My First Sabbath in Greece

Sitting by the sea watching the sun go down on Friday evening; such a great place to welcome in the Sabbath

We sat along the shore and the kids from Walla Walla presented a sundown worship for the rest of the group

We sat along this retention wall and watched the sun, but it was so hazy over Athens that we couldn't really see the sun at all

Here we sat to welcome in the Sabbath with a time for each of us to tell about a typical Friday evening back home ( I told about burritos...of course)

The National Library built in the 1800's and houses around half a million books

We went to a Greek-speaking SDA church (naturally) but they also had a couple other congregations within the same building compound who spoke Bulgarian and the other Ukranian.

This is a view of the church from the balcony where we were able to put on headsets for translation into English

It was communion Sabbath so we partook of the bread and wine symbols

Very excited old man preaching a very energetic sermon (all in Greek)

Communion wine tasted like fermented apple juice...very odd to my taste buds

Greek Hymnal (many of the same songs as we have in the States)

Standing in Syntagma Square facing Parliament

Vouli Parliament Building where the Greek Parliament is held

Standing in Syntagma Square in the Center of Athens

This relief depicts a dying Greek hoplite warrior above the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Two guards marching during a changing of the guard display

These guards are about to begin their shift of guarding the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. They are dressed in their famous uniform of kilt and pom-pom clogs.

The guards (evzones) change shifts with an elaborate display of marching and drilling.

Pigeons are EVERYWHERE in Greece

Standing outside of the Vouli Parliament building in Syntagma Square in the center of Athens. This bronze shield is one of many surrounding the compound and they celebrate military victories since 1821.

Sundown worship on the roof of Palace Hotel

The Saronikos Bay from the roof of our hotel. This bay is part of the Aegean Sea

View of one of the Olympic events complex from Athens 2004 Olympics.

The sunset view from the roof of our hotel.

Touring the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and Athens

The Temple of Hephaistos...not the Parthenon

The Temple of Hephaistos

The Ancient Agora with the Acropolis on the horizon

The Temple of Hephaistos

The Acropolis

The Church of the Holy Apostles

Hoopoe...I didn't take this picture but I did see him

Monk Parakeet

Michael being himself

It's like a senior picture but.....not

Mars' Hill...this is where Paul preached to the Athenians in Acts 17

The Acropolis and The Church of the Holy Apostles

I can't remember what inspired me...

The sun peaked out of the clouds once all day...it made for some nice pictures too

The ONLY difference is that I have a head and arms and legs

I don't even know

Lunch...Greek Salads, bread, and water...and yes, that is a slab of feta cheese on each salad...mmm..mmm..good

Once again...the ONLY difference is that I have a head and arms

The view from where we ate lunch. You can see the Acropolis and the Oude Agora Museum. We could also see the temple of Hephaistos farther to the right

Black-billed Magpie

Universal Art

Awesome view of the Acropolis from the Ancient Agora where you can hike around in

My Art 1

Inside a Greek Orthodox Church...quite elaborate indeed

My Art 2

Art

No really officer, I didn't do it! I was just posing! I admit! I'm a poser!

Athens also has beautiful mosaics in and on their churches

Byzantine Chapel in Plaka

Orthodox Priests

Everyone and their dog has a motorbike because they are legal everywhere. Seriously! on the sidewalks, between lanes, in parks, everywhere!

Parliament! Down in front is also where they do a changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

All over the city of Athens you can see preserved areas such as this where ancient ruins are still being excavated. Under buildings and streets they have built clear Plexiglas covers so you can walk on and see the ruins below

The bottom of this photo says 'Museum Acropolis'

This fancy building is the new Acropolis Museum with many never-before-seen artifacts and replicas

There are tons of street performers and beggars in Athens

The Parthenon under construction

The Dionysus Amphitheater below the Acropolis where I am standing

The city of Athens!...and me

These are the remains of the Temple of Zeus which was over twice the size of the Parthenon with 104 doric-style pillars; whereas the Parthenon only has 46 pillars

There were Merlins flying in and out of the cliffs of the Acropolis. I just happened to get a great shot of one peaking his head out

I love the Greek flag

Even though it's centuries old, it still wouldn't budge. It must be made of stone or something

Me and The Parthenon

These lovelies are called Caryatids and support the Porch of the Caryatids

This is the Erechtheum which is near the Parthenon

I guess this is a good place to kiss as well (Temple of Athena)

Can you say, "Really Big?"

Temple of Athena on the Acropolis

This is the Temple of Hephaistos down in the valley, not on the Acropolis and no it's not the Parthenon

Tons of tourists coming and going from the Acropolis. The architecture seen here is the Temple of Athena

Acropolis Ampitheatre where they still perform live concerts today

This is the Arch of Hadrian at the heart of Athens, named after the Roman Emperor Hadrian

The Panathinaiko Stadium was rebuilt in 329 bc with marble and can hold 69,000 spectators. It was renovated and used in the first modern Olympic games in 1870

They still fly an Olympic flag depicting the five continents of the world

The first sight we visited today was the 1st International Olympic Stadium: Panathinaiko Stadium (built in 566 bc)