kah-lee-SPE-ra (Good evening) for you and kah-lee-NEE-hta (Good night) for me:
Had a very interesting day today...Wake up call (Chris knocking on the door) way to early, 9:30 am, doesn't he know we are on vacation, LOL Doesn't matter I was already awake and ready to get the day started. Chris took off to the base to take care of some personal business but I think in all reality he was just getting away from 3 females trying to get dressed and him only having 1 bathroom, LOL, makes it interesting, HAH. We all got dressed, Chris returned and we headed out, Down the Mountain we went, Mario (aka Chris) at the wheel. This morning was so bright and sunny and you could see for miles across the Ocean. As we turned the corner I looked up and all you could see was the mountain top covered in snow (yes I did say snow), I was told that it was actually snowing here last Wed. and here I thought I was going to warm country, LOL.
Got to down town and we are ready to do some shopping. Chris and Camilla took us to the open market and it is just what I imagined it to be. Just like on tv, open venders with anything from shoes to fresh seafood, skinned rabbits, guinea pigs (Yucky looking), anything that you can imagine you will find here.
We made it through the market and to my amazement Robbye didn't get sick, she curled her nose a few times, but she handled it pretty well. There were a few times that she would step a little faster than the rest of us but we just laughed. The funniest part of being at the market was walking up to the fresh seafood stand and sitting right at the bottom of it was a cat, just waiting for someone to drop a fish or two.
Made it out and around the shops and Robbye lite up like fireworks on the 4th of July, vender after vender with nothing but purses and shoes. I thought I was going to have to figure out a way of shipping the shop back home but then I reminded her that we had limited space in our suitcases and couldn't bring everything back. She looked forever and found a few she liked but with the way the government runs here, is Monday is like a Holiday, shops are only open til like 2 pm and if you don't get started bright and early, you don't make it back to get what you found the first the time. Guess this is where the "You snooze, You loose" comes into effect.
Finally got her out of what I called purse village and made our way down through the streets. Lets just say that I am glad Camilla knew where she was going. I had no idea and didn't think I would need to bring Lola (dad's GPS) with us to find our way back out of the shops, LOL. We walked what seemed forever and saw some creat scenery. Lots of art work (Tiffany I thought of you) and some really traditional style houses (or what we would call apartments). We ended up making our way to Camilla's house so she could feed her cat, which was MIA when we got there. Here no one closes their windows or doors. They just leave them open day and night and doesn't worry about anyone getting in. Bridgette, I thought about you on this one, because the cats just roam the neighborhoods and the dogs just lay around along the pathway and take up with whomever comes along.
We ended up making our way over to a Traditional Greek restaurant for lunch, or shall I say early dinner, LOL. I was really glad that Camilla knew what she was doing, because when the lady came to our table, you definately could tell that she didn't speak english and WE couldn't speak Greek. And let me say that the tables in the restaurant are set up for 4 people and really it should be for 2, very cozy I guess you could say, LOL. The waitress came over to our table and brought us the menu and well let's just say we let Camilla take the lead on this one. We had no idea what we were fixing to eat, I'm just really glad that Camilla likes us or she could have really gotten some payback in. She ordered like a pro, Greek salad (Fresh tomatos, red onion, cucumbers, local black olives and Feta cheese, with a splash of olive oil), it was amazing. Then she ordered, Grilled Feta, Dako (crusted bread with smashed tomato, feta cheese and olive oil, which we would have called Breschetta) it was just as delicious as the salad and the grilled Feta was wrapped in foil with bell pepper and onions on top with a splash of olive oil (Yummo), Then she ordered Taziki, which is basically, greek yogurt with cucumbers and garlic mixed together (another winner), that is served with Grilled pork steaks (don't ask me to say the Greek name for it, LOL) but it was amazing, and then Fries that they serve with this is like our french fries on theirs is cooked in Olive Oil and they are out of this world. They brought us a traditional Greek dessert which is some type of honey almond bread (first thing in this whole meal that I really didn't like, this was serve with a traditional drink called Raki (moonshine is another word for it, umm no thanks I'll pass on that one). I kept trying to figure out why the waitress was only bringing out one thing at a time and then Camilla said it was done that way because they serve it as soon as it is done. Doesn't matter if the meat is done first, it will be served. I have come to alos realize that over here, no one gets in any big hurry. They do not clean any dishes off of your table and they do not bring you a ticket to pay out, until you ask for it. They are used to the locals coming in and just sitting and drinking their coffee (everywhere) and eating very slowly. Pretty interesting to sit and watch this after coming from our fast paced world. Upon leaving there was a gentleman sitting behind me that was very interesting. He could definately tell that the Hick Chicks had come to Greece, LOL. We finished up there and headed out again. Over the hills and through the streets.
More great sights and beautiful scenery. After about 2 hours Chris and Camilla announced it was coffee time, so off to find a coffee cafe, which isn't hard to find, they are everywhere. Found their favorite shop and sat down to order, Chris the traditional Greek coffee (half a cup of water and the rest of the cup is coffee grounds, needless to say you don't stir this one up or you end up with the grounds, LOL) Camilla, hot green tea, myself, Cappacino and Robbye had filetered coffee (which is just a stronger version of American coffee brewed strong. We did decide that we would have dessert while sitting there, so here comes the desssert menu, Crepia's (Crepes). We had a crepe with Vanilla ice cream and strawberry ice cream, whipped topping with strawberries and caramel and chocolate sauce, it was like nothing I have ever had before. I may have to go back and get another one before leaving here. Robbye has come to the conclusion that I just need to learn how to make them myself, it would be much easier. After finishing dessert and discussion of what the Tuesday was going to bring, we decided to make our hike back to the car. Believe me if you think finding a parking place at the mall during Christmas is bad, NOPE, they park anywhere and everywhere down here, on the curb, on the sidewalks, on the curve of the road, doesn't matter, if you car fits, then the spot is yours.
Make it back up the hill and home again. Well after we made our stop at the local market. I'm thinking United grocery store, well kind of but you can also buy your bedroom furniture there as well, LOL. Picked up a coupld of things and back on the road we went, homeward bound.
After arriving to our desitnation safe and sound, we all had our decompression time. Discussed the traditions that we had seen today and what we are going to do Tuesday. Chris so courteously announced to us that he is taking us to some Palace and it is a 2 hr. drive and we would be leaving at 7 o'clock. So after such a full day today I guess tomorrow is going to be just as full and interesting. So from me to all my family and friends, kah-lee-NEE-hta (Good Night) and I will post tomorrow.
