A Christmas Gift For Velvento

Stefo, Nick and Tim had not been together since my father was 6 years old. By now, you get it. The reunion has been emotional, exciting, refreshing and eye-opening, among so many other things. But the result of our latest trip is something that truly brings the adventure full circle.

My dad and his two Greek/Australian brothers were so thankful and happy to see each other and to spend this time together (though it was a very short trip), they made a pact to meet in their hometown of Velvento, Greece for Christmas next year! This will be a long awaited return trip for Tsimos after a very long absence, and the first time in over 50 years that all of the siblings will be reunited together.

Laughter, tears and lots of happy yelling accompanied a three-man handshake, sealing the deal. Velvento get ready, because the boys are coming home!

Australian Family Portraits

Here is the Australian contingent of the Agoratsio family
(with us Americans, of course):

Top Row (L to R): Con, Theo, Con, Nick (with Christian), Cameron

Second Row (L to R): Vicki, Tina, Irene, Nat, Cathy, Irene, Shabd

First Seated Row (L to R): Vicki, Tsimos, Nick, dad, mom, me

Ground Row (L to R): David, Luke, Brooke, Themi, Anthea
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Nick's Side Of The Family:

Tim's Side Of The Family:

Mike and Irene

21 - Farewell, Sydney!

Our last morning...Time to spoil the kids before we head back to the States! We gave Luke and David each a book to begin reading. They are just learning, so these were the perfect gifts. I sat and read Dave's book (a soccer story) to the two of them, something that was more enjoyable than many would think. I always had an older sister or mom and dad to read to me, but since my focus with children has been in coaching, I realized I had never really helped teach children to read. And now I get to return the favor to my own little cousins... It was awesome.


Just as we had began our Australian visit with a big family lunch at Nick and Vicki's house, we had a farewell lunch at the same table and with the same people...our FAMILY. We shared some thoughts and reactions to the whole situation and many more laughs and tears.
Afterwards, When we finally had to give in to the reality of leaving back to the States, our entire Aussie family came with us to the airport to say goodbye and wish us a safe flight back home.


As you can tell by picture after picture of our farewell hugs and poses, it is very, very, very very difficult to say goodbye in this type of situation, as we don't know when we will get to go back and visit. To add to the process, we were trying to get twenty people to stay in one place and look at the camera...so difficult...especially when the emotions are flying.







Shabd captured a few last pictures as we all waved goodbye...Thank you to our truly amazing and hospitable family for a short-lived, but incredibly meaningful 10 days down under. Until the next time: farewell, Sydney!



Back to the 'Big Bird' once again...

20 - Family BBQ at Nick and Cathy's

Our last night in Sydney the whole family gathered at cousin Nick and Kathy's for one last family dinner. Upon our arrival, we looked at the back yard where Nick and Cathy have planted plum trees and oregano plants.


Everyone hung outside on the patio having a few drinks and chatting as usual, doing more catching up and laughing all the way through. One big and very happy family.





After we ate, Nick and I played a few games of pool, which has been dad and my favorite bonding activity as I've grown up (that and going to see movies...yeah dad likes activities where silence is golden, haha). The radio was blasting modern pop/dance music, so Luke busted out his moves...




The kids played video games, built up the play houses, ran circles around the whole house a million times and even started their own rock band!

19 - Mom And Shabd's Rain Walk On Bondi Beach

Needing one last trip to the beach, rain or shine, Shabd and Mom went to Bondi Beach. Bondi is one of Australia's most famous beaches and surf locations.



It started to rain just as they arrived, so they fashioned rain caps out of trash bags and wandered the landscape, enjoying every bit of the scenery.






The rock formations are crazy cool...

18 - Family Ferry Ride To Manley Beach

After again hopping on the conveniently placed train from Revesby to Circular Quay we boarded the ferry to Manley Beach.




The ferry has a great view of the sights on its route to the beach, including the skyline, bridge and the Sydney Opera House.




Nick and his son Theo hangin' on the ferry.




We were all surprised to see a FREE water station where it actually asks you to fill your water bottles with spring water. Ever seen one of these in the US? That will be $5 for a bottle of tap water, please, is more what we're used to...


This guy...


He was playing 1920s style silent film music and we thought he was putting on an act like the Charlie Chaplin type characters...But then we watched for a while, and realized there wasn't really much similarity...We never quite figured out what his angle was, but then again he seemed to be enjoying himself while entertaining so who cares!

And then there was one...HUGE UGG BOOT


...


...From Sydney, Australia to all of our family and friends!