  Since they are so small, they're sprinkled all over the city.  It was particularly interesting to see them in comparison with all the Catholic churches in Austria.  

I especially liked the candles inside.  

The statues in the Ancient Agora and museums were awesome!  The Ancient Agora was my favorite part of Athens.  These statues are from the Odyssey and the Iliad, plus there were also statues of Apollo and other Greek gods and goddesses.  

The Ancient Agora was the central part of Athens.  Back in its prime it would have been bustling with important political figures commuting, crazies preaching, and everyone trading at the marketplace.    

Somewhere amongst these ruins is where I saw a bypassing turtle.   

Overlooking Athens from Mars Hill with the Ancient Agora beneath us.  

Mars Hill was where the New Testament Apostle Paul once preached.  Now tourists and locals crawl all over the marble rock for a chill spot and high view without the strenuous hike up the Acropolis.  

These next three statues brilliantly illustrate the progression from the Egyptian influence of stiff-looking figures to more realistic and action-packed poses.      

Well here I am atop the Acropolis.  Yet this picture does not do it justice.  The Parthenon was gigantic!  Originally it held a 40 ft statue of Athena.  Can you imagine the Apostle Paul seeing a 40 ft idol of a pagan god?  

Across from the Parthenon was the Temple of Nike.  It is much smaller but still impressive.  

Santorini has mostly blue and white houses, gorgeously colorful rocks, and is surrounded by the gorgeous Mediterranean Sea.  (And know that in my vocabulary "gorgeous" is cream of the crop.)  The architecture is wonderfully decrepit.  Emma and I rode donkeys down a mountainside.  Although the days felt great, the sunsets were always clouded over.  However it still made for great photos.  We spent a few hours at the black beach.  Sand is nonexistent.  Instead the beached consisted of micro pebbles.  And those were basically our adventures on the island.  Great trip!

Oct 20th-23rd Prague, Czech Republic

Prague was a fabulous trip.  The SA group with the assistance of a tour guide was shown around the Old City, the Jewish Quarter, and the Prague Palace.  An on-looker could have easily thought our group had never been anywhere colder than Hawaii.  We looked like penguins, huddled together for warmth.  I don't know what the temperature was, but the mornings were particularly cold.

 

This is a government building.  Frankly I think it's a bit intimidating since it can be seen from all the way down the street.

Walking along the expensive shopping street, we decided to cut through a covered alleyway.  It had a pretty glass ceiling.

Welcoming us to Oldtown Prague was a gorgeous clock tower.

In the background is a church, but I call it the Maleficent Towers.  We happened to come during the "Käse und Speise Fest".  Basically it was a festival for cheese, gourmet cakes, and delicious main meals.  On the last day in Prague, this square was packed with people.  I couldn't walk two feet without running into someone holding potato wedges.

Here is another church.

This is the famous Charles Bridge.  It's the prettiest pedestrian bridge.

Across the river is the Palace and cathedral.  The tallest building is the cathedral.

The John Lennon Wall was super cool!  It was riddled with quotes from the Beatles and miscellaneous love and peace gestures.   

Nearby was the lock bridge.  It's a very small bridge, but its real importance lies with the symbolism of the locks.  Two lovers will inscribe their names onto a lock, fasten it on the cast iron grate of the bridge, and throw the key into the river.    

Walking up to the Palace was pretty.

The acoustics under the fountain sing… supposedly.  It was a stretch to call it singing.  However, I like listening to water anyway.

Here is the Palace cathedral.   

The gargoyle makes me laugh.