Hilary In London

Greece 2007: The Odyssey

Though we didn't spend 20 years traveling around the Greek Islands trying to make it back home, Greece was an adventure! It all started with the rain. We arrived in Athens on the Saturday and decided that we would head to Santorini the next day. Got up at 6am, made it to the port in good time, only to discover that the ferries have all been docked due to stormy weather. Hmm... After humming and haaaing we go see the Acropolis, walk around a bit, have some yummy food, and then headed back to the port. Wanting to get out of Athens, there was a rumour that the boat to Naxos might leave that evening. So we bought our tickets and headed to the boat. Five hours later, after many delayed announcements, the boat left. Now the big flaw in our plan was that we had not arranged for a place to stay that night. With our new 3am arrival time, this seemed to be even more of an issue. Walking down the dock, heading to the main part of Naxos, a taxi slowed, though we ignored him (as he was yelling in Greek and he didn't sound too pleasant). Our heads did turn when we head the familar words of 'Which hotel are you staying at?'. The passenger was Australian, and after telling him our story he offered us to come to his villa and see if they had a room. The driver had plans of his own, and brought us to this dark ally, opened up a house (which we still believe was his house...) and tried to get us to pay him for a room. It is a common scheme in Greece - sometimes it is deals that the taxi drivers have with hotels, that they get some commission for customers - and they will refuse to take you to the hotel that you had already booked. Greg, the Australian, told us to stay in the car, and he argued with the driver that we were going to the hotel with him... Luckily, he got back in the car and took us to the villa!
We left the next day for Santorini, with a new travel friend (and another place to stay - hopefully - at the next place he booked!). It was beautiful arriving into Santorini - the white buildings make the cliffs appear as if they are snowcapped (I have now put a link to my web album on this site). We decided to rent a car - and put faith that I still remembered how to drive standard. The guy who brought the car over parked it down on a hill, very close to the car infront. We must have sat there for 10mins before I attempted backing up. I taught myself how to start with the handbreak - and taught Dave how to talk like Nathan so he could calm me down "It's ok, you are just flustered, take a breath, you can do this!" Without hitting anything, we were off! It was really nice to have a car for exploring the Island. I really got into driving, and actually now might consider getting a standard car in the future. We drove up to the highest point, and actually up into the clouds, walked around villages, went to both the black and red sand beach - except it was way too cold to even think about swimming.

February is off season so we basically had the Island to ourselves, and the locals of course. We ended up finding this restaurant, where we spent two nights. The first night it was just Dave, Greg and I - and the owners. They kept bringing us wine, and even let us have some of the special wine that they drink for themselves. We went back the next night, after seeing a beautiful sunset, and chatted to them about how tourists have changed the island for the better. Two more tourists came in looking for bread to take back to their rooms, but instead they were convinced to stay by the owners and ourselves. The evening took a different turn - wine was flowing, the owners and their friend taught us Greek dances, and they even broke dishes!!

Greece was fantastic! We met another Canadian when we went back to Athens - the people there are just so friendly and hospitable! As long as you stay away from the taxis. I am now settled in my new place. It is really small, especially compared to my last one, but there is a door in my room that leads to the garden. There is a little bench, and the flowers are starting to blossom! That's right, after two days of snow, it is now spring time. Looking forward to Rachel's visit in less than 3 weeks, and St. Patty's day next weekend.

posted by Hilary @ 1:33 PM