In Matala

At the beach! So let me catch you up on my travels since yesterday afternoon. I continued to wander around Athens, looking in shops, until I thought it was time to stake out a table at the cafe with the giant tv. I went back to the cafe and Mr. Snuffalufagous took me by the arm and lead me to the best table in the cafe. He sat 4 Canadians to my left and he sat a single guy to my right. As the single guy sat down, Mr. Snuffalufagous says, loud enough for all to hear, "No touching the girl!" He then proceeded to give me a hug and I thanked him for looking out for me.

The six of us had a great time watching Germany play Argentina and we ate together and had some wine together. I stayed as late as I could but then I had to catch my "ferry" to Crete.

I've been on ferries before in Cape May, NJ. Ferries have one level for you to hang out on either inside on plastic chairs with a snack bar or outside on plastic chairs. In Greece, "ferry" means "cruise ship." That's right, 9 levels, cabins, lounges, restaurants, shops, internet, discotec, waiters etc. I shared a cabin with Grandma Papalapagous who was traveling with her daughter and son-in-law. I turned in around 10 or 11, and that's right, grandma stayed out later than me!

So I made my way to Matala, Crete. It took a taxi and a bus to get here, but I finally made it. The town reminds me of a small town in the keys. Very beachy, very laid back, very small. The beach is beautiful, in a cove, surrounded by cliffs and small restaurants. I'm gonna go put on my bathing suit. I haven't met anyone yet, but I know they are here somewhere. Everyone will be here by tomorrow.

Miss you all. Love you!

Peace out

Sweaty! I am sweaty. It is very nice to be in the a/c as I write you all. I have had quite a "morning" and David sisters mean afternoon when we say "morning." So after checking out of my hotel, (don't worry they let me keep my large pack at the hotel until I leave tonight), I actually headed in the opposite direction of the Acropolis towards Parliament. I watched the changing of the guards. (I think it is supposed to evoke pride and national loyalty, however they were wearing skirts, tights and had pompoms on their shoes so it all looked a little funny to me.) Next I wandered through the beautiful, lush, and shady National Garden until I reached another side of Athens.

I walked until I stumbled upon my new favorite museum in the world! It is called the Greek Childrens Art Museum and the picture I have posted is from one of the Greek children. It was bright and colorful and the self portraits were hilarious.

I then went to the Museum of Greek Folk Art. Boring. I got a little lost leaving that museum. Using the Acropolis as a guide proved to be flawed because there are many places in Athens from where you can view the Acropolis. So after my scenic sweaty walk, I headed back to a cafe with a tv (there you go Aimee) to see what time the World Cup was on today. The old man told me 6pm and gave me kisses on both cheeks. Wow, guess he likes the World Cup too.

So now I have sought refuge in the internet cafe.

I really do love my neighborhood in Athens - called Plaka. There are cafes everywhere and Greek people sit and drink and talk all day long. I have found that it is hard to get a waiter to take your order, but after he takes it the food comes immediately, but then it is difficult to get his attention to pay the bill. Go figure.

I ate my way through the night last night. I usually stay out until 10 or 11pm just hanging out at cafes, watching people. I actually made it to the lonely planet recommended restaurant last night - it was good and cheap and hard to find tucked away on a hidden street though it was in the middle of Plaka. Today I had my first gyro - yum.

Thank you all for responding to my blog. I love reading your messages!

Tonight I'll be on the ferry to Crete. I think I arrive at 5:30 am and will then take a bus or taxi to the town of Matala.

Peace out.

Ya-Sue!

That's Greek for hello. I think I know about 4 Greek words on my second day here in Greece. After I wrote you all last night, I wandered around, taking in the scenery, and went to a cafe to have some baklava before turning in for the night. Yum. Before I went to bed I watched CNN for a moment, and every segment started with "Well there is no World Cup game today. The next game is Friday." So apparently, nothing else is going on in the world!

So I sort slept in today. I didn't wake up until 2pm! I was happy though because today was "Katie visits the Acropolis Day" and the best times to visit are in the morning and at sunset. I made my way up, stopped to have a Greek salad, and viewed the Parthenon and other ancient spots like the Aggra. It was just beautiful and up on the Acropolis is one of the best 360 degree views of Athens. It is also the mecca of friendly tourists who ask one another to take each other's pictures. I met people from California, Baltimore, and NY.

