My Road To Happiness

I haven’t finished writing about my trip yet but the Greek sections are more or less complete. I read them over the other day and realized I don’t have too much more to relate in terms of events. Next project is describing my one day in Paris. Read the rest of this entry »

Yeah. Not really sure what happened here. This appears to be the day I “lost” while in Lindos. Here’s what I do know:

1. I spent the previous night in the apartment on Mt. Everest.
2. I met Vanessa’s father (Spa Lindos) and committed to staying 2 nights in one of the Tsambika’s Studio Apartments he owns just below the Acropolis (and across the alley from the Melenos Lindos Hotel).
3. I twisted my ankle when I failed to see that the extensive private balcony in my new apartment has a step down right in the middle. Typical.
4. I tried to ignore that I twisted my ankle and walked around on it all day. Ouch.
5. I went back to Rhodes, packing everything I owned and checked out hastily, with my heart beating double time from excitement, like I was going on the lam. I think that’s because it was so spontaneous and I was going “off plan” with no idea how it would all turn out. Cool.
6. I nearly tipped over the Toyota Yaris (twice!) as I attempted to get down to and back from the parking lot at the the main beach in Lindos. Totally scary.
7. I hauled not only my belongings from the car (1 rolling duffle, one large duffle strapped on top) but the items still waiting in Mt. Everest (big satchel and many plastic bags) from one end of the village to the other where the new apartment was.
8. I had another unremarkable dinner at another large, empty restaurant called Symposio. At least the waiter was a cutie.
9. I collapsed in a heap at the end of the night in my new apartment. Read the rest of this entry »

Just a quick note that I updated many of my previous posts on my trip to Greece with new photographs.

Check it out here: http://myroadtohappieness.com/blog/?tag=greece

I’m still working on writing about the other days I spent in Greece, but just to be helpful and to keep the content coming, here’s some things I learned on my trip that might help you.

DO – pack only 1 carry-on bag and a back pack or large (but manageable) tote. If you’re traveling alone, and not checking into the Four Seasons, you need to remember that it’s all up to you. You will be hauling all that luggage to hell and back.

I knew this. I’m not a novice to traveling efficiently or alone. In fact I spend about 3 days a month on the road for work. Yet somehow, I convinced myself that I had to travel like Mariah Carey on this trip. I paid the price.

Yeah, this was basically me.

I went to Greece with a large rolling duffle packed to the gills and a large, unwieldy (albeit good looking) tote bag.

I thought I’d be using my apartment in Rhodes as “base camp” and driving all over the Island on day trips. I’d even brought my trusty expandable duffle for the trip home when I would need more space. It’s about the size of a hardback book when folded up and expands to an enormous size when unzipped.

If you’ve read about the trip you’d know I bugged out of the duggout about 3 days in.

Anyway, let’s just say that all the moving around I did and hauling through airports and schlepping up the cobble stone streets of Lindos has to be the reason I lost all that weight. So, technically there’s a up side. However it was NOT comfortable and I needed a massage to undo the damage.

Here’s all you need to bring for a 1 week trip to the Greek islands: I have linked to the items I brought that worked and I recommend for you – or to give you a better idea of what I mean Read the rest of this entry »

Skipping ahead a bit…it’s Saturday night and I sit in the Plaka (plaza) of Old Rhodes Town. This part of the city is famous for many reasons not the least of which is the fact that it’s encased in the original medieval walls built by the Knight of St John.

Plaka at Rhodes Old Towne

Like Italy, the biggest crowds gather in the outdoor cafes that surround the town square. I went looking for people and I know this is the best place to find some. There are even kids hanging out on the steps up to the old tower just like I’ve seen in every town I’ve visited in Europe.

As I sit, waiting to see what will happen, I’m struck by 2 simultaneous thoughts. European children are up much too late and I wish I’d been raised as a child in Europe.

The tow headed girls at the table to my right can’t be more than 5 or 6. They color on the tiny cafe tables while their parents (men on one side, women on the other) chat with each other, passing the evening enjoying the fine weather and each other’s company. This is living.

The Yang of this pleasant Yingful scene is the MIME in the Plaka. That’s right people, there exists a Greek Marcel Marceau. People are actually gathering around him to watch him pretend he’s in a box. Shit.

Also, in every cafe, there are enormous flat screen TV’s blaring some kind of singing competition. The restaurant hawkers call out to potential patrons: “Television! See! Hear!” I blame Seacrest for this. Not because he’s truly at fault but because I enjoying blaming him for things that are wrong with broadcasting. The waiter tells me this “Eurovision Song Contest” is the MOST popular TV show in all of Europe. So much for imported culture.

You decide what's going on here

Holy crap! A group just entered the cafe next to me that are either a bunch of Norwegian sailors on shore leave or a gay cruise group out on theme night. There’s more than a dozen of them and half the group are wearing tighty-whitey shorts with their sailor shirts and little round caps. Could those shorts possibly be standard issue?

