[Keith's Study Abroad in Europe Series] Part 1: Strolling Along the East Coast of Athens, Listening to the Azure Sky and Clear Wind

[Keith's Study Abroad in Europe Series] Part 1: Strolling Along the East Coast of Athens, Listening to the Azure Sky and Clear Wind of Spring

— Keith's Weekend Leisure Trip

Before I knew it, time flew by, and it has been over five months since we arrived in Athens.

The scene of arriving at Athens International Airport on November 7 last year is still vivid in my mind. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Keith has been attending online classes at home. On January 10 this year, when the pandemic situation slightly eased, the little one could happily go to school, which was the happiest time for Keith.

Back at school, Keith met his homeroom teacher, Mr. Newton, whom he hadn't seen for a long time, as well as his classmates whom he had missed day and night. What touched him deeply was that each classmate had made a calligraphy and painting with welcome messages for him, warmly welcoming the new student.

Keith quickly integrated into the new group. On the first day of school, he made several good friends, and at noon, he even joined a third-grade football match with them, with no awkwardness or hesitation. His social skills for seamless integration were impressive. Later, Mr. Newton specifically mentioned this to me, marveling at the child's strong adaptability.

School lunch was also one of Keith's favorite meals. Every day of the week, there were varied, non-repetitive Western-style dishes that Keith, who loves Western food, thoroughly enjoyed.

Keith gradually got used to life and study here. Although due to pandemic restrictions, cross-district travel was not yet allowed, every day after the online class ended at 3:30 p.m., we accompanied Keith to the sports field across from our home to play football or basketball. It was in this environment that Keith began his football启蒙 and improved steadily. His basketball skills also advanced greatly, especially in shooting accuracy and form.

On February 16, an unexpected heavy snowfall blanketed Athens in white, crystal clear and beautiful. Keith said, "I've never seen such heavy snow." In the morning, we received a temporary notice from ACS school that the whole school was closed and students were encouraged to go out and have snowball fights.

This is how humanized the school is—encouraging children to connect with nature and enjoy their mood. That morning, our whole family went to the playground to build snowmen and have snowball fights. Keith played happily with local Greek children, soaking his boots in snow water without feeling cold. Laughter echoed across the snow-covered playground.

As March arrived, the weather warmed up, and the east wind brushing the willows awakened the city's spring. The earth gradually sprouted patches of lush green grass. Peach and apricot blossoms, along with unknown colorful flowers, quietly bloomed, decorating Athens like a flowerbed, full of vitality.

On April 11, 2021, a sunny Sunday morning with a clear blue sky, we drove from our home in the city, heading along the expressway southeast of Athens towards the east coast.

Athens is located in the central plain of Attica, surrounded by mountains on three sides and bordering the sea on one side. To the west is Mount Aigaleo, to the north Mount Parnitha, to the northeast Mount Penteli, and to the east Mount Hymettus. It is 8 kilometers southwest of Faliro Bay in the Aegean Sea.

Athens is at the southern tip of the Balkan Peninsula in Southeast Europe, with a subtropical Mediterranean climate. The Kifisos and Ilisos rivers flow through the city. There are many hills within the city, so on weekends you can take your family hiking to enjoy the mountains and waters of the ancient city of Athens.

Now it is spring, with various colorful flowers competing to bloom in the hills and fields, welcoming the spring breeze. The heavy snowfall in February delighted us, people from the Jiangnan region who rarely see snow. In the blink of an eye, we welcomed the bright and lush spring of March.

As the car left the city, the view opened up, revealing vast hills and fields. Gazing into the distance, the tranquil nature, fresh colors, and blue coastline, mixed with the rich fragrance of flowers, exuded vigorous vitality. Under the azure sky, white clouds drifted, and in the distance lay the endless deep-blue, clear Aegean Sea, rippling with transparent waters.

The east coast coastline is winding, with white marble breakwaters dutifully guarding the marina. Scattered tourists on the beach faced the sea, with spring flowers blooming, sunlight brushing the willows—a natural watercolor painting of beautiful mountains and clear waters.

It is often said, "Beyond Athens, every place is a scenic spot," and this is true. Along the drive, everything we saw was beautiful scenery—picturesque mountains, rivers, and land, exuding a mild and clean atmosphere. The lush ecological environment showcased pristine natural beauty.

The beautiful Aegean Sea, vast and boundless, was shrouded in water and clouds. The blue coastline connected the sky and the earth. The air was fresh and comfortable, and the green city was hidden among the dense woods.

Life in Athens is simple and comfortable. The area not only produces marble but also natural, healthy organic olive oil and authentic Mediterranean cuisine and wine. People enjoy a simple, minimalistic life.

