I'm Back :-)

Hi everyone!
I am safely back in the good USA. Hopefully, if I haven't seen you yet, I will see you again really soon.
I apologize for being so late with my posts. I still have more to share from Greece and Turkey and will hopefully put those up in the near future.
Can't wait to see those I haven't yet!
Love you all,
Natalie

Delphi

On Saturday of our first weekend in Greece, they took us to another city called Delphi. In ancient times, the temple of Apollo was located in Delphi, and was its founding fame. We visited the site of the old temple which also had the old track from the Pythian games (Delphi's version of the Olympics) above it. A beautiful theater was also still at the temple's site. Afterwards, we went into a Byzantine monastery that is still in use for the Greek Orthodox church. It was located in the beautiful hills of Delphi. There are so many cool stories I learned from this place, especially regarding Apollo and some of the cool myths associated with him and his temple. Can't wait to share!
As of yesterday I only have 3 weeks left! Can you believe it??
Love you all!!!

Clock tower at the monastery
Lit candles in the church
The inside of the church located inside the monastery
The beautiful hills of Delphi

If I remember correctly, this is one of the roofs inside the front part of the church, what we would call the lobby area. We all laughed because Jesus looks like He is using the "Rock on" symbol.
Simply gorgeous
A treasure house at the site of Apollo's temple. It was used to house the lavish gifts people would bring to Apollo
The view from the site...auh-mazing
Looking down on the site. You can see the theater and the pillars where the large temple would have been located

The track used for the games
Entrance to the site. In ancient times this would have been swarmed with shops and people
Corner pillars of Apollo's temple
Better view of the temple

Kalimera!

That means "Good Morning" in Greek!
So we are now stationed in Athens. Such a cool city, but I must say I could not live here permanently like I felt I could in London. It has so much history and ruins, you can't see them all. I love how the people here have so much pride in their country and pride themselves for staying a stable place of the world for around 7000 years (or maybe more!).
This post will highlight just some of the major things we did in Athens the first couple of days. We went to the Acropolis, with the world famous Parthenon. We also went to Mars Hill, where the Bible says Paul preached to the Athenians about the Unknown God (Acts 17). I think it is so cool I can say I have walked where Jesus (Egypt) & Paul (Greece) have walked! What a connection I can make with my faith!
Our first weekend it was right before the Greek Orthodox's Lent season, so they had a carnival throughout the town. We participated by going into what is called the Plaka and enjoying the festivities. We especially got tuned in with these plastic bats that alot of the people carry around and just hit others with. It was so funny because we would have battles with other big groups like us, mainly little boys. It was a great way to let off some steam after such a stressful move from London to Athens. :-)
Love you all!!! So much more to come, mainly Delphi, Santorini & Corinth (yes, the Corinth as in 1 & 2 Corinthians!!).

The carnival & those crazy kids!
Getting pumped
The carnival by day...so much more peaceful
The park
The Plaka
The Temple of Nike on the Acropolis (1 of the 3 temples on top)

The view!
A shot of the Temple of Zeus from the Acropolis
A bunch of us girls. The background almost looks fake...but it's not!!
Beautiful city of Athens

Me in front of the Parthenon!!!
An ancient theater. We were informed that if we call a half circle theater like this an ampitheater we are not correct. Ampi=circle, so a true ampitheater would be the Colosseum or for those Southern CofC-ers, Moody at ACU ;-)
The Greek Flag!

Goodbye London & Hello Athens!

