Athens Above Ground

Much of Athens is concrete jungle. The residents bemoan the fact that there is little in the way of greenspace here. But we found it along with a gem museum--the Benaki museum by Syntagma (Constitution Square). They had the best exhibition of folk textiles I have ever seen. The embroidry, lacework and weaving was the kind that makes someone like me want to break glass to have a touch.

Above is part of an altarpiece (Greek Orthodox). I love the gradually opening fruit eventually feeding the baby bird. Archetype for new life.

The cafe at the museum had the most beautiful paper placemats. I couldn't bring one home without folding it so I want to order some when I get home. Remind me.

At the National Gardens one can walk right next to the Presidential Palace (Greece's version of the White House). It is a glorified Mediterranean Villa in the palest of yellows and I wanted to jump the fence to look inside. Instead we visited the animal sanctuary where chickens, bunnies and cats lived together in peace and harmony-all of which bit our hands to keep us petting them. The garden is the site of an ancient grove and I just happened on this ring of old trees. Holy ground perhaps? I felt like doing a dance and singing a prayer with incense and oil.

This one is to add to my evolving collection of white and yellow green fauna that attracts me.

Sorry I have been a 'bad-blogger' of late. We have been on the move constantly and when we have computer time, the kids hog it all. I find I don't have the energy to fight for my blog-rights. After Athens we took a ferry to Mykonos island in the Kyklades. We sat outside with legs propped on chairs and enjoyed the sunset on our 5hr float.