In just a little while we are headed on our Greek island cruise. We just did 3 days of touring in and around Athens. Friday was Athens, Saturaday Argolis and Sunday in Delphi. We are all still on jet lag, working on fabulous tans, walking our legs off like never before and sweating buckets at a time... All in a good day's fun in Greece.
Saturday was my birthday. The tour guide had the waiters at the restaurant where we had lunch make a last minute birthday cake... which was pretty much a bunch of slices put on a plate and covered in whip cream. It actually was pretty good. I must also say it was the first time that I had happy birthday sung to me in English, Spanish, Italian and Greek. Quite interesting. After the tour, the family went out to the top of the highest hill in Athens (Lycabbetos Hill - or something like that) - hung out and got some awesome views of the city.
Yesterday I think was the hottest day so far. We were real lucky to come to Greece just as a heat wave moved in. So it's been an extra 10 degrees hotter or so. People say that since we're from AZ we should be used to it, especially since it's not so humid... but here's the thing, when it's this hot in AZ no one ever goes out... right? And if you do, you're in some A/C-ed place in like 10 sec... none of this hiking and walking around for a couple hours at a time. hahaha. oh well, the places we've seen have been worth it.
Ok, that's it for now, I've got to go finish packing before they pick us up for our cruise!!
Thanks to everyone who wished me happy birthday!
Miss you all!!
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Out smarted by Athens
KALIMERA!! Actually I think that's good morning, and well, right now it's 7:20 pm... but that's the only word I've learned so far. I keep forgetting how say thank you. Epharistoh... or something like that. I'm learning.
We got here safe and sound after 16 hrs of traveling. It wasn't so bad, but that's only because I actually slept most of the flights. Yay sleep! Let me recommend Northwest if you ever need to do international travels. You get to choose from some 20 different movies that start whenever you want them to because you have your own mini screen and you also have the option of playing some games... all free of charge. Danny definitely took advantage of this... I, on the other hand slept :-)
Tomorrow marks the official first day of our tour. So far we have been taking Athens into our hands. And while the plan was show Athens what we are all about, I think Athens has shown us what it's all about... First off, taking a taxi here - very confusing. It's hot here, so we wanted an air conditioned taxi. Well, after 10 failed attempts at hailing a taxi, we went for the cheaper bus option. Riding bus means no a/c. oh well, but I must say we looked like idiots trying to hail one of yellow cars. And really, the heat does get to you. I have not sweated so much in such a long time. Probably also because we walked around town for some 8 hours yesterday and another 5 today. I'm gonna come back a leaner and tougher Mandy, you just wait and see :-) Also, Greece is ridiculously expensive, and when I say ridiculous, I mean ridiculous. The Euro is so much stronger, that it sucks being American right now. The only thing cheaper here is the water. A coke though, is 1.5 euros, which turns out to be about $2 for a can. See... who deals with that?? I can't. Water it is. Oh, and most internet cafes are like 5 euros ($7.5) per hr. We were lucky to find this one for only 1.30 euros. Crazy europeans! I can't complain though. I really have liked Greece so far. We've hit the beach, a couple of towns and a couple museums so far. I'm quite impressed with the Greeks so far and we haven't even hit any of the super exciting stuff like the Acropolis yet - that's tomorrow. Those history books weren't lying when they said that the Greeks were smart.
I really wanted to post pictures on this thing, but none of these computers have USB port things, so no luck so far. Maybe, hopefully later. Alright, well my hour has almost come to an end. So til another day. Hugs to all of you!
We got here safe and sound after 16 hrs of traveling. It wasn't so bad, but that's only because I actually slept most of the flights. Yay sleep! Let me recommend Northwest if you ever need to do international travels. You get to choose from some 20 different movies that start whenever you want them to because you have your own mini screen and you also have the option of playing some games... all free of charge. Danny definitely took advantage of this... I, on the other hand slept :-)
Tomorrow marks the official first day of our tour. So far we have been taking Athens into our hands. And while the plan was show Athens what we are all about, I think Athens has shown us what it's all about... First off, taking a taxi here - very confusing. It's hot here, so we wanted an air conditioned taxi. Well, after 10 failed attempts at hailing a taxi, we went for the cheaper bus option. Riding bus means no a/c. oh well, but I must say we looked like idiots trying to hail one of yellow cars. And really, the heat does get to you. I have not sweated so much in such a long time. Probably also because we walked around town for some 8 hours yesterday and another 5 today. I'm gonna come back a leaner and tougher Mandy, you just wait and see :-) Also, Greece is ridiculously expensive, and when I say ridiculous, I mean ridiculous. The Euro is so much stronger, that it sucks being American right now. The only thing cheaper here is the water. A coke though, is 1.5 euros, which turns out to be about $2 for a can. See... who deals with that?? I can't. Water it is. Oh, and most internet cafes are like 5 euros ($7.5) per hr. We were lucky to find this one for only 1.30 euros. Crazy europeans! I can't complain though. I really have liked Greece so far. We've hit the beach, a couple of towns and a couple museums so far. I'm quite impressed with the Greeks so far and we haven't even hit any of the super exciting stuff like the Acropolis yet - that's tomorrow. Those history books weren't lying when they said that the Greeks were smart.
I really wanted to post pictures on this thing, but none of these computers have USB port things, so no luck so far. Maybe, hopefully later. Alright, well my hour has almost come to an end. So til another day. Hugs to all of you!
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Getting ready
16 hours and counting til we leave. The family has always been great at getting ready at the last minute, and it's no different this year. What makes it better than normal, we've also had to get ready for Father's Day! Yay for the stress!!... but yet, I am sitting here writing this, go figure. So maybe I should get going.
So here's the deal... we leave tomorrow around noon. First half of the vacation is in Greece - about 9 days. The second half is in Egypt, including a cruise down the Nile. Be ready to be jealous :-) I'll try and post pics up if I can.
Alright, I'm out. 10 hr jet lag, here I come!! Can't wait to get out of the Arizona heat... but then again, I'm not really sure how much better the heat over by the Mediterranean is going to be. Oh well, it'll all be worth it, I'm sure.
Take care.
Love
Me
So here's the deal... we leave tomorrow around noon. First half of the vacation is in Greece - about 9 days. The second half is in Egypt, including a cruise down the Nile. Be ready to be jealous :-) I'll try and post pics up if I can.
Alright, I'm out. 10 hr jet lag, here I come!! Can't wait to get out of the Arizona heat... but then again, I'm not really sure how much better the heat over by the Mediterranean is going to be. Oh well, it'll all be worth it, I'm sure.
Take care.
Love
Me
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