Grandma Coco's Memories

Shirley/Macrina's blog pretty much covers it all! Some of my most memorable moments, though , were:

• our first taxi ride in Rome (driver's training is a waste of time!)
• graffitti everywhere
• the mis-leading building fronts - when you entered the building through an iron "door" and arrived at our room, it was really quite nice
• our four hour walking tour the first full day in Rome, in the hot sun - and I didn't get heat stroke!
• the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican, in general!
• retrieving Emilia's backpack that was left at a restaurant, and was there the next day! (That was not the only time we had to retrieve it!)
• the mosaics in Ravenna Italy
• breaking my camera in the park next to the hostel!
• carrying all our luggage and Shirley/Macrina leading the way pushing a stroller! Downstairs, walking a ways, and up stairs to catch a train or bus! (We were so glad to see "lifts" in Greece when we arrived there!)
• the overnight boat trip to Greece, coming downstairs and the loudspeaker saying "Basil would like his parents to pick him up at the reception counter!" He has a mind of his own about what he wants to do - without asking!
• the wonderful hospitality of the nuns in Zakinthos and Lavrio!
• Katrina who took us to the ferry in Zakinthos from the monastary. They all made us feel so welcome!
• Cracking nuts in Lavrio.
• And of course the many roads (narrow and steep) leading to the beautiful monastaries and churches.
• Shirley/Macrina's driving - 4 different cars, without a scratch! She did a great job.
• Shopping, of course.
• The phone call that Al had finished the half marathon with Diana (who came from CA with Alex and Lilly )to walk with him in spite of some setbacks (for Al) from probably too much sugar!
• Meeting up with the men in Thesseloniki -
• Father Nicholas so pleased with his new vestments recently purchased in Athens with the help of Niko and Meredith
• Gabriel looking through his camera lens, (apparently) making sure he had gotten the best picture;
• Scott and Ethan from eastern WA - such nice people
• Christopher reading about the next monastery we would be visiting or a particular saint while we were riding in the car
• riding in the back seat of that very small car with the kids, luggage and a stroller!
• The wonderful hospitality of Niko and Meredith in Rafina (Niko's family summer home) and Athens (in Niko's apartment) and for taking us shopping before coming home and taking us to the airport last Thursday!

There are many more memories - and yes, I did keep a journal - but these are a few of the main ones!

I am so glad Shirley/Macrina allowed me to go on her spiritual journey with her and the kids. It was truly that for all of us. There are many gorgeous Orthodox monastaries and churches in Greece. And just the scenery while driving is gorgeous! But it is also wonderful to get back home. As is said so much - it's great to see new places, but there is no place like home!

Thank you all for your prayers and support for this trip! It for me was truly a trip of a lifetime!

Love and Blessing to you all!
Colleen