I went to bed at 7:30, and I woke up around 12 and so when my 6 o'clock wake up call came, I had been up for some time.
To test out my fellow travelers, I sat a big table, but no one joined me. LOL. Sometimes I wouldn't mind the company.
We left the hotel around 7 a.m. to go to our cruise ship.
We finally departed, and I missed the departure from Athens picture because of the lifeboat drill. Their are many excursions, which add up. I had to remember I was on vacation, and I had a budget to keep so I just signed up for the Ephesus one. I felt somewhat pressured, but when I realized that most of them involved getting up at six, I was like, um no. I'm on vacation. I need to rest. I will come back again! Plus with cruising, not enough time at each port. I know, I'm on my soapbox about non-Rick Steve tours and cruising. Pray for me.
I took a three hour nap, and I missed lunch. Just couldn't get up.
I did get up to meet our group, and we did a walking tour of Mykonos together. The city is basically a maze. I enjoyed wandering in it. It started pouring like torrential rain. I was very soaked and wet. I almost went back to the ship several times, but kept pressing my way through.
It's pretty cramped, and they have a gossip square for "constructive observations." Old grandmothers used to sit and watch their neighbors and report what they saw. This is pre KOMO, ABC, and CNN. LOL! You can basically see and hear everything about your neighbors. Hard to imagine whole families living together under one roof but still true today in some parts of the world. Just not my reality. I love and need my privacy. Wow. How could parents be intimate living like that. I am such a prude. LOL
Mykonos was primarily a fishing town and quite poor. During the 50s it became trendy and attracted the jet set so it became popular because people stopped there en route to Delos, which is where Apollo and Artemis are "revered to have been born." Now, it's a hot tourist spot. There are over 400 churches on the island. Mothers and wives used to pledge to God that they would build a church if their loved ones came back from fishing safely. So, they honored their pledge by building a church. After a while, people started building them as a way to show they were well to do.
I read that the population for Mykonos Town is around 6000 but then the cruise ships come. I keep wondering about people's life who actually live there. This now applies to Patmos and Rhodes as well. It's tough having to rely on tourism. I imagine the world recession made their lives miserable!
There is an area called Little Venice, which I don't really see why they call it that, but that's just my opinion. There are windmills that were once used for grinding wheat and barley. They were pretty cool.
I could imagine coming back and having a good time there before going somewhere to actually rest. LOL
The mascot there is a pelican named Petros. He got left behind by a group of migrating pelicans. Poor guy. I think I got a shot of him. Then again, I don't remember if I ever had a clean shot or not. Hmmm. I guess I will find out.
I just enjoyed walking around, despite the rain. I realize that I like to wander aimlessly. Sometimes I come across dark, unbeaten places and I realize I am traveling alone and may want to go back to the familiar path, but I like walking from areas where the tourist are and seeing where the locals live. I got some good shots.
Then I went to bed, and woke up in the middle of night again and was up when my 5:45 wake up call came. Sigh!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Athens
When I arrived in Athens, I went in search of the Globus rep. I didn't see her right away. I started to panic, but I was pretty sure I was in the right place so I just chilled and kept watching for someone. Before a mental breakdown, I saw the Globus sign! So, I waited for the rest of the people who would be riding to me.
I discovered we were making two stops. One stop was for the people doing a three-day cruise and the next for the people who were going to do the four-day, which I am on. I met some really cool people who were doing the three-day. There were from Minnesota and part of a Lutheran church group. They were very nice, and I know I would have had a good time with them. I'm glad to have crossed their paths in this journey of life.
So, I checked in and found a cash machine. Then, I walked around my neighborhood, which is nice. Then I did the blog saying I was safe. After that, I met with my group. We had a briefing and made introductions. There are four couples and a pair of friends traveling together for a total of eleven. I now know this about the couples:
The friends traveling are from Australia. One of them is very well traveled and a teacher, and they were in Italy before Greece.
One of the couples are boyfriend/girlfriend, and they are from St. Louis. They flew through Atlanta and his luggage went missing. They actually just got it today.
One couple is from California. They are on a two and half month vacation. She quit her job, and he is taking time off unpaid. They drove across the U.S. for 2 1/2 weeks. Then, they went to Italy, now Greece. After Greece, they head back to the U.S. and will drive back across the county on their return. They are going to start a family soon.
