Lycabettus Hill

Mount Lycabettus pronounced [likaviˈtos]), is a Cretaceous limestone hill in the Greek capital Athens. At 277 meters (908 feet) above sea level, its summit is the highest point in Central Athens and pine trees cover its base. The name also refers to the residential neighbourhood immediately below the east of the hill.

The hill is a tourist destination and can be ascended by the Lycabettus Funicular, a funicular railway which climbs the hill from a lower terminus at Kolonaki . At its two peaks are the 19th century Chapel of St. George, a theatre, and a restaurant.

Lycabettus appears in various legends. Popular stories suggest it was once the refuge of wolves, (lycos in Greek), which is possibly the origin of its name (means "the one [the hill] that is walked by wolves"). 

Mythologically, Lycabettus is credited to Athena, who created it when she dropped a limestone mountain she had been carrying from the Pallene peninsula for the construction of the Acropolis after the box holding Erichthonius was opened.

The pictures are in reverse.  This is when we got to the top. 

The tube if you don't want to walk. 

The beginning

It was a fun, short adventure before getting back to working on projects and bills.  It was a perfect day and we were sweating when we got to the top.  That is pretty cool for December. 

We hope to discover more treasures as we live here in Athens.  We might even learn to say more than good morning, sorry, thank you and Yassas!  ( hello).  

That evening we had our branch Christmas party.  We first had a program because some people think that if we ate first , then people would leave but no one left during the program.  Pretty smart.  We sang lots of carols and the primary was definitely the highlight.  They sang in Greek and English.  Smart kids. 

We have wonderful sisters that cook the best food and Brother Neel brought the yummiest curry ( it was very green and lumpy so we weren't sure until we tried it).  I was too busy to take a picture but it was not anything like what we get in our ward Christmas parties in Utah.  We had Filipino and Chinese food and I brought a taco salad.   

It was a great day in Athens.  It was a reminder that no matter where we are, the church is the same.  We spoke the next day in Sacrament meeting.  We talked about the characteristics of Christ.  Kim ran off our talks in English and Greek and gave them to the young missionaries that were translating into ear pieces in the back.  That was awesome.  We didn't have to pause and wait for someone to translate.  Which I don't mind.  It was just nice.

  I was reminded of covid Christmas where I painted the names of Christ and put them around the house.  It made our Christmas more focused and sacred. 

Names of Christ

I am grateful that Christmas comes every year and that we are blessed to know of our Redeemer and Savior.  2022 has been a very different year for me.  It hasn't been easy.  I have to remind myself that being stretched is a good thing. Merry Christmas to us all this week!  May your days be merry and bright.  We have a brand new sister missionary here from Denmark and she is always smiling.  She said  that she choses to be happy every day.  I love that.