One Month In (Day 31)
It is exactly one month since we left — How is it going?? We are happy to say that it is going really well so far! We are learning a lot about the world and ourselves, and we are spending a lot of time together as a family.
The most successful part is the pace. We are really slowing our lives down and focusing on the more important things. We are a lot more relaxed about everything, including needing to brush your hair - as you may notice in pictures!
We have gone from super scheduled to not really scheduled at all. We usually don’t know what day of the week it is. More than once, we have heard ourselves say something like, “Honey, did you know we are going to Rwanda in 3 days?” We don’t put most activities into the calendar, which keeps it more surprising and fun!
Here is our fantastic former au pair/ friend Costanza (who has lived with us for the last 18 months) with Hazel on Hazel’s birthday. Costanza is wonderful and part of the family! We are so happy she could join us for the trip.
We are playing a lot more Uno. We are learning how to crack a hard boiled egg on your forehead. We have more tickle fights, splash contests, and games of “toilet tag”(ask Hazel or Hugh). Here are Hazel and Ashley playing Uno in the bush.
Another good thing is the weather. It has been summer most everywhere we have been, and we have had hardly any rain. That puts everyone in a good mood. Here are 3 generations of crazy Harmon boys enjoying a nice day in Mykonos!
We were just remarking that the trip already feels like it has been long and fulfilling. We have been to some amazing places. We feel much closer as a family. It seems like we have already been gone forever.
And we still have about 38 weeks to go…
*****
SOME FAVORITES SO FAR…
FAVORITE ACTIVITY
Hugh- Sailing in Santorini
Hazel- Sailing and making mosaics in Mykonos
Costanza- Gorillas
Ashley- Giraffe Manor, gorillas, and so much more time for reading with kids
Jamie- Gorillas
Uncle Rud and Aunt Teresa – Thanks for visiting us!! Here is Teresa with a donkey on Santorini.
FAVORITE FOOD
Hugh – Beach donuts in Mykonos
Hazel- Indian food in Athens (sounds crazy, but it was good)
Costanza- Tzatziki in Greece
Ashley- Saganaki cheese in Greece
Jamie – Cretan Ntakos salad in Greece
In Mykonos town, there is a street right on the water that gets some crazy waves!
THING WE MISS MOST
Hugh - The other Hugh… and home made cookies
Hazel- Emma… and Annie’s Mac and Cheese
Costanza- Pizza
Ashley- My big coffee mugs
Jamie- Poker nights
Gigi and Papa Doc (Jamie’s parents) – A toast to you!
BIGGEST SURPRISE
Hugh – Finding the LEGO Acropolis
Hazel- How advanced the ancient society in Delos was
Costanza- That I can live out of a suitcase
Ashley - When you don’t have a schedule, your days are much longer and more fun
Jamie- That I could easily live on only half the stuff in my bag
Ok, it is 5pm. Time for the donkeys to clock out on Santorini !
