We've just returned from a bus ride from Fira--a little hot and crowded, but totally fine. So that's where it started to look like the Greece from the postcards. Funny thing is that you don't see all the touristy shops and restaurants from the postcards. However it was really pretty--we posted up at this cafe and had beer and a light snack and just looked at the water. It was lovely.
The town is pretty confusing because there are not street names or signs. So you just have to use businesses as landmarks to find out where you are going.
We've decided that it is better to stay away from the tourist part and are embracing the pool at our current hotel.
Plus we've booked a hotel in Oia for tomorrow night to see another part of the island. So we'll see how that all transpires.
We're going to the pool now. Catch you peeps later.
Logging out. Until next time...
Saturday, September 8, 2007
The Upward Spiral
Hello Friends,
It's a new day, and we've a new outlook on Santorini. Ok well maybe not Kamari, I am taking photos to document the conditions we are surrounded by. Our room is nice, however the surrounding area is ghetto....how do you say that in Greek I wonder....
Anyway, today we are heading to Fira to see what all this white wash house/blue roof business is really about. And then tomorrow night we were able to book one night at this hotel that overlooks the Caldera. HOLLA. We'll have that one night to savor the postcard views at least, and that's all we can ask for at this time.
Cathy left a comment on going to the black sand beaches....Um....We ARE at the black sand beach. And it's not like sand, it's flippin rocks. AND it looks like a giant ashtray. Don't worry, I will photograph it so you'll be able to see. If i could crack open this locked cabinet, I could plug in my camera, but that might get us kicked out.
Alright we gotta go catch a bus and hitch our wagon to the stars now.
I'll report back with my findings when we return this evening.
Happy Weekend (i think it's just starting not for my stateside friends).
Until next time....Logging out.
It's a new day, and we've a new outlook on Santorini. Ok well maybe not Kamari, I am taking photos to document the conditions we are surrounded by. Our room is nice, however the surrounding area is ghetto....how do you say that in Greek I wonder....
Anyway, today we are heading to Fira to see what all this white wash house/blue roof business is really about. And then tomorrow night we were able to book one night at this hotel that overlooks the Caldera. HOLLA. We'll have that one night to savor the postcard views at least, and that's all we can ask for at this time.
Cathy left a comment on going to the black sand beaches....Um....We ARE at the black sand beach. And it's not like sand, it's flippin rocks. AND it looks like a giant ashtray. Don't worry, I will photograph it so you'll be able to see. If i could crack open this locked cabinet, I could plug in my camera, but that might get us kicked out.
Alright we gotta go catch a bus and hitch our wagon to the stars now.
I'll report back with my findings when we return this evening.
Happy Weekend (i think it's just starting not for my stateside friends).
Until next time....Logging out.
Friday, September 7, 2007
Kamari is not my friend
Dude--Seriously, I've played this idyllic grecian scene over and over in my head and somehow we ended up here. We haven't even taken any photos yet. Our hotel is on a desolate side of the island and we have already exhausted our local eating options. Tomorrow Rachel and I are going to take a bus to the other side of the island and scout out a place to sleep for one of the nights of our stay. We are not going down without a fight.
The mood in general is highly disappointed. And further there are so many random stray dogs and cats here, it is freaking me out. What is this Greece??? Where is the Greece of my dreams?!
Alright, I will be checking in again when my mood improves. However I did start and finish a book today, so that's good at least. :)
Anyway, log out and keep it real.
Until next time.
The mood in general is highly disappointed. And further there are so many random stray dogs and cats here, it is freaking me out. What is this Greece??? Where is the Greece of my dreams?!
Alright, I will be checking in again when my mood improves. However I did start and finish a book today, so that's good at least. :)
Anyway, log out and keep it real.
Until next time.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Desolate Times
Hello Friends--
We have a new hotel...that is in the middle of nowhere. Our room isnt ready yet, so we are camped out in their sitting area. I don't know what the hell is going on. It looks pretty but OMG there is seemingly nothing around. I don't even think we have or German MTV. Must get out to go to civilization.
Hopefully our room is ready soon, but for now, we are just posted up in this room waiting. All there is is a small tv with only Greek channels. Oy vey.
