A group of cousins along with some spouses and children make a journey to Greece to find whence our grandfather came. Gregory Papanikolaou immigrated to America as a boy of fourteen and made a life in Eufaula, Alabama. We are led by a recently found second cousin and his family back to the village in Greece to meet and fellowship with our Greek family there. Along the way, we will reconnect with each other and enjoy the beauty of the country that our grandfather never completely left.
Thursday, April 23, 2015
Looking back before we look ahead
Here are Granny Bess and Grandpa on their 50th wedding anniversary. He would be so proud of us making this journey together. I can't wait to see his boyhood home and the school he built.
I'm finally in the 21st century. This is the first time I've posted anything on a blog. Great idea Helen! Already starting to pack for the trip. Chris and Amy Pappas are psyched!
Just made it to Greece yesterday. My father and I had a long drive from Athens to Paliouri. Greece is so green right now. The rainy season is just ending. We passed Mt. Olympus on the drive. It is still snow covered, but very little cloud cover (rare) so we had a fantastic view.
If you think toll roads are bad in the U.S.... 40 Euros in tolls driving from Athens to Thessaloniki.....
Finished off my first of many 10,000 calorie meals last night. The family is all excited about their many cousins coming to visit. We ate and drank until after midnight, and then I slept like a rock... Awakened jet lag free!
They told me the priest that worked with Gregory Pappas to build the schoolhouse is still alive and lives in Paliouri. He was a young priest back in the 1950's. He blessed the school on the day it opened. He has invited all of us ot a private service at this church, and will be blessing the meal at the reunion. I think Gregory would have been proud of all of us...
Speaking of the family meal. They're talking a whole, slow roasted goat and lamb for the reunion. Everyone is very excited. My father and I will be visiting the neighboring villages today to track down relatives.
I'm finally in the 21st century. This is the first time I've posted anything on a blog. Great idea Helen! Already starting to pack for the trip. Chris and Amy Pappas are psyched!
ReplyDeleteChase N Allpots is blogger name for Dennis Bailey
ReplyDeleteI use it on the Lunch in the Gump blog. www.lunchinthegump.blogspot.com.
ReplyDeleteI'm on the final countdown! Getting ready for food, fun, and ouzo!
ReplyDeleteJust made it to Greece yesterday. My father and I had a long drive from Athens to Paliouri. Greece is so green right now. The rainy season is just ending. We passed Mt. Olympus on the drive. It is still snow covered, but very little cloud cover (rare) so we had a fantastic view.
ReplyDeleteIf you think toll roads are bad in the U.S.... 40 Euros in tolls driving from Athens to Thessaloniki.....
Finished off my first of many 10,000 calorie meals last night. The family is all excited about their many cousins coming to visit. We ate and drank until after midnight, and then I slept like a rock... Awakened jet lag free!
ReplyDeleteThey told me the priest that worked with Gregory Pappas to build the schoolhouse is still alive and lives in Paliouri. He was a young priest back in the 1950's. He blessed the school on the day it opened. He has invited all of us ot a private service at this church, and will be blessing the meal at the reunion. I think Gregory would have been proud of all of us...
Speaking of the family meal. They're talking a whole, slow roasted goat and lamb for the reunion. Everyone is very excited. My father and I will be visiting the neighboring villages today to track down relatives.