Ahhh... ahhhhh, Athens

10/9/2013

Here we sit in the airport in Rome awaiting our flight to Athens, Greece. Out of all the places we are going to visit, this one makes me nervous. Government workers are upset about their benefits and pay, therefore they are holding demonstrations. My understanding of a demonstration is it is like a riot in the U.S. People are lighting tires on fire and throwing them in the street, attacking and killing  innocent people with crowbars... basically committing violent acts to prove a point. It sounds as though most of this takes place next to the Acropolis which is where most of the government buildings are. It's also where our hostel is located and many of the main tourist attractions are. I have to admit, for the first time, I am hesitant and scared. Hoping to arrive, be safe, and reassured.

It's going to be a hectic few days as we catch a ferry to Santorini tomorrow morning at 0700. No idea how far it is from our hostel to the port. Hopefully it all goes smooth as it was my 'demand' that we visit Greece while on this European adventure even though it is WAY out of the way. I am hoping I am right about just how amazing Greece is and it's worth the detour.  It's been on my bucket list and am beyond excited to experience Greece.

As I sit hear and listen to the boarding call, I decided to catch up on some email, and just realized that we were supposed to verify our accommodations 24 hours in advance which we didn't do. Oh my. I really hope we don't arrive in Athens with no place to stay. With that, its off to seat 17B as they announce the final boarding call. Eeeeeek!!!

OH MY LORD!!! This place is absolutely breath-taking!!! and we haven't even gotten to the real beauty yet. I want to stay in Athens for another few days as it is simply that amazing and laid back. A nice breath of fresh air.

We did not arrive until 1700, so the only thing we really had time for was to walk around our hostel and hike up to the Partheon, which is my favorite site at this point in the trip. I could've sat and stared at it's beauty for hours. Take a look...

We had a traditional Mediterranean dinner, some wine, and a few moments to take it all in. The people here are so hospitable and happy. One random thing I noticed: there are a ton of wild dogs and cats roaming the streets. They are everywhere!!

As far a Syntagma Square and the violence goes, I have seen nothing, heard nothing, and according to the Greeks, there has been nothing. That is just CNN exaggerating the issue as they say. I am so thankful that we ignored the naysayers and came to Greece. It is my favorite stop thus far. It is also the first time I truly feel like I am in a foreign country. The Greek alphabet consists of symbols and letters, which made the one hour bus ride exciting, yet uneasy. We had no idea where we were the entire duration while we put full trust in complete strangers, who 'kind of' understood English, hoping they were guiding us in the correct direction. All of the 'what ifs' and hopes led us directly to our destination.  Sometimes you just have to believe that people are genuinely good people and want to help out a stranger. This is a case of just that.

We ended the evening with a beer and shot (as this seems to be the European way) on the rooftop bar at our hostel. With a view like this, can you blame me for wanting to stay a bit longer???

0500 wake up call tomorrow and it's off to Santorini we go!! eeeeeekkkk!!! I am so excited.

I have not learned any Greek words yet, but Athens is
1) Romantic
2) Inviting
3) Cozy
4) A return visit is a MUST

Ah... Rome!!

10/4/13

Arrived in Rome at 1600 with no real transportation dilemmas. Even though our flight was only an hour long, it still turns into an all day travel venture by the time all the buses and transfers are involved as well as finding  a place to stay. we jot got back from dinner and gelato. It's 2100 and I am spent!! Tomorrow we explore Rome. Even thought I have been here before, I am super excited to go out and see it all again. It's been 10 days since I have seen any sort of TV or heard any type of radio, and I am quite ok with it. While I do not miss it a bit, I do wonder what's going on around the world. Via facebook, I've learned our government has shut down for a few days and some demonstrations are taking place in Greece. Both make me nervous as Athens is our next stop. I really do not want to be involved in any sort of violence while abroad. In fact, I am a bit scared and reluctant to go. Our bed and breakfast in Rome is cute; two beds, two windows that open to the street, a mini commons area, and two toilets and two showers to share with 8 other people. I feel like I am back in my college dorm days.

10/7/13

Ah Roma!! I forgot how much I adore this place!! I've been so busy taking it all in, I haven't written for the last few days. I promised myself I would write the duration of the trip. Anyway, I am writing this while sitting on the Spanish Step. Simply the best people watching place there is. There's a bride and groom taking wedding photos; I still can't help but wonder if that will ever be me?

My feet are SO raw from the past 3 days of walking around the city of Rome. Between the cobblestone streets and the unexpected down pours (If I didn't know any better and were near the beach, I'd swear I was in Hilo!! Better not, I just visited the Sistine Chapel...) , my feet look as though I've ran a marathon. Instead, I've only eaten like a marathoner. I have indulged in so much pizza, pasta, paninis, gelato, peronis, and red wine it's amazing my pants still fit. I feel like Julia Roberts in Eat, Pray, Love. I think the only thing that is saving us is we probably walk around 7-10 miles per day. 

