Greece 2019

GREECE 2019

This summer before traveling to Spain we went to Athens, Greece.  It was a place that was on our Family Bucket List for a long time due to our immersion in school in the tales of Greek mythology and legend as the birthplace of democracy.	We waited until this summer to head to Greece since Mateo is now old enough to do the extensive walking required to explore all the beautiful ancient sites.
After a snafu with our Air B&B, we had to find a last minute hotel after arriving in Athens at midnight.  360 was literally the ONLY hotel with availability for four people - it was a really cool boutique hotel we *highly* recommend.	Breakfast was included with our room at Hotel 360, which was an *incredible* spread of Greek and continental foods.  We also had this amazing view of the Acropolis while eating breakfast.
After getting our Air B&B sorted out, we headed to the Athens Happy Train for a tour of the major sites in Athens.	One of the sites seen on the Athens Happy Train was the Arch of Hadrian.
On the afternoon of our first full day in Greece we headed to the National Archaeological Museum to explore its treasures.	The National Archaeological Museum contained beautiful art from antiquity, and was a welcome respite from the heat.
Ancient art always shows the roots of other, more modern art.  Here is the precursor to Christian imagery showing the image of Mary with the baby Jesus.	Also always really cool to see ancient feats of engineering, as exemplified by this cart.
The Ancient Greek Theater Odeon of Herodes Atticus is still in existence and utilized for performances.	We saw an evening performance in the Herodeon of the ROSAS Troupe dancing to the music of Bach's Six Cello Suites.
Our next full day in Greece we rode a cable car up Mount Lycabettus.	...and received this PHENOMENAL view of the Acropolis and Athens.
After exploring Mount Lycabettus, it was off to lunch at Veganbeats.  We got the *coolest* table which were cushions on the floor, and enjoyed vegan versions of Greek salads and gyros.	Mateo and Sharon shared a Greek salad and some vegan wraps - YUMMY!  The owners were very friendly and love vegan food as much as we do.
Sharon's friend Theresa suggested we check out the Museum of Greek Folk Musical Instruments...it was one of the highlights of the trip for our family musicians David and Mateo.	Sharon and David especially enjoyed seeing the woodwinds - Sharon played clarinet in middle school and high school, and David is teaching himself and Mateo the recorder.
If you ever travel to Greece with children, Little Kook's Cafe is a magical destination that MUST be on your itinerary.	Little Kook's Cafe had to be the original inventor of Crazy Milkshakes (and then Black Tap brought the idea to NYC).  Each milkshake we received had an ENTIRE donut on the top(!)
The House of Parliament we initially saw on our Happy Train Tour, and then we returned since it is very close to the National Gardens.	We got to see the Changing of the Guard unexpectedly on our way to the National Gardens - serendipitous and an awesome surprise!
And speaking of the National Gardens in Athens, they are totally picturesque with the tall palm trees, a pond, and turtles that make their home there.	Aleixi and Mateo posed on this great wooden bridge over the pond.
We ate dinner at the traditional Greek Restaurant Adrianos.  We got to sit outdoors at a table on a cobblestone street, listen to live Greek guitar music, participate in traditional Greek circle dancing and even break some plates.	Mateo is a total foodie; he tries every food and beverage and enjoys the finer things in life.
The reason why we have wanted to go to Greece for sooo long is to visit the famed Acropolis.  We were blessed with going on a Mythology Tour to visit the Acropolis in the context of the Greek gods and goddesses.	The first stop on the Mythology Tour was to the Temple of Zeus.  During ancient times the temples were for the dedicated god or goddess, and people worshiped and brought offerings outside of the temple.
Then on the Mythology Tour we walked through the Old Town and made our way to the Acropolis.	The view of the Acropolis on the ascent is awe-inspiring.
Sharon has been trying to inspire in Mateo and Alexi a love of theater by bringing them to shows and performances since they were very little.	The view of the Theater Odeon of Herodes Atticus is very awe-inspiring in the daytime.
The remains of the Erechtheum, a Greek temple dedicated to both Athena and Poseidon.	A family pose in front of the Erechtheum.
There was a democratic contest in which the people of Athens got to exercise their voting powers and choose the symbol of Athens.  Poseidon offered them the sea, and Athena offered this olive tree, and since there were more females than males living in Athens, the olive tree was selected.	The hole in the floor of the Erechtheum is symbolic of where Poseidon struck down his trident and water burst forth from the sea.
The Parthenon is one of the seven Ancient Wonders of the World, and incredible viewed from any angle.	Family photo in front of the Parthenon - a total dream come true to be able to see this, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, in person.
Dabbing was one of the themes of this trip, as demonstrated by Alexi and Mateo in front of the Parthenon.	Family photo on the site of the Acropolis, with the Greek flag in the background.
The last stop on the Mythology Tour was to the Agora, which was the site of the Roman Market.	The final site we visited on our Mythology Tour was the Temple of Hephaestus found in the Agora.
Mateo and Alexi posing in front of the Temple of Hephaestus.	After our 4 hour Mythology Tour, Mateo and Alexi were VERY happy to sit down and get a well deserved rest.
The Acropolis Museum lived up to its high billing.	It was amazing to see sculptures and plasters of sculptures from the Acropolis.
We are sooo glad we gave the vegetarian restaurant Peas a Chance!	An Athenian vegetarian restaurant that has smoothies AND chai lattes is always a winner for this family.
Sharon and Mateo ordered the combo plate to share that was BEYOND DELICIOUS.	Alexi and David were thrilled with their vegetarian Gyro wraps.
Our final day in Greece led us on a day trip to Delphi.	We hiked up the mountains of Delphi in the blistering 100 degree heat (thank goodness for the breeze).
Our up and coming thespians of the stage!	Theater was such an integral part of life in Greece.
Our Delphi journey ended at the stadium that hosted athletic events at the mountain's peak.	This summer was the summer of soccer for these athletes.
Such incredible natural beauty surrounded us at Delphi.	The Sphinx of Naxos was a highlight of the Museum at Delphi.  This mythical creature has the head of a woman, the chest and wings of a bird and the body of a lioness.  On top of a pedestal it must have been quite awe-inspiring on a mountain.
Sharon truly enjoyed seeing these kouroi after learning all about this ancient art form in Humanities Class in high school at DHS.	Check out this intact charioteer with a rendering of the chariot he was pulling reconstructed from antiquity.
Sharon first experienced fish foot tanks on our trip several years ago to Mexico.	It is so cool (and a great massage!) to have fish nibbling at your feet.
This was most definitely a highlight of the trip to Greece for Sharon.	Next time Mateo wants to put his feet in the tank.
We had dinner our final night in Athens at Avocado, one of the *BEST* vegetarian restaurants in Athens.	Sharon was incredibly satisfied with her avocado smoothie.
We ordered a plethora of avocado dishes, including this one with pita and avocado hummus.	Veggie burgers at Avocado of course include avocado!
Sharon and David have always *loved* exploring the world, and it is so fun experiencing other cities and cultures with our children and providing them with this invaluable education.	Our trip to Athens was one of our favorites ever!  Wonder where our next vacation will take us to??!!