This morning we had to get up super early since our flight was at 6AM....our cabbie was playing light rock English speaking radio, so when he turned on the radio we heard Spandau Ballet...Rachel and I almost lost it. Good times.
I think we'll be doing lots of tours here. We can't be kept in this desolate space. This is NOT jamaica! Oh civilization, where are you.
Alright with that, I am signing off. I will come back when there is more to report. One positive, that island looks really pretty, but we need to get our bearings. Apparently there is a bus to remove us from this place. Perhaps I will take one for the team and drive. I'll let you know.
Logging Off.
Until next time...
We have a new hotel...that is in the middle of nowhere. Our room isnt ready yet, so we are camped out in their sitting area. I don't know what the hell is going on. It looks pretty but OMG there is seemingly nothing around. I don't even think we have or German MTV. Must get out to go to civilization.
Hopefully our room is ready soon, but for now, we are just posted up in this room waiting. All there is is a small tv with only Greek channels. Oy vey.
This morning we had to get up super early since our flight was at 6AM....our cabbie was playing light rock English speaking radio, so when he turned on the radio we heard Spandau Ballet...Rachel and I almost lost it. Good times.
I think we'll be doing lots of tours here. We can't be kept in this desolate space. This is NOT jamaica! Oh civilization, where are you.
Alright with that, I am signing off. I will come back when there is more to report. One positive, that island looks really pretty, but we need to get our bearings. Apparently there is a bus to remove us from this place. Perhaps I will take one for the team and drive. I'll let you know.
Logging Off.
Until next time...
Agora-phobia
Hello--
It's our last night in Athens this leg before we head off to Santorini. Rachel is feeling much better and we were able to get in a lot of good sightseeing.
Ok first off, there is a lady sitting next to me here in the lobby and she has no concept of personal space. A problem that I've been finding a lot here in Greece.
Today we did a bunch of stuff, we went to the ancient Agora (where Socrates corrupted the youth back in the day). However when we asked the info desk at the hotel how to get there he asked us "which Agora"...damn, are there a bunch? Hello, we want to go to the totally famous one. Duh. Anyway, his tips were useless, we just ended up using the guide book and it was pretty easy to find. However, I did get in trouble for sitting on the ruins...I thought it was a bench! After we trolled around the ruins, we went to the Agora museum and looked at some ancient stuff. Then we headed out to the National Archeological Museum. It was really cool, but truthfully a lot of the ancient things all start looking the same. However I can appreciate that they are mad old. But it all looks the same.
After the museum, we stopped at a sidewalk cafe and had a quick lunch, then headed back to our hotel for our afternoon siesta. We figured we should probably do that since it gets super hot mid-day and some stores close.
We just got back from dinner a little while ago. We went back to the plaka, but this time ate at this place that was near another place with live music and greek dancers. Good times.
Then we got back on the metro and headed to one of the metro stations that had 1) the tomb of the unknown soldier, and 2) an excavation site. I am sounding all Ross the paleantologist about this stuff...it's funny, I am not really all that into history, however may as well check it out while we are here.
Tomorrow we have a flight at the crack of dawn to bring us to our week long stint in Santorini. I am looking forward to relaxing under an umbrella and playing in the water.
Another grecian observation...there are some BAD haircuts and fashions here. So bad. Also, I've grown very accustomed to MTV Europe which shows a bunch of shows with german translations. It's terrible, but it's better than watching the only other English station we have which is Sky News. Seriously, the news is so depressing in London. Btw, RIP Pavarotti....:( That was another portion of our news that we've been watching.
Anyway, we're having a good time, and not sure if there will be easy access in Santorini, but i will try to write soon.
oh and lastly! I once again have phone service, luckily I brought the AT&T international service phone number with me. I was in this random phone booth here, and the light is a motion sensor so it kept going out because i dont move around enough. Very random. Anyway, the lady was able to fix my phone, so i am back in the game! Holla!
Alright with that, always remember to log out.
Until next time...
It's our last night in Athens this leg before we head off to Santorini. Rachel is feeling much better and we were able to get in a lot of good sightseeing.
Ok first off, there is a lady sitting next to me here in the lobby and she has no concept of personal space. A problem that I've been finding a lot here in Greece.
