What's So Greek About Greece?

 

My Name Tag...Can you pick out a word that you recognize besides Christensen? 

Kim and I have been faithfully using Duolingo to learn some Greek.  It will probably take me the whole ten yards to ever get comfortable speaking simple phrases.  We were trying to figure out tickets on a kiosk and asked the woman next to us if she spoke English.  Of course, she said.  It was even English that we could understand.  

We had a Fireside on Friday, mission wide.  It was on mental health.  Apparently refugees are not the only ones struggling with mental health.  I am grateful that my anxiety and stress have gone down the longer we are here.  I just kept thinking last month....everyone thinks this is the dream mission but they don't know what I know.  It will continue to get better but the first month was really hard for me. 

This week we met a wonderful, positive and happy former refugee. 

He shared his story with us.  It was heartbreaking.  He was kidnapped, put in prison, traveled a year to get away from the political strife in his country and ended in a refugee camp in Lesvos.  He tried to explain the challenges of being in a tent with 15 other people and having a small space to sit and sleep in.  He talked about the lines to wait in to use the toilet.  He talked about his mental health and how he tried to cope with all the restrictions and inactivity.  We were so impressed with his desire to help others in the refugee camp with their mental state.  We were also impressed with the freshly squeezed orange juice we drank while visiting.  I tell you these oranges in Greece are GOOD.  I have read many stories about the refugee camps and the challenges but it was amazing to hear it first hand and understand that the stories happened to good people that were trying to find safety and refuge. 

These look like crocus that we get in the spring!

We went to Mars Hill to pick up trash this morning.  It soon became very busy with tourists.  It is a great service project because we never run out of broken glass, wrappers or cigarette butts.  

We do have people ask why we are picking up trash.  It is a good opportunity to visit and talk about who we are.

Just like in Utah there is a church on every corner...almost. 

After picking up trash, we decided to check the National Garden Park near one of the metro stations. 

So far, the parks we have seen in Athens are different from what we are used to.  They have very old big trees and dirt paths that weave in and out.  It was so fun to watch the children.  They laugh and are in awe of the turtles, ducks, water and just being out in a park. Kids are kids no matter where you are.

I didn't take a picture but there was a young man playing the saxophone outside our metro stop with full recorded band backup on speakers.  It was pretty sweet.  He was good.  There are more musicians trying to make money as you get into the heart of Athens, adding to the atmosphere.    It is pretty cool that we can wander the streets of downtown and just soak it all when we can.  We don't just play though.  We have work to do!