Best of 2018

Sharon's Books (INCREDIBLE novels and nonfiction books on urban & rural education)

(1) The Sellout by Paul Beatty (one of the BEST novels Sharon has EVER read)

(2) For White Folks Who Teach in the Hood...and the Rest of Y'all Too  by Christopher Emdin (Dr. Emdin came to speak at Sharon's Math for America PLT and she got to meet him personally!)

(3) History of Wolves by Emily Fridlund

(4) Teach Like a Champion by Doug Lemov

(5) An Untamed State by Roxane Gay

(6) A Hope in the Unseen: An American Odyssey from the Inner City to the Ivy League by Ron Suskind
(7) Multiplication is for White People: Raising Expectations for Other People's Children by Lisa Delpit

David's Books

Artemis by Andy Weir

The Changeling by Victor LaValle
AWOL on the Appalachian Trail by David Miller
Evening in the Palace of Reason by James R. Gaines

Our Favorite Movie Rentals

(1) Bamboozled
(2) My Fair Lady
(3) 3 Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
(4) I, Tonya 
(5) Equity
(6) The Wedding Banquet
(7) Bladerunner 2049
(8) Wonder Wheel
(9)  The Shape of Water 
(10) Monty Python: Life of Brian
(11) City of Gold
(12) Stuck in Love

Best NYC Film Festivals

(1) Tribeca Film Festival - Sharon and David together saw Home + Away, a documentary following three Latinx students attending high school and playing sports in Texas and trying to achieve the American Dream  

(2) International Children's Film Festival - Alexi and David saw White Fang and Mateo (attending for the 1st time!) and Sharon saw the phenomenal animated Animal Jubilee

Best New Year Activity 

Sharon and Mateo went to see the Lion Dances and set off firecrackers for Chinese New Year in Chinatown, and afterwards had lunch at Vegetarian Dim Sum House

Best Movie in a Theater:

BlacKkKlansman by Spike Lee @ NYIT Auditorium (movie was not working at first though help received after a call to LA)

Best Outdoor Movie -  The Breakfast Club in Bryant Park (one of Sharon's favorite movies EVER!!!) 

