Kalimera, from Nafplion, Greece

That means Good Morning! in Greek.

So, good morning to all of you.
Today I am in GREECE!
Ahhhh! Unbelievable. Really.

I really hope it is as beautiful as it looks on the internet.
I can't imagine it isn't.

Today we are exploring Ancient Corinth.
The geeky bible nerd in me picked that activity.
I need to see this whole Corinth place that Paul kept writing to.
A bustling port city.
Lots of worldly focus.
A small, budding Christian church.
Seriously, halfway across the world and in a place I have been reading about in my Bible for decades?
Somebody pinch me.

I most definitely will be back with what I learned.

For now, where I was on September 4, 2010.

HELSINKI, FINLAND.
Can I get a whoop whoop?

First off, I LOVED Helsinki.
It felt like home.
Really, it did.
I couldn't explain it.
Until I learned that Helsinki as we know it today, was largely developed in the late 1800's, early 1900's. Much like San Francisco.
HOME.

There were still vintage looking street cars running along the main streets. Modern day shops, and modern day buildings. A true metropolis. With hints of years past.

The people were friendly. (Minus one crazy lady at the open air flea market). And sailboats abounded. We took a water tour, and had to navigate through hundreds of individual sailboats. The Fins love the nautical life.

There was some awesome shopping too. The flea market of handmade goods was awesome. A lot of stores that felt like H&M, but with a little better quality. Super cute Anthropologie meets Shabby Chic shops as well. I spend a smidge too much in Finland. And had to carry all of that home too. Ha!

There was an AWESOME art installation out in front of the Helsinki Cathedral Square. There were hundreds of life sized bears, each representing a country. Each country selected an artist to paint their bear to represent them, and they were all placed in a giant rectangle in Helsinki. I wanted to spend all day there. I could have looked at every single one. (It's the same as my Olympic Opening Ceremony obsession). But my mom said no. But I did snap a few shots with a good amount of them...

(click for larger)

 

And PS how appropriate is it that I was in Finland on September 4th - the birthday of my fabulous Finnish friend Kevin AND his beautiful wife Ashley! Happy Birthday from overseas! Thinking of you guys today!!!

Don't party too hardy!