Epilogue

And so this story comes to an end my homeslices.  This is the last post I will add to my crazy adventures in Greece. It's been a great run...  For those of you who have enjoyed this story and are slightly upset that this is the end, no fear: this blog has given me the motivation to start another one. My grand adventures from last summer will finally be told under another brilliant title, which some one of you might have had the luxury of knowing when I was toying with this very idea last summer. I will add after this post little stories that I never told you and that I know my Homeslices will appreciate... I hope it makes you laugh as much as it made us drop to the ground in hysterics!

It's been about five days since I've landed back in Canada. It has not felt like home, nor has it been a slice. (I couldn't help it with the pun.) The BBQ my brother and I had wished to throw as a 'welcome back home, Julie,' with a couple of people turned into a flimzy fest, to say the least. I'll leave it at that with that one.
I'm finally and sadly, coming out of Greek-time. 
I've been missing my friends from Pylos like crazy.
I haven't been very happy, but I have been trying to surround myself with my friends here... May I add here that these homies have been rockstars for putting up with me and keeping me company almost everyday.

I finally went through all of my pictures today --- the final count is over 3000 pictures and 6 hours of home video footage: hilarious audio commentary provided by: Jess from Kansas, Tristan and Lianne.

I had dedicated a wall in my bedroom for last summer's adventures --- those of you who have facebook: I have a picture of it posted there.  I've run out of wall space in that room, but I think I'll have to bring down some old frames to make room for this summer's adventures. There's no way I'm not putting my favourite pictures up. 
No way, Jose.

After seeing a preview of my trip with the few pictures I had already developped, my neighbour noticed that I had loads taken with people. She noted that it's these pictures that keep the memories alive. Its these people who made the adventure meaningful and that its these pictures that count the most. 

She couldn't be more right.

As much as it was incredible to visit the ancient sites that I had heard of and studied for so long, it's the people I spent my time with that made my experience abroad so worthwhile. Here's a perfect example: Olympia.
Our group had a guided tour for the site and Kansas and I were hungover out of our minds.  It was hot and we absolutely had no patience to stand there, listen to the guide, and walk from monument to monument in the blistering heat at the pace the guide was going.. slooooow, slooooow, sloooooow.
So what did we do? We had fun.
Slowly, we crept away and created our own tour, posing with the monuments and making up stories as we figured out the real history behind each of them. 
A little fun never hurt anybody, eh? As much as we felt out of it, our day at Olympia turned out to be one of the best site visits I did with the excavation project.

With that said, if it hasn't been loud and clear by now, I've made a few friends that I know I will keep close to my heart for a very long time. 

Lianne, my Canadian sister, my roommate, my partner in crime and my bestfriend. She put up with my antics, took care of my drunken butt more than once and made sure that I was on the bus on that famous morning we left Pylos.
We hit it right off the bat the day I arrived, and our friendship blossomed in no time. People knew we were best friends and I suppose it showed.  She was my right-wing and I, her left. We travelled together after Pylos and had so many great and stupid laughs.  We acted as if we'd known each other for years, when we'd only been friends for a month.  People like Lianne are few and far in between and I feel very lucky to have had such an awesome roommate and friend --- who is one of my best friends now. How can I not consider her as my best friend? After all the crazy skata we've gone through... She's the only other person who experienced it with me.  She's the best.  You got that Homeslice? You're the best!

Jess from Kansas, my Numero Uno, my ranting buddy and my Midwest sister. I can't even remember how I ended up spending my evening with her and Jessie at our favourite frappe cafe, but DAMN. From that night on, her and I were glued to the hips. After our first Saturday night out, at Symposio, we both knew that we were meant to hang out together. We had so much in common... Her and I would let loose a little bit (just a little bit), and both of our roommates would roll their eyes and end up getting the short end of those sticks... everytime...
SORRY -- LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, JESSIE AND LIANNE.
We had so many hilarious conversations that were usually shot to hell, as they just didn't make sense anymore... We ranted and gossiped so much, sometimes a little too much for our own good, which made us both go a little bonkers. We made up so many inside jokes, some while we were sober, others... Not so much (!).
'Amen to that, sister.'
'Holy shit, he looks like a BULLDOG!'
'That's because HE'S. A. little. SHIT'
'What happened?? I. don't. know!'
'NO MAS TEQUILA!'
'Disaronno? Yesssss, Disaronnoooo!'
I love this girl so much and I miss her like crazy.
She is definitely my Numero Uno.

Jessie from South Carolina, my Tie-Dye, my Palace of Nestor buddy and my southern sister. I was in awe the first time I heard her say "y'all" and I knew I'd be good friends with this girl. I seemed to share a certain immaturity with her that I didn't with my other homies.  At the dinner table, especially, we would look at each other and just start laughing --- TELEKINESIS --- nai, nai, nai, nai, nai, nai, nai, nai, nai, nai, nai,! 
She has a good conscience on her shoulders and I envied that from time to time. But, I was lucky enough to have her by my side to help me out when I needed it, (Lord knows I needed it from time to time! Oh, ti krima!).
South Carolina's definitely a diamond in the rough.
Nai, nai, nai, nai, nai, nai,nai,nai,nai,nai, nai, nai!

Last but not least, Melina, my Greek sister, Greek-speaking buddy and gossip partner. 

I got to know her a little later in the excavation project, but that didn't seem to hinder our antics. One dinner, in particular, that I'm sure a select few will always remember, had Melina teaching me a bunch of Greek words, which I then tried out with Lia, our lovely Karalis employee who had to deal with all of us, (I hope she had some good laughs with us from time to time!).

I tried so hard to fit in with the Greeks, by speaking their language, that I sometimes tried a little too hard. Here's a perfect example I'm not sure I've shared with you yet, my Homeslices:
My Greek shop owner friend once freaked out on me after I told her that I was 'dying', when I really meant that I was doing 'great'. 
Yeah... That went over well.
Melina was so welcoming and hospitable. She always made sure that I was doing good, especially during my last week in Greece and made a point to meet everyday to hang out.  My last week ended up being a hundred times better than I had anticipated.  We roadtripped down the coastal highway to Sounio, hung out at taverns late at night and laughed so hard that nothing made anymore sense...

That's a good time if I've ever heard of one!

I feel like I met the greatest people during my stay in Greece and I appreciated all of their company and the memories we've created together.  I'm so proud of myself for doing this.  I had the greatest time of my life. I've learned so much on the subject that I am so passionate about and other little lessons I'm sure some will laugh at as they read this!

I established other relationships throughout my summer in Greece and I hope that some of them stay alive for a while. I'm sure some will. Who knows what will happen, right?  Things will work out for the best, and that 'best' might be sucky for a little bit, or it could turn into something really nice --- I'm personally rooting the second bit, because it's been a while since I've felt so happy being around people and talking with others --- I hope I keep this one connection in particular, alive and happy.

