Tags
Virtual Experience of India
Virtual Experience of Greece
Eat & Exercise
I learned a new method of calculating calories from a frolleague while attending the Learning Difference Conference in Greece …I thought I had better get that clarification in right off the bat – this trip was work related. ☺ The method is simply this, each item I eat accounts for one calorie. Is this the remix of Weight Watchers? Who will join me in this delusion?
A must if you are ever in Santorini are these two restaurants: Anogi – Greek Traditional Cuisine and Mama’s House – does this one really need a description? The food was so delicious at these two establishments my mom and I dined there twice in two and half days! We loved the rich food and generous helpings, not to mention the island’s delicious treat – Kamaritis sweet wine.
As for exercise, does driving around the tight curves of the island count? If so, I burned plenty of calories especially when considering my sense of direction (or lack thereof) that I inherited from my mom and we were brave enough to venture out together! ☺ While in Athens she did some site seeing by foot around the Acropolis and when I finished the conference I joined her in these ventures. I did learn my experience from last’s years trip to Lybcabettus Hill (walking all the way down the mountain which seemed endless) and made sure the taxi could take us round trip!
Pray
The recent events around the world are deeply troubling. I pray for world peace. I pray for understanding. I pray for compassion.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen. – Saint Francis
Love
I am truly appreciative that my mother was able to visit me in India and accompany in my travels to Greece. I think she would say that she had an adventure of a lifetime – one that she so deeply deserves. I am going to even go as far to say that when she reflects on her life she would state, “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever” (Psalms 118:1 NIV).
While in India I attended a wedding of one of her colleagues and joined in the delegation that was sent to represent Stoddard Baptist Nursing Home. Oh the fun we had and my, my, my, what an experience they had! Their itinerary was jammed pack with opportunities to experience “Incredible India,” with all of its fine culture and warm hospitality. When one factors in the need to shop for wedding attire, the experience only expanded. Where else is bling and glam so deeply appreciated and admired? My mom had the opportunity to meet my AES family and they were not shy in asking better yet identifying where my love of fine fashions began. That is to say, where did my love of clothes, shoes and jewelry come from…Wait, that may be incrementing… Where did my appreciation for fine fashions come from?…Much better right? I am thankful and will forever be grateful for the guardian angels that kept watch over her as she traveled and bargained about India (Agra, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Muzaffarnagar, and Delhi).
Greece will forever be a destination that is near and dear to my heart. The people are kind and the country is truly beautiful. I loved the architecture of Santorini not to mention the beautiful blue both of the churches and the Aegean Sea.
Teach
The first lesson would be that I learned my origin of adventure – Phyllis T. Brown. While visiting India she tried almost everything, even down to the henna tattoo! To be broader in my definition, she left no food untried and that may be where we part ways on “Adventure Avenue.” She loved the spices, specifically the curries in India along with the all of the vegetables. As for me, I am still adjusting. 🙂
Now to a brief description of Santorni, summarized courtesy of Wikipedia:
Santorni, officially named Thira and classically Thera is an island located in the south of the Aegean Sea. The island is a result of what remained after an enormous volcanic explosion. It is thought that the Minoan eruption also known to some as the Thera eruption occurred some 3600 years ago. The island is the result of repeated sequences of shield volcano construction followed by caldera collapse. As for beaches my mom and I were able to enjoy the sceneries of the Red Beach and Black Beach. The difference in water color is a result of the lava underneath which acts as a heat absorber.
Santorini became independent from Ottoman rule in 1821, during the Greek War of Independence and was united with Greece under the Treaty of London in 1830. It is known for its striking white churches with blue domes for which this island of approximately 34.990 square meters. The blue domed churches with the white crosses and sleek bell towers are a photographer’s dream even if you are a novice like me. I will not even begin to state how many photos I shot. The scenery is absolutely memorizing.