Another couple is from Australia. They are both professors. She in law and he in philosophy. They are celebrating their 30th anniversary! They are both very smart and well traveled.
The final couple is from Wisconsin. He is a retired Methodist preacher and she is a pediatric nurse. We had a long talk about the times and we are not quite sure what God is doing, but something is about to happen. It's getting "dark" but that is when the light will shine all the brighter. I actually felt very comforted by our conversation.
Our tour guide is interesting. She can be very nice, and she can be short with people, which I find funny. It could be cultural, but you can tell when she doesn't like what she is hearing. No one has come out and called her rude, but people keep saying she isn't helpful. LOL
After the meeting, I went to bed. This was around 7:30.
I discovered we were making two stops. One stop was for the people doing a three-day cruise and the next for the people who were going to do the four-day, which I am on. I met some really cool people who were doing the three-day. There were from Minnesota and part of a Lutheran church group. They were very nice, and I know I would have had a good time with them. I'm glad to have crossed their paths in this journey of life.
So, I checked in and found a cash machine. Then, I walked around my neighborhood, which is nice. Then I did the blog saying I was safe. After that, I met with my group. We had a briefing and made introductions. There are four couples and a pair of friends traveling together for a total of eleven. I now know this about the couples:
The friends traveling are from Australia. One of them is very well traveled and a teacher, and they were in Italy before Greece.
One of the couples are boyfriend/girlfriend, and they are from St. Louis. They flew through Atlanta and his luggage went missing. They actually just got it today.
One couple is from California. They are on a two and half month vacation. She quit her job, and he is taking time off unpaid. They drove across the U.S. for 2 1/2 weeks. Then, they went to Italy, now Greece. After Greece, they head back to the U.S. and will drive back across the county on their return. They are going to start a family soon.
Another couple is from Australia. They are both professors. She in law and he in philosophy. They are celebrating their 30th anniversary! They are both very smart and well traveled.
The final couple is from Wisconsin. He is a retired Methodist preacher and she is a pediatric nurse. We had a long talk about the times and we are not quite sure what God is doing, but something is about to happen. It's getting "dark" but that is when the light will shine all the brighter. I actually felt very comforted by our conversation.
Our tour guide is interesting. She can be very nice, and she can be short with people, which I find funny. It could be cultural, but you can tell when she doesn't like what she is hearing. No one has come out and called her rude, but people keep saying she isn't helpful. LOL
After the meeting, I went to bed. This was around 7:30.
Mind Dump
I feel like I have left so much out, so I will simply start at the beginning. The following blogs will be by city.
A warning that this will be a mix of own personal feelings and what I've been doing. Unless you don't mind getting trapped in the maze that is my mind, you may want to skim! Another warning is that I may repeat what I have already said as I don't remember what I have written.
Pre-Trip
I believe that I mentioned I spent the week before getting ready. Errands to Target and REI. I also spent hours looking for skirts to take with no luck. Did all the beauty stuff to look my best :). I remember mentioning how stressed I was because I hadn't checked into my Amsterdam - Athens segment. I wasn't sure how close or far my gates were. Long story short, I made it.
Planning this trip was stressful too. I originally was going to travel with a friend, but she wasn't able to make it. I had been going through different scenarios in my head. I originally really wanted to go to Egypt and Israel but my budget wasn't there this year. I also thought Spain, Morocco, and Portugal.
I've mentioned I love Rick Steves. Some of the other tour companies have all these add in costs that make their trips hard to budget for. Tips, excursions (which are normally things you would want to do). A good example is that on this tour a visit to the Acropolis is a 65 euro optional excursion. Sorry, don't most people who come to Athens want to go there? So shouldn't that just be a part of the tour? Basically, I feel that they are paying for your place to stay, but you are paying for what you want do and figuring out how to get there on your own. It's my own personally soap box, I know this.
I may have mentioned I seriously considering canceling the whole trip. I was very doom and gloom in my mind, but it had less to do with the trip and more to do with my own current internal struggle. Human beings are amazing. We have the capacity to do great things. As we struggle with our own short comings and our our insecurities, we can prevent ourselves from doing great things. I am very aware that I am my own worse enemy. Once I decide on something, it happens. Period. It's only when I go back and forth and hem and haw that nothing gets done. It's also when I let my own fears and insecurities hinder me that I sit in my mess and suffer. So, I had to battle myself to even get on the airplane and come here. The night before I left, I was up part of the night thinking about why I shouldn't go.
