Maria Dave Jack Michael Blog

Greece was playing Malta in the Euro 2012 qualifiers on Saturday, June 4th at Karaiskaki Stadium, Athens. Greece was second in their group, but a win against Malta would put them back at the top. Because Malta is not one of the strongest teams, there were only about three thousand people at the Olympiakos FC stadium. Nevertheless the Greek FC fans were deafening. The game started and about fifteen minutes in, a young Greek named Fetfazitis scored off the cross of Greece’s right back. He was left standing in front of the goal and he just slotted it in. He scored again only to be called off sides. The Greeks had plenty of chances including a cross that was headed out of the Malta goal by a Greek player. But soon enough another goal came off ... read more

At 9 am Austin Texas time, Michael and I tearfully dropped Izzy off at summer camp where she will enjoy hiking, wrestling, napping, eating and most likely some behavior modification training. A mere 33 hours later we were having dinner on a rooftop terrace in Athens, Greece with our dear friends (and interpreters) the Kallivokas family-- Loukas, Liana, Fotis & Filippos. On Friday, our group walked from our apartments near the Ambelokipi Metro stop to the Panathinaiko Stadium which is near Loukas' old neighborhood (Pangrati). The current Stadium is constructed of Pentelic marble on the ancient site of a natural depression between the two hills of Agra and Ardettos, over the Ilissos river. In 330-329 BC, Lykourgos had the stadium built as a festive venue for nude male athletes involved in "the noble competition and fair ... read more

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According to my guidebook, at least 85% of the Dutch have a bicycle; many of them have two. Bikers are all ages,gender, and dress. They chat with nearby bike mates; use their phones and PDAs; cart groceries, dogs and small children. Babies who are not yet walking are riding on their moms and dads bikes. Passengers sit side-saddle, perched on the back usually without need of a handle to hold. Bicycles are such a part of life; it is like breathing. And, I must say Dutch folks look healthy and fit. We, Spences, (some of whom are less healthy and fit than other Spences) tried out our bike skills in the flat and relatively traffic calm Vondelpark, a wonderful 110 acre park near the Leidesplein. ... read more

Sunday continues to be cool and windy but I soldier on. After a hearty breakfast, we tram it south to Delft (c.1075) known for its weaving and brewing industries. This pretty town is very picturesque with many canals and a central Markt square. It is also known for its blue and white hand-painted earthenware; an idea the Dutch “borrowed” from trading in Chinese porcelain. We specifically wanted to visit the Johannes Vermeer museum (sited in the building where the painters' guild of his day met). After lunch, we walked around the Markt square and then headed back to the north-bound tram station. Back in Den Haag, we walk to the Madurodam from our hotel. The Madurodam depicts the Netherlands in miniature (1:25 scale ) by replicating historically significant buildings and regions. It opened in 1952 by ... read more