Our first stop was the seaside at Loutsa. The sound of gentle waves lapping the shore came from outside. We strolled along the east coast beach, savoring the splendid landscape painting, with the happy sounds of Keith and his little friends playing and shouting. After months of online classes, this was the happiest moment for the children.

The natural landscapes of Greece are delicate and beautiful, with bright sunshine, white, fine sand, deep blue sea, and tourists from all directions who came to the east coast for outings and relaxation, fully appreciating the magic of nature and gazing at the magnificent, clear waters of the Aegean Sea, savoring the vibrant vitality of Athens' mountains and fields.

Keith and two other children from Shanghai ran and jumped along the coast, picking up stones from the beach to have a skipping-stone competition, creating splashes like pearls and jade. The little ones keenly discovered the ordinary and childlike fun of life.

The marina was full of various boats, with a tall lighthouse standing in the middle of the water. The port environment was beautiful, with large marble blocks piled up on the shore to protect against tides. Before us lay the endless, deep-blue Aegean Sea. People enjoyed the smile of the spring breeze and basked in the warmth of the bright sun shining on the earth.

Nature's extraordinary craftsmanship created the enchanting charm of Athens' east coast, with its unique geological structure, rolling mountains, and beautiful scenery. The blue sea wound its way. Strolling along the beach, the Aegean Sea, which first warmed our hearts, sparkled with captivating colors.

The three teenagers walked along the coast, chasing the waves, enjoying the bright spring sunshine, releasing brilliant, joyful smiles.

Then we drove further to the port of Rafina. The deep-blue sea was crystal clear. The teenagers and their little friends stood on the sunny beach, practicing bicycle kick football techniques.

A child's growth requires bright smiles, happy playmates, carefree moods, and, more importantly, the nurturing companionship of parents.

The three little ones knelt on the sand building sandcastles, getting their pants wet from the seawater without any fear. Keith had sand on his head, legs, pants, and body, looking very comical. Bathing in the sunshine and sea breeze, the children fully enjoyed the beauty of nature.

"Like mountain songs flowing like spring river, warming hearts in Athens; azure sky reflected in the sea, spring breeze caresses the face, a chant of early spring!"

The weekend outing we had planned for a long time finally took place today. Strolling on the beach, gazing into the distance, heading towards the sea against the morning sun, "Spring has flowers blooming for miles, summer sends waves to the shore, autumn has red leaves covering frosty skies, winter has sunny snow shining on cliffs!"

Friends made an appointment to come and see the spring sunshine coast, to relieve the anxiety of children after daily online classes, to relax themselves, and to feel the lush springtime brought by nature.

Where the sea meets the sky, on the vast ocean. The blue coastline, gazing at the horizon!

Bright sunshine, white sand, the deep-blue Aegean Sea in the distance. The morning sea breeze caressed our faces, nourishing the children's hearts, bringing a happy, romantic, and warm atmosphere, as gentle as jade, inspiring dreams of the future.

Teenagers have their dreams—throwing stones, kicking sand, letting water splash, creating white waves blooming on this vibrant field. The happy times of youth rippled across this vast, deep blue sea...

You are still that teenager without a single change; time is merely a grand story of wind, flowers, snow, and moonlight... Sit back and watch life, gaze at the sky, I know: 'My future is not a dream!'

At noon, everyone gathered together, opened the sandwiches, cakes, pancakes, and drinks they had brought, enjoyed soft drinks and juice, chatted while looking at the beautiful spring scenery, chased, ran, played, and frolicked on the beach, full of ambition.

In just a few months, I suddenly realized that my little boy has grown up, like daisies blooming on a wide field, with butterflies dancing, mountains and rivers like paintings, embellished with the romantic sunset of the Aegean Sea.

Because of loving your love, I accompany you to the ends of the earth, strolling on the east coast beach!

When we returned home in the evening, the teenager showed his harvest of the day—a few smooth, transparent pebbles he had picked up by the east coast sea, each full, round, and delicate, as warm and smooth as his hands. He said the coastline he visited today was his favorite beach scenery.

We bathed in the golden sunshine!

"The sea is wide enough for fish to leap, the sky is high enough for birds to fly." The teenager walked proudly, strolling along the beautiful Aegean coast, stepping on the soft, fine Mediterranean sand, a layer of golden sunlight draped behind him, a brilliant golden halo quietly embracing his body.

There is an elegance called Athens. Like Chinese civilization, it is ancient, with a splendid history of more than 3,000 years. We hope that the teenager who loves history can immerse himself in such an ancient and splendid atmosphere, nurturing cultural and educational literacy!

Wait quietly for flowers to bloom, regardless of east or west!

Just do good deeds, don't ask about the future!

Athens, April 27, 2021