Athens

Everything has gone extremely well from my transportation here including air flights and metro train into Athens and walk to the hotel (only 3 stops for directions!)  No sleep on the leg from Miami to Madrid but nap enroute to Athens made me ready to go on arrival.  I joined Captain Dave and his friend Carol at the rooftop bar of the hotel  with an incredible view of the Acropolis.  Dwain, Lydia and I made plans for dinner which was delicious at a Taverna Cafe in an area called the Soulavi district and Soulavi (spelling?) was what we ordered.  Lydia ordered a Greek salad which we shared. Great "from the house barrel" wine.  We took a walk along the streets of Plaka looking into some of ruins and admiring the lights of the Acropolis constantly in sight. It was a beautiful night and everyone was enjoying strolling around the small streets.

I was awake at 5 and decided to go for an early morning walk an hour or so later.  Streets were scrubbed clean, restaurants were starting to open their doors and the early morning light was giving a glow to everything.  I had a very interesting conversation with a gentleman who was walking to his work as an engineer due to the lack of public transportation caused by the one day strike.  We covered everything from politics, to work ethics, to travel, to education, to Greek History and modern times.  He seemed to enjoy his respite from his walk as much as I did.

Returning to the hotel I was ready for the very good buffet breakfast where I met a young woman from Paris and later was joined by the four of my group.  Dwain, Lydia and I made plans to set off at 9 toward the main square before heading to the acropolis area which we would walk close to but not in due to the strike.  They had been on the Acropolis Grounds yesterday and I will go with Emily tomorrow. We were able to see many sights through fences, often enough to understand the magnitude of the ruins and take photos.  We also happened upon a fascinating exhibit of an artist recreating artifacts in the original medium gleaned from much research. Body armour, crows, King Philip's (father of Alexander the Great) personal seal to name a few.  My description is hardly giving it justice and I'm debating about purchasing the catalogue.  Most delightful though was our wonderful interpreter of the exhibit who spent considerable time explaining the processes of the artist as well as the preparation of the gallery.

All in all it was a wonderful day full of marvelous sights, fascinating conversations and quiet moments in special places because there just weren't many people around.  We saw the guards at the Parliment doing their high step marches, and never encountered protestors or rioters.  Police presense was very evident but not feeling like we were in any danger at all. Everyone was apologetic that our visit was interrupted by this but I think we were able to experience much more of the area than we would have otherwise.  My only regret is that I probably will not get to the new archeological museum.

I've lost this once and also cannot seem to post photos.  Hopefully my next time will be at an internet cafe.  The best I can add is that I am really enjoying Athens.  It much more doable, friendly, cleaner than I expected and I highly recommend the Plaka Hotel for its location, amenities, accomodations and price.

Big Mama and the Love Bugs

A pair of the infamous love bugs

For all you Big Mama fans, just a quick story. Being a responsible (???) Roadtrek RV owner, I picked up Big Mama on Sunday to check her out and take a drive to charge the batteries before my one month absence.  Maybe it was related to her feeling of being left behine, but as we headed out for exercise driving in the countryside, suddenly the sound of heavy rainy drops hitting the windshield, followed by severly limited vision out the front caused me to realize it was Love Bug season!  The windshield was spatterred with carcasses of the little critters who fly joined together.  I must have driven into a cloud of them.

Leaving the residue on the vehicle for a month of baking in the hot Florida sun just wasn't an option.  The only answer was to head back to the condo and do a quick (more than an hour!) cleaning job of the front end of the vehicle.  Some were still crawling around on the front bumper as I began and those mashed ones covering the windshield had to be scrubbed several times.  The long and short is that Big Mama returned to the storage facility with a clean front end and the "old lady" was happy she was in pretty good shape with her travel preparations so that this unexpected diversion didn't cause too much heart burn!.

Strikes in Greece

Here's a map that shows the islands we'll be visitng.  You should be able to click on it and enlarge for your viewing.  I posted a link to the Sailing Group's blog where I'd posted this map but apparently that does require signing in as a follower.  Something I don't require so I have no idea who all reads this.

Anyway the countdown is in single digits now.  I've sorted all my travel information, packed quite a bit including the requested extra trash bags and TP for use on the boat. So far it looks as though the ash cloud will be hanging around Great Britain on Tuesday but so far my enroute stop of Madrid looks ok.  In addition British Airways has called a strike for that day so that requires some rebooking for some of our group.

Greece has declared strikes on May 20 Thursday and May 31 Monday.  I arrive on the 19th but planned a full day of touring on the 20th. I'm concerned the new Archeological Museum will be closed as a result.  Emily flies in that day which should be ok except no public transportation into town. Hopefully she'll find someone to share a taxi and that they'll be available.

As one friend wrote me "Only YOU would think this is a good time to go to Greece!"  Many of our group began organizing this last summer though.  The good news is that the Euro is closer to the dollar than it was back then.

The weather in Athens seem to be in the high 80's but cooler in our sailing area. Meantime Florida is off to a beautiful start for May with wonderful breezes and low 80's temps and many flowering plants in bloom.

