i married a greek

For the next week and a half I would travel around Athens, Plaka and the neighboring towns by foot and meet as many locals as possible.  This is how I learned where to eat, shop, who I should and should not purchase from.  I hiked up the Acropolis or Citadel of Athens to the Parthenon and the Temple of Athena Nike.  This was the most beautiful sight I have ever laid eyes on and the air was warm and calm.  The sun was in full beam and the people came from around the entire world as I to view this magical historical landing.  The ruins were ancient yet the construction to refurbish was new.  This place where stone meets earth and air was the grounds of the mythical gods.  Gods that have so many tales told throughout history.  "Am I really standing where Zeus and Athina once did?"  "Is this where the decisions that molded this country where discussed?"  This is a place of beauty, worship and power.  I could feel how serene yet powerful this place actually is.  While snapping photo's, logging in my travel journal and sipping water, I spotted a female security guard yelling at a little boy for crossing behind the rope and entering the "forbidden" area to close to the ruin of the Parthenon.  She took her job seriously and was directing all picture takers to keep a distance.  After several hours I decided to climb down and go into Plaka for dinner.   Some of my pictures from the early first few days.  I will return again soon as you know we haven't met yet but ....i married a greek.

I landed in Athens Greece on July 17, 2005.  No set plans or reservations.  it was early afternoon and i collected all of the free information, maps, pamphlets and anything i could grab while walking through the airport.  my next move was to get the bus and hit Plaka, near the acropolis.  this was a wonderful yet slightly nerve racking moment since i just wanted to land at the little hotel my sister recommended before it got dark.  i caught the right bus and landed in the center of the city in no time.  next i walked into the corner travel agents office and asked if they could direct my to the acropolis view hotel.  this was by far the best beginning to what would be the most exciting thing I have ever done in my life....besides the huge rush i had sky diving at 36.

as luck would have it i found the hotel and had my room in no time.  i walked to the market, bought a few perishable items and went back to the rooftop warm view of the acropolis an arms length away.  as the sun set and the lights garnished the beautiful evening setting, i sat and sipped retsina, had some fabulous cheese, crackers and grapes and thanked the stars that shined down on me.  this was the moment i felt most alive in my entire life.  my little room was cooled with the evening air and the fresh smell of this unknown, but most loved and known in my soul, spectacular land.  i had arrived.  that night i slept as though i had just awakened from a long life's journey to the only place i could ever imagine being.  my days to follow would be the most freeing and adventurous that life could offer...of course they eventually led me to the place where.....i married a greek.  more to come....xoxoxo

wonderful lady friends of mine in Los Angeles asked me what i wanted for my birthday, year 2005.  nothing i wanted or needed at the time seemed to be the only thing i could come up with....besides a trip to Greece to learn more about my heritage and the Greek traditions i grew up with.  as luck would have it Leona and Bonnie put together some of their frequent flyer miles and purchased me a 6 week airline ticket to none other than Athens Greece.  no plans, no travel buddies, no stress...me, a backpack of mix n match "all white" cotton clothing and a few toiletries would be my home for the months of July, August and September.

I hopped on a plane in Los Angeles, California....said a prayer of safety and asked god..."dear god, i am going on an adventure to learn about my family.  i am not looking for love and definitely am over the relationship thing,.....if he is out there then let him find me."  This is when we have to realize that is is true...you have to be careful what you wish for.  the energy of words we travel through the universe sometimes here our thoughts and send them back returned as they feel fit.  not necessarily the way we project....be careful to choose your words wisely, even when you are talking to yourself...and i know all of you out there do it too.

more to come on the touchdown first part of the journey...in Athens Greece....then to where my life ended up today....since "i married a greek".

Today I woke to my hubby speaking Albanian to his mom and the conversation was loud.  then it came to my attention after a few stretches that this is normal behavior.  loud conversations mean everything is well, a celebration maybe, an argument or possibly just a simple hello "i love you and miss you".  In my house there are no human babies so i guess mom doesn't quite apply to me....yet.  there are 2 adult cats and 5 1 month old kittens....and a husband.  all in all i guess i have 7.5 kids so to speak.  feed them, clean the toilet, clean the litter, get the milk, calm them to sleep, play until they stop teething on each others ears....yes, I was speaking about Edi.  After this great morning norm, we got ready to have brunch with our SLO family friends.  our sweet little peanuts named Bella and jack were so happy we could join.  prime rib, omelette's, blintz's, fresh fruit, potatoes, bacon, sausage, eggs, cakes, campaign, OJ, you name it it was ready.  next stop....auntie Cal's house for a kitty fix and a ride on the big tree swing with uncle Edi.  through out this day it is nice to remember that even though we don't have children of our own at this time....there are many little peanuts in need of our love and affection today....feels good to be there for that.  since "i married a Greek", it has been a journey of adventure and change......i am happy to say it has been a good choice.  in honor of both of our moms, Joanne, Fatusha, and last grandma, Nana Gasser....happy mom n moms day.

Guess there is no better day to start this column other than a foreign holiday celebrated throughout the US...however Spanish is the second language amongst the natives.  On the other hand I hear at least 3 different foreign languages around our house daily.  As well as most of you know and those who may not..."i married a greek."  Yes greek, not geek even though some days he can be.  I still love him to death.

Today's adventure was looking for a second affordable vehicle.   Why has the process of living life in a simple (lower/middle class, hard working, do what it takes, keep a great attitude along with a positive outlook, everyday routine) environment, turned into life in prison or better yet shackles?  What goes up comes down, what goes around comes back to you.....shouldn't it be easy?  Especially for the positive people who harm no one and live basically?  That's what we were led to believe...that is how many of us were raised.  All in all I think we need to all be blessed and get back to the basics.  Leading to NO CAR PAYMENT.  Buying within our means and our individual lifestyle would take the ball from the corporate or governments playground and stick it back into the school yards.  Keep looking for that car you can buy out right...low tax, reliable, affordable perfect ride.  They are out there.

Marrying a person from somewhere other than America reminds you of the freedoms we believe we have...are sometimes surprised to see they have changed.....yet need not take them for granted.  I love my Greek husband and will always be happy that "i married a greek."

Till we meet again....Happy 5 May day!

Saphira and Eragon had 5 kitties on Saturday, April 10, 4p-8p.  See on Facebook Badge.