Greece Part I

So I am finally in the place I have wanted to come for quite some time. And so far so good, actually so far fantastic. I arrived in Athens yesterday morning (July 22nd) and then took the most expensive taxi ride of my life. 50 euro!! Which is $75. Yikes!! Rookie move on my part. Later...I found out that there was/is an express bus that stops merely blocks away from the place I was staying. Let's just say I took the bus this morning back to the airport for my flight to Crete (which is where I am know, but first I'll finish my Athens story.)

The place I stayed at while in Athens I will recommend to anyone. Hotel Phaedra is family owned and operated and situated in the great neighborhood of Plaka. Narrow cobblestone streets, thousands of little shops, vendors of all sorts and cafes with waiters trying to seduce you to enter their establishment. A short walk to the Acropolis and other ancient monuments. I trekked up to the Acropolis in the heat of the day with millions (seriously that's what it felt like) tourists. It was hot, dusty, windy and amazing all at the same time. Listening to languages from all over the world being spoken and looking at the ruins from many, many years ago was a neat experience. It was also pretty entertaining to listen to a woman yell/skreach at her (I am assuming husband) for a photo opp and him respond with "Honey, I think people want to remember this trip as something serene and beautiful and not the high pitched scream coming from you." I think I may have laughed out loud at this. She really did sound as though someone was dying.

After the Acropolis and Parthenon (which is located inside), I went to the Acropolis Museum which is located over some archeological digs. There were glass panels in the floor which you could see through and see some additional infrastructure. Again, pretty cool. Inside were statues, figurines, carvings, metal work, pottery and other items. This museum just opened in June so it was all nice and new and good to check out. Another huge tourist trap that I fell straight into.

During my princess taxi ride (only royalty can afford costs like that) the cab driver (let's call him Niko) we passed a red mini train that he with words and hands explained to me it is for sight seeing. So, I happened to see one of these trains again and decided why not do another awesome touristy thing. One of the tour guides had a great smile and had some Jack Nicholson qualities. Kind of like a smirk from The Shining. Anyways, we can just leave it at the Greek men are not so bad. =) Back to the train. So the train, The Happy Train it is called, drives you around a few major points in Athens. I saw the President's house/palace, the National Gardens, Congress, Government Building, an Olympic Stadium, a major shopping and walking promenade and a few other touristy spots. As handsome or flirty the Greek men are, there driving skills leave something to be desired. While I was sitting in the very back car, facing backwards, my car scraped along a little black car while we were going around a tight corner. The Jack Nicholson look a like came back and gave me that little smirk and started yelling to the front to the driver. He had the driver back up the train, which ended up moving the cars bumper off of the car, yes that's right, actually damage more than just a little scrape. Then Greek Jack started pushing the train car back and forth while the driver slowly moved forward. Remember I am sitting in this car the entire time. Highly entertaining and then we went on our merry little way with the Happy Train. =)

In the evening I had dinner at a little restaurant around the corner from my hotel and had pork souvlaki, rice and a pita. Pretty tasty. Towards the end of my meal and elderly Greek foursome needed a place to sit so I let them join my table. They tried talking to me, but we couldn't get it figured out. The waiter then came back to give me my check and asked me what they were doing. I said they needed a place to sit. He then told them what I had said and they responded by saying I had a good heart. That felt pretty good. Just doing my part in giving young American tourists a good name. After a nice walk and some gelato, I went back to the hotel and to bed.

Today, July 23rd, I caught the much less expensive bus to the airport at 6:30 am and flew down to the island of Crete and the town of Chania (northwest corner). My taxi ride (a must with no buses going to the airport) was much less expensive and highly informative. My cab driver (let's call him Gus) was a young chatty guy. Born in Canada, but moved to Crete at age 5 offered lots of information on the island. I'm pretty sure at some point I told him a condensed version of my decision to quit my job and travel. There is just something about letting it all out to complete strangers. (All you Comm folks should enjoy this!!)

After again navigating the narrow cobblestone streets flooded with people and vendors I found my newest home, Neli Studios. Cute, quaint, and located directly across the "street" from a huge cathedral and cafes. An awesome location. My room is called the Zorba room and I am on the very top floor with a nice view. So far I've been lucky and had great places to stay with my own bathroom and great views. After walking around Chania a bit and checking out what Crete has to offer for souvenirs, I decided it was time to go to the beach. I caught a bus to a beach that is about 10 minutes from where I am staying. Lined with umbrellas and beach chairs, this place was beautiful. Just what I had been envisioning my trip being. I grabbed a couple bottled waters from the little hut and went and found my spot. Before starting my sun bathing, I went a took a dip in the Aegean Sea. It was cool, refreshing and great to be in salt water. It's been quite a while since I was last in the ocean. I loved it! Back to my chair to dry out, read and sun bathe (oh and people watch as well) I stayed for about 4 hours. I then came back to my hotel for an much needed shower and then to where I am now, sitting in an internet cafe surrounded by little kids shouting and playing computer games. This evening I am planning on walking down to the Venetian Harbor and grabbing some dinner. Maybe I should try some seafood, being I am right on the coast. Should be good.

Tomorrow afternoon I will head east (a 2.5 hour bus ride) to the town of Heraklion. I will stay the night there and then the next day take a hydrofoil (a super fast ferry) up to the island of Santorini.

Wow! This is quite the post. My fingers are about to fall off, so I am sure your eyes are too. I would post some photos, but once again can't get my computer on the internet. You'll just have to use your imaginations for now, but I promise once I get wireless internet access and can post photos from my computer I will.

Cheers!