tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4865467060598403062024-03-06T00:24:07.123+02:0090 Days of Sunshine: my winters in Greece.90 Days of Sunshine: my winters in Greece.Bloozebabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15888406067990952626noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486546706059840306.post-68614596118616312662014-02-23T21:55:00.001+02:002014-02-23T21:58:16.172+02:00Riding out the storm of negativity<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Arial;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536859905 -1073711037 9 0 511 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
</style>
-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaM1iffVugfQn0xam79icklXwVkf_bQwxwVf-rN1QE-lq5k9Ap7iz1DWlwoKuMcKOBIAYSUJeSmRuXUOeApyI1gRBPcw46X8CcGbeUpBrX0W9y3_1JC9NLeyGFm-YjkEvdh2h_1dFIs3w/s1600/Image1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaM1iffVugfQn0xam79icklXwVkf_bQwxwVf-rN1QE-lq5k9Ap7iz1DWlwoKuMcKOBIAYSUJeSmRuXUOeApyI1gRBPcw46X8CcGbeUpBrX0W9y3_1JC9NLeyGFm-YjkEvdh2h_1dFIs3w/s1600/Image1.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #4c1130;">If you’ve been following along on my adventure, you will
have gathered by now that it takes tremendous patience for a foreigner (or even
a Greek) to try and transact business in Greece.
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75;">First test of endurance is the byzantine bureaucracy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It takes oodles of paperwork, stamps, copies,
notarized documents, more paperwork – oh wait, that office is closed today…
come back Tuesday – except, oh dear – they’re on strike on Tuesdays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You get the picture.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho82jfWOQGhdusE0fXlmB8QcQ8dCyTZKQP3auTKWfdAgejbPG0X2jlYNSeSQOKfvn6Q3QiTlj8FRBEdc8idcTkCDLLIj9uN5TqaCEoqt1eaNUffxg34OycgMU3lbvsjXW0Ltc9zKf4q3g/s1600/DSCN3506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho82jfWOQGhdusE0fXlmB8QcQ8dCyTZKQP3auTKWfdAgejbPG0X2jlYNSeSQOKfvn6Q3QiTlj8FRBEdc8idcTkCDLLIj9uN5TqaCEoqt1eaNUffxg34OycgMU3lbvsjXW0Ltc9zKf4q3g/s1600/DSCN3506.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a><br />
</span><span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Now
I am at the point where I am dealing with engineers, builders, project
managers, lawyers and accountants. (Yes, it's only taken me three (3)
years to get that far!) I have lost patience and trust with some and developed new relationships with others... all part of the learning curve I guess.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"> </span></span>Then there’s the sort of endearing, but ultimately soul sucking tediousness of
one’s friends always smugly second guessing me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Oh, they say they support your dream – but, really, they’re sort of
being subliminally snarky and spiteful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>YES, dammit I HAVE heard the news about the Euro and the Greek economy.
NO, the stuff you see on the late night evening news is NOT the reality (by the
way – the riots in Montreal are far worse than anything in Athens).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I get the feeling that they want to see me
fall flat on my face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That may well
happen, but for now, I am still proceeding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Slowly. Oh, so slowly. </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOmkGHSirDbY4HLTfnMtl-qug2LPnKw0JrVKJe8aTlYaG5yeISViuWqNLOrDYR5NeUN7MejkpPcIelhSxovUo-XbL7UuwdDHqAy7AlP7YmSrStRoq0mu4zJPGhsWETNBMlyTCielQRcBM/s1600/DSCN3722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOmkGHSirDbY4HLTfnMtl-qug2LPnKw0JrVKJe8aTlYaG5yeISViuWqNLOrDYR5NeUN7MejkpPcIelhSxovUo-XbL7UuwdDHqAy7AlP7YmSrStRoq0mu4zJPGhsWETNBMlyTCielQRcBM/s1600/DSCN3722.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a> I know you watch the news and may have read an article two
in the newspapers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I LIVE there for
months at a time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I live, eat and
breathe the Greek economy and politics<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>16 hours a day. I follow the news, the banks, the stock exchange, the
parliamentary debate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not stupid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neither am I omniscient; I am aware of the
risks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have done my homework.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But as smart and as prepared as I am, I can’t
predict the world economic situation. </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKPoZxPZSTVSE_tHNoUbzheIKDj5wniOSogLKxBcfN5e6D0RqUyISA5c0-AnDZJ7vmm3m8nPmIA-DsTchuTWazbRCYDhlJBsOJPVoJAxxPZyFO4xI14t7PgOex_q3huPXpsLX7pmVi3AU/s1600/DSCN3686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKPoZxPZSTVSE_tHNoUbzheIKDj5wniOSogLKxBcfN5e6D0RqUyISA5c0-AnDZJ7vmm3m8nPmIA-DsTchuTWazbRCYDhlJBsOJPVoJAxxPZyFO4xI14t7PgOex_q3huPXpsLX7pmVi3AU/s1600/DSCN3686.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #351c75;">But you know what I can do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I can gather my courage, dare to dream my dream and roll the cosmic
dice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sorry you don’t believe in me
or have the faith in my courage that I do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If it works, I will have a lovely home in my favourite part of the
world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it doesn’t work, I will employ
the safety nets I have in place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
assume you will be my friend in either event.</span></div>
Bloozebabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15888406067990952626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486546706059840306.post-3229165786620485252013-04-25T16:35:00.001+03:002013-04-25T16:35:51.374+03:00Stay tuned.... more posts coming!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-BkZnfsb4QJa_kLlX5UR8rlZhlDuoDK2GYP8vz558bTxKoaFCGrW9fvpqqQzFi0u8lPisk0iKjDh6t6bbeV5FeIhHB57O2XMRsRZ7idKCJiHN332SftN8o_iVvBOA6qkBrvVj2qOMfcE/s1600/half+moon+acropolis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-BkZnfsb4QJa_kLlX5UR8rlZhlDuoDK2GYP8vz558bTxKoaFCGrW9fvpqqQzFi0u8lPisk0iKjDh6t6bbeV5FeIhHB57O2XMRsRZ7idKCJiHN332SftN8o_iVvBOA6qkBrvVj2qOMfcE/s320/half+moon+acropolis.jpg" width="320" /></a>"I am not an Athenian or a Greek, but a citizen of the world."<br />
<br />
Socrates, philosopher (469 BC - 399 BC) Bloozebabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15888406067990952626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486546706059840306.post-65371131899736483172012-12-29T17:38:00.006+02:002012-12-29T17:38:49.960+02:00Christmas in Crete!I've been coming to Greece for almost 30 years now, but this is the first time I will experience Christmas and New Years. At home in Canada, they just got walloped with a 40cm dump of snow. Here, in Chania, it is 16 degrees and we are enjoying wine at a seaside cafe in the winter sun.<br />
<br />
<h3>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-PcZU5FYyn0RFPdSXIuGFiyTvaQVrOnouyGRwriGMIZGbrgxdgv4XETQIJqt3Ah7-oaTZ9Fr2mog2vcVUNd1m3H_GVJICY_bLmhWOklHCJLk4mlOa3ZTFuFVEW7T4m1numKwRYZjrEdE/s1600/406585_10151225537543962_685278939_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-PcZU5FYyn0RFPdSXIuGFiyTvaQVrOnouyGRwriGMIZGbrgxdgv4XETQIJqt3Ah7-oaTZ9Fr2mog2vcVUNd1m3H_GVJICY_bLmhWOklHCJLk4mlOa3ZTFuFVEW7T4m1numKwRYZjrEdE/s320/406585_10151225537543962_685278939_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><i><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Happy New Year!!!</b></span></i></h3>
Bloozebabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15888406067990952626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486546706059840306.post-42036092978832825352012-06-28T18:39:00.002+03:002014-02-23T21:57:52.731+02:00Six tips for a great Greek vacation<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Arial;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
</style>
-->
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSglxtzYHz2z0NpoSYAUqqJWGTQm0c_0_k-jCNgn5HkxlgmZir62eGwS6gRkJ1r0h_vZgFL6GQBCJzm8LnKtTyK-w6D6b9Bqttdu5vOutoc-AR6y1ZpXkNZqDC9TjscHNQlqdGkpzcV34/s1600/DSCN1181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSglxtzYHz2z0NpoSYAUqqJWGTQm0c_0_k-jCNgn5HkxlgmZir62eGwS6gRkJ1r0h_vZgFL6GQBCJzm8LnKtTyK-w6D6b9Bqttdu5vOutoc-AR6y1ZpXkNZqDC9TjscHNQlqdGkpzcV34/s320/DSCN1181.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Turquoise seas, soft sand beaches, dreamy sunsets, history,
culture, deserted islands, mountain villages, fabulous food and wine… Greece
continues to lure vacation dreamers.
Yes, there has been economic uncertainty in Greece lately, but I want to
assure anyone thinking of visiting – it is safe, it is calm, the people are
welcoming and it is still a wonderful choice for a vacation.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am often asked to help plan Greek vacations for people,
including for my own travel agent. After
30 years of vacationing and living in Greece, I’ve explored a lot of different
options depending on my economic situation at the time – from five-star hotels
to modest studios, hotel rooms and hostels.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here are some ways to get the most out of your dream
vacation, without breaking the bank:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Z6H-fOUD2NbRkUEj9lCIRURM5yT-mln1jamYpKJklUlEI4baGI_vlsLr-B8BIBhepYD9z341aon1KTuUd5x3AKEFVj9WESDNHafBiXI5fwxRDUNIdNGTK_kDwCZK1PdcgEc9kKz0JN4/s1600/DSCN0912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Z6H-fOUD2NbRkUEj9lCIRURM5yT-mln1jamYpKJklUlEI4baGI_vlsLr-B8BIBhepYD9z341aon1KTuUd5x3AKEFVj9WESDNHafBiXI5fwxRDUNIdNGTK_kDwCZK1PdcgEc9kKz0JN4/s200/DSCN0912.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Plan your route
carefully.</b> So many times I have to
caution first time visitors that they cannot see and do it all in a two week
vacation. You simply cannot cram in 10
different islands in 10 days. It would
be like saying you are going to San Francisco from Boston, but stopping off in
Iceland for the weekend and then dropping into New Zealand if you have time. Learn your geography and set a modest travel
plan that is as adaptable, as circumstances change quickly in Greece. Inter-island hopping is fun, if you have time
and money, but a more sensible and economic approach is to select two or three
islands in the same geographic group and thoroughly explore them. There is always a next trip…… look at
me! Of the 2000-some Greek islands, I
figure I have visited about 50 so far.
(It’s a heck of a to-do list!)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7_9Pgg4BPTg018YC6oKODO8K8x-fPx_wIqo90TbqP00M8G4vzxu6G1DYZBWVEG8Y83_T3WtxOCSqNSZ-VmxaRP4b74uLfN58x9XRE4n5aLWNts6Ese9Ix5-MjsyqMixVLsydmy9XNvhY/s1600/DSCN0793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7_9Pgg4BPTg018YC6oKODO8K8x-fPx_wIqo90TbqP00M8G4vzxu6G1DYZBWVEG8Y83_T3WtxOCSqNSZ-VmxaRP4b74uLfN58x9XRE4n5aLWNts6Ese9Ix5-MjsyqMixVLsydmy9XNvhY/s200/DSCN0793.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Travel in the off
season.</b> I know a lot of people are
stuck traveling in summer when the kids are out of school. But, in my opinion,
this is the absolute worst time to visit Greece – too damn hot, too crowded and
the prices are higher. April to June and
September to October are the optimum months for travel as far as I am
concerned. The weather is more reasonable,
the crowds manageable and the prices, including air fares, drop substantially.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcuYIicQa96LiPHmoT6cMm2m56alA3CSQv3NAmhevcsZHekvj8veXIwPMdecFZotkvxdmEG9cGernp9PrS03JPV8PXkUL3YFktrX1WssDGDqFCQAayLxdmoemGjIC8JXYASKFZKqyMNtE/s1600/DSCN0612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcuYIicQa96LiPHmoT6cMm2m56alA3CSQv3NAmhevcsZHekvj8veXIwPMdecFZotkvxdmEG9cGernp9PrS03JPV8PXkUL3YFktrX1WssDGDqFCQAayLxdmoemGjIC8JXYASKFZKqyMNtE/s200/DSCN0612.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Be creative with your
air travel.</b> Diligent research can
pay off with cheap air fares. Learn when
and where the charter flights go. For example, if you can get yourself to
London or some other European capital, you can get charter flights to Greece
for under a hundred bucks. Flying from
the east coast of Canada, I’ve taken some pretty convoluted routes to save
money – including going through Iceland or flying west to Toronto to catch a cheap
charter east. Doesn’t make sense – but
hey that’s the airline business today.<br />
TIP: travel agents will not book
the ultra cheap charters for you – you’re on your own there. And, if chartering, make sure you know the
airline’s baggage limitations, as the surcharges will add up.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWgmphYUNlgo0pn3srdiqDifqBnJ3FazIlx8uQep22u01xZEFrKRRDEeWZyVU8XdqwE4BM-hfaaDEMWzoF474lKNoj1l64ThdvHTY1_cu6UZXd-HDmaDcJkgPAW7PlFKvg6jiintRdP_I/s1600/DSCN0850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWgmphYUNlgo0pn3srdiqDifqBnJ3FazIlx8uQep22u01xZEFrKRRDEeWZyVU8XdqwE4BM-hfaaDEMWzoF474lKNoj1l64ThdvHTY1_cu6UZXd-HDmaDcJkgPAW7PlFKvg6jiintRdP_I/s200/DSCN0850.JPG" height="172" width="200" /></a></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Consider a studio
rental.</b> Although meals in
restaurants are still very reasonable in Greece, a studio apartment has the
advantage of a small kitchenette so you could make at least one or two meals a
day. With so many fascinating markets
stuffed with inexpensive fresh foods, it’s kind of fun to assemble your own
fixings for breakfast or a picnic anyway.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0pq-1uXOtuJyOCxyNZg-S9iluXZG6YX84ve1PBOsdOne-LnmTY1qFVuhV1WIjvtf7ZtMidP29lioTGVzECy0kG_qX9eYDlBpAwQxeH5cfUE0YsWOLiQv4-az8yl5shhAkUD8dJ6NwwtA/s1600/3721498-Naxos_cheese_Naxos_Island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0pq-1uXOtuJyOCxyNZg-S9iluXZG6YX84ve1PBOsdOne-LnmTY1qFVuhV1WIjvtf7ZtMidP29lioTGVzECy0kG_qX9eYDlBpAwQxeH5cfUE0YsWOLiQv4-az8yl5shhAkUD8dJ6NwwtA/s200/3721498-Naxos_cheese_Naxos_Island.jpg" height="151" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greek cheeses - YUM!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">For families,
consider a villa rental.</b> This is
especially thrifty if you rent in the off-season and is super economic if two
families share the costs. You get the
luxury of a well-equipped villa (usually with a pool and barbecue) and a
dependable home base to make day trips from.
Compared to per night costs in a hotel, this is a great savings.<br />
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Cruises and tours.</b> I’m not a huge fan of cruises and group
tours, as I don’t like to travel in herds.
However, sometimes this is the cheapest way to cover a lot of ground
fast. It’s also a good way to see a place for the first time so you know what
you want to REALLY see when you come back on your own and what you can give a
miss to.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDAI3Ey9FFh7YAt7ICZTz0kzQG-suXVxnQTMkUdA2H9OlfmY8WULRNHQaLCB40pY0aGYaK2jaDlcVYse5ba8yLvmEBW_d3j26osp6TN-vz6Q7-Llkluzmk8ARORVugkuxP5CO30oHkIww/s1600/DSCN0705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDAI3Ey9FFh7YAt7ICZTz0kzQG-suXVxnQTMkUdA2H9OlfmY8WULRNHQaLCB40pY0aGYaK2jaDlcVYse5ba8yLvmEBW_d3j26osp6TN-vz6Q7-Llkluzmk8ARORVugkuxP5CO30oHkIww/s200/DSCN0705.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a>For example, I had always
wanted to cross the Theban plains and visit the amazing site of Meteora. Negotiating the Greek national highway was too
frightening – besides, I wanted to spend my time drinking in the astonishing
views, not navigating the road signs and sucking in truck fumes. A reasonably priced three-day tour was the
answer. It was just long enough so I didn't have the urge to
kill my fellow bus mates, yet long enough to get a good grasp of the area.<br />
<br />
For a really cool holiday, consider
chartering your own sail boat with some friends – with about eight of you, it’s
actually cheaper than a hotel and the ship comes with its own captain and crew
and will take you where you want to go.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ_r3v0MyKlffBCQh6n2c5rX6_q5KiYdz505z1xydxaNY_3XrobFPr4Ji1P1lG-BprWdCIjuSxdyDC26_uwNsTyme5VZpYtGwPtx6iPWMWHIpq_5zvw8szRHDb4WACgZtnaofCpiLAl4A/s1600/DSCN2484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ_r3v0MyKlffBCQh6n2c5rX6_q5KiYdz505z1xydxaNY_3XrobFPr4Ji1P1lG-BprWdCIjuSxdyDC26_uwNsTyme5VZpYtGwPtx6iPWMWHIpq_5zvw8szRHDb4WACgZtnaofCpiLAl4A/s320/DSCN2484.JPG" height="225" width="320" /></a></div>
Yes, yes, as I write this, Greece is a political and
economical basket case. However, life
goes on there. It is still a must-see on
your vacation list and the economy and the lovely people of Greece can
certainly use your tourist dollars. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And please – trust me on this one – the stuff you see on the
nightly news is wildly overblown and exaggerated. No one is getting mugged, arrested, or
otherwise inconvenienced except the few masked anarchists lobbing rocks at the
parliament buildings. Outside of the few
blocks around the Parliament in Athens, the vacation destinations are calm and
welcoming and still a great bargain. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<h3 style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bon voyage or as we say in Greek, Kalo Taxidi!!!</i></b></h3>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPn-FI2FYoVxOFy7VGs4dQEpxSEZzC-r8K91QNahzXt7_4ye8Q_Uxi6U111qhopau4VYgwVeOMCQYwTiFVVC9P9AZ60qMKb8wIJigZYkLGbxD-d4zYqVhKyb5ARVniZszllkH9Hnj-y8Q/s1600/DSCN1109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPn-FI2FYoVxOFy7VGs4dQEpxSEZzC-r8K91QNahzXt7_4ye8Q_Uxi6U111qhopau4VYgwVeOMCQYwTiFVVC9P9AZ60qMKb8wIJigZYkLGbxD-d4zYqVhKyb5ARVniZszllkH9Hnj-y8Q/s320/DSCN1109.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
Bloozebabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15888406067990952626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486546706059840306.post-88102987536721510392012-03-25T13:34:00.008+03:002012-04-08T19:12:09.880+03:00It’s only fair. . . 10 tips for guests<style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Arial; panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536859905 -1073711037 9 0 511 0;} @font-face {font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-font-charset:78; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;} @font-face {font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-font-charset:78; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page WordSection1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSect</style>I ripped pretty hard on villa owners. To be fair, it's now the guests' turn. . .<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">1.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Toilets.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Yeah, I know, if you’ve been following this blog you’d almost think I had a thing for toilets.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Not really, but they seem so essential for comfortable travel, I have to comment on toilet etiquette.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In Greece, toilets operate differently than they do in North America and much of the rest of the world.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This always causes some consternation among visitors.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Read my lips<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7bfTmlzMGVa1DWfv1pwqk3K_0AtBB1ndCOEgzyLRYLYgtymJLJO2pXQHMYFjwS9ZrCKvj8CXW-Y6X1oBtQqMsHtrH4PBiXRglcRt_s9W9lP5-Y6_dAH8R1gjDjbCswyJ8xZOyls7Ykdc/s1600/DSCN2410.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 186px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7bfTmlzMGVa1DWfv1pwqk3K_0AtBB1ndCOEgzyLRYLYgtymJLJO2pXQHMYFjwS9ZrCKvj8CXW-Y6X1oBtQqMsHtrH4PBiXRglcRt_s9W9lP5-Y6_dAH8R1gjDjbCswyJ8xZOyls7Ykdc/s200/DSCN2410.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723785952923532562" border="0" /></a>:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>the only thing that goes down the loo is the stuff that comes out of your body.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>No paper. No plastics. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Nuthin’.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This is not some weird cultural affectation -<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>there are practical reasons.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>(1)The Greek plumbing pipes are, for reasons that escape me, engineered too narrow to take semi solids like paper.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>(2)The S curves are engineered too tightly to allow stuff to be easily flushed away and (3) Their septic systems didn’t plan on so many people using it. Trust me – you want to get used to putting your paper in the little bin by the toilet like everyone else.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I can’t tell you how unpleasant it will be to be standing ankle deep in your own waste whilst explaining how this happened to the old Greek lady who owns the place.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Trust me. Adapt.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.25in"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">2.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Towels.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Greek studios or villas come with crisp clean white towels and sheets, but no face clothes. If you need one, bring one from home.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You might also want to bring your own beach towel or mat, although you can buy them here easily and more cheaply than at home.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Don’t be a slob. Do you really use a towel only once at home?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This is a country of limited water resources, especially in high season.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Be thoughtful.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">3.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">EOT.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This is the Greek tourist authority that governs legal rental properties.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They have arcane rules, which is why you might not find any salt and pepper left behind by the last guests.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Food safety and all that. Licenced places have a little blue EOT plaque on their building. This is not to say the other places are bad... just flying below the tax radar.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4BuXI53hVkHWuKwrAnoY_da_OP7GwnvdLxHknyeaoA_j16-HO46vZC4JMRJ38yx0mytqLygA3EkzQSnHfXtH4CvvO6OGi-HznqZ5WUeerMW9om7ov4CsyVGQBut_gq-NXQZNZlc92heQ/s1600/DSCN2420.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4BuXI53hVkHWuKwrAnoY_da_OP7GwnvdLxHknyeaoA_j16-HO46vZC4JMRJ38yx0mytqLygA3EkzQSnHfXtH4CvvO6OGi-HznqZ5WUeerMW9om7ov4CsyVGQBut_gq-NXQZNZlc92heQ/s200/DSCN2420.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729062004672662914" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">4.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Electricity.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span> </span>Bring your own plugs and converter from home if you are bringing your own hair dryers and such.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>(These days, most villas and studios have hair dryers, by the way).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Your computer, phone, iPod, battery chargers and other supermodern gizmos generally have a built in converter and therefore you only need the plug – but check to make sure so you don’t fry your gadget or the villa.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">5.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Environment.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span> </span>The Greeks pay only a token nod to environmental issues, although things are getting better. Facilities for recycling are not common on the islands and, sadly, you will see <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHaG7MD4G1iTWVM3ZD4k5qLvCy8dvFbR9kGB40FJt2hKfp5oiRzcIO5QPItn-BK1T7qlnED8a-n3S3Vv0sPqhxOhnCn9JotUv4xc3ct8qa5quGYZmqqbH6TbOV3677jk8nZx8q4DoGrec/s1600/DSCN2414.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHaG7MD4G1iTWVM3ZD4k5qLvCy8dvFbR9kGB40FJt2hKfp5oiRzcIO5QPItn-BK1T7qlnED8a-n3S3Vv0sPqhxOhnCn9JotUv4xc3ct8qa5quGYZmqqbH6TbOV3677jk8nZx8q4DoGrec/s200/DSCN2414.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729063218545296738" border="0" /></a>plastic bottles and crap on the beaches and gorgeous countryside. Doesn’t mean you have to add to the mess.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Conserve water.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Use electricity in moderation (do you really need to leave the lights on all day while you’re at the beach?).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And dispose of your waste sensibly.</p><p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5eWHTUsMc6s713yDuKXkXyjagAOiLPDqRFEa3GrZTQkslt4FaW4hyljR2TTpd3XX1gmSzsm73WO7UMybO0UYsEddt0qliL4RhBCDm08r5VPic0XuX_b5u6hFuGMAkzVPE4GJhHJSRlsg/s1600/DSCN1789.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 162px; height: 121px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5eWHTUsMc6s713yDuKXkXyjagAOiLPDqRFEa3GrZTQkslt4FaW4hyljR2TTpd3XX1gmSzsm73WO7UMybO0UYsEddt0qliL4RhBCDm08r5VPic0XuX_b5u6hFuGMAkzVPE4GJhHJSRlsg/s200/DSCN1789.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723787249556940274" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">6. Cats, rats and unicorns.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You will see many, many stray cats </p> <p class="MsoNormal">and dogs on the islands.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Some are in better shape than others.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Many of these animals are homeless, but sort of taken care of by the villagers when possible.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The feral cats serve a purpose that we don’t need to talk about in<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePpfeCpM1idjW-ucEtzgZCn77fFviQqaxgbnJlxTfILytiYI1xXyy4Ek8MTrOPkpKOaxvzCbX_iYhG3LBBu0dj-65ztyhVD5sPH-T11d1oepzspAaHFwvSCryoZq-iZXNfx7GpVIwFAA/s1600/DSCN1256.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 242px; height: 121px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePpfeCpM1idjW-ucEtzgZCn77fFviQqaxgbnJlxTfILytiYI1xXyy4Ek8MTrOPkpKOaxvzCbX_iYhG3LBBu0dj-65ztyhVD5sPH-T11d1oepzspAaHFwvSCryoZq-iZXNfx7GpVIwFAA/s200/DSCN1256.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723788239153491106" border="0" /></a> polite company.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Most islands have an animal welfare organization that rescues animals and campaigns for neutering.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Do something good and make a donation please.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">7.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Road safety</span>.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The Greeks have, bar none, the worst </p> <p class="MsoNormal">driving safety record in the EU.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If you’re a pedestrian, don’t wander around in a daze.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If you are driving, keep well over to the shoulder of the road (double do-not-pass lines mean nothing here) and let other drivers by.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Parking is a bloodsport.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Good luck.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJh-w6_mE6m1K0MQZjqngAm_FgNwAs2oJzI3URztJI4KDmu9sJbaC8fKFJe6p5gSKO7utdX9zpe0xxARbhyibI1C4vVCiwFyyKGqFihkOF5VbrpjG3RqAYPYwcS-JC0mup1ZAoD4vts3k/s1600/DSCN1872.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJh-w6_mE6m1K0MQZjqngAm_FgNwAs2oJzI3URztJI4KDmu9sJbaC8fKFJe6p5gSKO7utdX9zpe0xxARbhyibI1C4vVCiwFyyKGqFihkOF5VbrpjG3RqAYPYwcS-JC0mup1ZAoD4vts3k/s200/DSCN1872.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723789104083502562" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">8. Manners.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Mind your manners please, you’re a guest in this country.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Leave your everything-is-better-at-home arrogance at the airport.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It’s not better, it’s different. Why in the world did you want to travel if you think that way?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Be respectful of the local customs.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Be nice to your landlady. Clean up after yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Don’t be a slob.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"><br /></span><br /></p><p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">9.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Money.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Always have small bills. The ATMs spit out 50 Euro notes, but try to break them down in places where they handle a lot of money.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Your landlady won’t have small bills.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Negotiate your rent in advance and, yes, rent is still negotiable on the spot. If you book on-line however, the price is pretty much set especially in high season.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">10.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Enjoy.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Savour.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Have fun.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Appreciate.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Delight.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Keep your wonder.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Be grateful.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zq2cUpQvCA9m3mCq4wskiX53x2yKd4jR-ywwPaXjxe9Uc3HCX4_e_4L_KWhwVXKu-ZVQwZ2j7qmz8ST1h573hfkB_4S3ygFEV_CxGTlXxTq1ATk-d5ksylpQP1On6Mq1ieVcjk5x0Y8/s1600/DSCN2407.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zq2cUpQvCA9m3mCq4wskiX53x2yKd4jR-ywwPaXjxe9Uc3HCX4_e_4L_KWhwVXKu-ZVQwZ2j7qmz8ST1h573hfkB_4S3ygFEV_CxGTlXxTq1ATk-d5ksylpQP1On6Mq1ieVcjk5x0Y8/s200/DSCN2407.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723789827850401410" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.25in"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p>Bloozebabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15888406067990952626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486546706059840306.post-44020023132768292142012-03-16T11:59:00.001+02:002012-03-16T12:01:59.992+02:00From a villa renter to villa owners: 10 tips for happy holiday villa stays<style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Arial; panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536859905 -1073711037 9 0 511 0;} @font-face {font-family:"MS 明朝"; panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:128; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:fixed; mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;} @font-face {font-family:"MS 明朝"; panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:128; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:fixed; mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page WordSection1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} --> </style> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. Toilet paper.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span> </span>I know, it’s not my favourite subject either.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But, listen, I just flew for 20 hours to get here.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I am jet lagged.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Greek plumbing is VERY different from what I am used to.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So, what’s up with the one roll of toilet paper?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Did you think I brought a stash with me in my suitcase?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Do you think that after a 20 hour flight, landing in a strange village in the dark, I am likely to run out to the supermarket?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Please leave me enough toilet paper to get me through a few days at least.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. Towels.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I am tired and stinky after that long flight.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Don’t be mean with the towels.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This is in your best interest. I will use your drapes.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. Pillows.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Change em out at least once a season.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I have no great desire to sleep on other people’s drool.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>See note above about using your drapes.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">4. Garbage.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span> </span>I come from a world where there is weekly curbside pickup.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Please leave me instructions for what to do with my garbage.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Do you pick it up? Do I have to take it some place?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>What about garbage bags? Can you leave me enough to manage?