[Previous entry: "Sofia, Bulgaria"] [Next entry: "home for the holidays"]
December16,2007"Greek Christmas"
i guess since i'm done with finals and only have a few days left in Athens, i should just share more pictures on this blog.
last thursday, we went to Syntagma Square to watch the tree lighting. we got there a little before 7pm, thinking that they were actually going to light it then, when it turned out, the festivities were supposed to start at 7pm and the lighting was at the end. of course, the festivities operated on Greek time, and there were many "intervals" without music, performances, and just waiting around in the cold. the fun part was that i was familiar with a few of the Christmas songs in Greek, and sang along with the children performing the carols. the surprise of the night was that when the finally lit the tree after 8 o'clock, it was followed by a spectacular fireworks show. i had not expected that at all, so despite the long period of standing around in the cold, it was worth the wait to see the fireworks.
i can't believe my camera didn't crap out on me and was able to take such beautiful pictures of the fireworks. 
i was so glad that i watched the tree lighting, mainly because i've missed the tree lighting at Union Square at home for the last few years. it was also nice to see the Greeks get into the Christmas spirit because Bulgaria seemed to have more of it than Greece. the Greeks seem to put up their decorations a lot later and most places just started putting up their lights last week. but it finally feels like the Christmas season and i'm so ready to go home and spend the holidays with my loved ones. of course, i'm very sad that i have to leave Athens, but it's been such an amazing semester and i really couldn't have asked for anything more. so i'm going to spend my last week here soaking up Athens as much as i can, and hopefully parting with this city won't be too difficult.
a few weeks ago, i made my way up to Filopappou Hill and watched the sunset. a couple entries ago, i shared a picture of the Acropolis with its changing colours on the marble from the sun setting. well this is how the monument of Filopappou looked like against the sunlight. the views from the hill was pretty amazing, especially because i could look out at the sea. i think i'll go back there one last time this week enjoy the Mediterranean before i leave. i just can't believe that this semester is actually over, and i'm heading back home! time flew by too quickly...
i think i'm really going to miss Athens.