Week 8

July 9- July 17 Greece

This has been the craziest week of travel.
First, we took a 36 hour ferry ride from Venice to Patras, Greece. We slept under the stars on the deck of the boat and saw the most incredible sunrise.

Once arriving at Patras we made our way to a campsite that is possibly the most scenic yet! We decided to stay an extra night as a result.
Then, it was off to Athens, or rather Rafina, in route to the island of Mykonos. The campsite there also had a great view but getting there was a small adventure in itself, let's just say 90 degree weather, two backpacks, two tired American girls, and one really big hill!

Mykonos is an incredibly beautiful place. We took a day to wonder around in the small town center. I've never seen so much white before and streets that made you feel caught in a maze. We met some folks from all over the world ...Ireland, Rio, Spain, Australia, and Georgia.
One day we tried to locate a lighthouse that was on our map. We had a nice stroll around some rocky beach fronts but weren't succesful in finding what we were in search of.

Took a ferry back to Rafina and a day to explore Athens. Then, a travel day back to Patras to catch the return ferry to Italy.

Reflections:
This week was full of small setbacks with travel and difficulty in getting correct information but it's funny how God at each time sent us some small blessing along the way.
For example, on our travel day from Mykonos back to Rafina we were talking about how we hadn't gotten to talk in depth with many people. I was in the middle of my explanation when a girl from Australia walked up and sat beside us and just started talking.
Later, at the Port I got yelled at by a grumpy store owner, again just when I was about to lose my cool I hear a Georgia accent ask if I went to school at Auburn. It was a mother, friend, and daughter. The daughter studying on a summer at sea.
Finally, the same long day...no bus to a campsite, another exhausting walk and I found a bakery on the way with one of my favorites. Upon arriving at the campsite and settling in I was ready to eat. We sat by a view of the ocean and I discovered the wrong pastry. I was just about to throw something when two guys walk up and gave us a watermelon.
Lisa and I both just laughed. I guess we have bad days even in the midst of seeing beautiful places and living out dreams.

I know this is becoming a long post. One last story. Today on our way back to Patras we encountered a train strike, these happen often in France and Greece, this lead to an almost 12 hour travel day that should have been about 5. However, again in the middle of the chaos we experienced part of the craziness with about a dozen others also traveling Europe.

Our verse for this month was Psalm 17:15
We continue to realize that only when we seek God first are we truly satisfied. In spite of crazy days in travel or everyday life, God is there making Himself known in big and small ways.