Running the Rainbow

Reconnecting with an Old Friend in Athens One of the highlights of Athens had nothing to do with ancient ruins—it was getting to see my friend Smaragda again. We met years ago when we were both teaching in Beijing. Not only did we work together, but we also lived in the same apartment complex. Living halfway around the world isn’t always easy, so having a friend like Smaragda made China feel a little more like home. I’ll never forget when Carly got a terrible ear infection while we were living there. I was worried and far from family, and Smaragda showed up at our apartment with a homemade herbal remedy to help ease Carly’s pain. That simple act of kindness has always stayed with me. Since our days in Beijing, we’ve both had our own adventures. Smaragda continued teaching internationally, including in Egypt, before returning home to Athens. It was so special to catch up, laugh about old memories, and see where life has taken both of us. Friendships made overseas are different—they can ...

Athens, Greece – First Impressions (June 23, 2026) After a long day of traveling, we finally landed in Athens at 5:40 p.m. on June 23, 2026. Our driver picked us up from the airport, and by 7:30 p.m. we had arrived at our hotel. The drive through Athens was an adventure all by itself. The streets were incredibly narrow, and I honestly couldn’t believe that cars could fit through some of them. Our driver spent much of the ride complaining about the traffic, but somehow he navigated the maze of tiny streets like a pro. When we arrived, our hotel was unlike anything I expected. It was a tall, skinny building tucked into the city. The staff was incredibly friendly and immediately gave us tips on staying hydrated and taking care of ourselves in the intense Greek heat. Since we were eager to enjoy Greece, I wanted to get to the beach as quickly as possible. We headed straight to Freattida Beach , enjoying the walk through the neighborhood. Along the way we stumbled across a book fair, spo...