October 23, 2009 – Friday 3:50.
Late in blogging today. We did take a tour of Katakolon, so up at 6:15 to get ready and eat in time to start the tour. This island is actually in the Ionian Sea. The tour we took was to the ‘Birthplace of the Olympics’ and I have to say it was quite worth the time and money spent to do this. Both Mike and I enjoyed this. The countryside on this island is beautiful but getting to Olympia and seeing the ruins of the home of the Olympics is incredible. It is very nicely preserved and easier to see where all of the building and temples were. Standing in the stadium was great but standing before the altar to Hera where the Olympic flame was first lit thousands of years ago and where it is lit now each 4 years to travel to whatever site is hosting the Olympics was by far the most awe inspiring site. I think even more amazing than the Parthenon. Not in size or architecture but just for the history and symbolism that is has. A wonderful trip!
Back to the dock so we could have lunch in another wonderful seaside café. I just can’t stay away from the stuffed tomatoes and stuffed peppers! Mike went back to the ship to lie down but I wandered the streets looking for ‘inexpensive’ (dare I say cheap!) souvenirs for the grandkids. I want to bring them something, but nothing is cheap here! Even if I am thinking in dollars instead of Euros, the prices seem high. Hope they will be content with a ‘small’ memento!
There were 2 internet cafes on the waterfront but I couldn’t get on at either one. There was a man sitting at one of them with his computer and he said the signal came and went. He had been there quite awhile and hadn’t accomplished much. I would have tried longer but decided just to do the blogging in word again. Things are already starting to meld together in my mind and it is only day 2 of the cruise. If I don’t get it all down on the day it happened, I may not be able to keep it clear. Even in the blur, it is a wonderful vacation so far and Mike and I are still marveling that we are here.
Observation: I started noticing this in Madrid and continue to observe this so decided to say it out loud. Europeans like to wear black…., sometimes, they add gray and sometimes, they add white but that’s about it for color. They like to dye their hair black and the variation I have seen on that is to have burgundy highlights in their black hair. They smoke too much and all over the public areas. They pick their noses in public (UGH!) They are in a hurry and mostly annoyed at the tourists. But, lucky for me, they still have ‘big hair’! In southern Europe where we are, I don’t think they have much choice. They all have a lot of hair and most of it curly. I fit right in!!!
Well, I’m off to play bingo which, I believe, is expected of the plump, elderly women on a cruise. I must live up to the image. We’re eating Italian tonight and will see how we feel about going to the show after dinner.
Late in blogging today. We did take a tour of Katakolon, so up at 6:15 to get ready and eat in time to start the tour. This island is actually in the Ionian Sea. The tour we took was to the ‘Birthplace of the Olympics’ and I have to say it was quite worth the time and money spent to do this. Both Mike and I enjoyed this. The countryside on this island is beautiful but getting to Olympia and seeing the ruins of the home of the Olympics is incredible. It is very nicely preserved and easier to see where all of the building and temples were. Standing in the stadium was great but standing before the altar to Hera where the Olympic flame was first lit thousands of years ago and where it is lit now each 4 years to travel to whatever site is hosting the Olympics was by far the most awe inspiring site. I think even more amazing than the Parthenon. Not in size or architecture but just for the history and symbolism that is has. A wonderful trip!
Back to the dock so we could have lunch in another wonderful seaside café. I just can’t stay away from the stuffed tomatoes and stuffed peppers! Mike went back to the ship to lie down but I wandered the streets looking for ‘inexpensive’ (dare I say cheap!) souvenirs for the grandkids. I want to bring them something, but nothing is cheap here! Even if I am thinking in dollars instead of Euros, the prices seem high. Hope they will be content with a ‘small’ memento!
There were 2 internet cafes on the waterfront but I couldn’t get on at either one. There was a man sitting at one of them with his computer and he said the signal came and went. He had been there quite awhile and hadn’t accomplished much. I would have tried longer but decided just to do the blogging in word again. Things are already starting to meld together in my mind and it is only day 2 of the cruise. If I don’t get it all down on the day it happened, I may not be able to keep it clear. Even in the blur, it is a wonderful vacation so far and Mike and I are still marveling that we are here.
Observation: I started noticing this in Madrid and continue to observe this so decided to say it out loud. Europeans like to wear black…., sometimes, they add gray and sometimes, they add white but that’s about it for color. They like to dye their hair black and the variation I have seen on that is to have burgundy highlights in their black hair. They smoke too much and all over the public areas. They pick their noses in public (UGH!) They are in a hurry and mostly annoyed at the tourists. But, lucky for me, they still have ‘big hair’! In southern Europe where we are, I don’t think they have much choice. They all have a lot of hair and most of it curly. I fit right in!!!
Well, I’m off to play bingo which, I believe, is expected of the plump, elderly women on a cruise. I must live up to the image. We’re eating Italian tonight and will see how we feel about going to the show after dinner.
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