Greek to Me

Somehow overnight my blog site went Greek and all my stuff is in Greek.  I had to have someone read it to me to log in.. Hope publishing it works out.  I am very tired so will be short and sweet so I don't miss a day yet.  Gotta find out how to send pic on cel to iPad cause that's all I took today.  It was an absolutely incredible day.  Left the hotel at 9:30 on a free walking tour of Athens.  Never expect much for free.  But this was 4 hours of walking and climbing with great info and a terrific guide.  We probably walked 4or5miles.  Most of it uphill.  All cobblestone to marble.  Several times I thought I would just bow out and admit defeat, then he would call for a break and discussion.  After sitting for a few minutes I was ok to go on.  We saw all the local archeological sites, and heard the history.  It was awesome.  At the end he pointed out other sites and how to get there.  I picked the #5tram to the Beaches.  He told me just to enjoy the comfort of the air conditioned cushioned seated tram and look at the beaches till I found the one I wanted.  I did and got off at the end of the line again.  It was a beautiful beach, bur as the Mediterranian, the beach was not sand but small stones.  The case when marble breaks down.  Water was clear, and gorgeous as we're the Many islands visible everywhere.  I just waded as did not have my swimsuit for the walking tour and left as soon as e said beach.  About as tired as I've ever been. Gonna shower and crash with windows open on the 4th floor.  Great roomies, Seattle, Berlin, Canada and Japan,  all speak English Except Japan.  Tomorrow gonna try again to slow down. Today was a tour and that's why I don't like organized tours.  Have to go at their pace.  Tomorrow is on me

Still out here

It's 11:09 and everyone is still on the streets. Shops open food everywhere, drinking songs sound off every few minutes.  Isn't this just Tuesday or Wed night 

Oh my Goodness

I  Love Athens Greece.  The isles not so much. The city has all I need for the perfect vacation.  Seas all around, mountains all around, history, even BC, everywhere, good food, reasonable prices on food, beautiful weather, friendly helpful women, and a few good men.  Oh, I'm in bliss.

Had a lovely ride over on the bus.  Kinda funny I asked for directions to the Metro to Athens.  Tried walking but just too hard pulling my suitcase.  So I asked at a bus stop if a bus went to the metro to Athens.  Nice old man in broken English said yes and explained in Greek.  Showed me on the sign where to stand and where to get off and stood in the street for me to flag down bus #049.  Got me on my way and shouted bye bye like my uncle would.  I knew I was planning to walk and she told me not much far to walk.  We went and went.  I showed my ap to a Greek lady and she explained in Greek and sing language that when she gets off I go one more stop and get off cause it is the end of the line.  I get off and ask a nice man where it was and turns out I took the bus all the way to Athens.  $2  good deal.

My hostel is at the foot of the Acropolis.  Nice digs, 4 roomies that I ave not met yet.  Clean and that's what I care about, but the view from the 2 windows in my corner room is unbelievable. I'll e taking a walking tour tomorrow to find out what the other pic is but the first is the Acropolis.   Breathtaking.  I am sitting in the lobby of my hostel, open air on a major street with shoppers scurrying by at almost 9pm.  Seems very safe here.  That is why I have decided to hang out here for several days.  If I ad a schedule, I would be a bit ahead of it.  I looked at air yesterday to Israel and it is incredibly cheap on Sept 11-12.  Duh!  So I think everybody likes poor broke Greece, so I think I will ang here until the 12and enjoy ad relax and see it all.  As a senior citizen I can ride the metro for 90 min for just over $1.

Then after Sept 11 I'll continue to Israel

I am in the Monestrika part of Athens across the street from a part of town called plaxa it is blocks of Old houses and  mainly converted to shops many street venders.  Food, clothing, jewelry, touristy stuff, furniture, antiques, you name it they got to.  LOVE it!

Saving the Best for last...today's Miracle.  If I asked you in your town, where could I go to get my luggage repaired, could you tell me without aging to check your resources.  Well here I am walking the block and half from Bus/ metro station to my hostel... Glance up and almost run over a tire un the sidewalk.  Like trickle tire .  The entire shop is wheels and tires like wheelbarrows, Dolly's, etc.  I pull in and my  luggage is supposed to be ready tomorrow for 4€ about $6. I stood there at the window when I saw it and cried like a baby.  How perfectly our Lord provide for us.  I could not even have know where to go in Weatherford or Dfw, but God placed it where I needed it.  I am so blessed and so thankful

Checking in from Paraeus, Greece

Nice little hotel in a big port town near Athens.  From the lack of hostels and hotels I expected a small town but not so.  The taxi driver...Greek, said it was a bad town and I should have gone to Athens.  I explained that it was dark when the ship arrived so I choose to stay close.. Boot a great area but I'm locked into a diamond in the rough.  He was the same cabby who took me on a 5Euro ride and charged my 15.  The hotel man noticed I looked a bit disappointed and thought it was the hotel.  I told I thought I had just been screwed but the cab driver he assured me I had.  Now I WILL ask the price before I get in. 

I'm sleeping in tomorrow then headed to Athens.  Think ill find a nice hostel so I can get some tips from other travelers on what is worth seeing.  Back to hostels.  They are really originally. host homes, where people came into your home and you took care of them.  In Turkey, that was how the treated you.  Like you were a guest in their hoe and they are your Host.