It's funny how certain people, including the four I've mentionned above, can really turn your life around and make you come to life again. My four Homeslices and a couple other notable people have really made a difference in my life.  It's an amazing feeling to wake up everyday and to know that another crazy chapter is about to start, despite having to wake up at 5AM... Although it was unknown, I always knew that at the end of the day, I would be able to say that I had another great day. 
People don't always get the opportunity to experience that feeling and I feel like I finally caught a break. By flying across the world, living in a foreign country with a totally different alphabet and by starting FRESH, I suppose I can say that I found my Poseidon. I broke free and realized what was important to me and what really mattered.  Again, I had the time of my life.

It's not the greatest feeling being back right now, but it's OK. Handsome and I have been talking since the day we left our people at the airport. Being able to talk to him every day made me feel (still does) a lot less Pylos-homesick than I think I would have been otherwise. We still talk to this day... (smile!)  I've been talking to my Homeslices, ever since I got back in Canada and was able to re-connect my crackberry to the Telus towers. And, you know what? The pictures I have will soon be framed on my wall and will keep all these wonderful memories alive for a very, very, very long time.

Love, Love, Love.

One Starbucks, Two Starbucks

The waiting game then began.  It wasn't very nice outside and I was running low on Euros... I suppose I could add that my foot was throbbing and had swollen up so bad that it didn't fit in my shoe... (What the hell?!) 
I really didn't care about touring Amsterdam... I know: it's a sin just writing that line down.  I will make it up to this city next time I come over. I promise.
So instead of going outside, I stayed indoors, grabbed a caramel macchiato and breakfast... and bought a Starbucks mug from their World series: a nice orange Netherlands edition mug --- CHYEAH!

A couple hours later:
I made my way to the passport control gate, but didn't get in line yet --- I still had a number of hours to go before I could even board onto my final plane. I bunkered down for a bit: read, day-dreamed (a little too much) and stared at the in-coming people arriving from all over the world.  When I did go through passport control, the guy at the booth looked at me and stamped my passport.
Wait, what??  That's it?  I almost got detained coming into this area in the first place, back in France when I was having a shit-fit.  You people really want to get rid of me, eh?  Christo Hesus!  'No sweat' is an understatement here, man oh man.

On the other hand, you had this el loca lady at the next booth and that guard was grilling her (yeahh... that brought back a couple of memories).  Maybe the guard at my booth had gotten word that I was a P.I.T.A. and didn't want to deal with me... Or maybe, he loved me automatically, because I'm a Canadian... Who doesn't love Canada?!  HAHA!

After that, I found my gate for AMS - MTL and the waiting game continued... I really must have psychic connections with Starbucks, because I found another one as easily as I had passed passport control. HOT DAMN.  Well, I suppose another caramel macchiato is in order then... Nai?  NAI!!!  Aha: BUENO!!!!

One parallel I can definitely draw between my travels back to Canada is with my travels from Pylos to Piraeus.  Yes my homeslices, I pulled another all-nighter in beloved Greece.
Yes, I could've slept at the airport if I'd gotten there early.
Yes, I could've caught some shut eye in Pylos like most of the people did...
But, I would'nt have traded my last night in Greece with Melina and Karim, or my last night in Pylos, for the world.
And yes, I am turning into a caffeine-zombie. It's so worth it, sometimes... TEEHEE!

FYI: 3rd caramel macchiato.  UH OH!!!

How Much is A Canadian Butterfly?!

The fun really began once I met with Melina around 5.30PM.
The hotel shuttle gave me a ride to the metro station where I had a lot of fun dragging my bricks behind me... Aye Dios Mio.  I just kept thinking, 'you're chilling with Melina, you're chilling with Melina, you're chilling with Melina.' It was so damn hot and I was getting really impatient --- UGH. Pain in my ASS.
I finally transferred from one metro line to the other and reached our meeting point. I was a little early, but who cares: Melina arrived in no time -- WOOHOO! PAME! Let's go, let's go, let's GO!!

We drove to Karim's house, which was close by, and put my bricks to rest for a few hours. It turns out that Karim had made dinner for us... Wow! (And to think that I was going to bum around the airport that night until 5 AM the next day for my flight... No way, JOSE!
Here I was, hanging out with my Greek friends and having a good time chilling out and talking --- most of our conversations ended up being shot to hell when nothing made any sense anymore --- we were all caught into laughing fits...! Karim had made the best Greek salad with rizi and psari... Oh Thee Mu, OREA!
It was so good --- great last Greek dinner; nai, nai!

After dinner, we were sure of going out for a drink:
"I am drink. Julie, you are drink?"
"Nai, nai! I am drink!"
We went to a calm little cafe where we had thia potiri aspro krasi (the spelling's off most likely...) Karim left for a bit and brought back a souvlaki... mmm. Efkharisto!

We had so many laughs all through the night... Oh man.  At one point, Karim was miming a butterfly with his hands. But, he was really trying to mime an airplane... And trying to ask me how much was my plane ticket; that way he could buy me another one...for next MONTH.
Except, I understood this:
'How much is a Canadian Butterfly?'

Oh. My. God.  Melina and I entered another laughing fit. 

The next thing you know, 1.30AM rolled by and it was time for me to start heading towards the airport. Melina was so welcoming this week, showing me around the city, introducing me to her friends, going on roadtrips with me... Her friend Karim was just the same, from the get-go.
Karim is a fashion designer and he gave me such a beautiful gift. I couldn't believe my eyes when he told me that he was giving me the dress I tried on. The dress was a sample dress... Meaning that no one else has this design yet... Woah.

When I was packing my dress, Karim kept putting more stuff into my luggage. Stamata! I have a weight restriction and I'm barely making it already, please! Bless his heart, he has the biggest heart with strangers that I have ever seen.

I said my goodbyes to my friends, hopped on the bus and dozed off until I got to the airport...Where my SUITCASE crushed my foot. It timbered down on its side as I was trying to lift if up/down from the bus.

HOLY MOTHER OF SKATA.

My foot ballooned right there and then to blue and purple and goddamn, it freaking hurt --- it still does. My poor foot: a few days ago, in Delphi, a branch stabbed my little toe, and then I knocked the third toe, just by walking in the street --- I think I broke this one again.. F*!K.

I wasn't happy to be here in this damn airport either. I have nothing but sucky memories here:
- Arriving in Athens in the first place: I just wanted to go back to Canada the minute I had landed.
- Coming back from Pylos and saying goodbye to my numero Unos and my person.
- And now, actually LEAVING Greece.

Checking in was easy-peezy and security? A breeze.  After all, it was 4AM and the airport was full of zombie-looking tourist.
The first leg to Amsterdam went as follows: I was on the Athenian tarmack one minute, and then I finally saw rain for the first time in two months, in Dutch territory.  Ok then, I'm officially not in Greece anymore.

