8.8.08

4 years ago this week I was in Greece.

well technically i had been there for a few weeks already, having arrived at 5am local time, after some ridiculous number of travel hours. I took a cab in the dark to a little apartment on a street I couldn't pronounce to meet my new roommates - E & Z. I asked for pancakes, they laughed. I didn't get it.

We went to the office - taking a cab that first day as I didn't yet have my credentials and the media bus was off limits.

I met new people, saw friends I hadn't seen in 2 years. I caught up.

I explored in a jumpy and learned to say 'My little watermelon' in Greek

I slept on long drives to the rowing venue and ran screaming with joy into the ocean that first day

I was surprised by the history, and in total awe of what was right there around me.

4 years ago I had spent the last 2 months caring for my cousins as their father, my favorite uncle, passed away.

I walked through the stadium empty, after convincing a security guard we were supposed to be there - and got to see practice for the opening ceremonies

I met celebrities - but was far more impressed with the athletes

I watched world records be smashed

saw controversy unfold

ate flaming sausages off a sword at a roof top restaurant

i traded pins, ate popcorn and did cartwheels through the hallway

I drove the length of the marathon, ate octopus off a clothesline

I met a woman named Tula, ate cheese pies and orange juice in her kitchen over looking the sea

i did shots with basketball players, walked home in the late night heat of Athens

i watched fireworks over the city in the middle of the street, unwilling to leave for my plane.

a million other things happened - the Olympics are magic like that

happy 8.8.08