My sister Cathy drives me crazy. She voices a lot of her internal struggles, and I get upset, and I am like get over it. Meanwhile, I suffer in silence over my own demons. I'm ready to face them head on. Why suffer in silence? As I hear people talk, I realize when it comes down to it, we have more in common and all are struggling with something. It's actually comforting to know we are dealing.
The message spoke by my pastor before I left was about a shift. I spend a lot of time focusing on what I don't have. What I haven't done. I should focus on what I have and what I have done and what I can do and will do with the right planning and attitude.
A warning that this will be a mix of own personal feelings and what I've been doing. Unless you don't mind getting trapped in the maze that is my mind, you may want to skim! Another warning is that I may repeat what I have already said as I don't remember what I have written.
Pre-Trip
I believe that I mentioned I spent the week before getting ready. Errands to Target and REI. I also spent hours looking for skirts to take with no luck. Did all the beauty stuff to look my best :). I remember mentioning how stressed I was because I hadn't checked into my Amsterdam - Athens segment. I wasn't sure how close or far my gates were. Long story short, I made it.
Planning this trip was stressful too. I originally was going to travel with a friend, but she wasn't able to make it. I had been going through different scenarios in my head. I originally really wanted to go to Egypt and Israel but my budget wasn't there this year. I also thought Spain, Morocco, and Portugal.
I've mentioned I love Rick Steves. Some of the other tour companies have all these add in costs that make their trips hard to budget for. Tips, excursions (which are normally things you would want to do). A good example is that on this tour a visit to the Acropolis is a 65 euro optional excursion. Sorry, don't most people who come to Athens want to go there? So shouldn't that just be a part of the tour? Basically, I feel that they are paying for your place to stay, but you are paying for what you want do and figuring out how to get there on your own. It's my own personally soap box, I know this.
I may have mentioned I seriously considering canceling the whole trip. I was very doom and gloom in my mind, but it had less to do with the trip and more to do with my own current internal struggle. Human beings are amazing. We have the capacity to do great things. As we struggle with our own short comings and our our insecurities, we can prevent ourselves from doing great things. I am very aware that I am my own worse enemy. Once I decide on something, it happens. Period. It's only when I go back and forth and hem and haw that nothing gets done. It's also when I let my own fears and insecurities hinder me that I sit in my mess and suffer. So, I had to battle myself to even get on the airplane and come here. The night before I left, I was up part of the night thinking about why I shouldn't go.
My sister Cathy drives me crazy. She voices a lot of her internal struggles, and I get upset, and I am like get over it. Meanwhile, I suffer in silence over my own demons. I'm ready to face them head on. Why suffer in silence? As I hear people talk, I realize when it comes down to it, we have more in common and all are struggling with something. It's actually comforting to know we are dealing.
The message spoke by my pastor before I left was about a shift. I spend a lot of time focusing on what I don't have. What I haven't done. I should focus on what I have and what I have done and what I can do and will do with the right planning and attitude.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
LTB, Paul, and John Oh My
Today was the most amazing day. I will record a long blog for the record books when I have better rates. Began the morning in Asia in Turkey and finished the day in Europe in Patmos. Both totally amazing! The cave in Patmos was very amazing. I can't explain the feeling. Just awe, but more on that later.
The weather goes from rain to sunshine to rain again. I got soaked last night in Mykonos. I've never been so wet that even my underwear were soaked. I know, I know TMI. The rain that came reminded me of how I expected the monsoons to be in India, but they didn't come when we were there. There was a river running down the streets. I liked Mykonos. The city was designed as a maze to confuse pirates. I enjoyed wandering the backstreets.
I wish we had more time to stay in each port, but as I may or may not have mentioned, I'm over cruising. I need time to linger and wander. I can totally see coming back to Greece and island hopping every two nights. Also totally want to check out Turkey. Was amazed at what I saw. Maybe that is next year?
Anyway I need to sit down and spend like a few logging my notes. I may have a chance tomorrow when we land in Rhodes. We will be at port most of the day, and I saw an Internet cafe on the map. They have to have better rates than the boat.