Today we did a bunch of stuff, we went to the ancient Agora (where Socrates corrupted the youth back in the day). However when we asked the info desk at the hotel how to get there he asked us "which Agora"...damn, are there a bunch? Hello, we want to go to the totally famous one. Duh. Anyway, his tips were useless, we just ended up using the guide book and it was pretty easy to find. However, I did get in trouble for sitting on the ruins...I thought it was a bench! After we trolled around the ruins, we went to the Agora museum and looked at some ancient stuff. Then we headed out to the National Archeological Museum. It was really cool, but truthfully a lot of the ancient things all start looking the same. However I can appreciate that they are mad old. But it all looks the same.
After the museum, we stopped at a sidewalk cafe and had a quick lunch, then headed back to our hotel for our afternoon siesta. We figured we should probably do that since it gets super hot mid-day and some stores close.
We just got back from dinner a little while ago. We went back to the plaka, but this time ate at this place that was near another place with live music and greek dancers. Good times.
Then we got back on the metro and headed to one of the metro stations that had 1) the tomb of the unknown soldier, and 2) an excavation site. I am sounding all Ross the paleantologist about this stuff...it's funny, I am not really all that into history, however may as well check it out while we are here.
Tomorrow we have a flight at the crack of dawn to bring us to our week long stint in Santorini. I am looking forward to relaxing under an umbrella and playing in the water.
Another grecian observation...there are some BAD haircuts and fashions here. So bad. Also, I've grown very accustomed to MTV Europe which shows a bunch of shows with german translations. It's terrible, but it's better than watching the only other English station we have which is Sky News. Seriously, the news is so depressing in London. Btw, RIP Pavarotti....:( That was another portion of our news that we've been watching.
Anyway, we're having a good time, and not sure if there will be easy access in Santorini, but i will try to write soon.
oh and lastly! I once again have phone service, luckily I brought the AT&T international service phone number with me. I was in this random phone booth here, and the light is a motion sensor so it kept going out because i dont move around enough. Very random. Anyway, the lady was able to fix my phone, so i am back in the game! Holla!
Alright with that, always remember to log out.
Until next time...
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Greece is so hot. Seriously...hot.
Hello Peeps--
I am once again writing from the hotel lobby...which still smells like smoke. I've decided that this part of Athens is pretty wack--just lots of smoke and b.o. It's like people don't know how to use deodorant. The staff is all clean and clean smelling, but the guests, not so much. It's so bad that I've even started to wonder if it is me...which it could very well be considering it is hot as hades here.
Last night we had dinner near the hotel at this random restaurant...we ate in this garden terrace and everything that we tried to order was not available. What the hell? We settled on Greek Salad and Grilled Chicken...it was pretty decent. Too bad everyone around us was non-stop smoking...even while they were eating. Nasty.
Today we took it pretty easy, I think Rachel got a touch of the flu, so hopefully this vacates her body quickly. We still made it to the top of the Acropolis though--it was pretty sweet. There's a bunch of stray cats and dogs just roaming the streets. It's a bit unsetttling. However the all seem to be pretty well fed, so I guess I shouldnt feel bad.
We also ate dinner in the Plaka area. It was really cute, and very much like you think Greece would look like. It was super touristy, but it was ok...I think that's what we needed. We need well lit streets and food that I can see. We are too pretty to be in the dark alleys.
Tomorrow we are planning on heading to the Agora and the Archeological Museum. It's our last day on this stint in Athens...We'll be back here in about a week and a half though. I can't believe that our first destination is already half over. These trips take so long to plan and then they go by so quickly.
Today I had to buy a phone card because my POS Razr still isnt working. Blasted Cingular. I am so mad. Dont think I wont be making a call when I get back to the US. I dont plan on paying for this 3 weeks of service considering i have an international plan. Dirty bitches.
Anyway, I don't have too much else to say except that I think there's a ton of Americans here and that's kinda boring. And I agree with most peeps that say that Athens is kinda crappy. I am hoping for more exciting times to come in the next few days.
Oh another thing...the people staying here, I think Rachel and I are the youngest by at least 20 years. However the old folks are partying like rock stars. So funny.
Anyway, take care of each other. Always remember to log out.
Until next time...