They have been given mugs of beer and are singing what I presume to be either patriotic Norwegian drinking songs or something from their Glee Club set list. It’s hard to tell and I’m distracted by all that visible man leg.

Things are starting to really hop at the old Plaka. You know because the person selling individual long-stemmed roses has appeared. Some things are universal. Where’s the polaroid camera guy offering to over charge me to preserve this memory?
Then right on cue, acoustic guitar man enters, stage right. “Serenade for the pretty lady?”

Still among all the hubbub, I’m wondering, where is the famous Greek hospitality? I’ve been sitting here for 2 hours waiting to be befriended by someone Greek or otherwise. So far, that’s a bust. I think I look pretty cute tonight. I may have to go to Lindos for that tomorrow. It’s smaller and may lend itself to more intimacy.

In fact, I have to say I’m not impressed by Rhodes town (new or old) at all. Although the Medieval architecture is attractive, one look at the shops makes me feel like I’m at the Jersey Shore.

The best thing about Old Towne

It’s just a lot of CRAP and that lamp store was the prettiest thing I could find to photograph. Every stall is choked with bad designer knock off bags and clothes. Most of the people I pass, clearly dressed to go out for the night, are wearing some kind of T-shirt with the name of an American city emblazoned across it in gold lame. Weird.

I long for Italy where everyone and everything is more graceful. Not that it would be any friendlier, just more attractive. OK the waiter just bought me a glass of wine and wants me to meet him for coffee tomorrow.. I shutta my face.

Still this being here on my own thing is kinda weird. It’s just that I lack a certain sense of purpose. After I am done with the cafe, then what? What will I do with myself tomorrow?

Well, I’m finishing my glass of free wine and then the only challenge that remains is to find the gate I came in at so I can get my car!

As I pack up my things to leave, the wine-giving waiter asks his boss if he can end his shift now so he can ask me out. It’s clear this is not a strange request and again I admire the Greek value system that places living at equal importance with working.

Tasos is probably my age or a little older and I convince him to take me to a local Bouzouki. That’s a Greek nightclub that revolves around 5 or 6 singers belting out medley’s of traditional Greek folk songs and trashy Euro club hits. To get into the club you buy the bottle on the table. In this case, Cuttysark. Already I know this trouble. The second level of participation requires the purchase of trays of flowers you’re supposed to fling one by one at the singer you approve of most.

Greek Idol?

It was loud, smokey trashy good fun. I dance on stage while men kneel at my feet-because that’s what they do. Say what you want about the Greek man vs woman thing. This night was definitely a celebration of the female form.

We parted outside the club. He asked me to come back to the restaurant the next morning but I had no intention of doing that. I knew I would be heading out town the next day to find the “Greece” I flew halfway around the world to see. White houses, water clear and calm as glass, warmth, laughter and glasses of wine at sunset.

Lindos, here I come.

I wake once during the night when the ferry shudders during a turn. I open the curtains and peer out over an ink blue, moonlight sky. We seem to be coming to a stop. I’m not sure if it’s designed to let some passenger’s disembark or if we need to refuel. I decide I don’t care. I slip back under the covers and am instantly asleep again.

1st View of Rhodes from the Ferry

When I wake it’s about 8:30 am. At this point I’m under the impression we will dock in Rhodes around 10:30 so I wander down to the first class lounge for a greek coffee and a sticky bun. The boat’s half empty at this point and I’m starting to think my timetable may be off a bit. A stop by reception confirms we’re docking in 20 minutes. Shit. Late again.

I get back upstairs and rush past a series of empty cabins already being cleaned by housekeeping. It takes me a bit to put all my bags back together but it certainly isn’t past the 20 minute mark when I make my way, alone, through the deserted ship.

Read the rest of this entry »

I board the Ferry easily. All I have to do is ride the escalator up two stories to the reception area.

Blue Star Ferry 2

It’s quite swank and I am suddenly revising my opinion on cruising. I receive my room key, my bags are gathered up by a porter and we are both whisked upstairs to the Luxury cabins.

This is the first time I’ve felt “excited” since I booked this trip last September. It’s not that it isn’t exciting to be in Greece but I’ve traveled enough to see a similarity to most of the cities of Europe and nothing I saw in Athens turned me on. It felt academic. Picture at the Parthenon – Check! Gawk at the first Olympic stadium – Check! Ingest kabobs with Teziki – Check!

Now, as I enter my cabin, I feel glad I decided to travel to the Island this way. The cabin is generous with two twin beds separated by a window. It has a desk, a closet, a small fridge and a private bathroom. Oh, and chocolate covered strawberries on the desk with a nice fruit arrangement and a few bottles of sparkling water. Read the rest of this entry »