Our last day.....
We left early this morning, because it is a long way to the camp where we were playing today. On the way there, we learned that this camp is a camp for refugee families. They just stay there for a week and then they go back to Athens. This particular week, the people are from Iran and they speak Farsi.
The Metro trip was a long one and we were packed into very crowded trains, but it was a fun experience.
Waiting for the Metro
When we got to the camp, we had a little time to kill so we started an epic soccer game! (I won't say which team won, and yes, that means my team lost!)
Then it was into the community center to cool off and get ready to play. After we went inside, Brady started playing with a couple of kids from Iran.
When I was 7, I learned about Iran when some Iranian students stormed our Embassy and took Americans hostage. I saw them shout bad things about America and burn our flag. I have heard my whole life about how Iranians don't like Americans, I've seen Iranian kids on tv with guns and I've heard Americans talk badly about Iranians. Today, I watched my son play soccer with two Iranian kids in Greece, and it was one of my coolest moments as a dad! Kids having fun together. So many life changing experiences in the last 10 days.
Spencer found a fan!!
Then after we were done, they wanted to show us their music and dance. So an Iranian musician played for us!
Then we took the long journey back to the church where we collected all of our things and brought them to the hotel and the apartments where we are staying. We had a couple of hours, so much napping happened....We could get used to this!
Then we met at the church for a wrap up session with Pastor Giotis. It is amazing how insightful, intelligent and observant these students are. So many great memories and fun times talking about the week and a half we have had here. I am so proud of them. For the way they played and especially for the way they represented Baylor and the School of music. Dignity, class, care, and love were shown by these kids this week. To me, to each other and to everyone that they met.
Then, one last amazing Greek meal. At a beautiful restaurant with live Greek music.
Then, they surprised me. Earlier in the week, they took me into a musical instrument store to show me the instruments. I played on a Bazooki.
Then when we got to the hotel, they presented me with this instrument that they pooled their money together for, and they bought this for me.
I could barely speak I was so emotional and surprised. Thank you, Thank you, I have no words but Thank you!!
These people are such amazing people and I love every one of them,. They don't have to be in any jazz classes for their degree program, but they do this because the love it. They are so fun to work with and I have the BEST job in the world. I am eternally grateful to Dr. Taylor for his friendship and guidance and playing and help in planning for this trip, and to all of them for teaching me this week and for taking such great care of my boys, for inspiring me through their playing, and most of all, for the friendships that were made during this trip. This is a time and a trip that we will all share for a lifetime. I am thankful and I thank GOD for each and every one of them.
ACROPOLI!!!
Tomorrow (or really, later this morning) we wake early and head to the Airport, and start our journey home. We are headed back to Texas!
Thank you for following us on this journey,
The Baylor Jazz Ensemble.
Thank you for sharing your students lifetime experiences in Greece with the Baylor Nation! You made us proud as Bears and Americans. Bob & Barbara
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