5 July 2009 Last Day in Greece :(

We absolutely made the most of our final day in Athens. We started by taking the subway to Syntagma Square to see the fancy Sunday-go-to-meetin’ changing of the guard.

Changing of the Guard, Syntagma SquareFirst the police came out and moved us all to one side of the square, and next you could hear the drummers in the band, and then a dog appeared leading the band and the guard down the street and into the square before the tomb of the unknown warrior. It was quite the pageant, and when they were all done, the dog led them back up the street to their barracks. I will post a shot video clip once we are home and I can see how it is done. At noon, we hopped on the subway and rode to the port of Piraeus to see the bronzes in their museum. I hope you can wait until Monday to see the pictures of the museum bronzes since it is 1:11 and I need to be coherent for my flight home. Just a teaser, this evening we went out for a Greek music and dance cabaret . . . and people you know will be pictured on the stage. As a final gesture of theatricality, the several of the more inventive girls on the trip donned hotel sheet greek himations and did a thoroughly convincing impersonation of Athena, Artemis, Demeter, and Aphrodite. More photos soon. For now, here's just one of our evening entertainment--Greek dancers

You know, I really shouldn’t work on a blog in the middle of the night. It makes for waaaaaay too many user errors–but the reality has been that those late hours have been the only ones that we haven’t filled with activities. So, please forgive the typing in a caption istead of on the blog. Who knows how that happened? Here are the missing pictures from “the last day in Greece.” I start out with Liz providing an anchor for the group at the Museum at Piraeus. Note the knee bandage. Ouch!! Next are random pictures from our celebratory meal with Bazuki (sp?) musicians, traditional Greek dancers, a vocalist, and a belly dancer . . . which I didn’t realize was a greek thing, but I’m trying to stay open to that as “art.” These pictures end with the grand finale at the hotel where the creativity of JTCC students spilled over into a late night symposium with Greek chiton and himation. Sorry I didn’t get a picture of the group after it was joined by Elliott for sure and likely Collins and Jordan.

Here are the pictures, including a few in the lobby of the hotel; my sincere apologies for that grey haired lady whose head keeps blocking the pictures:

Lizzard toughing it out at the Archaeological Museum in Piraeus

Lobby, Hotel Ionis Liz, Natalie, and Ginny

Ian and Amanda, predictably adorable

Pam, Collins, Liz, Katie B., and Elliott at Taverna Kalokerinos

Tammy and Collins

Katie and the BFG looking almost Greek!

Kathryn, Carol, Ian, Amanda, and Catie J.

Ian, Amanda taking pictures, and Ginny and David Head in background

Yours truly having fun with gigantic Coca Cola!!

Catie and Lynn anticipating the start of the entertainment

Jordan, Jenn, and Natalie--Opa!

Martha, Kathy, and Mickie dissecting the mystery meat

Kathryn, Carol, and Lisa featured in the Coca Cola ad. Royalties?

Amanda and Catie, the "Misses Congenialities"

The Bazuki Band--very serious dudes

I don't know how this happened, but I owe my life to the BFG. Memo: Don't sit right in front of the stage in any cabaret situation.

Handsome young Greek men dancing skillfully

Greek ladies join the dance show

Elliot, Collins, and Ian are recruited by the belly dancer

The BFG gets the footwork right! Opa!

Drums, dancers, and men in skirts!!

Folk dances

Catie and Natalie--natural performers!

Pam and Katie B. at the beginning of the Zorba song

Katie B. channels Zorba!

At the finale, the Greek dances of passion and love!!

An assemby of the goddesses

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