Oh, Thee Mu, Den To Pistevo!

I can't believe I have been in Greece for a month and a half. It sure hasn't felt like it: it went by so damn fast... Too fast!
I went back to my Starbucks for the second time today.... It's so poli zesty that I just couldn't resist. Ella, I'm gone tomorrow anyway --- who cares?!
I was listening into people's conversations and trying to understand what they were saying...I'm really getting there! I can make out half the words they say sometimes!
Last night at the taverna, Karam caught me focusing on another table's conversation... I snapped out of it and him and Melina thought it was cool that I was really making an effort to understand and to speak Greek.

I walked around Piraeus and visited its Archaeological Museum this afternoon, since I had time to kill before heading to the metro with my luggage full of bricks (wish me luck with that one..) It was small, but nice...and had AIR CONDITIONNING. BUENO!

I love this country. I've met none but great peple inevery town I've visited or lived...! Although it's bloody zesty, I quickly adapted in Pylos and it was good practice, because once I got into Piraeus, BANG! Freaking poli zesty!!!
Who cares though, I'm in Hellas!

One of my favorite moments was befriending Melina. I thought she was so orea back in Pylos, teaching me words so I could make up my own half-ass sentences, and look where we are now! I'm hanging out with friends in a foreign country. Oh Thee Mu, it can't get any better than this!

To think that when I planned to stay an extra week after Lianne left that I would do day trips here and there and chill out...This whole trip was meant to be:
- I found a best friend in Lianne from the first minute I finally got to Pylos
- I found my my other numero unos in Kansas, South Carolina, New York and Indiana with whom we've shared so may crazy amazing times
- I met a poli oreo Americano whom I think is totally awesome
And last, but not least!
I found an apithana friend in Melina who is, in Karam's famous words, "you is shine... you is star... a shine star!"

I'm seriously going to miss this place. It was incredible that I had the opportunity to participate on an excavation (and to make the coolest friends EVER), to live in a beautiful town that is nice, quiet (unless we created some ruckus...TEEHEE!) and to travel a good part of the country afterwards to have a taste of what Greece is really about!

Hellas: S'agapo poli, poli, poli, poli, poli, POLI!!!!!!!

Oh, Canada: I'm COMING backkkkkkkk <3

I Am Love For You

Once we got back into Athens, we settled for a nice taverna outside of the bustling downtown buzz and had Greek salad, patates and kotopulo souvlaki --- ahah, BUENO!

There isn't a whole lot to write here, because we were just sitting here for a few hours... But what I can write is the company was wonderful. I love Melina, she's such a wonderful person and her friend Karam, from the get-go, welcomed me and both of them made me feel so much at home and apart of their friends.

Karam was still trying to tell Melina how much he loved her and, oh, bless his heart, it always came out in the funniest ways.
He is Egyptian and I suppose the way they speak in Arabic doesn't translate properly, or directly to Greek.  And so, everytime he would say something as simple as, 'I want you to sit', it would come out as 'I am want you sit'..or something like that! At one point, he kept saying 'I am love for you'. Oh, it was so cute, but damn! It was funny.  Oh man, our conversations were shot to hell half the time they weren't making anymore sense!
We kept trying to correct him and then he would go on a tangent and speak to me in Greek really fast and I would have to say,'WOAH! Back up! Slowly!!!'

Two more friends joined and one didn't know much Greek. When Karam would begin speaking to his buddy, this guy would say, "HEY! IN ARABIC, I only know 6 phrases!"

Oh my God, I hadn't laughed this much since Lianne and I had our own little party in Santorini with Dirty Dancing!

When 1:30 finally came around, we said our goodbyes, but made plans for today --- CHYEAH!

Since I won't be sleeping tonight --- my flight is at 5AM and I have to be at the airport for 2AM, I will be meting up with Melina and Karam and will most likely have another great night like last night. Orea! NICE!

Cheers, my Homeslices! IYA MAS, my Homeslices!!

The Temple and The Sea

My homeslices, I have finally seen it!

Melina, her friend Karam and I took a road trip down to the tip of Attica peninsula, to Cape Sounio. What was there you might be asking?? Have you ever wondered what temple is in that picture at the top of my blog?!

THE TEMPLE OF POSEIDON!

What a way to spend your last full day in Greece:
Wonderful company, an amazing temple, and a fantastic time...! POLI ZESTY MERA.. very (very very very) hot day, though. Oh well, who cares!?

The drive to and from Sounio is GORGEOUS!  We took the coastal road and 'Oh, my God, I can't believe it!' It felt like I was in a California movie where the people drive by the sea ---- But I was GREECE. Who got the better end of that stick... HAHA!

Karam is pretty cool --- and funny.  I spoke the Greek that I knew which entailed having 2 black and white cats and 1 black cat with TWO green eyes.  He got a kick out of that! 

When we reached the Temple, I was in total awe.  It is not as preserved as the Parthenon, but so much more than say, the Temple of Apollo at Delphi, or of Zeus at Olympia --- FO SHO!
We walked around it, took a bunch of pictures... yes, I was picture happy here too.

We got a kick out of figuring what what kind of birds were clucking and strutting their stuff around and ON the temple.
Melina suggested that we roast one for dinner. Ah, ha!! Kotopulo for dinner? BUENO!

We walked around by the site where it is basically CLIFFS!  I was right at the edge and next thing I knew, Karam pokes me, I turn around and he's saying, "please! please! come!" AHA. He was waving me over -- AWAY from the edge.  AHA. I told him "Dont worry! Stop! Stamata!"

I think I gave him a heart attack...!

We drove back towards Athens, but stopped outside of Sounio for a swim. Oh Thee MU --- the water was AMAZING.  It was so WARM! We stayed there for an hour or so. It was so nice, none of us wanted to go --- until my foot started cramping. UGH.

The sea was so calm and when Melina was doing laps further out, Karam and I stayed a little behind and he's hilarious.  He knows English --- he gets his point across and the thing is, bless his heart, when the words come out, you know what he's trying to say, but sometimes, it comes out wrong and it becomes the funniest thing ever. 
Melina came back to join us and she asked, "What did he say?"
HAHA
"Then skero!" "I don't know!"

After our swim, we decided to head back into the city and go for dinner at a taverna. The region near Sounio is absolutely beautiful. The are huge hills in the background where houses have been built and it is so PRASINO! Green! It's such a difference from downtown Athens... *sigh*

TI OMORFI MERA my Homeslices!

Oh, El Starbucks. You Got Me Hooked!

Another nice morning, my homeslices, because it started with me SLEEPING IN. Oh, so glorious! Second day in a row after never EVER doing that for a month and a half... SIGH!

I got up when I felt like getting up...11AM sounds more reasonable, eh?

