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!
Sunday, July 17, 2011
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!
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!
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!
Saturday, July 16, 2011
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 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!
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!
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!!!
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.
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!"
"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!
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