Born on the Fourth of July

Yesterday was Ellie's birthday, and our nation's as well. Deree takes the day off. This year, instead of leaving Athens, we decided to head down to the city center for a tour. Our theme was "markets and city life." We started with the ancient Agora. We got in easily without paying (b/c it is an American-dominated site, I think.) And nobody hassled us when Phil walked around playing tour guide.

The gang exploring the Hephaistion

After a thorough exploration of the site and the museum, we rewarded them with a stop at our favorite bougatsa place in Psirri, where the students discovered the wonders of creme-filled pastries and other delicacies.

Ellie and Kami

 Afterwards Les took them to the markets near Omonia, for a taste of the modern commercial center of Athens. The fish and meat markets were rather overwhelming--it wasn't clear whether the piles of sheep's heads, pigs feet and offal were for sale, or merely display. No one took up the challenge of eating lunch in the place inside the meat market. Phil, however, did hazard the purchase of ground meat for the party, and got a good deal on 2 kilos of freshly ground with the help of a friendly Albanian butcher with a brother in Cleveland.

Clutching his bag of meat, he made his way back home, while Leslie stopped with the students at the Alfa Vita on the way back for some other necessaries. Then, after the now customary nap, we began preparations for the festivities. Balloons and decorations were assembled; the grill was fired up; meat was cooked; and the guests arrived.

The students getting into the spirit.

It was a sombre affair.

Just kidding!

Poor Ellie, she's so neglected.

We had cake, we had presents, we had burgers and hot dogs. The students brought fruit kebabs and cookie cake. Eurydice and her boys joined us. Then we did the July 4th thing: glowsticks, sparklers, a raucous round of "The Star Spangled Banner". All in all a very satisfactory celebration.

Appendix: the other day the students had an introductory workshop on Greek dance. I wanted to post a few of the pix from that: