June 24 - 27, 2014 Patras, Greece Part 1

June 24 - 27, 2014  Patras, Greece Part 1

Patras, Greece
Access to internet is not always readily available, so only able to post every few days.  

June 24, 2014  pm

Okay, that was just downright scary!  Everyone here has told me to be 'careful' and now I really get it!!!!

I'll set the stage:

Cristina and her two children and her mother were in the back seat and her dad was driving and me in front passenger.  We were in Bari headed to the Port to catch our Ferry in her parents car which has Greek license plates.  The top was loaded with luggage and also the back of the car, so not able to see out the back window.  This made it easy to tell we were travelers.   We had gone about half way to our destination when two young men on a motorcycle came up  very close to our car on the passenger side.  Cristina was sitting directly behind me holding her 3 year old son. 

We almost clipped them as we went around the curve, since they had come up on that side so quickly and unexpectedly.  It appeared to be a deliberate maneuver on their part (turns out it was... they were looking in Cristina's window).   Anyway, we moved over and slowed and they stayed to our right just ahead of the car.  After about a half mile, they pulled over.  We continued on and came to a stop sign.

All of a sudden Cristina's door was jerked open and one of the young man had reached in the car and tried to grab her purse.  She started screaming and her young son too and actually it was hard to tell when the rest of us started screaming, it all happened so fast.  She just happened to still have her arm through her purse handle and her arms wrapped around her son, so he was not able to grab and run.  He struggled hard to get it.  I first thought he was trying to grab her son, and her dad was so caught off guard, he didn't know what was going on, so didn't go as quickly as we could have.  Anyway all within split seconds, we did move forward and then quickly shut and locked the doors.  The car did not have automatic door locks.  As you can imagine... my next thought was I wanted to get out of the car and take him on!  At that moment I think I would have won, just from shear weight and fright. 

Talk about an adrenaline rush.  Even after we got on the ship, we were still shaken.  Roberto did have a bit of a scratch on the side of his forehead.  Only three nights before, on Saturday, as we were sitting on the upper balcony at Caputo's home, suddenly the neighbors directly next to them came out of their home yelling.  Someone had tried to break into their home and they were there!  They had chiseled out the concrete block wall surrounding the back of their yard and then did considerable damage to the lock on their door trying to get in.  This is the 4th or 5th time they have been broken in to.  Also, Caputo's have been broken in 3 times.

This is what happens in a country that disarms their citizens... the criminals have the advantage.  If every home owner had a weapon and was authorized to protect their home and loved ones, the criminals would think twice about coming in.  

Okay, that's enough about that... I will definitely be on my guard!

The Ferry is very large.  

It is one of the new ones, called SUPERFAST Ferry. I am amazed at how many semi-trucks are loaded on here! Must be at least 75, plus cars. This area is closed and locked after everyone gets parked. Semi's are strapped down.

  Waiting to load

These are just the ones outside that will be unloaded when we stop at 6am at Igoumenitsa.

Helipad on the Ferry.

We drove on with the car, since it is Cristina's folks, brought over from Greece.  We unloaded at the entrance, then rode a very long escalator up, walked down a very long hallway to the front area of the ship, then rode another long escalator up another floor. 

This is where there are very nice sitting rooms and several dining rooms, a Duty Free Shop, Casino, Restaurants and the cabins are located. 

This area is where those who don't have a cabin will stay and rest.  The seats recline.  They probably won't get much sleep anyway, since there is so much yelling, cheering and clapping by those watching the soccer game.  Very exuberant!

I had an inside cabin.

This is the first time I can remember anyway, that I have shared a room with total strangers. I did not meet them until they came to the room about midnight, since tonight the soccer game is on, and they were watching it. It started at 11pm and can go until at least 1am. I had gone to the cabin about 11, so was in bed, but not completely asleep when they came in. They were sisters, age 20 and 22 from Singapore and were continuing on a world tour (that they had started with their parents) before starting University. They were lovely young ladies. We visited for a little while.

I rested well, until we stopped this morning at 6. After we were moving again, the sea got a little rougher and it rocked me back to sleep, so didn't get up until 8am. Up now sitting and visiting and having a bite to eat that Cristina and her folks prepared before we left the house. It is so expensive to eat on the Ferry. I had purchased a Lindt Chocolate Hazelnut bar before we left for $3.98 Euro. The same chocolate bar was $9.90 on the Ferry! Pays to plan ahead!

Arriving in Greece

June 25th

We arrived in Greece about 2pm the next day, June 25th.  Cristina's sister who lives just a few blocks from her folks, had lunch all prepared for us.  that was really nice and thoughtful of her.  

This seems to be the way things go in both Italy and Greece.  Family always looking out for each other and being helpful.  Toula's mother lives in the adjoining house here, so shortly after we arrived 'home' and brought our things inside, she came over and was here until around 11pm.  We had just finished supper :)  All afternoon and evening others were coming by, some staying long, others briefly to say 'welcome back' to Toula and Timothy who have been in Italy at Cristina's these last three weeks.

Toula with her mother on the left and Aunt on the right.

The grandchildren having supper at Grandma's

Cristina's children are just adorable.  There is something so musical listening to them speak in Italian.  They have the sweetest softest voices and the way Italian is spoken by them is so melodic!  I am going to try to get a recording of them.  Also, they are very well behaved and were such good travelers.  Last night, just as I went in my room and closed the door, Aurora (age 4 1/2) lightly knocked.  I answered and she says "Buonanotte" (Goodnight)  I replied the same and also in English to her, which she then repeated in English, then I closed the door.  Knock, knock... Cristina coming back with Aurora... she had asked her mother if she could just come and sit with me a little while... how adorable was that!  We couldn't converse very well in ANY language, however, I was putting lotion on my face and hands, so she joined me, and just sat beside me.  Then in a little while, she said goodnight again and went to her room. 

Both Cristina and Marco and his sister speak three languages (Italian, Greek & English).  Cristina's parents speak only Greek.  Marco's parents speak only Italian.  The children are amazing though, as they live in Italy and speak Italian, yet they understand perfectly their Greek grandparents, however, they do not talk much in it.  When I speak to them in English, they quite often repeat the words back to me, especially Roberto (age 3).  A few times, he has said Thank You to me in English without prompting.  It is very common for school children in these countries to learn English, so I'm sure these children will be fluent in it by the time they are adults.

June 26th AM

After a good night's rest and a bit of a sleep-in this morning, Cristina and I and her children and her nephew all went to the Ionian sea.  

One thing I really like about the seas here, is they are wonderful to swim in!  I got into the water as soon as we arrived and didn't get out until it was time to leave. 

Toula had lunch ready when we returned and this afternoon has been a wonderful relaxing rest, with intermittent times to hang more laundry on the line and bring it in.  Takes less than an hour to dry, as it is very very hot today!  Thank goodness they have air conditioning in their home, or I might have to go back and live in the sea!

A little about the village here in Greece. We have such a thing as 'small town USA', but that doesn't even come close to what village living is like!!! All the houses are either touching or almost touching and your 'yard' (no grass, just a narrow passageway between houses) really is just a shortcut to someone else's house. There were so many people coming and going last evening, I really kind of lost track of who was visitors and who was just passing through!

Being in Greece has certainly brought many thoughts to mind about those I had previously met or known about who were from Greece. Anton Koutsourelis, John Kocaletes and George Manetas come to mind. Really has been fresh in my mind, thinking about being in the country where they gave so much of their life! The amount of history here is incredible, both in Bible times and more recent. I keep lots of notes in my computer, so I read again some of Howard Mooney's time in Greece. Good Reminder!!! If you would like a copy, let me know. 

June 26th PM.

Oh my, where to start and where to stop! Just when I thought my mind was full, I just had another special privilege. There are other Americans visiting here in Greece this week, so last evening's scheduled Bible study was postponed until tonight. As I mentioned earlier, my thoughts had gone to others and where the Bible study was tonight was at the great nephew of George, in the very home that George was born in! Michael and Christine Manetas live there now and Michael's father (George's nephew). They have one, almost two year old, son. In addition to getting to be in their home, Christine's sister, Audrey Hagen and two daughters, Anne and Elizabeth, were the Americans visiting and I couldn't believe it! They were from Illinois (where I grew up). Last fall when I was in Illinois, I was with their brother at Bruce and Elizabeth's. Audrey also knows my brother, Leonard and his family, very well. Audrey and her family live in Springfield, Illinois, so we know many, many of the same people, however, I had never met her before, anyway that I remember, even though, we were both at Mt. Sterling convention last August. Her husband has already returned to the states and she and her daughters will go next Thursday.

  

Christine and Michael invited me to come back to see them anytime, or just to call if I needed to speak to someone from America :)   Don't know when I will be back to Greece, but I for sure will come as there is much more here that I want to see.  I especially want to go to Athens and Corinth and Thessalonica and also many other places here, but this was just a short trip this time, as I still need to do my US 'thing'.

There were three or four Cristina's (Greek spelling) and Christine's (American spelling) and three Anne's and Anna's there tonight, I was starting to really get confused trying to remember everyone!! In addition, with all the Americans there, translation was going both ways, so everything was said twice and sometimes three times when the translator forgot and slipped into German. There was also a small dog, a baby turkey, a very lively 19 month old and about 10 extra people. A little entertaining to say the least :)

After the study, we all had cake and watermelon, and hung around and visited, so didn't arrive back 'home' until close to 11pm, at which time we had supper!  It is now after midnight.  So glad I am retired and get to sleep in, in the mornings now!  Speaking of supper, we have fresh tomatoes (vine ripe and oh so sweet), fresh cucumbers and sweet peppers in olive oil and fresh herbs almost every meal and I love it!  So healthy and so tasty, along with homemade bread.  Cristina made some whole grain bread before we left Italy and brought that as well, and it is really good eating, so probably not going to go so well for losing weight.  I did however, give up the Gelatos for a while... they don't have one on every corner here in Greece ;)

All for tonight.  I would love to post this blog tonight, but I still do not have internet, so it will have to wait 'til another day.  

June 27th

Good Morning.  It is much cooler here today so far...

One thing I've notice in both Italy and Greece, is that there is really no such thing as Breakfast.  This is probably because they eat so late in the evenings.  A cup of coffee or two, and maybe a hard dry biscuit.  That is it.  (Except at Piccolo's we had cereal and fruit).  They eat very few eggs and almost all their milk is in a sealed box and only needs to be refrigerated after opening.  Every day here in Patras, Greece, the locals load up their pickups with fresh produce and with a loud speaker mounted on top, they drive up and down all the streets  and announce very loudly they have things to sell. 

 I am sure enjoying all the fresh Mozzarella, tomatoes, cucumbers, melons and all the other fresh produce.   It reminds me of my folks and all their gardening. 

Living in a small village reminds me of an era long gone in the US, where people sat outside and visited, with neighbors walking by and greeting them, and the children all playing outside, instead of on electronic devices.  Also,  groups of men sitting in front of the cafe's and playing cards or checkers.  

This afternoon, we all took naps, then got up and played a card game for a while.  After it cooled off, Cristina and I walked over to her sister's and she has internet, so I've been able to check my email and blog. There is very nice and cool breeze and just loving sitting out and enjoying it.  Ah, the life!

I probably will not have internet again now before I get back to Italy, so will have to wait to post again just before I leave for the USA.  

Ciao from Greece!