Greece trip preparations

In a little over a week, the old lady will be off on new adventures again.  This time may hold more challenges than any of the past.  I am flying from Miami to Athens via Madrid Spain.  Today I learned the air space over Spain is being affected by the Volanic ash dust.  Before the ash dust arrived in Spain, the air space over Spain was over crowded with re routed flights trying to avoid the ash.  Of course everyone has seen the protests occuring in Athens and learned of the tragic deaths of the 3 bank workers there.  Travel websites have on the ground reports from tourists who say it is very limited and not in the tourist areas.  One comment I saw said cruise ship passengers were kept from disembarking and therefore did not spend money contrary to what Greece needs.

All that said I am looking forward to visiting a country that has been on my radar screen for a very long time. The unbelieveable thing is that I have the opportunity to join a sailing charter on a 51 ft. Benateau with a group of people who are members of the Lake Michigan Hunter Sailing Association.  Les and I sailed a Hunter Passage 42 which gives me somewhat of an in to the group.  My daughter Emily will be coming as well and it will be a special treat to share the experience with her.

I'm trying to link the blog http://www.sailingingreece2010.blogspot.com/ on which we hope to report our progress. I will also post on this blog as wifi opportunities are available. Initially I'll have 2 nights in Athens, and Emily 1.  We then will fly to the island of Kos which is very close to Turkey.  We are chartering from the Moorings a US company based there.  I am hoping to post a map with our Itinerary shown.  We'll be leaving the boat for 2 nights stay on Santorini (Thira).  Emily will fly back from Rhodes.  When we return to Kos I hope to spend a couple of nights on the island of Naxos before returning to Athens for an early morning flight on June 8.

On my return to Miami I will head for 4 nights at a hotel in Miami Beach to meet up with some friends attending the American Institute of Architects (AIA) convention. I look forward to any who will be traveling along via the blog! Kalimera! (Good Morning)

Easter Parade

Easter Parade

Katherine was quite the center of attention at the family Easter gathering.  She was very good with lots of interaction with the great uncles, aunts and cousins at the Rock City festivities.  Cool rainy weather kept the Easter Egg hunt short.

My child care duties have come to an end.  My back will appreciate the rest but the rest of me will be sad to say goodbye to this bundle of energy and affection. I have witnessed development in just the short time I have been here and her parents seconded that she had grown up more.  It's an amazing age (29 months) and I'm happy to have a small part in it.

I've enjoyed spring weather in Illinois which though short lived surpassed Florida at times in temperatures and brought out leaves on the trees and flowering plants and trees are showing their beauty. I'll be leaving a landscape quite different the dull gray barrenness of my arrival just two weeks ago.  However there could be snow tonight.  Illinois weather is as fickle as ever!

Fullersberg Forest Preserve

Grandma Time

Katherine Reading to her babies

I am filling in for son Michael and his wife while they celebrate their first wedding anniversary with a 10 day trip.  I am finding how out of shape I'm in by chasing an active 29 Month old.  She goes to daycare (though more reluctantly each day) and I take that time to run errands but am also able to visit a few friends in the area.  Mostly though I try to revive my self.  I'm really enjoying having her all to myself.  We are playing with her toys and reading books.  The weather is finally starting to warm enough and with the long days we are staying out until 5:30 the last couple of days.  She's a very independent young lady "I do it myself" "I want to help".  She's probably getting away with more than she should under Grandma's watch.This hat was knit by her great aunt Karen.

We'll head to Rock City Sunday for a family Easter celebration.  Happy Easter and Happy Spring.

Central Florida Adventures

Photos:  HITS Horse Jumping Ocala; Flamingoes at Silver Springs; Sunday Gospel Sing; Rigs at campground; Susan and Sandy at dulcimer workshop.

The past week I have been camping with Big Mama in the area known as Central Florida.  First stop was Seratoma Youth Ranch outside Dade City to attend Willfest an annual celebration of Florida singers and songs.  The previous two days had major rainfall totals but fortunately the sandy soil drains fairly quickly.  My friend Susan arrived first and secured a spot close to one of the performance venues and next to Roadtrek friends and festival volunteers, Dean and Anita.
The weekend is filled with music and good feelings.  Friend Ginny drove in her own car but stayed Saturday night in Big Mama. Susan and I stayed overnight on Sunday before we left for Silver River State Park on Monday to join a Roadtrek rally beginning on Tuesday.  The park is east of Ocala but we were able to drive local roads including a quick stop in the area of the Villages known for all the golf carts that drive everywhere.
Our Rroadtrek group had wonderful catered dinners and breakfasts, a day at Silver Springs, Florida's first tourist attraction going back to the 1800's and a day at HITS, a horse event that was concluding after several months.  We watched 36 horses and riders as they did a series of jumps in the quest of a $25,000 prize.
Temps in the 40's and 50's were the only negatives but we all dressed in layers.  My long underwear has been getting lots of use lately. Susan and I "jammed" with our dulcimers which was lots of fun.