Kalimera!

Kalimera!  That is Good Morning in Greek.  I wish I had kept up with my studies in Greek, now that I am here in Greece.  The little I remember is how to pronounce the letters.  This actually does help when reading signs for directions, but anyone who has gone through a fraternity or sorority probably can do as much as I can.  Greece is beautiful and truly knocks my socks off with how far the civilization goes back.  I am excited to be in the country that is the birthplace of democracy!  These are truly forward thinking people.

We are so captivated by the beauty of the water.

Delos Island, Greece

A millennia ago, Delos was declared illegal for anyone to be born or die on the island, said to be the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. (Their mother, Leto, gave birth while clinging to a palm tree, a symbol of now-nearly-treeless Delos.) 

In its glory, the Island of Delos was the banking center of the Aegean, crammed with merchants alongside the abundant temples. It was the heart of the Delian Confederation, and is the hub island around which the circling Cyclades are named. (Taken from Go Greece)

Delos is now an Archaeological site with so many interesting revelations of how civilization progressed 2500 years ago.  It was quite incredible.

This little charmer followed us throughout our tour of the site.

He was a charmer!

This is the fish table to fillet your fish.  It has a hole to allow the blood to drain off.

This is an intricate mosaic in the floor of one of the homes.  The tile are so tiny it almost looks like a painting.

These columns held the roof to the exterior walls.  They left the inside open to collect water as well as to cool the home with the winds.

This is the restroom for the home.  Enough room for the whole family.

They designed their streets in a maze because the winds were so strong, they designed the layout to take advantage of the winds, yet, not be destroyed by them.  Also, they made the streets narrow and maze like to protect themselves from the frequent pirates who would come and raid on the island.  The pirates would get in, but would get lost on their way out and were able to be apprehended before getting out of the city.

They had an advanced sewage system.

I had to continually remind myself this was a civilization over 2500 years ago.  Amazing.

These lions are replicas of the lions standing guard over the temple.

This is one of the mosaics found and taken to the museum on the island.

These are the actual lions that were protecting the temple.  They had their eyes open and their mouths roaring to frighten any intruders.

Mykonos

Mykonos is a beautiful island, centrally located, with a charming capital "city" of narrow lanes, trendy shops, family chapels, and bakeries. (Taken from Go Greece)
The narrow streets are also winding as was on Delos for the same reasons.

The blue domed buildings are all Greek Orthodox churches.

Typical streets in Mykonos.

These windmills are a common tourist attraction.

Great view of Mykonos from the Windmills.  They call this area, "Little Venice"

My first introduction to Greece is quite exciting and overwhelming.  I am just happy to be here.