Delayed start after downpour, though led to Sharon getting a front row seat on the lawn

 Favorite People/Places/Publications to follow on Twitter

1. Dalai Lama - @DalaiLama
2. Chalkbeat NY - @ChalkbeatNY

3. Chalkbeat - @Chalkbeat

4. Meat Free Mama - @meatfreemama

5. Kanye West aka ye - @kanyewest

Best Art Exhibits/Museums/Gallery Shows/Participatory Design

(1) Fragmenticos by Esteban Ocampo Giraldo @ Gitler &  _______ Gallery

(2) Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination @ Met Museum

(3) We Come In Peace Mural Project by Huma Bhabha @ Rooftop Garden of Met Museum
(4) Survival Research Laboratories @ Marlborough Contemporary
(5) Silkscreening: Putting the A into STEAM @ Math for America - Sharon created Einstein OneGoal silkscreened shirts and posters (Sharon as artist!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Best Broadway - The Iceman Cometh

Two words: Denzel Washington

Best Shakespeare: Twelfth Night: The Musical @ Delacorte Theatre

Sharon waited on line in Central Park for five hours the day of the play, though it was totally worth it to see this play, which was a musical adaptation of the famous Shakespeare play featuring amateur actors and actresses from Brooklyn and Manhattan. 

Best Museum for Kids - Museum of the City of New York

Best Museum for Adults - Steinway Piano Factory Tour in Astoria, Queens

Coolest NYC Event - March for Our Lives

Sharon took Alexi and Mateo to this important protest march and demonstration, to stand up for school safety and remember those who have lost their lives in school shootings and school violence

Best Yoga  - Mind Body Soul Yoga in the Heights with the fabulous June

Best Cycling Events

NYC Century - David, Alexi and Mateo biked the 55(!) mile route together in the pouring rain, with Mateo riding in the red trailer and Alexi biking solo.  Sharon volunteered at the Astoria Rest Stop, making hundreds of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for hungry cyclists.

Best Concert/Live Musical Event - Apollo's Fire @ Carnegie Hall

Best Family Member in Concert

David playing oboe in "Bach in the Subway" with a small ensemble at 59th Street Subway Station to commemorate Bach's 333rd Birthday

Best TV Series - Goliath (featuring the *PHENOMENAL* Billy Bob Thorton)

Best Math Event - Sharon getting her National Board Teaching Certification in Mathematics for Adolescents and Young Adults!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Best Sporting Event - Mateo's first time going with Alexi to see a NYCFC Soccer Game (in the pouring rain!) at Yankee Stadium

Best Kids Event - Washington Heights Salsa, Blues and Shamrock Run

Best Travel Destinations

(1) Budapest, Hungary

(2) San Felui de Guixols, Spain
(3) Raleigh, North Carolina
(4) Luray, Virginia
(5) Rochester, New York for Fall Foliage Camping

Best Halloween Event - SMS Halloween Costume Party

Best Vegan Restaurant - Modern Love in Brooklyn

Best Pick-Your-Own Fruit: Alstede Farms

Best Neighborhood Festivals: Spring Egg Hunt and Harvest Festival

Best Holiday Event: Santa Train (our annual holiday tradition)

Best View of NYC: Looking out the windows from LinkedIn's NY Headquarters

Top 5 Reasons to Love New York City

(1) FAMILY - We spent lots of time in our pre-war apartment this year focusing on our talents and passions.  Mateo plays piano at home daily on our new Yamaha upright piano.  Alexi can usually be found at home reading, doing French Duolingo or playing chess.  Alexi and Mateo are each other's best friends and still enjoy playing games full of imagination with each other.  David plays oboe or piano at least once a day and enjoys quiet moments of reading.  Sharon spent countless hours in front of the computer working on both her National Board Certification and Math for America Master Teacher + II Fellowship renewal this year.  Sometimes the focus has to be on ourselves instead of the outside world.

(2) FAME - "If I can make it there, I'll make it ANYWHERE, It's up to you, New York, New York"  Exactly Frank.  This year Sharon was finally recognized for her phenomenal teaching and contributions to urban education in New York City.  In August she was interviewed by Chalkbeat.org, the largest nonprofit news agency in the country.  The piece was published on August 8th as part of the "How I Teach Series", which profiles the best educators in the United States of America.  On December 1st Sharon was notified that she obtained her National Board Teaching Certification in Adolescence/Young Adult Mathematics, the highest honor that can be attained by American educators.  She is now one of 98 newly National Board Certified educators teaching in New York State.  Sharon works daily to fulfill the TFA mission that one day all children in this nation will have the opportunity to attain an excellent education. 

