Day 6 rain, relaxing, flocafé, wedding, & reception

Today we were able to sleep in a little to catch up on our rest. We planned to spend the whole day at the beach but when we woke up for breakfast, it was raining. So me and my roomies Rachel and Kelsey decided to be lazy all day instead. It was really relaxing but also made us more tired than if we had been busy all day. We ate lunch at the hotel with some of the groceries we bought. Then around 4:00 we went out to walk around Glyfada. We found some stores that we plan to go back another time for a whole shopping day. The have a few American stores and some cute Greek shops too. For dinner we had Old Baker's again. I got the same sandwich but next time I'm going to try something different. Then we went to get free internet (again) at flocafe. This time I got one scoop of cookies&cream ice cream! It was so good!

While walking back to our hotel, we always pass the church (which is kind of like our reference point in town if we get lost). There were a lot of people dressed up standing outside the church waiting. We realized it was a wedding and were so excited to get a little peak into this cultural experience. As cars passed by, they honked their horns like crazy. Instead of the bride walking through the church for everyone to see her for the 1st time, they were all waiting outside- the groom, wedding party, and family on the church steps- and then the bride arrived in a nice car decorated with flowers. Her dress was so elaborate and pretty (probably very a European style). We felt like stalkers just watching all this from the street, but even Greeks were doing it too. I felt like a paparazzi hiding behind a tree to get pictures. No one noticed us and we were even able to get really close to one of the doors after everyone had followed the bride and groom into the church. We could hear the service beginning (in Greek of course). We peaked in to see a beautiful traditional church. I tried to get some good pictures but I didn't want to be rude. The three of us were so excited that we had just witnessed this. We were in awe and so giddy about seeing a wedding. "I love weddings!" we all said in dreamy voices! Haha we're such girls! We talked about weddings the entire walk back.

Afterwards we just chilled at the hotel. We sat at the pool for a little while and just read our books. It was pretty cold. I had on a light cardigan and a blanket on my legs. It gets chilly when the sun goes down. Then we noticed a group of people starting to arrive and gather out around the pool. They looked like they were dressed for a wedding and we wondered if it was the same wedding we had just witnessed. Finally the bride and groom showed up and it was a totally different wedding. This bride's dress was also very gorgeous! She seemed so happy and her husband was sweet to help her carry her train while they took pictures around the pool and waterfall. She would throw up her hands and smile- I could tell she was ready to dance! We felt so awkward sitting by the pool while this was all happening but we were told it was okay. Then the bride and groom entered the reception room for the first dance. It was hilarious (although we didn't really see any of it) and was to some cheesy 70s disco song. We listened for a little while more and heard some other great songs in English like Eric Clapton and Nat King Cole's "L- is for the way you look at me". It was a great day for a wedding. By the time we left the hotel around 4:00 the weather had cleared up and the sun was shining! I guess it's just as popular to have your wedding on a Saturday in May in Greece as it is in US! Finally we went to our rooms and ended up just talking, reading magazines, and laughing until we were tired. It was tons of fun! I really like my roommates- they are sweet girls!

Here are some pictures from today:

love flocafe!

Rachel, Kelsey, & Me

the church

the bride!

all the people following the bride and groom into the church

the decorated car

a random apartment entrance we pass everyday on our way back from town

I really love this tree/flowers that grows EVERYWHERE! It is so beautiful the way it grows up houses on the islands and on gates and doorways like this one.

So pretty! And pink (of course)!

xoxo,

Jenna