Serving: 1 person. This is also what you get if you order pepperoni. Red pepper pizza

I couldn't resist going back to all the same places I visited the last time I was in Rome. It's just too amazing not to:

Tonight I am going to meet Steph, a travel RN I met while working in Hawaii. I haven't seen her in over 2 years and we happen to both be in Rome at the same time. How crazy is that?? I am super excited to meet up with her. Last time I say her, we were working the night shift on Laulima.

Last night, we went to an Irsish bar and met a couple from Wales, Louise and Daffid. Awesome couple, hoping to stay in contact and connect in the future.

It's about to rain (shocker)-- off to take cover.

10/8/13

It was SO good to see Steph!! Of course, we stayed out way too late and drank way too much. Needless to say, I did not do much with my last day in Rome, but that's ok, I needed some down time.

Such a surreal moment. I was excitedly nervous!

Looks like I've lost my bartending skills

I am not exactly sure what it is about Italian men, but they sure know how to get a lady's attention. Grrrh! Just like my last visit to Rome, I met a guy while we were out last night, that's causing my heart to daydream and my mind to flutter. In fact, it appears as though I am smiling at my pasta as I write this. Yes, the pasta here is worth smiling about, but not worthy of a permagrin! We just had that instant, magnetic connection. The kind full of chemistry and excitement. The kind where you forget that there is anyone else in the room. The kind when you realize it's 3 am and it's feels like you just said 'hello". The kind where when asked if you wanted to hop on the back of his scooter and get your own personal tour of Rome, your heart is screaming "Yes!" but your mind is telling you to 'go home.'  My mind trumped my heart's desire (as it usually does) and I quickly gave him a kiss on the cheek, and ran off down the street to hail a cab. In hind sight, I should've jumped on the scooter. Sometimes I need to think less, and do more.

It's late, tomorrow we leave for Athens. Can't wait!

4 Things I Love About Rome:
1) The Food!! Pizza, pasta, panini, gelato, wine...
2) The People
3) Italian men seem to have a "thing" for blondes...
4) and 1 always steals my heart.

A quick touchdown in Nice, France

The 0500 wake up call was a bit fuzzy this morning as the side effects of my Moroccan meal was still with me. My eyes felt like they were velcroed shut as I struggled to figure out if my travel buddy decided to continue on this European adventure with me or not, while also trying to put the pieces together as to who joined us during the night as our bunk mates. Nothing a little European coffee can't cure. It made the trip to the airport bit more confusing than normal, but we made it without too many detours.

We arrived in Nice at 1100. Our hostel had water issues, so we got upgraded to a sister hotel that is literally 50 km from the beach. Holy crap! For once, my traveling mishaps got me an upgrade instead of another "you just can't make this shit up" kind of story. Yeeee!!! I am already wishing we had more time here and we just got here. We are basically here for 24 hours. So much to see, so little time.

My happy place

Pretty stoked about our hostel upgrade.

We took a train to Monaco, and fell asleep for a mere 15 minutes (or so I thought), and ended up way past our destination. When I woke up, I had to pinch myself as I thought this whole trip to Europe had been a dream! When I asked the ladies sitting across from me, if our next stop was Monaco, I thought their eyes were going to pop out of their heads! They both took a deep breath in, held it, raised their eyebrows, stared at one another, then glanced back at me. I was certain they were both going to pass out before they exhaled so hard I am certain they blew my bangs out of my eyes for me. Oh my gosh, had I slept for 5 hours and not 15 minutes?? (I don't wear a watch, life is already scheduled enough.) Nervous for us, they both exclaimed at the top of their lungs. "Zhe next stop iz Italy!!" Huh? I swear the entire train turned around and stared at us as if we were inmates or something.  Another problem with this is, had the train conductor questioned our tickets, we could've been subject to a huge fine for "attempting" to ride for free on this 'unplanned' portion of our trip. Regardless, the views were picturesque.

At that, we hustled to the door to get off at the next stop aka the 'middle of nowhere' at a deserted train station. Lucky for us, there was one more train going the correct direction to get us back on track. I never get too shook up about getting lost or missing transportation, as this is happens to me daily. I am literally known to people as "THE girl who is always lost." It's just fun to have someone with for the ride this time. I used the time to snap some photos, write in my journal, and to just shake my head and laugh out loud. It brought back several memories of my travel nurse days :)

Last train of the day: 5:00 "French Time"

After we finally made it t our destination, we spent the rest of the day walking around Monaco taking in the sights. Stunningly beautiful--Take a look...

I just can't contain my giddiness!!

Ok, just a few more as it truly is that breath-taking.

Some candid shots for my future card business :)

AH...finished a bottle of wine on the beach right outside our hotel. I wish we could stay for a few more days, as I would LOVE to just sit on the beaches of France and daydream. I truly think I am a Midwestern girl that's been displaced from the beach since birth, as it is the only place in this life I find complete tranquility, peace, and happiness. Perhaps I shall move back.

It's midnight and I'm exhausted! Tonight is the first night we are sharing a room with ALL women... 4 to be exact, with only 1 bathroom. Ciao! Off to Rome tomorrow!!