(3) SCHOOLS - Public education is all the talk in New York City these days.  Among the distopian educational landscape there are some true gems.  Sharon is in her fifth year teaching at New Heights Academy Charter School, serving the Latina/Latino students of Washington Heights and the Bronx.  Her stealth progressivism is a huge hit with students, and at the end of the year she introduced the first ever Statistics Roundtables at New Heights Academy.  Alexi is in his final year at Castle Bridge School, the only inclusive, progressive, dual language public school in New York City, where David is on the Friends Committee.  Mateo is at Special Music School studying piano with Miss Irina.  SMS is the top ranked public school in all of New York State.  Our family strongly believes in public education...we are walking the walk and talking the talk.

(4) MUSIC - NYC is one of the classical musical capitals of the WORLD.  Mateo now goes to school right next door to Julliard and Lincoln Center.  Piano music fills our home early every morning, and oboe music waffles through our rooms late at night.  David and Sharon together got to attend their first Apollo's Fire Concert and were transformed.  David got to tour the Steinway Piano Factory with fellow SMS parents.  Sharon and David attended Shakespeare in the Park's Twelfth Night: The Musical.  David joined the SMS Community Choir and December was spent performing in/attending various concerts, recitals and warmed up winter sings.  

(5) VOLUNTEERING - We love volunteering in our community of Washington Heights and in NYC in general.  At the Spring Egg Hunt Sharon and Alexi ran the bake sale table, raising money to fund next year's hunt.  For the NYC Century, Sharon volunteered at the Astoria Rest Stop, making hundreds of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for hungry cyclists.  In the autumn David helped run Movie Nights at Alexi and Mateo's school as a fundraiser for the PTA.  As a family we volunteered at the Harvest Festival, with Sharon running the Pie Contest and food tables. 

Fall Foliage Camping in Rochester 2018

Our fall foliage trip this autumn took us to the KOA Holiday Campsite in Rochester, New York.	Alexi and Mateo absolutely LOVE camping!
Waking up with stuffies in a tent starts a morning with JOY.	Kitty is one of Alexi's most adored stuffies.
Halloween was in the air at this KOA...	Fantastic Halloween decorations were EVERYWHERE.
There were lots of Halloweeen-themed activities for kids at KOA Rochester, including painting pumpkins.	Here are Alexi and Mateo's final painted pumpkins.
A new activity at this KOA that Alexi and Mateo tremendously enjoyed was shuffleboard.	Sharon learned how to play shuffleboard at the Dumont Swim Club as a little girl, and now taught Mateo how to play.
Snack time after shuffleboard...how about some candy apples???!!!	Sharon loves white chocolate, so this candy apple dressed up in Halloween colors and candies is perfect.
This KOA also had old favorites like a jumping pillow...	And this KOA also had waffle ice cream cones!
We tried out some paddleboating on the lake.	Mateo cannot wait to get bigger so he can reach the pedals!
Our tradition whenever we go camping is to play mini-golf; KOA Rochester had a beautiful mini golf course right on site.	What is the probability here that Alexi will get a hole in one???!
See any resemblance here???!!!	Sharon had a super lucky game and got TWO holes in one during mini-golf!
Time for a hayride around the campsite.	One of Sharon's favorite parts of fall foliage camping are these peopleless roadside stands...we purchased a big pumpkin for our jack-o-lantern here.
On our second day in Rochester we went to the National Museum of Play.  Alexi and Mateo had a total blast there.	One of Alexi's favorite play activities has ALWAYS been to pretend to be a cashier.  It all started back in 2018 when Alexi went to his first Kidzania in Portugal.
We went to The Strong with David's friend Jesse, his wife Liz, and their kids Beatrice and Sadie.  Our kids obsession with Star Wars began right here.	After an entire day at the National Museum of Play it was time for dinner at the Han Noodle Bar.
It ALWAYS rains when we go camping.  However, we do not let the weather stop us from having fun.	When the raindrops were falling and we needed to take shelter, we headed to the farmer's market on site at the campsite to purchase some colorful produce.
No trip upstate is complete without a stop at the Roscoe Diner.	Mateo and Alexi warmed up with some mugs of hot chocolate and whipped cream.
This KOA put our entire family in the Halloween spirit.	Wishing you all a spooky and fun Halloween!