I actually left about this time a week ago, so tomorrow afternoon I will be 1 week into my trip.  I've seen more and spent more than I expected.  That's ok, it'll get better on the $.  pretty cool

Rambling and cruising

When I get to a new town I think I need more time there but you can learn a lot in a short time.  For instance I have learned that Turkey itself is not beautiful but the people are.  In Greece the country is beautiful but. The people not so much.  I am not feeling the Muslim influence so much and have seen a lot of Christian symbolism.  The Muslims have to be reminded to pray by loud speakers all over town several times a day.  Does that tell me anything about their motivation.  But they have such a warmth about them. Here in Greece the women seem very quite to the point of being crowded like a mistreated animal.  The men on the other hand are very loud and the Loud words Come with harshness that would be very intimidating to any of us.  Hmmmm.  Even this guy walking around selling food sounds like we are all drug smugglers and he is taking us to jail.  With his attitude i dont even want to know what he is selling.  Yesterday, I tried Cochie cooing a couple of babies...you know how they all smile.  Not in Greece.  Just looked at me.    

Now this Ferry thing in Greece is awesome. They are not what those of us know who have been to Galveston.  They are actually retired cruise ships.  Even with a few cabins, and dining halls with snacks

And the rest refitted with nice stadium seating and medium screen tv s everywhere.  Some wifi, clean restrooms.  Really feels like a cruise cause I spend my time on the deck anyway.  not really cheap, I guess but I got from Turkey to grease without backtracking.  

Today I cruise from Mykonos ( beautiful) to paraeus just a few miles from Athens but on the coast.  Greece does not have many hostels on the islands so I stayed in an adorable  little family owned hotel. Good chance to see some TV CNN , shave, my legs, find my money, (had it tucked here and there) and contemplate.  It was fine to be alone but missed sharing thoughts and asking questions. Especially asking questions.  Questions like why would anyone who has heard the good news of Jesus Christ, consciously choose Muslim.  Like the praying on certain hours.  Do they just think that Jesus s too easy and want something with rules and regs so they know they can't make it.  I like being a winner instead of being set up for failure.

Seeing  differences in the Greek Isles.  Some are all green with white buildings.  Some are all stone with white buildings.  Ever wonder why all the ruins are stone.  Didn't they build frame houses like we do?  Yeah but stone lasts better than wood.   I know you knew that but when we look at places like Ephesus and think of how big it was, do they consider how many people lived in wood houses and there are no sights left f them.  I thought of that this morning at the hotel when gazing out the window I saw stone ruins looked just like Ephesus and 100 yards away was a wooden structure that was about fallen down. 

Back to the cruising, you are never at sea so far that you cannot see 2-3islands.  Sunset was nice but I've seen better.  Fell quickly into the sea but afterglow lasted a long time.  If you know I have vertigo and don't cruise that well, just FYI, yes this is bothering me.  I'm not sick but definitely swaying when I walk, on land or at sea.  Yeah I have some Dramamine, and even saw it last night but just thought about it now and bags are way too full to get out.  Speaking of bags.  Did I tell you I had a b low out on day 2 in Istanbul.  Rear left is shot to heck. I'm actually dragging my luggage instead of pulling it.  In athens I'll buy be a souvenir of luggage.  I jut bought this piece for the trip.  Never pick Olympia or pick luggage for pretty.  I bought this for size and now don't knw to buy more this size or bigger nd put this in it and repair later.  Wish I could make it ti Erusalem where I will be for several weeks, and get it repaired.  See those are the kinds of things I could talk to people about in a hostil.  Talking things over always helps me work out a decision I can live with.

Way too much for now, so I'll go watch the world go by.. Found Psalms 3 today vs 7. deliver me O My God.  Strike all my enemies on the jaw, break the teeth of the wicked.  I first prayed this for me thinking of the Greek men then I prayed it for mankind

Have a blessed day.    Remember Psalm 24

    

Aegean

Not a cloud in the beautiful blue sky ranging from almost white where it meets the mountains and the sea, to a rich blue directly overhead, but it all fades to gray compared to the deep bluefish, purple of the sea.  The contrast of the sea foam , which makes memories of a snowbank at noontime,is almost blinding.  The sea foam is so think and rich it reminds me of shaving cream..  Oh maybe that is the aftershave of the man sitting beside me.  Life is good

My mind keeps wondering back to Paul's journey and his journeys on this sea and the people he met 2000 years ago.  How many generations are these people from those people,  where did mosque come in.  Where were they lead off the path of righteousness.  So many questions and I know the answers are out there.  Hello world, Donnie calling...is anyone home?

I think I need. Another place.

I'm I sitting here on a. Greek Ship where everyone around me speaks something else, one lady kinda English.  So my mind is just wondering.  At home I would call someone or just remember to tell you later or next time I see y.  So what do I do.  I need at blog spot to talk to myself.  And to talk about bathrooms, and the value of pants with lactic waists.  To wonder why, with all these people everywhere, I have yet to find a line for the ladies room.  Now that's just strange.  I don't understand why the other day I was sweating my self dry and was thirsty as heck, but still needed to P.  why and how does that happen. 

Michelle can you fix me a place like that, and maybe I can keep this sight clean and socially acceptable.  Just wondering.

By the way, I have not found Blue Bell anywhere but this Greek yogurt is some kinda good.

Last night was a bit clearing for me.  I think all last week I have been on when I get there mode.  You know like when I get to The hotel, Molly's, the lake whatever.  But on this trip either I'm there or I want be there till Dec 20th so I gotta slow.  I was thinking I could make this pace till I get there.  I could slow down a little when I get there.  Well I'm helper and may take a day or 2 and relays, and regroup.  My suitcase already broke...is that a clue.  Traveling like this cruise is not stressful, and takes very little energy but I am stil in hurry up mode..it's just hard not to hurry when the world keeps spinning.