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Otherwise I will throw my icky stuff directly in your bin and you can damn well wash it out when I leave.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">5. Water.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If you have a villa in an area where the water is not safe for drinking, please let me know.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And as a kindness, please leave a few large bottles of water for me to tide me over until I can figure out where the market is.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If you don’t let me know, then we will probably need to review Tip # 1 about toilet paper.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">6. Kitchen gadgets.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I am tired of annually outfitting villa kitchens.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>How about a can opener, corkscrew, decent bread knife and something more substantial in the pots and pans department?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Dish soap would be nice too – for some odd reason, I never think to pack a bottle to take with me from Canada. Oh – and a cutting board, please.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I will use your countertops otherwise.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">7. Electricity.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Hopefully your guests are smart enough to understand about the different power requirements for appliances and come equipped with plugs and adapters for their own stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>However, in the countryside here there are lots of planned power cuts for mysterious reasons.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The power company helpfully posts notices around the village – but I can’t read Greek very well. Can you let me know?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">8. Security.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Those little personal safes are great.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Remember to leave me the code, please.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Also, remind me about locking windows and doors when I go out. Bad things happen to good people – even though we prefer not to think about it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Thankfully, property crime is still pretty low here in this country.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">9. Batteries.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In my 30 years of renting everything from cheap studios, moderately priced hotel rooms to posh villas, I have yet to find one that has fresh batteries in the various gadgets.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I routinely need to buy batteries for TV and air conditioner remote. It’s not a big deal, but it is annoying.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’d rather spend my time in a taverna or on the beach than fannying about the village trying to find someone who sells a AAA battery for a decent price.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">10. Be nice.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’m coming back.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And in this day of instant social media, I am definitely telling my friends and I will very likely write a review.</p>Bloozebabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15888406067990952626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486546706059840306.post-2551885370505755232012-03-10T22:28:00.004+02:002012-03-10T22:33:35.504+02:00FINALLY!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Nx8t5yfx_SNUAQRwmDIheyBMp1MRQEl3z46YZwHrRHzRC2vZwzQZgeg0Qa6NHjcV_PlNK1-H_sf7KIK7DKGGicsnLnjuBXoQAr38OwE7Q5YXS468ZDkp8XVY1NLTjkZg1eCntyrXa9I/s1600/DSCN2362.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Nx8t5yfx_SNUAQRwmDIheyBMp1MRQEl3z46YZwHrRHzRC2vZwzQZgeg0Qa6NHjcV_PlNK1-H_sf7KIK7DKGGicsnLnjuBXoQAr38OwE7Q5YXS468ZDkp8XVY1NLTjkZg1eCntyrXa9I/s320/DSCN2362.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718368902353647778" border="0" /></a>I got my deed. I got my deed. I GOT MY DEED! Not bad - only took 18 months!!!! It's about 12 pages long and devotes as much space to my genealogy as it does to surveyor's measurements and map coordinates and has more stamps on it than a parcel from the North Pole!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguCK9gsA1EC6kf0g0HL-aYd9FaWs2J16YU1qoz-93_096Dvk-fRFoklzvRuCy9XBIGUlCSlcBbHXeEJ-esfl3buLPoiT6-36VhFTXCvasKwR6kaew5HOpowqrVO_WcWi_ZulDb6EdrK6I/s1600/DSCN2363.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguCK9gsA1EC6kf0g0HL-aYd9FaWs2J16YU1qoz-93_096Dvk-fRFoklzvRuCy9XBIGUlCSlcBbHXeEJ-esfl3buLPoiT6-36VhFTXCvasKwR6kaew5HOpowqrVO_WcWi_ZulDb6EdrK6I/s320/DSCN2363.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718369184344682226" border="0" /></a>Bloozebabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15888406067990952626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486546706059840306.post-14375748430520227092012-03-10T11:23:00.011+02:002012-03-10T12:44:53.755+02:00The winter of my discontentAlways one to enjoy a good farce, I have to say I'm not having much fun with this one.<br /><br />Normally, my travel gods ensure that I have blissfully worry-free travel with no health, money, or crime issues - good lord, I've never even missed a flight or has a suitcase go missing! Not so this trip.<br /><br />For the first few weeks of my winter in Crete, we've been plagued by rotten rainy <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Z2Qq4dIdbu-ATAuLmAtHSB57SjIOaHtp_lGh2EBofkwI9MCjWw8-PK2xZQ1txD7SxUcOgvNl1ave0z240y0UXo9ER6LdQ05UvocMNPCj2pl59Z12HZBnVkYwbYwldDCbjQASeVl8yyE/s1600/View+from+Plaka+PL3.PL4+to+the+White+Mountains.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 308px; height: 195px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Z2Qq4dIdbu-ATAuLmAtHSB57SjIOaHtp_lGh2EBofkwI9MCjWw8-PK2xZQ1txD7SxUcOgvNl1ave0z240y0UXo9ER6LdQ05UvocMNPCj2pl59Z12HZBnVkYwbYwldDCbjQASeVl8yyE/s320/View+from+Plaka+PL3.PL4+to+the+White+Mountains.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718216987465985154" border="0" /></a>cold weather. No problem - well, except this lovely villa I've rented for the season has no central heating. It is a summer holiday let, you see, and not at all suitable for what can be cold winter nights. I've taken to bundling up in layers, drinking hot tea and raki and snuggling under fleecy blankies while I watch TV at night.<br /><br />Just as the weather was finally breaking and Greek sunshine starting to show the promise of spring, I suffered a pretty catastrophic fall down a slippery staircase. Sadly, I was sober, or it might not have been so bad. I was trying to muscle a space heater from the second floor to the first and away <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRmRfRrEoyjSI3OKu2_jDYRNl9yO97jkVwObtrPQ_jddEtO9pC2DYj1EeNIgpo11qxoulklYiWigV46EDgIJ1-klmy-dhsKpV5IBptjSiACycESHgeG4xNGCiXjzjuzlS_03yQzzb1tio/s1600/DSCN2356.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRmRfRrEoyjSI3OKu2_jDYRNl9yO97jkVwObtrPQ_jddEtO9pC2DYj1EeNIgpo11qxoulklYiWigV46EDgIJ1-klmy-dhsKpV5IBptjSiACycESHgeG4xNGCiXjzjuzlS_03yQzzb1tio/s200/DSCN2356.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718214081549130386" border="0" /></a>I went. I already have a knee that is pretty much made up of loose gravel and twigs - ligaments and tendons long having been destroyed in an old basketball injury. But this time, I damaged it in a truly spectacular, if not technicolour, fashion. I cried like a baby, as nothing hurts worse than a joint injury.<br /><br />My splendid friends here immediately showed up to nurse and soothe me. I was plied with drugs, hot water bottles, food, love and attention. I slept on the couch in my clothes for a few days as I really couldn't walk. In a few days I was able to hobble a bit with a cane. I resigned myself to a few weeks of being house bound recuperating.<br /><br />Then came the salmonella poisoning.<br /><br />Generally, I am one of those annoying smug people that never gets stomach upsets. I used to joke that I could lick the water out of a mud puddle in Mexico City and not get sick. Hardy har har. Not so funny now. No, the real comedic value here is the vision of me racing to the loo hopping on one leg, sort of like an animated corkscrew. Howling in pain all the while for complete dramatic effect. Let's just say that Mr. Dictionary deserted me in favour of a few choicer words I learned from my sailor pals.<br /><br />One thing about constant pain - it is exhausting. Another thing about gastric nastiness - it also wears you out. While I am thrilled to have lost about 10 pounds, I am utterly exhausted. The superduper antibiotics I eventually took to slay the salmonella beast also wiped out all the other good bugs in my gut. Bring on the yeast infection in my mouth and eyes. I am not making that part up. Fortunately, that's an easy one to fix in the land of real yogurt. A few bowlfuls of good Greek yogurt fixed the balance - infection gone.<br /><br />It is now week two of my confinement. Cabin fever is setting in. I can't bend my knee enough even to get into my little rental car and bomb around the country side. And if I did, the thought of having to haul over and find a clump of bushes is enough to keep me housebound. I am mending slowly. But it is frustrating. Getting lots of reading and sleeping taken care of so I can tick that off my to-do list. The time I spend lying on my bed of pain contemplating the ceiling also allows me to stew over losing my job the day I flew out from Canada and allows me to seethe that my former boss and dear friend is screwing me out of my back pay. What? Me, worry? Yes, this truly has been an epic adventure. I'd quote Queen Elizabeth and her "annus horribilus" line, but the obviousness of the pun potential is just too great.<br /><br />But, listen: can I just say thank you to my wonderful friends here? They check in on me several times a day, bring me homemade soup and stolen fruit, meds, mags, laughter and buckets of love. I am overwhelmed.<br /><br />I commented that I wouldn't get this kind of love and attention at home - my very wise cousin Harriet said, "maybe you ARE home."<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnlh4zmeSTVFtJJUswY__bkIE8v6rP8cIENT_8d9WYnclWqdoQXtN78O0svxAgMqMQHFRuMtSvfM3RKSRKcDIrWTyQTwiIkgf9qI2UPr2NBeiKroV-eqPkQJS7b5QTrIMlmMX1K6U_rtY/s1600/DSCN2292.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnlh4zmeSTVFtJJUswY__bkIE8v6rP8cIENT_8d9WYnclWqdoQXtN78O0svxAgMqMQHFRuMtSvfM3RKSRKcDIrWTyQTwiIkgf9qI2UPr2NBeiKroV-eqPkQJS7b5QTrIMlmMX1K6U_rtY/s320/DSCN2292.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718215992204186082" border="0" /></a>Bloozebabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15888406067990952626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486546706059840306.post-84251291446925696102012-02-25T11:15:00.001+02:002012-03-10T12:56:21.617+02:00Winter Number 3: 90 days of …. rain?<style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Arial; panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face {font-family:"MS 明朝"; panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:128; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:fixed; mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;} @font-face {font-family:"MS 明朝"; panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:128; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:fixed; mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page WordSection1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1</style>Well, this is now my third year of wintering in Greece.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This particular trip has not begun auspiciously – my job back home seems to have evaporated, although there is always my other contract work to keep the wolf from the door; the weather in Greece sucks – rain, rain, and more rain – rare for these parts; and my building project here is grinding along more slowly than I would like.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Oh yeah, and there’s that pesky Greek economic crisis that is putting everyone in an edgy mood.<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEq6_YyqYfeVVnQ4S75pAih97yxsEHPeJ_HaVKZGU0p2aV8yQc7CrOwWGLu8FVTWPcrnbsVamjKbQc2XcKMbGmWLdBOrCpzKh9UL9zbBurWAGuRQBjhwR0xOVkUd5fcm5GFlq6oqVi3k0/s1600/421721_10150624601353962_89831568961_9199403_1459816903_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEq6_YyqYfeVVnQ4S75pAih97yxsEHPeJ_HaVKZGU0p2aV8yQc7CrOwWGLu8FVTWPcrnbsVamjKbQc2XcKMbGmWLdBOrCpzKh9UL9zbBurWAGuRQBjhwR0xOVkUd5fcm5GFlq6oqVi3k0/s320/421721_10150624601353962_89831568961_9199403_1459816903_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718220152149256066" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Other than that, life is good.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I am happily ensconced in a large villa (a deal for rent this time of year) in the countryside near the sea.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I woke this morning to birds singing their hearts out, the sight of almond trees in bloom and a hungry eagle soaring on the updrafts over my olive grove.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I think the sun may even finally emerge. Yup, life is good.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">I have ar<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJVUcNxTm8sy-1_Ogs0vtKhMA5-4esFdyt9Yfw91dJO2-olwaiLrCCd5wOBc9VKQ5KqoASZePM6lhs9bkdgVzi5fst-hqR2uyZ0pTgCyGGHBvBZxXUh99_wEENok9xQRH6ldZduu8YYT4/s1600/DSCN2321.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 175px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJVUcNxTm8sy-1_Ogs0vtKhMA5-4esFdyt9Yfw91dJO2-olwaiLrCCd5wOBc9VKQ5KqoASZePM6lhs9bkdgVzi5fst-hqR2uyZ0pTgCyGGHBvBZxXUh99_wEENok9xQRH6ldZduu8YYT4/s200/DSCN2321.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718196000930294450" border="0" /></a>rived just in time for Apokries and this weekend is when all the Carnivale activities wind up before Lent settles in. Today, Sunday, I am off to watch the miles-long parade in Kalives – a lovely little town at the edge of the sea. My friends and I will settle into a street-side café, order buckets of fine local wine and generally just pass the day with the locals and ex-pat residents.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Parties tonight, fireworks if we’re lucky.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYaBg_PR1Zkfrg76CV-0-rymgLkSBNtDvuo_vZnKOMB7li2ddj7Izt7zMy1L3al-YSbT_wQDYem8YCNlWs_S1PIA-BkD9bwpPw7uBVU2mw2TLtOjWHteaLH1UkOpf9OkkrEAawQvSQyU/s1600/DSCN2352.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 217px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYaBg_PR1Zkfrg76CV-0-rymgLkSBNtDvuo_vZnKOMB7li2ddj7Izt7zMy1L3al-YSbT_wQDYem8YCNlWs_S1PIA-BkD9bwpPw7uBVU2mw2TLtOjWHteaLH1UkOpf9OkkrEAawQvSQyU/s320/DSCN2352.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718195452820330466" border="0" /></a><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Tomorrow is Clean Monday – kite flying, house tidying, and picnics with delicious traditional foods (seafood is on the menu today).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In the old days, it was a day of fasting and prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Now it is more or less considered the first day of Spring.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And, let’s face it, with this rotten uncertain economy the Greeks are in no mood for more penance.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">So, eat, drink, be merry, watch the parades, fly your kites…. Spring is nigh!</p>Bloozebabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15888406067990952626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486546706059840306.post-32491495692778600172011-12-31T18:17:00.006+02:002011-12-31T18:33:24.549+02:00I’m Finally Legit!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: georgia;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnB5KXxVU7YF6xIeipoeS1-uvbbVtxfbsV95q4BqiCbxFhhpOUTlPeSgEEE2Y0m4s4YyuK31nauBRA5cIebeI9w8Bhz67JaV-rIA-KAJz9WsuxMGyxirPa9stabWfGn8XLxJYqp26ktZI/s1600/Telika3.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 321px; height: 181px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnB5KXxVU7YF6xIeipoeS1-uvbbVtxfbsV95q4BqiCbxFhhpOUTlPeSgEEE2Y0m4s4YyuK31nauBRA5cIebeI9w8Bhz67JaV-rIA-KAJz9WsuxMGyxirPa9stabWfGn8XLxJYqp26ktZI/s320/Telika3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692328026174276610" border="0" /></a> <style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Arial; panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face {font-family:"MS 明朝"; panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:128; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:fixed; mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;} @font-face {font-family:"MS 明朝"; panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:128; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:fixed; mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page WordSection1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} </style><span style="font-family:georgia;">No, really!! I am finally a landowner in Greece!</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> I've got a deed and everything - er, not that I can read it.</span><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"><br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">Didn’t take too long – I started in May 2010 pulling together the vast amounts of paperwork needed for the application to buy the land.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And here it is December 2011 – 19 months – this would be the warp speed pace of bureaucracy in Greece.</p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">So, the paperwork has finally cleared and I can now sink my life savings into a tiny scrap of land in a country with an economy that is circling the drain.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>What the hell am I thinking?</p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHgNZVRvXlhjD9x7P84Q9wldx8yvMvQU0iGcd4GX4pWtqQLZrOZZq8wfgka7rCUaUITvl29rp5iNW1f53_H9h5rMa8KVHR5DqX8zLERo_ibhp69WxV8pSEfJYwsHe7cHqNWlZQge4bPO0/s1600/DSCN1203.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 298px; height: 223px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHgNZVRvXlhjD9x7P84Q9wldx8yvMvQU0iGcd4GX4pWtqQLZrOZZq8wfgka7rCUaUITvl29rp5iNW1f53_H9h5rMa8KVHR5DqX8zLERo_ibhp69WxV8pSEfJYwsHe7cHqNWlZQge4bPO0/s320/DSCN1203.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692328912508764194" border="0" /></a>Well, I’m thinking of turquoise seas and azure skies; of lovely friends I’ve made in my little village overlooking the Cretan Sea; of the smells of Easter lamb roasting on the spit and incense burning in the church.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I am thinking of my generous and friendly neighbours who think I’m a bit dotty but harmless (what a coincidence – my neighbours in Canada feel the same way).</p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">I am thinking of sitting in a waterfront taverna staring out to sea and pondering life’s questions; of dandling the taverna owner’s child on my knee while I sip a glass of wine in the country the grape was grown in.</p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">I am thinking of a future in a country with a fascinating past.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And I am thinking that if I didn’t do this, I would regret it the rest of my life.<br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">Now the next feat of endurance is to apply for a building permit.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>My engineer, Kostas, has the building plans, the elevations, seismic surveys (gulp), topographical maps, knows where to site the house on the land for the best views and is ready to submit something like a few dozen different documents to the authorities.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They tell me that it takes about four months to ge<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcbTluOo8Bfi2MupMBEHtfYODLx_7WDPO6ujuyH_VQE-Z3tpBL7Bw65G1bA0EYdFtGySSnVv_0YoQ1b3JsU1nsGnV9ts-OXDmMlmJhb1HnvNbsjLiSpuaoxj1i3BqAA_Gbi2nTUjbeQAs/s1600/DSCN1860.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 248px; height: 186px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcbTluOo8Bfi2MupMBEHtfYODLx_7WDPO6ujuyH_VQE-Z3tpBL7Bw65G1bA0EYdFtGySSnVv_0YoQ1b3JsU1nsGnV9ts-OXDmMlmJhb1HnvNbsjLiSpuaoxj1i3BqAA_Gbi2nTUjbeQAs/s200/DSCN1860.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692330061394566482" border="0" /></a>t a building permit.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But it might take two weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Here we go again.</p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">In the meantime, I am dreamily leafing through plumbing supply catalogues and agonizing over what kind of knobs I want on my kitchen cupboards.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I feel a bit silly looking at seed catalogues and trying to decide where I want the jasmine planted or the orange trees so they don’t block that all important view. </p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">Maybe I need to focus more on where they will put my septic tank and how high I need to build my stone wall to keep the goats out of my flowers (no, I am not making that part up).</p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">In February I will travel back to Crete to go look at my patch of dirt.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’ll dream about where the excavators will start to dig and I’ll imagine the sounds of workmen pouring concrete and cutting marble tiles.<br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">I guess in a country with a past as long as Greece’s, time is relative.</p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK8LEaGY2L19fiH3c6lKUMMnBE0dPlFBAM96GpqyIX-yVvo2MDSO71LwTaJ25wZjAcizAxc4z1Emt7UqOC_4YEVOpD6ZMv_pBMlBlCks27cjTp_TPDC9ERuqTBAr-4Aq-OK7h5TFBYtcs/s1600/DSCN1782.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK8LEaGY2L19fiH3c6lKUMMnBE0dPlFBAM96GpqyIX-yVvo2MDSO71LwTaJ25wZjAcizAxc4z1Emt7UqOC_4YEVOpD6ZMv_pBMlBlCks27cjTp_TPDC9ERuqTBAr-4Aq-OK7h5TFBYtcs/s320/DSCN1782.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692331402354140562" border="0" /></a></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><br /><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p>Bloozebabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15888406067990952626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486546706059840306.post-76978789390998307402011-11-20T20:32:00.010+02:002011-11-22T15:17:32.606+02:00Impulse shopping: Greek style<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoo_Zm8SEEzV2WSN137gZyt0rje1GXKP3MjDdXu-6Jp6ELNRxYL2wXp4G7RwkSiJz4YyTJLIwO4FE2B9UqXHrDx_EzlAsKg2NJtabhpMqiOlZOYLPuVuf3_HgOdgiPC-htS-YwCSY8lHY/s1600/DSCN2181.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoo_Zm8SEEzV2WSN137gZyt0rje1GXKP3MjDdXu-6Jp6ELNRxYL2wXp4G7RwkSiJz4YyTJLIwO4FE2B9UqXHrDx_EzlAsKg2NJtabhpMqiOlZOYLPuVuf3_HgOdgiPC-htS-YwCSY8lHY/s320/DSCN2181.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677148295729723682" border="0" /></a><br /> <style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Arial; panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face {font-family:"MS 明朝"; panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:128; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:fixed; mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;} @font-face {font-family:"MS 明朝"; panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:128; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:fixed; mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page WordSection1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} </style>So, if you’ve been following along with this blog, you know that I have been trying to buy a little scrap of land in Greece.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And you’ve patiently followed along on all the bureaucratic hoops I’ve had to jump through to foolishly spend my money.<br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Let’s review:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>a few years ago I found a tiny, but small patch of dirt on the island of Crete.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Ever the impulse shopper, I took one look at the views from the land and said “SOLD!” Or the rough equivalent in my really atrocious Greek.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">My sales agent, the ever helpful, endlessly patient Andreas, outlined the paperwork needed that I, as a non-EU citizen, would need to assemble to buy my patch of heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Mounds of it, piles of it, heaps actually. All duly stamped, notarized, authorized, certified, and stamped again. Paperwork is key – apparently actually handing over my dough is a minor detail - twiddling with more paperwork and stamps is ever so much more fun.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">For the last two years I have been getting criminal record checks, arguing with the Greek Minister of Defense, whilst meekly begging for the opportunity to hand over my entire retirement savings to a country that is going bankrupt.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’ve been processed and cleared by the Greek departments of heritage, agriculture, environment, rural development and several other minor provincial offices. I still don’t have my land.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-eWrzSyVHadelwi2NH9WztX4PiZ2em9O0EttHdp9rFKW0LGs4X73tJGcz5IsQjftDO0XGb0CBOispciLbGA70NGQ9vXbZQFHD-8X_JTLFvMIk7B7j22LQMH3sFUuyjpyhCuY_ibUPobI/s1600/DSCN2161.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-eWrzSyVHadelwi2NH9WztX4PiZ2em9O0EttHdp9rFKW0LGs4X73tJGcz5IsQjftDO0XGb0CBOispciLbGA70NGQ9vXbZQFHD-8X_JTLFvMIk7B7j22LQMH3sFUuyjpyhCuY_ibUPobI/s320/DSCN2161.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677148744023994866" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">If you’ve been keeping up with the news, Greece is in a financial crisis of epic proportions.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Not only is the country teetering on the abyss of bankruptcy, its profligate spending the last decade is now threatening to bring down the entire Eurozone.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">I’ve been desperately trying to give Greece my money – buy some land, build a house, employ some locals to build and maintain it, and settle in.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Apparently impulse shopping is not a danger in Greece as it’s now going on two years and I still have no land and no house.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">I’m told that I am now mere days away from the right stamp being applied to the right piece of paper, duly notarized, authorized and certified and solemnly witnessed by everyone in the village from the mayor to the village barber.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Mere days. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The pace of land purchasing in Greece makes one dizzy.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">I’ll keep you posted.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">In the meantime, I’m going to go check on that bottle of champagne I put in the fridge to chill for the day I get my deed.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I think it may have evaporated by now.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHvQZ3ujWKJFsxj5v3ji47ZiDu47jQo3VIDS7KKMrVuom5IaMZ3L0xNiQxQyw3ph8vghs2AQW6IdJRonssk3RtKd0SSl1WtvQwl2OUd1rcwswCEAtlooKGB_2bqmYJu8ImqsEPbzBBrFU/s1600/DSCN2190.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHvQZ3ujWKJFsxj5v3ji47ZiDu47jQo3VIDS7KKMrVuom5IaMZ3L0xNiQxQyw3ph8vghs2AQW6IdJRonssk3RtKd0SSl1WtvQwl2OUd1rcwswCEAtlooKGB_2bqmYJu8ImqsEPbzBBrFU/s320/DSCN2190.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677149456454817410" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>Bloozebabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15888406067990952626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486546706059840306.post-88474900542984295632011-11-20T19:54:00.011+02:002011-11-21T15:34:41.410+02:00Living abroad; staying connected<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW9wQ8zJtT6fxsPkWW-hxWgfCSX6kpKy3a9MG7LuVgUhMwQLbYAPA_AsUHTK94jHeLnc1uhSMfVTAaGCiNW6pHhBsVsmWXfFShc1jG4Tvub3JMosZxL0wimrmnC0Q7Kkxi9sqncEn_DnQ/s1600/Bob+Reid+Broadcaster+CKCW-CBC+003.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 307px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW9wQ8zJtT6fxsPkWW-hxWgfCSX6kpKy3a9MG7LuVgUhMwQLbYAPA_AsUHTK94jHeLnc1uhSMfVTAaGCiNW6pHhBsVsmWXfFShc1jG4Tvub3JMosZxL0wimrmnC0Q7Kkxi9sqncEn_DnQ/s320/Bob+Reid+Broadcaster+CKCW-CBC+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677255583057200770" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />I’ll admit it - I’m a news addict. I come by it naturally. My beloved dad was a broadcaster in both radio and TV for 50 years. As a teenager, he hung around the local radio station until they gave him a job. From those early days as a radio operator, he quickly grew into an on-air “personality” and eventually management. Midway in his career, he switched from private broadcasting to Canada’s public system, the CBC. Widowed early, Dad often needed to bring me along to the radio or TV studio when babysitters were hard to find. I grew up spending a lot of time sitting quietly in a broadcast booth or TV studio while dear old dad was “live on air.” The addiction was born. Radio was always on in our home and Dad taught me what made a good broadcast or how to recognize a talented announcer.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj0YT8J3Jm0oUSugPxCbC_XbvRBuaVCFRj0gVEwtSuvRrmxvIifZEewTonsc9YUDnDlk79X7ntjLC2YtywurWIBVfgQkcS6c13xIAPUT8T6w3uvZvtVfmNodYJUGA9PJzsX2z6XbpE4-E/s1600/Bob+Reid+Broadcaster+CKCW-CBC.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 251px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj0YT8J3Jm0oUSugPxCbC_XbvRBuaVCFRj0gVEwtSuvRrmxvIifZEewTonsc9YUDnDlk79X7ntjLC2YtywurWIBVfgQkcS6c13xIAPUT8T6w3uvZvtVfmNodYJUGA9PJzsX2z6XbpE4-E/s320/Bob+Reid+Broadcaster+CKCW-CBC.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677255333443992162" border="0" /></a><br />To this day, I can’t miss a newscast on radio or TV. The CBC encourages a lot of audience participation these days – their way of making the audience do the work of programming since the government has slashed their funding for production. So, I do my part by contributing to radio shows as an occasional guest commentator or by providing feedback on issues raised. I’m still good friends with a lot of the announcers my dad worked with or hired and the career I’ve had in the last few decades has had me building strong media relations.<br /><br />So how do I stay connected when I’m living in Greece? Well the internet allows me to listen to or watch live broadcasts from home – with a 6 hour time difference. It’s very comforting - like having a coffee with a pal and having a good gab about local politics (<span style="font-style: italic;">thanks Terry and Stan</span>). It’s also led to some really cool experiences.<br /><br />For example, one day I was exchanging tweets with a friend back home while I was listening to the local morning show and pruning back my jasmine in the hot Greek sunshine. They announced a school closure due to a vicious winter blizzard. I knew about it before he did. We both got chills from the weirdness of me knowing that his kid had a storm day from half a world away before mum and dad even rolled out of bed.<br /><br />The same local morning show maintains a live Twitter feed while broadcasting and they respond to incoming emails. So when the announcer is saying it’s minus 25 in Fredericton, I can shoot him a note and say it’s plus 30 in Chania and I’m off to the beach - sucks being meeee. They usually read it on air and get a lot of mileage out of bad weather jokes. But besides bad jokes, this past winter, it also meant that I was their closest connection to what was happening in Libya. I could relate my experience of meeting the refuges that had been evacuated to Greece directly on air to the folks at home. I could talk about how chilling it was to meet the young NATO airforce pilots one night in a taverna and then watch their jets whistle overhead on their way to bomb Libyan towns. And of course, this past autumn, I’ve had a front row seat watching an entire nation’s economy disintegrate.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieWRsPvX2mbjcxmEaLHvAcJzsZusxvoE-iAGctC79EuZYJt9XzyGDIsWCpGlZmceL7bDGTgY6grAC9bKddUo0MxyH3yNqDNQk1zNscWdyMGPDqkEGJ2abZf1ANHMY_Qk-w-xjat7Rth6E/s1600/DSCN2138.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 174px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieWRsPvX2mbjcxmEaLHvAcJzsZusxvoE-iAGctC79EuZYJt9XzyGDIsWCpGlZmceL7bDGTgY6grAC9bKddUo0MxyH3yNqDNQk1zNscWdyMGPDqkEGJ2abZf1ANHMY_Qk-w-xjat7Rth6E/s320/DSCN2138.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677138468183590274" border="0" /></a><br />Now that I am back in Canada for a few months, I read the Greek newspapers on line every day and watch the BBC broadcasts live streaming. A live web cam over the city of Chania lets me know what their day is like. Last year, in my ultimate act of geekdom, I watched Chania’s New Years Eve fireworks live on the web cam.<br /><br />http://www.cretadeluxe.com/webcam/webcam_chania_en.html<br /><br />I love my life in Greece; I adore my Canadian home. The amazing power of the internet keeps me connected to both worlds.Bloozebabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15888406067990952626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486546706059840306.post-18118005115970839942011-06-20T21:59:00.006+03:002011-06-25T00:58:10.413+03:00Crisis?? What Crisis??<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPleHhfS_0faXOajwoe2gVNrifux6vOPyKmUrKkm0i1j2nqxZth10unjsCtSjVkMNztVRfXQn7YLXc45Y4WNOQPJrvgEzxDyN2ehu-7Z5cRHZG4NHfPyPVC4ONLX9JKRL8ftugBgDV_eA/s1600/DSCN1931.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPleHhfS_0faXOajwoe2gVNrifux6vOPyKmUrKkm0i1j2nqxZth10unjsCtSjVkMNztVRfXQn7YLXc45Y4WNOQPJrvgEzxDyN2ehu-7Z5cRHZG4NHfPyPVC4ONLX9JKRL8ftugBgDV_eA/s320/DSCN1931.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620379891510632786" /></a><br />Yes – I have heard about Greece’s financial problems.<br /><br />No – it hasn’t affected my building plans in Crete.<br /><br />Yes – my bank accounts there are protected and insured, just as they are here in Canada.<br /><br />Yes - I did read that article in the <span style="font-style:italic;">[insert name of fear-mongering right-wing publication here]</span> on how the entire country is galloping toward bankruptcy.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPMayfhhoW7VTVRH3HwhDfIRyH49rQxDaEVgGcVWa8WIqxLBu9jWhVwhoGz_0Hj-Rc8RkJ79AClvK3nbRSeB8-stan8FeY7QjcCAN_FqkzlgLVlYVLOKEtTg0uEZBOSC7pvdMrWc-P-vw/s1600/1291679280823.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPMayfhhoW7VTVRH3HwhDfIRyH49rQxDaEVgGcVWa8WIqxLBu9jWhVwhoGz_0Hj-Rc8RkJ79AClvK3nbRSeB8-stan8FeY7QjcCAN_FqkzlgLVlYVLOKEtTg0uEZBOSC7pvdMrWc-P-vw/s320/1291679280823.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620380060058601218" /></a>Yes – I did see those pictures of the young unemployed anarchists throwing petrol bombs at the Greek parliament building in Athens. I also saw the pictures of the Vancouver riots over a hockey game.<br /><br />No – I don’t fear for my safety in Greece. The Greeks very kindly warn people well in advance where the demonstrations and strike parades will be. And Greece has a lower violent crime rate that Canada – particularly crimes against women. Their driving records, however, are the worst in Europe. I walk a lot.<br /><br />No – I don’t know why the Greeks think that striking every other day and driving away their main economic life support (tourists) will make things better. I’m sure they’ve taken that into account.<br /><br />No – I don’t know why Greeks don’t like to pay their taxes and yet expect all the services of a developed nation. Might have something to do with thousands of years of wars, invasions, and general mistrust of any bureaucracy.<br /><br />Yes – I’ve thought about what happens if the country collapses economically. But then I’ve thought that about America too. Apparently the US has to cough up a few trillion to cover its overspending in the next 90 days.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_J-wlfOZluVfMAHfT4PdFNiaqgyF2CMubSUrwV91JK1wHgEU0vvk7oeTbJkIx7CjCWufIH1kw-FZeqIeKUX4ymScNE3Pj-XB60_xnh8RuW9b3XOgvUvag8xdpbjJakwJarsxHMparZc0/s1600/DSCN1190.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_J-wlfOZluVfMAHfT4PdFNiaqgyF2CMubSUrwV91JK1wHgEU0vvk7oeTbJkIx7CjCWufIH1kw-FZeqIeKUX4ymScNE3Pj-XB60_xnh8RuW9b3XOgvUvag8xdpbjJakwJarsxHMparZc0/s320/DSCN1190.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620380699240253490" /></a><br /><br />No - I don't know that all Greeks are crooks but I'm curious to know how you formed that opinion. <br /><br />Yes – I’m sure I still want to do this. And – please – keep emailing me those articles. I fancy myself a bit of a news hound and I like to stay on top of current events. It never would have occurred to me to check the <span style="font-style:italic;">[insert name of any news service here]</span>’s website.<br /><br />Yes – of course you can come and stay with me when my house in Crete is finished. Greece can use your tourist dollars and god knows I look forward to your unique take on their economy. And, besides, I can use the rent money.Bloozebabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15888406067990952626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486546706059840306.post-23861745272539276052011-06-05T17:12:00.017+03:002011-06-25T00:58:50.159+03:00It’s complicated.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlH4DQ_IAItaMnURQi-nh7M8ic2wOWG-GjvHab_WYjV74M93AUehzq9zLr_4XcWNDu8WfFaYb_x97hJLmxhNYUL41AHAkka2EyRW4dTCvGFnhoqR7OhjPEQTolkYqUnDUQvEkvIdzJag/s1600/beach.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 204px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlH4DQ_IAItaMnURQi-nh7M8ic2wOWG-GjvHab_WYjV74M93AUehzq9zLr_4XcWNDu8WfFaYb_x97hJLmxhNYUL41AHAkka2EyRW4dTCvGFnhoqR7OhjPEQTolkYqUnDUQvEkvIdzJag/s320/beach.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614742274925922546" /></a>Like most love affairs, my decades long relationship with Greece is complicated. <br /><br />I get weak in the knees and teary eyed when my ship pulls into port in Naxos; I curse the slow plodding bureaucracy that keeps me from settling there permanently. I hotly defend Greece's wacky economic policies; I am jealous when they let illegal immigrants hang around to mooch off tourists but boot me out after 90 days. Coming around a mountain pass, my tummy does a slow lazy barrel roll at the beauty I see before me; seeing plastic water bottles and a million cigarette butts thrown on postcard-perfect beaches makes my stomach heave.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKola5A7IUw3wwSXnmSCTbE3doPfq8yfXFplJWyxDsg29aUMR5oTSFc8XF-DiiJ9PzcMWqjw6NKcGjI-ngQBq2yv-HNfRBUIc1OVIjRQ_WKtzPlS6q_8BeeCm7Wg6eZHQppF5IHQ-h9-k/s1600/DSCN1600.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKola5A7IUw3wwSXnmSCTbE3doPfq8yfXFplJWyxDsg29aUMR5oTSFc8XF-DiiJ9PzcMWqjw6NKcGjI-ngQBq2yv-HNfRBUIc1OVIjRQ_WKtzPlS6q_8BeeCm7Wg6eZHQppF5IHQ-h9-k/s320/DSCN1600.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614741371178474514" /></a>I have to remind myself that my own country probably has as many dichotomies and perhaps I just can’t see them anymore. <br /><br /><br />I have to remind myself about the centuries of wars, invasions and struggles Greece went through that perhaps has left them with customs my North American mind sees as counter productive.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiknFEDbOFbcoaJ6LDVsW775eTFiOvHvCACOQrOvt_0ycFGG9r9ciwnJO6vBXrY1f-PBwsQKMKeBCaxkuIcr2-lXTWIGKnqQXWnhvpfc5UyOvMF22ggm33h4lKho7l4kvGpw3AkH5leB4M/s1600/DSCN1664.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiknFEDbOFbcoaJ6LDVsW775eTFiOvHvCACOQrOvt_0ycFGG9r9ciwnJO6vBXrY1f-PBwsQKMKeBCaxkuIcr2-lXTWIGKnqQXWnhvpfc5UyOvMF22ggm33h4lKho7l4kvGpw3AkH5leB4M/s320/DSCN1664.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614741784685134818" /></a><br /><br />It’s been a year now since I applied to the Greek government for permission to buy a tiny scrap of land in Crete. One (1) year. The bureaucrats in Athens assure my lawyer that the file is indeed being processed. Fees have been paid, papers have been notarized and stamped, my government has assured the Greek Minister of Defense that I am not a criminal and my banker has assured them that I have a few bucks so as not to burden their economy. Yet, my paperwork sits in some civil servant’s in-basket waiting…. who knows what to make me legal. One year. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtkcpFYOcr7akqUNt2Tqts0ZQSAXVS5ByzKOP2eB6HyZCQowTzZHBvQ9bJTebKRpBY-PiuUaIvFwqgllvXLwUabYr04XwPYd6tZxcP_Iz4-h7nUxvXr4UEYO1RRonnlW5pcHSHtDrXhUc/s1600/DSCN1925.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtkcpFYOcr7akqUNt2Tqts0ZQSAXVS5ByzKOP2eB6HyZCQowTzZHBvQ9bJTebKRpBY-PiuUaIvFwqgllvXLwUabYr04XwPYd6tZxcP_Iz4-h7nUxvXr4UEYO1RRonnlW5pcHSHtDrXhUc/s320/DSCN1925.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614742654796889330" /></a> <br /><br />Let me crass but frank: I have a bit of money – not wads, but just enough to build a reasonably nice house and maintain it respectably. I have my own gold-plated Canadian health plan. I have my own income and don’t want to take anyone’s job away in Greece. I want to settle into my adopted village in Crete and contribute by being a community volunteer (I’m partial to helping animals and the environment.) The building of my little house will employ lawyers, bankers, engineers, architects, contractors, plumbers, electricians, labourers and landscapers. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnLxA9Qg1VvgUVDxIVMBz8Bmq-clnyte3WTeHj9qNWrh6YsUJmhNmsk6d8svIygbEphuBBe-ZvTc7nRHUzq0vuJUF0YNus85tx9lq7jk_toYOKOybD-7XkdcsqOlFQg6TZN3w8R0V2fmE/s1600/DSCN1694.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnLxA9Qg1VvgUVDxIVMBz8Bmq-clnyte3WTeHj9qNWrh6YsUJmhNmsk6d8svIygbEphuBBe-ZvTc7nRHUzq0vuJUF0YNus85tx9lq7jk_toYOKOybD-7XkdcsqOlFQg6TZN3w8R0V2fmE/s320/DSCN1694.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614744170927605666" /></a>I will need local people to maintain it for me when I am not there. I will pay taxes and permit fees (LOTS of permit fees). I have no immediate plans to knock over a bank or a souvlaki shop and, as near as I know, I carry no communicable diseases except the odd cold I pick up in Frankfurt airport. I behave reasonably well in public (sometimes I laugh too loud) and I have no plans to open a disco bordello on my land. I will likely keep at least one vineyard in brisk business. And yet….. one year has passed while the Minister of Defense anguishes over my application. Meanwhile the Greek economy makes daily headlines around the world about how their economy continues to tank.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTfOZqf4VKDjrAA90SiHixYflNsJnU0uHecjzRpa0Z1RVTb5tSX8WOnjNWPT6qlUjrYb7FuRbeujivfdFX31DD6byAOGkrF_93Mg07bCvyinZfxiJBUot3yzj6119MPLOg3dMxnf6jYaA/s1600/DSCN0733.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTfOZqf4VKDjrAA90SiHixYflNsJnU0uHecjzRpa0Z1RVTb5tSX8WOnjNWPT6qlUjrYb7FuRbeujivfdFX31DD6byAOGkrF_93Mg07bCvyinZfxiJBUot3yzj6119MPLOg3dMxnf6jYaA/s320/DSCN0733.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614745362927661826" /></a>Assuming the Minister of Defense holds his nose and eventually signs my permit to buy land, I then have to face the fact that the enormously stupid Schengen Treaty only allows me to visit for 90 days at a time. Oh yeah, and I have to remain OUT of the Schengen Zone for 180 days before being allowed back in. Was it something I said?<br /><br />It’s complicated, this affair of the heart. Exhausting, exhilarating, frustrating, fulfilling, a test of wills and endurance and faith … complicated. <br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy65EI7YKD4_0pNcg7uJMaT16EHsMc3RGYeDOuSIFo1_I-KPf1S55gc3LUXybZB1FGvHknoZnQJXL5HZdEiLilbd5dzrfxOwdEwHCYquxbgIYXFyiaF-7xIJMqxFkEBV_fvbXV6NZ-ZBk/s1600/April+2011+-+2.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy65EI7YKD4_0pNcg7uJMaT16EHsMc3RGYeDOuSIFo1_I-KPf1S55gc3LUXybZB1FGvHknoZnQJXL5HZdEiLilbd5dzrfxOwdEwHCYquxbgIYXFyiaF-7xIJMqxFkEBV_fvbXV6NZ-ZBk/s320/April+2011+-+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614746495470564674" /></a><br /><br /><br />With deepest love and affection,<br /><br />Nancy, gamely facing year two.Bloozebabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15888406067990952626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486546706059840306.post-18344833051897182452011-04-20T17:00:00.009+03:002011-04-20T17:13:20.762+03:00It's Easter! Let's EAT!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zsCMqcpNXoo_x346i09n8kHz1VkLefY6kbCWktQjW1vS6dkGRA9SuP1OkdJr_ZD0wDX-jo5LcmjsAwGQqtouYpm-C-jwFt16dxCaHdFvcLS35FAwG3Orpy0SJcHqPq2XuL0gHvvWhHk/s1600/article516b.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zsCMqcpNXoo_x346i09n8kHz1VkLefY6kbCWktQjW1vS6dkGRA9SuP1OkdJr_ZD0wDX-jo5LcmjsAwGQqtouYpm-C-jwFt16dxCaHdFvcLS35FAwG3Orpy0SJcHqPq2XuL0gHvvWhHk/s200/article516b.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597667259463633042" /></a><br />You spleeny north American types might want to skip this one.... this is the recipe for <span style="font-weight:bold;">Kokoretsi</span> - a traditional Greek appetizer popular this time of year.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Ingredients</span><br /><br />* Guts of lamb. (You might need guts from more than one lamb. Ask for 2 hearts, 2 spleen, liver and 1 lungs, 2 testicles)<br />* Lamb intestines. At least 4 are required for a medium size kokoretsi<br />* oregano<br />* Salt<br />* Pepper<br />* Some olive oil<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">METHOD</span><br /><br />Wash the guts very thoroughly and cut them in small pieces. Be careful not to cut them in too small pieces because you will no be able to skewer them. Wash the bowels very carefully and try to clean them from inside (use a thin stick). Leave them in a bowl and keep the ends of each intestine to one side in order to be able to separate them.