To Greece Again!

  Would you believe? I hardly believe it myself. It's been two years since I learned of the Greece Student Tour organized by Xavier University and immediately knew I wanted to go! That year I was too late; it was already closed. The next year, 2013, not enough students signed up; they needed at least 10 to make it workable. So I looked forward anxiously to this year and when I learned it was a "go" I called to learn what I needed to do to get aboard.
  Well, it turns out XU has not taken "outsiders" on their tours before and they kind of stuttered around learning how to get me into their system, so I could be an ex-officio student tag-along. Eventually it all got worked out. I am a non-degree student taking a summer workshop, comprising of 3 1/2 weeks in Greece, visiting not only Athens, where I have been before, but also the Pelapponese, Thessaloniki and western Greece. Lots of museums, landmarks and a monastery or two. Led by two professors, one in Classics and one in History, it should prove to be very interesting.
  I learned of the Study Tour from the History Professor, Art, who has been a member of my Greek language class for two years. Now we will see if my Greek language is up to even the simplest of conversations. This is not a requirement as most Greeks, especially the younger people, took English in high school and basic language in either languages is possible.
  Convinced by my tour-guide daughter-in-law, Beth, that it is possible to pack for an extended stay with only a carry-on and a backpack, I am learning to pack a suitcase with compression sacks and packing "cubes". In the meantime life goes on apace, but June 1 is approaching very fast. Stay tuned.