Athens, Greece

Athens was great. I couldn't help but wonder what it would have been like to have studied abroad in Athens instead of Thessaloniki - it's a bigger city, more diverse, maybe...more like America, but with all the Greek influence that you'd expect in the capital of Greece. More parks, museums, scenic roads, etc...
On the flip-side, I think Thessaloniki's really starting to grow on me. It took some time, but better late than never!

statue of runner. the coolest statue i saw in athens.

THIS IS SPARTA!

at dinner

jen eating jap-chae!


korean food in athens! it was GOOOOOD too! tasted authentic, which was very surprising to me. pricey. but worth it.
notice: bibimbap, soup, ggo-chi-chang, kimchi.

This is where the first modern olympics were held. It's 26.3 miles from the site of the old olympics (a place called Marathon) to this stadium. That's why marathon's are 26.3 miles long today! if you look closely, the olympic 5-rings are waaay in the back center.

The Acropolis. And some distracting reconstruction work.

an 'auditorium' where, even to this day, they have performances.

parthenon

i don't know exactly what this building is called - but they are young virgins that serve as pillars.

After going up to the Acropolis, I think I understand why the ancient Athenians worshipped on the hill. Looking out from the top of the hill, all you can see now is the city completely sprawled out, but in the days of paganistic worship, i'm sure it was allll nature 360 degrees around. I couldn't help but think of the vastness of God and His sovereignty while being up that high.

St. Paul preached here.

Changing of the guards in front of Athen's parliament building.

baby girl, guard, me. =)

a little boy that liked the pidgeons.