I am once again writing from the hotel lobby...which still smells like smoke. I've decided that this part of Athens is pretty wack--just lots of smoke and b.o. It's like people don't know how to use deodorant. The staff is all clean and clean smelling, but the guests, not so much. It's so bad that I've even started to wonder if it is me...which it could very well be considering it is hot as hades here.
Last night we had dinner near the hotel at this random restaurant...we ate in this garden terrace and everything that we tried to order was not available. What the hell? We settled on Greek Salad and Grilled Chicken...it was pretty decent. Too bad everyone around us was non-stop smoking...even while they were eating. Nasty.
Today we took it pretty easy, I think Rachel got a touch of the flu, so hopefully this vacates her body quickly. We still made it to the top of the Acropolis though--it was pretty sweet. There's a bunch of stray cats and dogs just roaming the streets. It's a bit unsetttling. However the all seem to be pretty well fed, so I guess I shouldnt feel bad.
We also ate dinner in the Plaka area. It was really cute, and very much like you think Greece would look like. It was super touristy, but it was ok...I think that's what we needed. We need well lit streets and food that I can see. We are too pretty to be in the dark alleys.
Tomorrow we are planning on heading to the Agora and the Archeological Museum. It's our last day on this stint in Athens...We'll be back here in about a week and a half though. I can't believe that our first destination is already half over. These trips take so long to plan and then they go by so quickly.
Today I had to buy a phone card because my POS Razr still isnt working. Blasted Cingular. I am so mad. Dont think I wont be making a call when I get back to the US. I dont plan on paying for this 3 weeks of service considering i have an international plan. Dirty bitches.
Anyway, I don't have too much else to say except that I think there's a ton of Americans here and that's kinda boring. And I agree with most peeps that say that Athens is kinda crappy. I am hoping for more exciting times to come in the next few days.
Oh another thing...the people staying here, I think Rachel and I are the youngest by at least 20 years. However the old folks are partying like rock stars. So funny.
Anyway, take care of each other. Always remember to log out.
Until next time...
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Athens is Loco
Hello Friends.
I am sitting in our hotel lobby in Athens on our first evening in Greece. We've had a couple of days of brutal travel, so it is nice to finally get to rest for a couple of days in one place.
My first observations of athens...1) the Metro from the airport...super nice. 2) our hotel...meager accomodations. 3) the area we are staying in...kinda shifty. 4) it smells like a weird combination of smoke and b.o. everywhere we go.
Our time in NYC was awesome. We got to spend some quality time with Cath, and see a bunch of random sights. After our ridiculous plane ride--I couldnt get comforatble to sleep because there was a bebe's kid who kept kicking my chair, and then the lady in front of me somehow got like 4 airplane pillows that she kept shoving to the back of her seat and into my personal space. So irritating. However we finally got to NYC and strolled around. We went to check into our hotel, had a terrible breakfast at this really random place the concierge recommended...i think it was for the foreign tourists, so it was just kinda whatever food. So Rachel and I took to the streets and went to Times Square, ran into some street festival (brazilian day) and then we waited until the lottery for tickets to wicked. Howeer, in our time we posted up at a Starbucks (they have free bathrooms), chilled out in Central Park, and then went to the shops at Columbus Circle--they had a ton of Lenticular Art. It's all about lenticular in 07 apparently. Also I took a pic with another naked statue. haha. Then we were off to try and score Wicked tickets. Unfortunately about 200 other people also had the same plan and so we were denied. We got back to our hotel and took a mini siesta.
Cath swooped us up for dinner and we traveled to Williamsburg in Brooklyn--we walked around and looked at the "dirty hipsters" and then had a beer and some wings at this pub. After our snack, we went to Little Italy and had some amazing food. Finally we found Billy's Bakery, and I scarfed down a cupcake...or two. :) Very tasty. I liked it much better than Magnolia--the frosting was sweet without being able to taste the sugar granules.
The next morning we got up and walked the flea market on our street, then Cath picked us up and took us to some real deal NY pizza in Queens. The place was hilarious. Total old school joint complete with angry patrons.