What did I do next? Teehee... El Starbucks, around el corner, chyeah!
It's a nice little walk:
Heading towards it, I walk down (literally) a hill and reached the Zea Harbour --- 2 minutes max. (2nd biggest harbour in Piraeus), make a left and pass through KFC (yes...), Pizza Hut (yeah...) and the really nice restaurant Lianne and I had gone too with the honking swordfish. Then, I pass a supermarket --- so trippy! I went a couple days ago to get some healthy food (I think a fruit should be in order from time to time eh?!) and this place is three stories high. Do you know how you bring your shopping cart up to the next floor with you??? There are conveyor belts you just roll your cart on and bring yourself with it... holy cow... haha, I thought that was something else! I ended staring at the people doing that... until a lady started telling me to get on with it or she would go in front of me at the checkout register... Oops... Sighnomi, sighnomi!
What's conveniently located right next to this store? El Starbucks <3

What is scary about this is that the minute I walked in, the same lady smiled at me and said,"hello!"
I start saying my schpeel, but today....Aye Dios Mio!
She cut me off with a big smile and said, "Tall hot caramel macchiato!!"

Oh dear God.

Some of you will totally get this and will be laughing your asses off at this very moment, and rolling your eyes.  I know. I know. I know.

Not only is this Starbucks location a great one, but the employees are like the ones back in North America --- all smiles, welcoming and they REMEMBER REGULARS.

Have I become a regular in Piraeus, GREECE????

HOLY SKATA!
I LOVE THIS COUNTRY!

Mr. Schmoozer and a Rose

Today was nice. I slept in until 10:30AM, went for a walk to Starbucks (don't roll your eyes!), read a nice email from my person and chatted to some friends back home who apparently don't sleep!

I stayed in town today and ventured into Athens before meeting up with my friend Melina. I did some tourist shopping in the Plaka, got a frappe and stared at the beautiful Acropolis. When 3:30 kicked around, I took the metro to Monastiraki Station where we had settled to meet --- BUENO! There was Melina!

Being a local, she knew where to catch a nice glimpse of the Acropolis from afar while enjoying (yes, another) COLD frappe in this blistering heat -- even at 4PM. We chatted and gossiped our hearts away for hours until hunger set in.

Monastiraki is beautiful --- but when the sun sets --- MUCHA BELLA! We ate at a taverna, where I had my beloved pastitsio, while Melina had chicken souvlaki. Yes, I also had TZAZIKI and we split a Greek Salad --- POLI KALA!

The owner (I presume he was the owner) kept schmoozing in customers and Melina...It was funny, and cute. I only caught glimpses of the conversations --- he came by our table quite often!
Melina and I talked our hearts away here too and before leaving, the owner gave us both roses. Except, little did I know that Melina had told him that I had a boyfriend --- NOT MY WORDS, but daksi, daksi.
So, apparently, my rose came from my boyfriend... Ha. Ha.

The walk back to the metro station was beautiful --- Athens had come to life:
People were eating at every restaurant, the cobblestone streets were lit up by the shop lights and in the background: the Acropolis, lit up like we've all seen in the postcards... BUT SO MUCH MORE OMORFI!

It was so nice to chill out and hang out with a friend in a foreign country --- I loved it.  Melina's such good company and a great person -- -we made plans for tomorrow to add more fun to everything!

Until tomorrow, my homeslices, Kali Nikhta <3

To Delphi!

After our four hour long treck through the sanctuary, we slowly made our way back to the village ... it's only a km but it was so cold --- as gross as this will sound, this day was the day where I sweated the most --- YUCK.

At least, we were walking against the wind, so we got some air... SIGH.
Hunger had set in a long, long time ago and I was ready to eat a freaking elephant.  New York had spotted a decently price gyros place on our way to the site so we stopped there for supper. 

We walked inside and no one was there... uhm, ok...

A man finally comes out from the back, says, "Please... have a seat!"
That's what I love about Greece, the restaurants or little eateries (which are the best) don't have to look as great from an aesthetics point of view. The Greeks put a whole lot more care into the quality than anything else, and this place was a prime example.

I had a Greek salad -- left the onions and olives alone -- I know, a shame, but I just can't do it --- and a chicken gyros with a COCA COLA. I haven't had a coke in so long and damn, the sugar was welcomed with wide-opened arms.

We toasted to Delphi and left 30 minutes before our bus was scheduled to get here.  Right when we paid for supper, which was excellent, the man says, "Wait, my friend!"
Say what?

He pulls out three little shot glasses and says, "Ouzo! Yes?!"

Lianne had told me that this liquor was 'vile' and I hadn't tried it yet... I guess I should at least once before heading back to Canada, eh?  He poured a shot for each of us and said, "Just a little bit for me, I'm still working!" Haha, and away we go. 

HOLY SKATA.

That was VILE.  We laughed and thanked him again and walked out.  I was trying to talk to New York and damn! It was burning and I burped a few times... EESH. 

We waited a little bit for the bus -- which was fine since the view is OUT OF THIS WORLD.  I spotted the tail bit of the Gulf of Corinth and next thing you know: the bus for Athens came around the bend.

In all it was a good day, my homeslices!  Once we got into Athens, we said adios and I cabbed back to my hotel where I talked to my little momeyh for a bit, wrote an email to my new favourite person and chatted with my Pylos bait master where I had a few good laughs... and then I called it a night.

BUENO!

The Sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi

I went into an info centre and found no help there... I wasn't surprised: the old mand was funny, but helpful like a prickly tack.  So I walked out and was about to head towards the ancient site when I saw New York, "Hey, New York! You going to Delphi?"

And as easy as that, I made a friend for the day and we walked to the site.  We visited the museum first since it was closing earlier than the actual site. It was really cool: the tall sphinx statue, freizes from the temples, the bronze charioteer... I even bumped into on of my dig's supervisors (again)... What a small freaking world, Man!

New York and I climbed to the site afterwards and we had fun figuring out which ruin was what according to his out-dated map. We finally reached the temple of Apollo.

Later, we reached the theater which was still in use until the early 1900's and then we trecked up to the stadium. It was blistering hot, but so worth it! The stadium, much more well preserved than the one at Olympia, had the stands and fountains still standing.  Then, turn around and the view is impeccable...

I spotted the famous temple of Athena down, down, down below... So we climbed back down and walked and walked and walked until we reached the ancient gymnasium and lo and behold --- THE TEMPLE OF ATHENA. 

Yes, I was picture happy and got some good shots out my day. 

Just a Little Note...

Yiu sas my homeslices!

I would love to post pictures with my posts, but now that I do not have access to Lianne's lovely Mac... it's not that simple.  The stories are just as good... just not as colourful...although I think I still do a good job describing my days.

Stay tuned for the pictures though, because as soon as I get back to Canada, I will post a special one with much delayed pictures.

Love, love, love!

Switch it Back!

And so today's big adventure was to visit the ancient site of Delphi where lays the Temple of Apollo, the Treasury of the Athenians, and the famous Tholos at the santuary of Athena Pronaia.

I really wanted to make a trip up to Delphi and in all honesty, I was a little skeptical. I wasn't sure how this was going to pan-out, but I just went with it and I knew things would work themselves out.
The ride was great --- I had a window seat and the view... Holy Cow. 
Once we reached Livadeia, the mountains started to show themselves and OH THEE MU was it ever beautiful!  So many memories from my trip to the Rockies came back to mind -- except these mountains didn't have any snow on their peaks... which was weird.

We were doing switch backs after switch backs. I'm so impressed with what these Greek coach busses can do: up and down steep MOUNTAINS, drive through the skinniest streets I've ever seen in my life and make the sickest turns on roads I thought would be impossible --- I suppose all of the above do seem impossible if you are not Greek...!

The drive took three hours and a half and I loved it.  I listened to my music on my iPod, which consisted of a playlist I had dedicated to my brother: Tech Nine's 'Worldwide Choppers', 'So Lonely'; Travis Barker's smashing CD, T.I, Busta, Eminem and Chris Brown's 'Beautiful People'. On the other hand, I had a playlist dedicated to my favourite songs and hit singles, coincidently, loads of them had played all night long on that famous last night in Pylos --- It brought back good memories.

Anyway, we finally arrived at the modern town of Delphi, which is right at the bottom of MT. PARNASSUS. Glorious moment --- seeing that mountain was on the top of my list homeslices!

I got off the bus and had until 6PM to venture in Apollo's domain. Let the fun begin!

Mr. Cool and New York

Starting fresh this morning, I tackled another idea I've had simmering in my head for a while. I asked the lovely desk lady to call a cab for me and headed towards another intercity bus station (the equivalent of the Greyhounds, back home). 
The cab driver looks at me within the first few seconds after I got in and says, "Where are you from?!"
"CANADA!"
"Ah! Canada! Beautiful country!"
(To skero! Hahaa, I know!)
"My friend went there for a week and loved it... But he didn't know English and his friend who invited him didn't bring him to visit places...."

That sucks.  We chatted all the way and he was very cool.  He was pointing out some national monuments here and there, let me know when the Acropolis was in distant site of the highway, and talked about his city in general.  He told me that for the Olympic Games in '04 that the city got re-vamped -- totally cleaned up and that it was beautiful. It makes sense.

Anyway, as we reached the station, he turns to me and explains that when I come back tonight from my day-trip (which you will know in due time my homeslices) that the driver should start the meter and should give me a receipt.  He was so considerate and concerned for my safety that it made me love Greece even more: I've dealt with nothing with great people from the get-go. 

I went in the station and bought my ticket and the waiting game began. I got there well in advance, just in case, because depending on the day, my destination is not available on the day of...makes sense?

I walked over to the actual bus 15 minutes before it was supposed to leave and sat on one of the benches. A minute goes by and the guy sitting next to me asks, "Have you been to Delphi before?"
I turn towards him and say, "No...! I haven't, you?"
He hadn't either.

It's such a damn small world --- he's from upstate New York --- Say what?!  That's only about nine hours from Ottawa! Holy Skata!  Small world, indeed. We start talking a little bit and next thing you know --- it's time to go.

NEXT STOP: DELPHI!

SAY WHAT?!

Today was a little awkward. I'd grown used to being with Lianne, and other people beforehand for over a month and it doesn't bother me that I'm by myself, but I felt a little off without her here today...
I mean, I had a nice routine going on... We'd spend the day doing God knows what and then we'd get back home, have supper somewhere and talk to our peoples afterwards...
I still talk my people every night... I even made a phone call to Canada this afternoon.  Thank God for computers (and phones).

I went to Athens today and visited two museums. The first was the Numismatic Museum which houses countless ancient (and modern) coins in the very house of Heinrich Schliemann (Google him!) --- Pretty cool!

I went to the Cycladic Art Museum down a few blocks afterwards and was so impressed with the Cypriot Art wing --- So colourful!

I walked in the Plaka for a little bit after for a little over an hour -- bought a kitschy, but light souvenir.

I was a little skeptical when I got to Syntagma Square in the first place this morning, because of the riots that went on a couple weeks back.  But, the police presence is so strong that I was fine. It's unfortunate because around the square, everything is up-scale and nice looking. It's just that stupid sqaure that is a PITA... It's right in front of the Parliament, which is right in front of the Presidential House... Need I say more?
Anyway, I'm taking it easy tonight --- hope to talk to a couple people... that's all folks.

HOLY SKATA!

You know the song 'Billionnaire' by Bruno Mars? Well, it just came on... I'm rocking to it and next thing you know: 'I want to be a billionaire, so f-ing bad..'

SAY WHAT?!

Christo Hesus! I forgot I was in Europe -- where they are more concerned with violent/gory movies than nudity and swearing... OK THEN!

LIGHTS OUT MY HOMESLICES!

Play That Music!

The second bit of homesickness just hit me tonight.  I have the music channel on in my room on the plasma TV and the latest American singles are playing on rotation...
J.Lo's 'Dance The Night Away' (this brings me back to so many good little memories from not too long ago...!), LMFAO's 'Party Anthem', Rihanna (which they totally overplay, but all good in my books!), Nicky's 'SuperBass' which is a guilty pleasure of mine... and then dumber ones like B. Spears.
My point: they are playing a Bon Jovi documnetary as we speak --- the band's coming to town on the 20th... I saw them live in May with my mom and DAMN! That concert started my summer on such a high note --- SIGH! Damn, that was a great concert!

I've picked up some Greek since a little while ago and I'm able to understand most of what people are saying on the streets or what going on on the tube... SWEET!

I just went for a walk and picked up a nice little Starbucks... I knew this would happen the minute Starbucks would be within my reach!  I hope Amsterdam doesn't have one close to the airport... I already know that they do though... SKATA!

I love Greece: I don't even have to turn on my iPod. The TV's playing all of my guilty pleasures, plus Bon Jovi!!!

BUENO!

And Here's to My Last Week

It's almost 10AM and I'm moseying in the lobby of my hotel where thankfully they have computers with speedy wifi.  Lianne left this morning and is heading back to our Oh, Canada and I'm already missing her.
I think us being roommates, and simply meeting each other was meant to be. 
I remember when I came in late at the hotel in Pylos, FIVE weeks ago (already!), I walked into the classroom, spotted her and the minute class was over went right up to her and said, "LIANNE!!"  We went up to our room and I started a mad rant about Air Farce as if I was talking to my long lost best friend.  We clicked just like that.

We always got along and whenever we got on each other's nerves --- which was rare, but it happens to all of us --- we didn't need to say anything, we just knew not to step on the other person's toes for a while. 

It's a little freaky when I think about how we just started talking on Facebook around February and I suggested an extended stay after Pylos to Santorini and around Greece... Who does that with a complete stranger???!

Well, she was no stranger for long, because we were and are the best of friends.  Bless her heart, she took care of my drunken butt on that famous Saturday and packed my stuff when I didn't come home until freaking 30 minutes before leaving Pylos... She's awesome.

I've checked out of the double room a little over an hour ago where we've been staying in since Santorini, and walked across the hallway to my single room --- no sweat. 

This hotel is fantastic. I recommend it to anyone who wants to stay in Athens.

What a Schmoozer!

After the Museum, Lianne and I had supper nearby where we TOTALLY got schmoozed.

"Hello, how are you?"
"Fine, thank you"
"Where are you from?!"
"Canada"
"Ahhh, Just for you: 10% off!"

If it makes any difference, we were going to walk into this restaurant anyway. DONT ROLL YOUR EYES!

Lianne and I shared a small jug of potent red wine. I had swordfish, again and Lianne had lamb.  Lots of sparrows fluttered around... I don't know what it is about Greek birds, but DAMN, they look vicious as HELL. One almost flew into my face and another almost landed on my fedora. The waiter shooed them away for us and was a total schmoozer himself... A cute schmoozer, compared to the first schmuck we ran into.

I've been on a mission to buy a statue of Poseidon. I'm hoping I'll find something near Sounio since the Temple there is of Poseidon, but after supper, we walked the street and the wine kicked in.

Oh, great.

I look over to Lianne and ask her if she's feeling it... Nope.

UGH.

We walk into a jewellery store where I bought a nice replica of a coin depicting the owl of Athena... but, the ring I wanted I did NOT buy. We bartered, but I wasn't about to pay 20 Euros for something that was worth 5. 

'I say good day'

It's 9PM and we head towards the metro station. We're going down the escalator when Lianne and I both start laughing...

Oh, dear.

When in Athens?!

We get to Piraeus - which is no sweat - and walk back to our hotel.

You can thank my photo-memory for getting us back to the hotel, because I had no problem getting us back. 

Once there, the guy at the desk looks at us and gives us a 'Paul' look. (Good ol' Paul from our home in Pylos. The looks he gave me,especially after that one night with Kansas and the other - morning when I got in, just in time for the bus...! OOPS!)

Hello!!

We got to our room where I talked to a couple of my peoples online and Lianne to hers on the on the phone.

What a day!

Hey Dionysus! What Up Zeus!

The heat was really up there, but I didn't want it to affect our day in Athens... I also didn't want to drag and push Lianne everywhere. She had been here and seen these monuments already last year --- She's awesome (have I said this already?!)

I knew that I would come back later in the week by myself since I was comfortable with the metro so we stayed around in the Southern part of the Acropolis region and visited a couple more monuments:

The Theatre of Dionysus ----

Hadrian's Arch and the Temple of Zeus ----

I could tell Lianne was good with just sitting by the site so I went ahead and walked around it.  It was so peaceful and quiet... It was a good 10 minutes. Only a few columns are still up with two at the opposite end still erected.  One column has fallen like a stack of dominoes next to these two and although it's a shame that not much has survived, it is still a sight to see.

Off to Nafplio!

Our last day together was spent doing a trip back to Nafplio. We cabbed to the sketchy intercity bus station I had gone to a month ago when I was hopelessly trying to get to Pylos. 

We ended up just missing the 9:30 bus so we waited for the next one at 10:30.  The same gypsies were bumming around, but thank god they didn't bug me, or Lianne this time around.

The bus ride was only two hours. The town's only across the Isthmus and I love travelling towards my destination.. more often than actually arriving there...

We went for lunch first and thank god the restaurant had high-powered fans spraying water that turned into coldish air once it reached us...

We had planned on climbing the 1000 steps up to the AcroNafplio, but I finally drew the line.  There's only so much I'll do -- I think I pushed myself well past my usual limits this past month and a hlaf that I decided to take it easy --- for once. Lianne was real happy to hear this, because she didn't really want to go up there too... Next time; when it's not blistering HOT.

So instead of climbing up 1000 steps, we went back to our favourite gelato shop.  Good compromise eh?!

We did some window shopping afterwards and went back to that damn shop where I got a really nice FAKE silver ring.  UGH.  I saw the exact same ring in the glass case and could feel my head bubbling.

I asked how much it was and thankfully, for her sake, she gave me the same 'discount' that I caved in at the first time around. 

If I could roll my eyes big enough for this freaking episode, I would.

At least I didn't get ripped off from the rip off... UGH. I'll just fix my damn beautiful ring when I get back to Canada.

The heat had sky-rocketed to a whopping 45 degrees abd we had had enough.  We went back to the small bus station, just missed the bus to Athens and waited another hour --- at least the A/C was working great.

The trip to Nafplio was good, despite the heat.  I think what made it worth it, at least in my books (besides the gelato) was that the bus took a backroad near the Isthmus and I got a clear view and SHOT of the ISTHMUS!

BUENO!

The Beauties of the Parthenon

After touring around, we headed for the New Acropolis Museum where I sat, in awe, in front of the West Pediment -- what remains of it and its plastered reconstructed bits (to help people visualize what the heck is going on).
There they were: Athena and Poseidon, right in the middle, depicted in their battle for the patronship of this ancient city.
Lianne was around, looking at the friezes. The museum's top floor is placed parallel with the Acropolis and designed to display all of the Parthenon's features as they would be seen on the actual monument.  Does this make any sense?

It was amazing.  I had written my final paper for my museum studies class on the Elgin Marbles and repatriation, so to see the Museum's marbles and how they placed replicas of the missing marbles in their rightful location on the museum walls was OUT OF THIS WORLD!  (Kind of like when I saw the actual Modigliani painting at the MET a few years ago after studying him for a year.)

Before even entering the museum, there was a glass floor where the public could see the ancient ruins during the Roman occupation --- right underneath of the Museum! Anyone who knows me will be surprised to read that I actually walked over the glass floor... God, I hate glass floors.

There was a glass fence inthe middle of this terrace which revealed ancient drains and wells... I've seen my fair share of drains this past month, considering I WORKED ON EXCAVATING A DAMN DRAIN. Loads of worldwide coins are dropped into them or right next to them...

I closed my eyes, made a wish, flipped my euro coin and it landed right into the wishing well. 
I'm hoping my wish will come true --- I wished for the same thing back in Pylos on my last night there... If you wish for the same thing more than once, doesn't that mean I have more of a chance of it coming true, eh???

I think so eh... RIGHT?!

Ohhhh, My God!

After the Archaeological Museum, we headed back to Omonia Square where we hopped on the metro and headed towards Syntagma Square --- closer to the Plaka/Acropolis region. 

We both wanted to visit the New Acropolis Museum and that was going to be open until 8PM so we got off at the Akropoli Station (tells you everything you need to know doesn't it?) and headed towards the Acropolis.

I think I've mentionned this before, but I wasn't as excited I you think I would be to see the Acropolis... But, that soon changed when I caught a glimpse of it.

HOLY SKATA!!!!

It is amazingly beautiful.

Pictures do not give monuments like this do not do them justice... It was OUT OF THIS WORLD. 

We slowly climbed our way up to the base of the Acropolis where we made a pit stop for something COLD since the heatwave began to hit Athens this week. (We got lucky and missed half of it since we were in Santorini) Holy Hell --- it was so freaking hot --- 36 degrees and it felt liek there was no air at all. 

We got our tickets, which were good for all the major monuments around the Acropolis too and started climbing up the marble steps. 

The minute we reached the Propylaia (ancient entrance gates) the wind picked up and almost blew my beloved Fedora away!  OHI!

We walked through and low and behold ---- the Parthenon.

It's one thing to see it in x-number of textbooks, but to see it with my eyes ---- Aye Dios Mio.

The East and West pediments are almost all non-existent on the actual monument, but you can still see heads of horses at on of the tips of the East pediment... The picture you see are looking at homies is next to the Eastern side of the Parthenon.

Lianne and I took our time here and visited the Erechteion -- next to the Parthenon on the Acropolis where the Caryatids are 'displayed'.  I was in such an awe that it was only when Lianne said, "wait 'til you see the real ones in the museum!' that I came back to Earth and remembered that the real Caryatids are in the New Acropolis Museum ---- my bad!

Still, this was incredible.  I can't wait to show you people all of my pictures --- I gots some good ones!

I FOUND POSEIDON

Hey my Homeslices!
We got off at Omonia Square because it was the closest stop near the National Archaeological Museum.  This museum was scheduled to close earlier than everything I wanted to drag Lianne to so with a little logic, we visited this museum first.

First, I saw the real mask of Agamemnon... Now, what I mean by 'real' is the real deal and not the copy that I saw at the museum at the site of Mycenae a few weeks back. 
It was so cool to see all the gold and bronze artifacts --- the JEWELLERY! Holy COW.
I was never that interested in ancient jewellery, but after spotting a huge ancient ring (like the ones I love to wear), I was hooked! 
We toured the rest of the pre-historical wing and then conquered the Sculpture Wing.  We sort of did things backwards and started with the Roman sculptures and headed back into time with the Hellenisic, Archaic, etc. 
Now, what this post is all about:
I was about to tell Lianne as we were turning the corner that I was going to freak out when I would see a statue of Poseidon, (he's my favourite, if you hadn't clued in yet!) and next thing you know, POSEIDON BUM WAS RIGHT IN FRONT ME

I FOUND POSEIDON MY HOMESLICES!!!

 

We're technically not allowed to pose with a statue or any artifact for that matter, but thanks to Lianne, I gots one!!!!!

It was going to be a beautiful day my peoples! <3

A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Athens...

The deal was to spend a day in Athens since I'd never been, and one day in Nafplio since Lianne's in love with Greece's first capital... Good compromise, I think!

Today, we spent the (whole) day in Athens. In all honesty, as much as Athens is a major place to visit with so many cool things to see and visit, I wasn't that psyched to go in the first place... I don't know why.
Damn, was it ever fun though...


We wanted to give our bank accounts a breather so we braved the metro.
We had to walk about 10 minutes from the hotel to the metro station, which is right next to the port, apparently...
The hotel lady had given us a map of Piraeus so we could easily find the metro station... I'm great with maps; no lie.

And so, we're walking towards our destination, and walking, and walking, and walking. It's 10AM and the heat is already insanely UP THERE.  I knew we were really close to the station, but I just couldn't see it.  I walk into a ferry agency and ask where the heck is the station exactly --- 4 blocks from here.  Ok.
We keep walking.  There comes a pedestrian overpass and we figured that one of the staircases would lead to the metro....
WRONG.
We got a good view of the port.... BUT NO DAMN METRO!

We keep walking a couple blocks and Lianne asks where the freaking station is," Metro??"
"Yellow building --- RIGHT THERE!"

Oh for skata's sake.  We passed right in front of it and even saw it as we were doing our mini-SIGHTSEEING ON THE FREAKING OVERPASS.

UGH.

We walk into the yellow building, buy a ticket and catch the metro.
Easy peezy... HA!

I heard so many not so great stories  about metros... I think I psyched myself up a little too much. Anyway, bottom line: we rode the metro, got off at Omonia Square and
STARTED OUR DAY IN ATHENS BABEYH!

A Little Piece of Home

For those of you who didn't get it.... FAIL!!!

The minute I walked into Starbucks: it was the first time since I left my beloved Canada that I felt the slightest homesick.  Tells you something doesn't it??

Starbucks, you've been a part of my life for a few years now -- I've gotten best friends by working there and not you've met me across the pond to say hello... <3

Needless to say that I will be going to this Oh-so-close-location a few more times in the next couple of days... YAY!


Starbucks has a mug collection that features different countries around the world and you can only get the various ones according to the country you visit.  I had bought the Calgary and Banff ones last summer... When I was in the Rockies (duh!) and I absolutely wanted to get the Greece edition ---- Did I get them?

You bet!!!

Only, I bought the mini versions sine I'm running out of suitcase space and I think it will be cool to have these mini mugs since this is the cup size that the Greeks use to drink their beloved espresso!

What a way to finish another great day --- from eezy-peezy Santorini to silly Starbucks.

BUENO!

Obnoxious Brits and a Honking Piece of Swordfish

Since the ferry arrived in Santorini two hours late, the poor shuttle man waiting for us at the port of Piraeus waited for us for a good hour before giving up and reporting back to our hotel with no Canadians... Oopsies. We ended up cabbing to the hotel once we arrived in Piraeus (a whopping 5 Euro ride)

The ferry ride was great, I thought. There were four British teenagers sitting up front of us, freaking out because they weren't going to make their flight to Corfu due to the ferry delay. They created a whole lot of ruckus (I don't blame them) but DAMN, did it ever annoying --- FAST. So freaking dramatic and obnoxious for nothing... I understand (honestly, I do!) that delays make for cranky and unhappy people... But, do you really have to swear, scream and call daddy back home to complain your heart out about wiring more money to your bank account in front of everybody on the ship????

AYE DIOS MIO!

Back at the hotel, hunger set in so Lianne and I went for a stroll down to the second biggest harbour  (a block from our hotel, CHYEAH!) and had a nice supper --- I had a honking piece of swordfish ---- MMMMMM!!! 

Yes, you are indeed seeing broccoli.  AND I ATE IT!  I don't know what they did to that broccoli, but DAMN ---- IT WAS OUT OF THIS WORLD. 
Never ever EVER have I LOVED broccoli.

It will probably be the first and only time, so for those of you at home reading --- don't get your hopes up!
Three days ago, when we were leaving the Savoy to catch the ferry, we had noticed a nice little establishment that we swore we'd go visit once we got back from Santorini...