In case you have not figured it out yet, I am no longer in London, UK. Because the house we were living in needed a remodel before the next academic year program, we were relocated to Athens.
I definitely miss London. That city is amazing; I plan to get back one day. However, in Athens, I can see the sun!!! It is exciting :-) I am wearing flip flops, shorts, and no coat again! Truly Texas/California weather.
We've been here for exactly 2 weeks now, and I think I'm just now understanding I'm not going to see London again for a while. I still feel like we are on a long vacation or field trip and that we will return soon. However, that is not the case. I'm trying to see it as a transition period. My body would not be able to take going straight from cold London to blazing Texas/Cali. It's difficult though, leaving a place you have become accustomed to. I guess it is also a slow transition for me in means of appreciating what I am coming back to. I think going back straight from London would have given me an intense reverse culutre shock where I hate all the bad things about the US intensely and always think about how good it was in London. But with being in Athens, I am really appreciating even some of the negative things about the US just because I know how it works. Familiarity will be welcomed upon return to the states.
But my time isn't over yet. I still have 3 weeks to enjoy this wonderful place! I am so blessed to have been able to experience everything I have and seen all the wonderful places I've been.
See you later London!
Bring it on Athens!

The South Ken Tube...my stop!
My street!
Prince's Gate....that's it!
Royal Albert Hall. Holds many a concerts. & just down the street from the house.
Hyde Park.
Picadilly Circus, the most happenin' street at night and on weekends.

I can see Ben!
There he is!
Houses of Parlament on the River Thames.
Westminster Abbey.

Inside the South Ken. tube.....ah, home!

Trafalgar Square in front of the National Gallery
And here is the National Gallery. Arguably one of the best museums in the world!
The orangery in Hyde Park. A superb location for high tea.
Tower Bridge at night. Simply stunning...

Auf Wiedersehen

The beautiful town of Heidelberg, Germany!
Pepperdine also has a house in this wonderful location, so we went and visited. It was so cute, and just as you would imagine Germany to be. We even saw cute old men in those little overall looking things. We ate schnitzel & pretzels. Yummy.

Trying to catch back up...

Hey everyone!
I apologize for not having updated this in a LONG while. I have been so rushed and moved this past month I have not been able to get around to this.
Hopefully I can make up for that in this next week. I hope to atleast do one post or so a day to catch back up. Since I don't have the pictures from some of my previous trips ready yet I will give you a little taste of what is to come:

Heidelberg, Germany

Goodbye London♥ Welcome to Athens
Delphi, Greece
Santorini


Hopefully that can get you excited of what is to come! I miss and love you all!! Have a great rest of this Easter week.

Dover & Canterbury!

Hello everyone.
One week ago I went with our group to Dover and Cantebury. It was so beautiful, needless to say. Dover is sight of the Whitecliffs, Dover castle, and Dover underground tunnels. Cantebury has its famous cathedral and its name--from the famous Cantebury tales. I have not read them, so I will not try to explain the importance of Cantebury in them.
Enjoy the pictures! I miss you all! ♥

Dover Castle

The English Channel. Dover is where the Channel is closest to France. On a clear day you can see France from this point.

These were so amazing. The tunnels had been cut out centuries before but were used most importantly during WWII. We were able to walk around them, see the hospital, planning rooms, and kitchen inside where thousands would have passed, lived, and worked during the war.

The Whitecliffs!

Cantebury Cathedral

A cute stream that passes through Cantebury.

The town was so cute. Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on your opinion, there were American landmarks through out town...can you spot them?

--Subway
--Starbucks

Tower of London Pictures

If you can't quite tell, these are carvings in the walls of the towers from various prisoners it housed there. Most are prayers to God, Jesus and Mary. Us girls in front of Tower Bridge, which can be spotted from the Tower of London.

The crown jewels of England are housed in this white building on the left. Needless to say they were extravagent and beautiful!
These are two very special pieces of armor. The large one on the left is the biggest set ever found and the one on the right is the smallest ever found.

Cambridge Photos

The Cam river (hence the name of the town, Cambridge--bridge over the Cam)

The round church that lies on a road established by the Romans


This is a math bridge! It was originally a project for Cambridge students. Their assignment was to build a bridge not needing any nuts or bolts. This is what they came up with. Pretty cool, huh! (In recent years, for it to survive, hardware was used to sturdy it up after all those years)

Wales Pictures

The bay:
The castle:

Inside the castle:

Pictures from the Tower of London and Cambridge to come!