XOXO
The weather goes from rain to sunshine to rain again. I got soaked last night in Mykonos. I've never been so wet that even my underwear were soaked. I know, I know TMI. The rain that came reminded me of how I expected the monsoons to be in India, but they didn't come when we were there. There was a river running down the streets. I liked Mykonos. The city was designed as a maze to confuse pirates. I enjoyed wandering the backstreets.
I wish we had more time to stay in each port, but as I may or may not have mentioned, I'm over cruising. I need time to linger and wander. I can totally see coming back to Greece and island hopping every two nights. Also totally want to check out Turkey. Was amazed at what I saw. Maybe that is next year?
Anyway I need to sit down and spend like a few logging my notes. I may have a chance tomorrow when we land in Rhodes. We will be at port most of the day, and I saw an Internet cafe on the map. They have to have better rates than the boat.
XOXO
Monday, October 18, 2010
Greek Isle Cruise
This will be short. The Internet is expensive on the ship. 25 cent euro/minute. Gasp. Want to assure you that I am alive and kicking. Will make a large post if I find an Internet cafe or when I return to land on Friday.
Tonight we stop in Mykonos. I missed my shot of us departing Greece because we were doing a blasted life vest drill.
Tomorrow we stop in Turkey and I will visit Ephesus!!! Will see the theater Paul preached at. Looking forward to it. Then we visit the isle of Patmos in the afternoon. Super excited to see the cave John wrote Revelation.
I signed up for one excursion, which is Turkey.
I will give my opinion on non-Rick Steves Tours. I will say that with Rick everything is included. All the admission and all the tips so when you get there you have paid for everything but some meals and your souvenirs. Globus, it starts to add up so their cheap intro cost increases quickly with excursions and tips and tips and tips. It's all good. I planned this trip very quickly so live and learn.
Okay, I must log off now. I tend to not be able to stop typing. I have stuff to say!
Tonight we stop in Mykonos. I missed my shot of us departing Greece because we were doing a blasted life vest drill.
Tomorrow we stop in Turkey and I will visit Ephesus!!! Will see the theater Paul preached at. Looking forward to it. Then we visit the isle of Patmos in the afternoon. Super excited to see the cave John wrote Revelation.
I signed up for one excursion, which is Turkey.
I will give my opinion on non-Rick Steves Tours. I will say that with Rick everything is included. All the admission and all the tips so when you get there you have paid for everything but some meals and your souvenirs. Globus, it starts to add up so their cheap intro cost increases quickly with excursions and tips and tips and tips. It's all good. I planned this trip very quickly so live and learn.
Okay, I must log off now. I tend to not be able to stop typing. I have stuff to say!
Sunday, October 17, 2010
P.S.
People asked me where I am going. LOL. This year, the trip was planned in a month or so. I was scrambling and had so many ideas, most folks have no idea of what I settled on:
Oct 17 - 23: Athens and Greek Isle cruise
October 23 - 26: Brugge (Belgium)
October 26 - 30: Amsterdam
XOXO
Oct 17 - 23: Athens and Greek Isle cruise
October 23 - 26: Brugge (Belgium)
October 26 - 30: Amsterdam
XOXO
The Eagle Has Landed
Hello Family and Friends:
I have arrived safe and sound in Athens!
I am happy to be here.
I did all my pre-trip prep.
Clean the House: check
Do Laundry: check
Get hair done/did: check check
Get brows done: check
And for Candy: Pluck hair on chin/neck. Okay that is a triple check. LOL.
Things fell into place at work. The reports were done. The only missing information was outside of my control.
So the flight from Seattle to Amsterdam was 9 hours. It went by fast. I watched Back Up Plan and Grown Ups. Both made me laugh, and I had to stop myself from busting out. I love to laugh. LOL. I slept some as well. Read a little.
Note to self: While it's cheaper to book trip segments separate, it's also more of a hassle. Some weird rule that I couldn't check into my Amsterdam - Athens ticket in Seattle, which was one more thing to do in a two hour layover. My flight was 30 minutes late leaving, and I was like LAWD NO. I went to the possible worst case scenario of missing my connection and missing my cruise. Note to self: the worst case scenario never happens. I'm comforted that it is human nature to take oneself through unnecessary drama mentally. Something I am working on though.
Oh. The lady sitting next to me on the Seattle - Amsterdam portion worked for a travel magazine and she was on her way to Nairobi for a press junction. I told her about my travel blog and she suggested I submit some articles to travel magazines and see what would happen. Now that I am thinking more clearly, I should have gotten her contact info.
