Arriving in Athens!

We have arrived in Athens, Greece!  Looking out the plane window on the way into Greece, my seatmate remarked that just looking at the land, she can see how such fantastic myths about gods and goddesses had been born out of such a place.  Together we looked out at the lush, mountainous land, and exotic islands emerging from the sea.  I felt like pinching myself, partly to stay awake after 29 hours of travel, and partly to determine whether I was actually in Athens, Greece! What we saw while driving through the city on the bus could have been like anywhere in the world: stop and go traffic through busy streets, a concrete jungle of large rectangular buildings, row after row of run-down looking, multi-level flats with plants spilling off of the porches, crowded streets filled with tiny cars parked end to end, and walls and parking garages canvased by plenty of graffitti artists.  But then you would see a beautiful Orthodox church, see signs filled with fascinating characters of the Greek language, catch a glimpse of the restored colliseum and remember where you were.
Once we'd been served some Greek delights at the restaurant we practically filled, there was no denying where we were.  Trays of vegetables with olive oil and tangy vinegar, crusty bread, cheese filled soft biscuits, lemony rice and herbs wrapped in grape leaves, creamy and savory cucumber sauce to put on everything, cheese, doused with liquor and set on fire...I was practically full by the time they showed up with our main dish of grilled lambish/porkish/beefish meat, impressive french fries and rice pilaf.  I did manage to tuck at last some of that in, and savor the simulaneously light and rich wedge of white "flan" with caramel sauce on top.  The music made me want to get up and dance, with no idea how.
In case you are wondering, it's 5 in the morning local time (which is 3 am in London, 7 pm in Los Angeles, and 5 pm- last night?!- in Thibodaux) and I am sitting on the marble bathroom floor in our Athens hotel, having slept a good four hours last night.  Not sure how long my perkiness will last, but excited about the day ahead.  We will have breakfast at the hotel, meet downstairs with our bags (we are all realizing how much less we would have packed had we realized what it would be like to haul it about) at 9 am, load up the bus, and head to the dock where our cruise will depart at 11:30 am.  Never been on a cruise, but I've always wanted to.  And NEVER imagined I would be cruising through the Mediterranean sea! When shame about the extravagance of this opportunity sneaks up on me, trying to follow my friends' advice to just savor and enjoy this special gift from the Lord.  It's never about us being worthy anyway.  He is the only one who is. Fill us with humility, gratefulness, and openness to the work of Your Spirit, in and through the events of each day. May those we meet, experience the love of Christ.  Help us to remember that any hiccups in plans, delays, disruptions or inconveniences are really only first-world problems. Continue to miraculously protect, strengthen, and bless each traveller, and orchestrate the myriad of details.