Prose, Poetry, and Pics

Γειά σου, blog fanatics!

Welcome to the greatest show on earth -- no, not the circus -- my blog! In case you haven't been following recent news from Athens, a few exciting new developments have occurred in the past week YOU should be aware of (or, at least we think so, so we're gonna tell you).

1. As you know (or don't, because you haven't been faithful to your pledge to live vicariously through our blogging, but it's a new year so we're giving you a second chance), the world traveling (musical) duo of Jess and Em has come to a crossroads in our travels, and the two artists involved have decided to pursue solo careers (as all the best band members always do -- Justin Timberlake, anyone?)... Jess's harmonica playing is SURE to land her a record label, while Em's constant mumbled repetition of the entire 2 hour long Trapped in a Closet album is sure to land her... well, we're not sure yet, but somewhere, hopefully not the loony bin.

2. As a result of this decision, Em has started her very own blog to document the remainder of her Infinite Journey! We encourage you to continue to follow both of our travels, so check it out at ekirschner.blogspot.com.

3. Finally, as a result of #2, the writing in this blog is about to deteriorate rapidly, descending into lengthy rambling about various items that Em used to stop Jess from writing paragraphs about (or at least forced punctuation upon)... and will from this point forward be in 1st person (that person, in case you're lost, being Me, Jess).

So welcome to a new era in blogging and traveling, an era that promises to be defined by a abundance of photos, tangents of unprecedented length and breadth, and laments over the loss of peanut butter. Look at me -- I'm already lamenting, and I still have a jar and a half left.

This new era will officially begin on February second, when I ditch Athens for Tel Aviv! Athens has been a great home for the past 3 months, but I'm itching to be back on the road. After Israel comes Jordan and Egypt, and the entire east coast of Africa! Stay tuned as the adventure beings...

On to pics... below are some of my favorites from our recent trip to Delphi to see the Oracle! Additionally, below THAT are more of my Athens favorites, all aptly captioned for your viewing pleasure.

View from the top of the Delphi Historical Site

Delphi, including Agora, Gymnasium, etc

Athenian Stoa and Treasury, Delphi

Treasury, Delphi

The Oracle of Delphi reincarnated, perhaps?
When asked the ultimate answer to life, the universe, and everything, it answered:
Meow.
(what did you think it would say, silly?)

Tholos of the Temple of Athena, Delphi

Close-up of Tholos

World Travelers with Temple of Apollo Stoa, Delphi

Photo overlooking Athens basin and Lykavittos Hill

Even world travelers like to sit on benches

Monastiraki Square at night, near Jess's workplace

Me, lovin' life in Plaka, Athens

Filopappau Hill/Athens at night, Monument of the Muses in foreground

Another cool picture from atop the Acropolis: Carytadids, though not the real ones (Thanks to Britian) ;)

Ancient Agora, Gymnasium of the Giants

A picture worthy of nearly 7 months of world traveling, wouldn't you say?

Finally, a bit of poetry. My favorite poem from this trip has been "Song of the Open Road" by Walt Whitman. So many parts of it echo experiences and feelings that both Em and I have had thus far on the trip, and call to mind the mindset of a real traveler. I can only hope that one day you each get a piece of an experience like this, whether your travels are around the world, through the woods of your favorite forest, or in the lilting melody of your favorite music. I've wanted to select a few stanzas for your reading pleasure...but I can't seem to get them to copy correctly, so instead I'll give you this link: http://www.bartleby.com/142/82.html . Enjoy!

With love,
Jess