Once we got to JFK the guy at the British Airways counter informed us that we were on the TSA watch list. Seriously??!? Ok i actually don't know if he was joking, but I don't like those kinds of jokes. Did I mention that I LOVE british airways? I had not flown them before, but it was lovely. The people were pleasant, there was ample leg room, and the food was decent. Good times.
I am still trying to figure out if i can post pics from this computer...I am thinking no because as it is, I am typing on a greek keyboard. What the hell....fortunately I am actually a better typist than i thought i was so i can figure out what it is I am spelling. Holla!
It's pretty warm here, but truthfully we've only seen our hotel thus far. We are both so exhausted from the travel that we are taking it easy today. We got in to our hotel about 4PM and right now i think it's only 7 or 8. The thing that is ticking me off at the moment is that my phone is not registering, so I can't call out. So if you don't hear from me in a few days via phone, you will know what happened.
Alright I better get back upstairs and see if we can find some dinner to eat. I took a walk around the neighborhood here to get some water, and it was not somewhere I would kick it on an ordinary day. However, we're in Greece, so it's definitely not an ordinary day.
I'll try and write again soon.
Until then...Always Log Out.
I am sitting in our hotel lobby in Athens on our first evening in Greece. We've had a couple of days of brutal travel, so it is nice to finally get to rest for a couple of days in one place.
My first observations of athens...1) the Metro from the airport...super nice. 2) our hotel...meager accomodations. 3) the area we are staying in...kinda shifty. 4) it smells like a weird combination of smoke and b.o. everywhere we go.
Our time in NYC was awesome. We got to spend some quality time with Cath, and see a bunch of random sights. After our ridiculous plane ride--I couldnt get comforatble to sleep because there was a bebe's kid who kept kicking my chair, and then the lady in front of me somehow got like 4 airplane pillows that she kept shoving to the back of her seat and into my personal space. So irritating. However we finally got to NYC and strolled around. We went to check into our hotel, had a terrible breakfast at this really random place the concierge recommended...i think it was for the foreign tourists, so it was just kinda whatever food. So Rachel and I took to the streets and went to Times Square, ran into some street festival (brazilian day) and then we waited until the lottery for tickets to wicked. Howeer, in our time we posted up at a Starbucks (they have free bathrooms), chilled out in Central Park, and then went to the shops at Columbus Circle--they had a ton of Lenticular Art. It's all about lenticular in 07 apparently. Also I took a pic with another naked statue. haha. Then we were off to try and score Wicked tickets. Unfortunately about 200 other people also had the same plan and so we were denied. We got back to our hotel and took a mini siesta.
Cath swooped us up for dinner and we traveled to Williamsburg in Brooklyn--we walked around and looked at the "dirty hipsters" and then had a beer and some wings at this pub. After our snack, we went to Little Italy and had some amazing food. Finally we found Billy's Bakery, and I scarfed down a cupcake...or two. :) Very tasty. I liked it much better than Magnolia--the frosting was sweet without being able to taste the sugar granules.
The next morning we got up and walked the flea market on our street, then Cath picked us up and took us to some real deal NY pizza in Queens. The place was hilarious. Total old school joint complete with angry patrons.
Once we got to JFK the guy at the British Airways counter informed us that we were on the TSA watch list. Seriously??!? Ok i actually don't know if he was joking, but I don't like those kinds of jokes. Did I mention that I LOVE british airways? I had not flown them before, but it was lovely. The people were pleasant, there was ample leg room, and the food was decent. Good times.
I am still trying to figure out if i can post pics from this computer...I am thinking no because as it is, I am typing on a greek keyboard. What the hell....fortunately I am actually a better typist than i thought i was so i can figure out what it is I am spelling. Holla!
It's pretty warm here, but truthfully we've only seen our hotel thus far. We are both so exhausted from the travel that we are taking it easy today. We got in to our hotel about 4PM and right now i think it's only 7 or 8. The thing that is ticking me off at the moment is that my phone is not registering, so I can't call out. So if you don't hear from me in a few days via phone, you will know what happened.
Alright I better get back upstairs and see if we can find some dinner to eat. I took a walk around the neighborhood here to get some water, and it was not somewhere I would kick it on an ordinary day. However, we're in Greece, so it's definitely not an ordinary day.
I'll try and write again soon.
Until then...Always Log Out.
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