I haven't so much figured out the whole map and streets quite yet. I look up to see the Acropolis and navigate my way there. I know that my hotel is near this giant church and I figured out how to get there from the vicinity of the Acropolis and I eat and shop at the places in between. When I finish writing this, I'm going to attempt to find my first "Lonely Planet" recommended place but I may never get there. It is a cheap taverna with really good food apparently. I tried to ask another restaurant waiter for directions to the street and he said, "Why are you going there?" My response - "I'm meeting someone." :)

I love Athens in the night (I really wouldn't know what it is like in the morning, would I?)

I leave for the port city of Pireaus tomorrow to board my ferry to Greece. I'm not sure if I will have much internet access in the small towns where I will be staying in Crete. I will be ready for some companionship though. I have definitely enjoyed traveling by myself (no regret sleeping in late) but I think I'll enjoy some company after day three.

Peace out.

I've arrived! The flights were long, blah, blah, blah...but I must say I AM IN HEAVEN!!! I must have WAY underestimated Athens because it is so charming. But first things first...

The first Greek word I saw was exodus. I saw it as I exited the safety of the plane and entered the unknown city. (I love seeing Greek words everywhere. So far I have recognized exodus, "and" and "the." I have also learned how to say "thank you" in Greek. Way to go Duke education, really getting me around.) So exodus was strangely comforting. I feel like this trip is my exodus in some ways because I am here by myself and I have never been on a journey like this by myself. I started praying that I would be able to get around and that God would go before me as I ventured out of the baggage claim area.

I went first to pick up my ferry tickets that I had reserved for my departure to Crete. In Greece it is more economical to purchase these tickets through travel agencies b/c they bring so much business and end up getting the consumer discounts. Anyway, so I go to Pacific travel located inside the airport and they tell me that I have to go to the port to get my ticket....No, no, I tell them, and I proceed to hand them the stack of emails that I received from them telling me to pick it up at the airport. Lo and behold my tickets were there in an envelope on the counter waiting for me. Then I asked the ever so friendly travel agent how I should get to my hotel. "Take the bus" said Harry. So I go outside to the bus ticket counter with my huge pack on my back to ask equally friendly bus ticket man how to get to mitropolis and something street. He says "take bus 95." Ok, so I'm learning that I will only get one small piece of information from each person that I ask. Miraculously bus 95 pulls up as I'm turning away from the bus ticket counter and I target the bus driver as my next source of info. He runs out of the bus right past me as I hold my blue folder of hotel info infront of him. Somewhat dejected, but willing to play it cool, I sit down with my large pack (Tiff NO ONE is carrying these things around here...everyone has wheely bags) in the very front seat with blue folder and bus ticket in hand, totally blending into the culture. The bus driver hops back on board and starts talking to someone on his cell phone as he pulls away... I start trying to look for any sign of street names to no avail. He then looks at me in the mirror and motions me to come over to him and he looks at my directions and lets me know through hand signals that he will tell me when to get off. Well when we arrive at said place, I sit there and he stops the bus and comes to let me know that this is my stop!!!

So I know that God is looking out for me here. I managed to find my hotel and a wonderful taverna to have dinner outside. I can see the acropolis from my window! I had probably the best dinner of my life 1. because I haven't eaten all day and 2. because I love lamb slouvaki! The streets here are small, stone and there are lots of outside cafes and people strolling around the city. I feel really safe and just at home here.

Anyway, exodus is the theme of my trip thus far - I'm sort of wandering in the wilderness and trusting in God to go before me.

This is my first destination on Crete. I'm going to a small town called Matala where I will meet up with my guides and fellow kayakers. I am going a day early to this town, along with the guides, because I cannot wait to lay on the beach under one of those umbrellas! I'll have one and a half days in Athens before I venture on the ferry to Crete. My guides said that they will know when I arrive in Matala because it is such a small place, we are bound to run into one another or else meet up at the hotel.

Hi Friends! I decided to create a blog for my trip to Greece. I leave tomorrow evening and will arrive in Athens on Wednesday. I will post stories about my travels as much as I am able and I hope you will write me as well. I have to go finish packing. I'm doing my best to pack lightly which is not a trait that comes naturally to me. I am only taking one bag with limited numbers of clothing and shoes!