Athens, Greece, Lent 2012

A view of Athens at the start of Lent

25 Responses to “Athens, Greece, Lent 2012”

  1. Jane Allewelt says:

    GREETINGS BRAVE PILGRIMS;

    GOOD TO HEAR FROM YOU, THE VIDIO WAS VERY GOOD, THE ANGRY POLPULUS HAVE LEFT THEIR MARK ON THE CITY, AS IN SO MANY PLACES THROUGHT THE WORLD, THEIR DISCONTENT, IS EVIDENT. JESUS CHRIST CAME TO SAVE HUMANATY, HIS MESSAGE WAS ‘REPENT AND BE SAVED’.

    I HAVE GIVEN MY BROTHER, GILBERT, YOUR WEBCITE, SO HE CAN FALLOW YOU ON YOUR PILGRMAGE, GOOD LUCK ON YOUR LANGUAGE COURSE, GET SOME GOOD PICTURES AS YOU VISIT DIFFERENT PLACES, OUR GOOD WISHES ARE WITH YOU ALL THE WAY.

    LOVE, JANE

  2. aleximou says:

    Gracias Amiga. XX

  3. DonS says:

    Wow. Wonderfully done. I’m tweeting it around. Remote edit? Great.

  4. Judy Froemke says:

    Hello John and Alex — Your skills with camera and words are so good – professional quality. It is sad to see the evidence of such rage in Athens. It looked like that rage did not extend to the ancient edifices, thank goodness. What is the evidence you saw of redemption? Your presence in Greece, your interest in the history and culture, and your $$$ must all be so greatly appreciated by those with whom you’re in contact. I look forward to the next installation. Love, Judy

  5. aleximou says:

    Thanks Judy, it’s amazing that we can carry a whole little video studio around with us! Thanks for following our odyssey. XX

  6. Carol says:

    The pictures, your voice, and story moved me to tears. One only hopes that the spirit of the past will support and motivate a more positive future.
    Love,
    Carol

  7. aleximou says:

    Either that or it’s the end of the Western world? It’s so hard to have perspective in the middle of all this despair. But we’re off to Crete, which is mellow and picturesque — too early for many tourists, so it’s a quiet little haven.

  8. liz says:

    How appropriate for the lenten season. I pray that as time goes by, you (we) will experience the peace in this holy season. Enjoy your next stop. Tom, Bonnie and I are enjoying a quiet haven on Crest. I will play for them this video so they may hear your voice. xox
    liz

  9. Tom & Marlene says:

    You did an excellent job showing the juxtaposition of old and new, strife and calm. Our hearts go out to the people, but seeing what has endured for centuries gives us hope that Greece will, once again, find its way.

    We look forward to the next installment.

  10. Margarita says:

    Hello. We are glad you are ok and we can hear and see your reports. So sad to see the destruction. It,s a shame that it is taking place in one of the oldest civilizations. Hope you’ll find peace in the islands. Love the Hecks

  11. Margarita says:

    Hello. I’m glad you are ok.
    So sad to see the destruction. It’s a shame what is happening in one of the oldest civilizations.
    May you find peace in the islands. Love, Margarita

  12. Margarita says:

    Hello. I’m glad you are ok.
    So sad to see the destruction. It’s a shame what is taking place in one of the oldest civilizations.
    Hope you’ll find peace in the islands. Love, Margarita

  13. aleximou says:

    Hi Margarita,
    Thanks for following our video journey. We have found a lovely place in Crete, with a view of the ancient Byzantine harbor wall. We can watch a sailing club with young children learning to race small boats — they are amazingly good sailors! Big cities seem to reflect all the worst things (maybe the best too), but the villages seem to go on as usual. Love, Alex

  14. aleximou says:

    Thanks for following our travels, Marlene. I was thinking that maybe the cities reflect the extremes, while the villages and small towns keep going on as usual. We are in Crete now, which has a wonderful, picturesque harbor and fishermen who use lines without poles — maybe the way it has been done for centuries? The food is simple and wholesome, we have been eating local greens (dandelions?), with olive oil and lemon.
    Love to you both.

  15. Arlene Finn says:

    Dear Alex and John, Thanks so much for the beautiful and very moving account of Athens during Lent. Your photography is gorgeous and your coverage of the ancient historical sites is breath-taking. I was in Athens in 1990 and my pictures pale in comparison to the super shots you achieved! It is such a contrast to see the modern-day city scenes compared to the fabulous heritage views. Thank God the dissenters had the sense to not take out their wrath on the ancient treasures! I pray the situation improves soon, and that you safely continue your valuable and much appreciated journey.

  16. aleximou says:

    Hi Arlene,
    Thanks so much for your generous comments and for watching the videos. We are in Crete now, where life is just going on as usual, at its quiet, mellow pace. This is a pretty village (Chania) with ruins around every corner, and an old Byzantine harbor wall we can see from our balcony. I hope everything is going well in your world. Sending all love, Alex

  17. Anna says:

    our neighbors are Greek and quite a bit above 75 but they return every year to the ‘old country’ to see family and friends. When they returned some weeks ago, they were so sad about what was happening there.
    I thank you for your work and words. I agree it was appropriate that you were there at the start of Lent. Your video and words still keep Greece on my bucket list.
    Love to you and John-have a wonderful sojourn in Crete. Love, Anna

  18. Alex says:

    Thanks for the note, Anna. This is an amazing place of contrasts; there is ancient history right up against the modern world. Today we are taking a tour of Chania, Crete, where we have been staying to take a language class. The city goes back to the Neolithic Age, and there are finds, just under the earth, of every civilization since then. It’s amazing and inspiring.

    I’m glad Greece is on your list, it’s a must-see!

    XX

  19. TAMAM CHANIA says:

    A great insight in the present situation of Greece. However, there are still people who have still energy to create to look forward and create a better future for this country. I hope we will learn from our mistakes and remember the universal truths that were born from this part of the world. Keep up with the good work!

  20. aleximou says:

    Thanks for your note, and for your hospitality!
    We loved eating at your great place.

  21. Barbara Lindstrom says:

    Alex and John,

    Your videos from Athens really tell the story. Even watching BBC news doesn’t quite get on to the street level as you have. The graffiti everywhere is heartbreaking. It’s hard to even imagine such turmoil but you show it well. Thanks so much. Be well.

    Barbara and Don

  22. aleximou says:

    Thanks, you guys, for watching our blogs. We are in Crete now, with a lovely view of the Aegean from our room. But it’s cold here and it has been raining for several days now, and I have a head cold. I guess we take what we get. Love to you both.

  23. Barbara Lindstrom says:

    Alex,

    I looked at the video again and it is just so touching to put today’s turbulence in the context of Greece’s history. You really said it so well. Have you put it on utube? It’s something that is so worth seeing from your and John’s perspective.

    Best wishes…

    Barbara

  24. aleximou says:

    Thanks so much Barbara. Utube is a great idea — maybe we can figure out how to post it there. (Or Maybe we can get Sarah to do it.)

    Athens was bleak, but so far the islands remain pretty much as they have always been, and we are eager to explore their ancient ruins and the stories that go with them.

    Thanks for watching our posts!

    XX

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