Greece, Day 2

Michael at the amphitheater of Epidaurus. Amazing acoustics & a lot of steps - why do kids love them?

The clouds lent a dramatic backdrop for the architectural sites...but I was drawn to the landscapes, especially given the gray winter of Switzerland.
Double-petal cherry blossoms at the top of the Mycenae? For one fleeting, bizarre moment, I thought I was in Japan.
Afterwards, we ate another one of those bust-your-gut meals at the Kolizeras tavern, a place with large autographed photos of prominent Americans: Bush Sr, Dukakis, Onassis, etc. Although far outnumbered by those of Italian descent, Greek-Americans seem to hold impressive leverage. My ignorance, but given the recent primaries, maybe Hillary should come sample the moussaka here, too. The pork was to die for!

Greece, Day 1

We pulled Michael out of school and flew to Athens for the program's 6 day field trip.
Priceless legacy? Just another playground with neat rocks?
One thing I'm certain: food was consistently good, cheap, and plentiful. They have a way of infusing flavor into even really big, boiled potatoes. Cooked in bouillon and olive oil? Not sure, but large vege didn't automatically mean tasteless vege.

Lengthy meals began with an array of savory appetizers; 1/2 inch slabs of salty feta topped the tomato/cucumber sides. And Michael and Jack loved moussaka - Greek comfort food. Straightforward, no nonsense flavors, like Italian cooking in that regard.
Our acerbic tour guide, Maria - armed with juicy factoids - was committed to restoring Greece's cultural pedestals, one ruin at a time, having been overshadowed by its Mediterranean neighbor, Italy. Did you know Italy purchases superior Greek olive oil, then markets it as Italian?

Name that ruin!

2/14/2004: Michael's Coming Home Day!

All parents probably feel this way, but it's hard for us to believe Michael's been with us for 4 years. He is 5 now, so there's a lost year in there which we'd love to adopt, as well - our little version of retrieving a past that he will come to terms with someday.
On the other hand, maybe we don't want to retrieve anything! We were tired. Ugh.
He was tired.
Then proceeded to entertain. Did this earn him kuddos at the orphanage?

You should've seen him coming through security at Narita; all smiley, in overalls bejeweled with buttons and clip-on toys, the Japanese agents burst into applause. I was thinking, "He's going to give Carolyn a run for her money."

Michael's first Valentine's Day card.

More Lausanne

Before engaging in powerblogging of our Greece field trip last week, here is a clean-up of the week prior. This series is for Tacoma friends, Jayne, Suzanne, & Joanne, fabric queens who would have really appreciated this store of beautiful, exotic bolts - kimono brocade, African weaves, etc - from around the world.
This lady has a set of seamstresses who custom-make jackets, scarves, you name it, out of the materials you choose.
More important, the VIVISHOP - hands down the best toy store in town, is next door...
with a view to boot.
It's all in the cathedral section of the old city, where we also stumbled across this cozy cafe. A thick brew of hot chocolate is handmixed cup by cup, then served in blue pottery mugs. Packages of the cocoa mix were for sale (above Michael's head), as well.
Back home, Auntie Ev's Christmas box arrived! This clever set of GeoMags was actually made in Switzerland, sent to the States, only to return.
We've been struggling with sickness, too; yesterday, Michael uncharacteristically crawled under my desk, then promptly feel asleep.

Renault Scenic

Traded in our green Peugeot 407 sedan for what I initially wanted - a Renault Scenic, black. It is more European in design, rather than the Camry-esque feel of the 407, so more fun to drive; should suit long trips better. Check out the fold-down trays!
These days, merchandise seems graded by environmental friendliness, ergonomics, and number of cupholders; the Scenic scores highly in the last two for sure. I liked the backseat airducts and big storage compartments. It's diesel, so mileage should improve, and the gas warning told me exactly how many kilometers I had left! Nice.
Has two additional seats in the back, so can hold 7 squished people.
Switzerland requires snowtires in winter, but since this is a French rental, it only has all-season. I have tirechain-phobia, too, so every drive is a calculated risk.

Ephiphany

Traditional church calendars extend the advent season to the 4 Sundays after Christmas, in which the wise men/kings/magi, who were Gentiles, go back to their respective lands with the news of the child savior. In Switzerland, bakeries began offering "kings bread," served with a crown on top.
Michael and Jack modeled the crown for me, although none of us really cared for the actual loaf.
BTW, yesterday featured a rare teachers' strike, so M & J stayed home with me, while Carolyn took her French quiz class downstairs (she joined the class this term). Homemade banners like this "school on strike" were hung everywhere, but it's very contained - ie it lasted one morning and supervised play was organized in place of school.