Athens and the Islands (so far)

We spent about a day and a half in athens and mainly just visited the acropolis. it was soooo hot and very crowded... i wouldn't say it was our favorite site ever, but we knew we had to see it!!

the ticket line was basically chaos - they need a much better system, which could also be the reason that a woman came out of the ticket office and posted a sign announcing that they were going on strike that night (and "sorry for any inconvenience")!! the pictures are pretty, it was a very clear day - barely a cloud in the sky - but other than that, it was just more of a good, we came, we saw, lets get to AC!

the islands have been beautiful! as much bad luck as we have had with weather this trip (rain almost every single day since madrid) we have had perfect, perfect beach weather
** knock on wood! **

we began in mykonos where we stayed at a wonderful hotel! it was expensive for us, but really reasonable (especially for a resort island like mykonos). it was family run and they were all so nice. there were only 18 rooms in the whole place and we had a room right off the pool, so it really felt like our own little house. we went to a different beach each day and enjoyed all the great greek foods!
* the picture is of our hotel... you can see michael coming out of our room right behind the pool : )

we are now in naxos, another island, and at another family run villa - recommended by our last hotel - and they are also great. whenever we ask a question or need anything they say, "oh yes, mama will get that for you" ... they call for mama and the little old greek lady dressed head to toe in black (think "my big fat greek wedding") comes scurrying over, takes my hand and leads us to get beach towels, or to serve us juice, etc.

this morning she sat us down, got us delicious oj (there must have been added sugar, it was just too good to be true) and then disappeared for a few minutes before coming back with a rose she had just picked from the garden to give to me. she is so cute! and she tries to talk to us in greek even though we clearly have No idea what shes saying. we love "mama"

we have been basking in the greek sun for 3 days in a row now and barely recognize ourselves.
i think the sun is brighter here or something...