Can anyone guess what it is????!!?!

I Heart Santorini

Unfortunaly, our stay in Santorini has come to an end.  Last night was a late night: Lianne talked to her loved ones back home and I was online talking to my peoples on various chats. 

We were set to leave at 10AM from the hotel, thinking we’d have enough time to get to the port for 11AM.  At the front desk, we asked if they knew of any shuttle because cabbing it would’ve been more expensive due to all the bricks we’ve been carrying around.  The owner (he’s awesome) looked at us and said, "you won’t make it for 11AM with a taxi!”

SAY WHAT?!

It doesn’t think very long, but I guess we hadn’t considered the fact that there are OTHER people who are leaving Santorini too….. OOPS.

SKATA.

The owner, bless his heart, offered to drive us himself to the port.  I totally recommend staying at his Villa.  It is wonderful --- although I think because we were right next to the small street, we had a bit more noise --- but whatever.

On the ride to the Port, we talked about his visit to Vancouver, how we loved the island, about his livelihood and how the island looked like before the tourism industry kicked off with a BANG. 

We thanked him for the millionth time, shook his hand and said our goodbyes. 

Although the ferry to Piraeus came 2 hours late… I personally didn’t care, because the view was incredible.  The port, the ferries, the pirate ships, the SWITCHBACKS filled with huge tour busses going up and down the caldera took my breath away.

Now on the ferry, I’ve recounted my adventures in Santorini in short form, but well enough, I think, to give you an idea of what my vacation has been like.

My fedora is still glued to my head, the volcanic rock ring is still on my finger, the whitecaps are crashing against the waves and islands are passing by.  

Next stop: Piraeus where will be our main living quarters,  a return visit to Nafplion and Athens to finish our vacation together and to the beginning of my last week in Greece.

HAIL IT, LIANNE!!!

After Mama’s House, Lianne and I walked 2 mins to the taxi depot and waited for the next available taxi --- they are dispatched here and are all over the freaking island… Obviously, because it was 10:30PM people were out and about and there was a shortage of taxis.  So once one would show it’s front lights, people would fight over who was next. 

At first, Lianne and I stood back and let them fight…. Greeks vs. Hindus.  Aye Carrumba!

When both parties were gone, we both got closer to the road… We clued in that the only way we were getting home was to stand at the side of the road and forget about standing in the actual depot. 

I told Lianne to hail the next cab, once we saw one….  AND THERE IT WAS.

“LIANNE! HAIL IT!”

Lianne flagged it down and once he got close enough, I shouted, “PERISSA?!” He nodded and I shoved myself into the backseat, hoping Lianne would have enough time getting in before a honking big woman would get to her first.

The second she shut the door, the woman was screaming her head off at the driver and from what I caught from the yelling, he was an asshole and she was a biotch. 

That was fun --- Lianne and I high-fived each other and ended up telling the driver where WE were staying…   

GO CANADA!

Cats, Dessert and a Fedora

Last, but not least, the ship brought us to the Oia, the village at the northern tip of Santorini.  THIS IS WHERE ALL THE FREAKING POSTCARD PICTURES ARE TAKEN.  By God, I was getting discouraged about not finding the houses on the side of the cliffs and the numerous blue domes churches.  But here they were! 

When we were docked, Lianne and I walked….CLIMBED up the switch-back stairs up the caldera to the village.  I feel bad because we could’ve gone for a donkey ride, but I just wanted to save my money for other things….  Needless to say we stop at every turn ‘to take-in the scenery’ (we did…but it was really just to catch our breath!)

Once we got to the top, the narrow winding maze-like streets welcomed us with a variety of shops…  many, many, MANY were jewellery shops (AYE DIOS MIO!) and many more sold silk scarves and the obvious little souvenirs.  Lianne loves scarves so we ended up going back TWICE for a few items… I even found something: a wallet made up of silk patches; fancy schmancy! At one point though, Lianne blurted out, “I hate being a girl sometimes!”  Oh, I feel you homie G! Scarves, dresses, RINGS…  

Oh Mon Dieu!

I even bought a fedora…  It was supposed to be for someone else, but I fell in love with it, so I think El Fedora Is El Mine

It was still pretty hot around  6:30PM and we had 2 hours to kill until the sunset.  Did I mention that that was the reason why the ship dropped us off last in Oia?!  Mmhmm!  It is the prime spot to see the sunset --- the sun sets in the sea, as opposed to behind the usual mountain or house or octopus… I don’t know, you get the idea!

We went for DESSERT! At a pastry café and enjoyed our delicacies while taking in the view which including at one point…get ready for it! A cat by the iconic churches.  Mmmhm!  Wait ‘til I show you that picture! It is out of this world!

After replenishing ourselves with too much sugar, we headed towards the castle, at the very tip of the village to catch the sunset. 

Out of this World!

We made our way through the maze of Oia one last time and got on the bus that would take us back to Fira.  To celebrate the success and the end of our vacation, Lianne and I went back to Mama’s House for Greek Salad, Pastitsio and Red and White wine. 

BUENO!

I Think I Found Fred's Domain!

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a great swimmer, but detest swimming at any spot when I cannot see what is at the bottom.  You know what though, when will be the next time that I swim in the Mediterranean?  Let alone the Hot Springs in SANTO freaking RINI! 

So yes, I jumped ship… Lol, I didn’t walk the plank… and Thee MU! The water was AMAZING.  The minute I got in, Lianne and I justified the cold-ish temperature with the fact that we’re freaking Canadians --- we can do anything… Especially when it involves COLD! 

The water was such a nice light aqua colour and if you looked down, you could see as far as your own feet…. So I was good…ISH!

We reached the hot springs in no time and you knew for sure when you had reached them!  The water turned all mucky clay-ish brown-red and the water was nice and Whirlpool-ly.  I couldn’t  stand touching the goo-ey bottom, but I found a rock to rest my feet on and Lianne and I enjoyed the moment.  Some people were giving each other mud baths at the shore, but the water was much too nice to go anywhere else.

At one point, Lianne and I were kidding around about finding Fred’s domain, “Oh Fred!!!!  We’re here! Come and get us!!! “ “Hey Olga you old geezer! Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah-nah!”

We swam back to the ship and continued our adventure at sea.

 I’m so so so so so happy I just went for it and jump into the water --- I said this already, but it was absolutely GORGEOUS and it was such a wonderful way to cool off after hiking up Mt. Non-Obvious!

We were all getting pretty hungry and the ship’s next stop was to the neighbouring island of Thirassia.  It is the most traditional island still around with a population of only (approximately) 200 locals.  There were a bunch a taverns by the shore and we had a few hours to kill, so Lianne and I went to lunch where I had swordfish souvlaki ---- holy cow!  Delicious!

This stop was really to re-energize and take it easy… And thank goodness for that because our next and last stop was full of wonderful (?) little surprises.