Which brings me to the worst part of travel. Jet lag. I did manage to sleep during both segments. It's currently 4:45 on Sunday and my tour group is meeting at 6:00. For the Greece portion, I am doing a cruise with Globus Travel. We have two days in Athens, one being today. It's too big to see in two days, so I def must come back. I do one want to see the Acropolis. Probably the day before I leave for Belgium.
Athens is large and condensed. There are about 5-6M people here. Word on the street is that there are so many undocumented workers that it's hard to tell.
Anyway, so excited to be here. On the way here, I was looking at some maps and on some maps I was excited to see that I had been to most of the place. Other maps, I was like dang, I haven't been to most of the places. I centered myself and realized that unless I hit the mega millions, or someone wants to invest in my future - I will take donation in increments of $500 - then I will just have to slowly, but surely check places off my list. If I say, go to an average of two places each year over the next 30 or 40 years, I will have seen much of the world, twice over.
Note to self: You have been blessed to travel some. You cannot quit your job, sell your condo, and travel for a year. That is not a good long-term decision. You cannot travel unless you have the money saved. Going into debt to travel is not very smart! Using the equity in your place is not smart either!
Please keep me in your prayers. Praying for fun, safe, smooth traveling. This is a good trip for me. There are things I need to "shift" in mind and get together. Life is too short. And sometimes worry and fear keeps one from stepping out and giving it 100%.
Finally, I will edit when I return. Just wanted to let everyone know I made it safe and sound!
Love You. XOXO
I have arrived safe and sound in Athens!
I am happy to be here.
I did all my pre-trip prep.
Clean the House: check
Do Laundry: check
Get hair done/did: check check
Get brows done: check
And for Candy: Pluck hair on chin/neck. Okay that is a triple check. LOL.
Things fell into place at work. The reports were done. The only missing information was outside of my control.
So the flight from Seattle to Amsterdam was 9 hours. It went by fast. I watched Back Up Plan and Grown Ups. Both made me laugh, and I had to stop myself from busting out. I love to laugh. LOL. I slept some as well. Read a little.
Note to self: While it's cheaper to book trip segments separate, it's also more of a hassle. Some weird rule that I couldn't check into my Amsterdam - Athens ticket in Seattle, which was one more thing to do in a two hour layover. My flight was 30 minutes late leaving, and I was like LAWD NO. I went to the possible worst case scenario of missing my connection and missing my cruise. Note to self: the worst case scenario never happens. I'm comforted that it is human nature to take oneself through unnecessary drama mentally. Something I am working on though.
Oh. The lady sitting next to me on the Seattle - Amsterdam portion worked for a travel magazine and she was on her way to Nairobi for a press junction. I told her about my travel blog and she suggested I submit some articles to travel magazines and see what would happen. Now that I am thinking more clearly, I should have gotten her contact info.
Which brings me to the worst part of travel. Jet lag. I did manage to sleep during both segments. It's currently 4:45 on Sunday and my tour group is meeting at 6:00. For the Greece portion, I am doing a cruise with Globus Travel. We have two days in Athens, one being today. It's too big to see in two days, so I def must come back. I do one want to see the Acropolis. Probably the day before I leave for Belgium.
Athens is large and condensed. There are about 5-6M people here. Word on the street is that there are so many undocumented workers that it's hard to tell.
Anyway, so excited to be here. On the way here, I was looking at some maps and on some maps I was excited to see that I had been to most of the place. Other maps, I was like dang, I haven't been to most of the places. I centered myself and realized that unless I hit the mega millions, or someone wants to invest in my future - I will take donation in increments of $500 - then I will just have to slowly, but surely check places off my list. If I say, go to an average of two places each year over the next 30 or 40 years, I will have seen much of the world, twice over.
Note to self: You have been blessed to travel some. You cannot quit your job, sell your condo, and travel for a year. That is not a good long-term decision. You cannot travel unless you have the money saved. Going into debt to travel is not very smart! Using the equity in your place is not smart either!
Please keep me in your prayers. Praying for fun, safe, smooth traveling. This is a good trip for me. There are things I need to "shift" in mind and get together. Life is too short. And sometimes worry and fear keeps one from stepping out and giving it 100%.
Finally, I will edit when I return. Just wanted to let everyone know I made it safe and sound!
Love You. XOXO
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