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXP5b3vGfCYZSevoem8Kg-dQJuqvWiFCt9Liwg7qu6iwWyOS3F0v1AOh-fmLkEpoJRiVWHAbUxbfgjSXhlYdtxrJLoEB0kgpruHCpWC9fa9XJ1ljsQ5nbSm6mX_hyphenhyphenFasNB4Zrlzc2xlQ/s1600/images.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 177px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXP5b3vGfCYZSevoem8Kg-dQJuqvWiFCt9Liwg7qu6iwWyOS3F0v1AOh-fmLkEpoJRiVWHAbUxbfgjSXhlYdtxrJLoEB0kgpruHCpWC9fa9XJ1ljsQ5nbSm6mX_hyphenhyphenFasNB4Zrlzc2xlQ/s200/images.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597667580392304978" /></a>Prepare the souvla (skewer). Start skewering the guts onto the souvla. Pin one end of the first bowel in the one side of the souvla and wind the intestine around the skewer. If it reaches its end tie it with the end of the next piece and continue to wind until all intestines are wrapped and no guts are visible (you should only see the intestines along the souvla). <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhezYwv4IA4Y_BX18apqDOZc5SWVIqBPDGVlWoOIFthaRNbvTAEnK4aozvmPq1raIJM7_ynAzBcxtjsH23qomuSzbH_7RlfPg_PIiwk64msp-kZOhhKfOJAsU-1E-eTU5muTXCthwW7zfM/s1600/article516.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhezYwv4IA4Y_BX18apqDOZc5SWVIqBPDGVlWoOIFthaRNbvTAEnK4aozvmPq1raIJM7_ynAzBcxtjsH23qomuSzbH_7RlfPg_PIiwk64msp-kZOhhKfOJAsU-1E-eTU5muTXCthwW7zfM/s200/article516.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597667401522530066" /></a><br /><br />Season with salt, pepper and oregano. Prepare the fire and roast on all sides until <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIB5JOAJwlBxAPqsnZ2eUc17N8w_wK7-cRFck_z9wOKtKTXaO07rcHs6UfGuO4t4-z5XgnI5c7NBNJR0EkojDxRCPElebXYlPH4gcErLlwX6KJAvZZOX6HvzC3HqevZ-TzXeO68LnDKQc/s1600/images-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 185px; height: 141px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIB5JOAJwlBxAPqsnZ2eUc17N8w_wK7-cRFck_z9wOKtKTXaO07rcHs6UfGuO4t4-z5XgnI5c7NBNJR0EkojDxRCPElebXYlPH4gcErLlwX6KJAvZZOX6HvzC3HqevZ-TzXeO68LnDKQc/s320/images-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597667725089040834" /></a> guts are brown and crispy. Check that "kokoretsi" is ready and remove from fire. Cut the kokoretsi in cylinders of 5 cm wide in order to remove it from the souvla in pieces. Put in platter, oil the kokoretsi pieces, season with extra salt, pepper and oregano and serve.<br /><br />God, I wish I was making this up. I am not... pass the peanut butter sandwiches please.<br /><br />Kalo Pascha!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Pqo6MpPpae6B15Dj2eFeiZ4mxLtrnv7FOmCdHFwIId3B2d3W1_NuxxGPOV6pEbhyphenhyphenCAMQipuC1bzvEUWb5ugBGsqd2LMf16e6hweahaagEPi3WOpr7_ASzR4xh8FEfimNHn4YiHZ42wk/s1600/0.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Pqo6MpPpae6B15Dj2eFeiZ4mxLtrnv7FOmCdHFwIId3B2d3W1_NuxxGPOV6pEbhyphenhyphenCAMQipuC1bzvEUWb5ugBGsqd2LMf16e6hweahaagEPi3WOpr7_ASzR4xh8FEfimNHn4YiHZ42wk/s320/0.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597668267174677794" /></a>Bloozebabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15888406067990952626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486546706059840306.post-28927387806511517692011-04-20T15:05:00.009+03:002011-04-20T16:18:55.200+03:0090 days of Sogginess<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvY428O54pmoB6INVPbVwJ5NP6MoIOIp3RRtwlD1TT7F1XO2w3VR__QL1dxyF4-5-zx7HYTqfmmmcyTdzJAXFHrjFeq8xWRJHNHKP127UeU8g40TYSspVeKxOEE7J_eVAnu397i5ycRE/s1600/172698_10150098787178962_89831568961_6321222_3954864_o.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvY428O54pmoB6INVPbVwJ5NP6MoIOIp3RRtwlD1TT7F1XO2w3VR__QL1dxyF4-5-zx7HYTqfmmmcyTdzJAXFHrjFeq8xWRJHNHKP127UeU8g40TYSspVeKxOEE7J_eVAnu397i5ycRE/s320/172698_10150098787178962_89831568961_6321222_3954864_o.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597646429784428370" /></a><br />It’s a particularly Canadian trait to bitch about the weather. We can live or die by it, you see, so we are endlessly fascinated with it. Like many Canadians, I love a good dramatic storm as long as I am safe inside. And like most tourists here, I also like basking in the winter sun like an old lizard on a rock.<br /><br />The Cretan travel promos rattle on about “360 days of sunshine” and, generally, this is true. Last winter when I was here, the weather was sublime – thus giving me the name for this blog. This winter – meh – not so much. In fact, in the 3 decades I have been coming to Greece, I have never seen such consistently lousy weather. Good lord, I've actually even seen snow and hail here this year!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhms_jK9pewpBsSZHyKss174iNBQ3uvsposaKBMd6V_rQzXRRaQCOlOJzanslp5v2AjTJOM5K40QhVBGkXicZTMAW4G_UW6un_LoANhDUaH3U3Szhij5tD1x5yqWtlGFGG8AnCVbaTK_GE/s1600/DSCN1812.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhms_jK9pewpBsSZHyKss174iNBQ3uvsposaKBMd6V_rQzXRRaQCOlOJzanslp5v2AjTJOM5K40QhVBGkXicZTMAW4G_UW6un_LoANhDUaH3U3Szhij5tD1x5yqWtlGFGG8AnCVbaTK_GE/s200/DSCN1812.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597647034951649874" /></a><br /><br /><br />Lucky for me, I am not pressed for time and needing to pack in a lot of sight seeing in a short schedule. I have time to NOT go to the museum, NOT go tramp around the archaeological ruins or NOT go take the tour <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuwgHO1CGfn2A6PhiBZF20bvbWGA99zCmIsCfW9Ybjqpbf3l5OtqP4s1RGPCmXboSNhHOf5GJmVGAUjTV5SMrAJFVMAtboY9R9e6GCV7pizv891A0Xq9czLJYI1VNspt-dKdvRTgekLyU/s1600/clusterf*ck.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuwgHO1CGfn2A6PhiBZF20bvbWGA99zCmIsCfW9Ybjqpbf3l5OtqP4s1RGPCmXboSNhHOf5GJmVGAUjTV5SMrAJFVMAtboY9R9e6GCV7pizv891A0Xq9czLJYI1VNspt-dKdvRTgekLyU/s200/clusterf*ck.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597653507805552738" /></a><br />of the Turkish fort. It is a wonderful way to travel – I can sleep the day away or spend the afternoon cuddled under a toasty brazier in a café doing crossword puzzles and not feel one whit of guilt. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ckQ3RKdgJkMgtSQz1vZRU4NcJjtnWmIN69xxWoKQ8uzH6hSnfu6c-rO5hcKq5IaSObO13MMMikyrwGmlGYYrYy0YWlt9YvByc3vqgoABCjKazK1dAJmUVG9YW1Fl-GuFUOSnHhLrjQE/s1600/DSCN1837.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ckQ3RKdgJkMgtSQz1vZRU4NcJjtnWmIN69xxWoKQ8uzH6hSnfu6c-rO5hcKq5IaSObO13MMMikyrwGmlGYYrYy0YWlt9YvByc3vqgoABCjKazK1dAJmUVG9YW1Fl-GuFUOSnHhLrjQE/s320/DSCN1837.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597646732573346274" /></a>Still, as much as the wild seas, empty beaches and dark clouds make for good pictures and bad poetry, I am weary of feeling damp and chilled and am in despair of my pale skin ever announcing to the world that I’ve spent the whole bloody winter on a Greek island.<br /><br />It is Holy Week here. The towns and villages are starting to fill with Greeks returning home to mama and tourists hoping for some relief from winter. The kids are off school, the tourist spots are ramping up for the season, and the lambs are looking decidedly nervous. Today, as I write this, it is a mere 15 celsius and I am wearing a sweater and wool socks. In London, on the other hand, it is 23C. Global warming? Nawwww.<br /><br />For mystical meteorological reasons, it has been a rotten winter and spring through most of Europe. Vegetation is about a month behind schedule – spring flowers are just <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6zmtc_ZMGbzJ2dkjG-TA_3jwUhtH0gS6KzHq5VDik8eVEi88UqGSxXUI_gztX3HdtEgjqPSwZ2mP0dKzUGSPv2tegksVuPe-FgDk7O6W4i5IMd8iRuW7eTEwjxEAq_yi0vhsiRcFDM58/s1600/DSCN1858.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6zmtc_ZMGbzJ2dkjG-TA_3jwUhtH0gS6KzHq5VDik8eVEi88UqGSxXUI_gztX3HdtEgjqPSwZ2mP0dKzUGSPv2tegksVuPe-FgDk7O6W4i5IMd8iRuW7eTEwjxEAq_yi0vhsiRcFDM58/s320/DSCN1858.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597648853067803618" /></a><br />tentatively starting to peek out when normally by now they should be in full riot. My own theory is the volcano last year in Iceland created such a cloud it screwed up the weather for a while. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW1vuHhBIwimZBXXTjSxawqRCVd4yHH42F5IKOKoxiz65TTnLARm6vlHCrFChX3CwUpHh-DUnJS-UKFo7zFMQ0vPC7BTjcjIHmvx1AJv6dHhKlsNlySn9htRGTeveXx4gAarpOKCAJ-eI/s1600/DSCN1768.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 198px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW1vuHhBIwimZBXXTjSxawqRCVd4yHH42F5IKOKoxiz65TTnLARm6vlHCrFChX3CwUpHh-DUnJS-UKFo7zFMQ0vPC7BTjcjIHmvx1AJv6dHhKlsNlySn9htRGTeveXx4gAarpOKCAJ-eI/s200/DSCN1768.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597649878924468434" /></a><br /><br /><br />On the other hand, it is tempting to blame the Greek government for my lack of tan and warmth – seems only fair for what they are making me go through to get my land buying permits.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI0jo0GudhZJGdb4a4dAVlw1j6s_XA_8AjGOjuOJi13dEEV7lIjZ_9MHSWh4LyVzlweBhevE0FYUGKqeh_lUYl02LCtCS4AvXEuUBO5McxNkKXcY3Z15JW1U-BSAhknh0tjAH9-5W1vZo/s1600/DSCN1851.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 158px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI0jo0GudhZJGdb4a4dAVlw1j6s_XA_8AjGOjuOJi13dEEV7lIjZ_9MHSWh4LyVzlweBhevE0FYUGKqeh_lUYl02LCtCS4AvXEuUBO5McxNkKXcY3Z15JW1U-BSAhknh0tjAH9-5W1vZo/s320/DSCN1851.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597648501299986226" /></a>Bloozebabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15888406067990952626noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486546706059840306.post-8515995293683548962011-03-24T22:14:00.008+02:002011-03-25T18:55:24.070+02:00March 25 - Eleftheria!!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGBa95AfQIYcr6Gaz0BAEdbbzQu1p9nJJeMK7HWE5aMs7FQ9PKnAVvXsLsnxMwXRN4Kt3AS2pFHsf7sd3-c6TIW6ORjaPHoIobP2l9nkX00RMNjGcRJ9b_nUWHhpqBe3lt7p9JmgaEqhk/s1600/greek.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGBa95AfQIYcr6Gaz0BAEdbbzQu1p9nJJeMK7HWE5aMs7FQ9PKnAVvXsLsnxMwXRN4Kt3AS2pFHsf7sd3-c6TIW6ORjaPHoIobP2l9nkX00RMNjGcRJ9b_nUWHhpqBe3lt7p9JmgaEqhk/s320/greek.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587744245484848738" border="0"></a><br />A big holiday here.... March 25th - both the day of the Annunciation and the day of Greek Independence.... freedom from the hated Ottoman Turks in 1821. It was a perfect day for a parade - a sunny crystal clear day and the streets were full of children waving flags, street vendors hawking balloons, flags, and food, and row after row of proud young marchers in school uniforms or gorgeous historic costumes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZU2wyK1DwHwVZEP7W1FiQnMxHl3InctDkNs4TT_qm83DZV_d2ObvuFF7uPBBT0Sp4FtE7wksHG4GniJ9iHPJ0ru0HprZfndDP0Mc0qXw1AsdBjC-HS00-elmsl6H6MDf-zX8krXdKzRA/s1600/parade+boy.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 132px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZU2wyK1DwHwVZEP7W1FiQnMxHl3InctDkNs4TT_qm83DZV_d2ObvuFF7uPBBT0Sp4FtE7wksHG4GniJ9iHPJ0ru0HprZfndDP0Mc0qXw1AsdBjC-HS00-elmsl6H6MDf-zX8krXdKzRA/s200/parade+boy.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588051307885512274" border="0"></a>The flag of Greece has not changed since the revolution against the Ottoman Empire in 1821. The white cross in the upper left hand corner of the flag signifies the important role of the Greek Orthodox Church in the formation of the Hellenic Nation, for during the dark time that the Turks controlled the land, the church kept Greek language, culture and customs alive.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNYfF9gY_k8y_gu5XSxMimL8xAH1O82i_U5J333mX_cI5ogZHsYb9YMRzUaXpDWjgEF1zSNYBoZweL9S5qKYAK9yHypJmtA9th9aEZM03i2wTF7rK9Y93yqS2SQXLVLIQnEC5g4vlJEU/s1600/DSCN1716.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNYfF9gY_k8y_gu5XSxMimL8xAH1O82i_U5J333mX_cI5ogZHsYb9YMRzUaXpDWjgEF1zSNYBoZweL9S5qKYAK9yHypJmtA9th9aEZM03i2wTF7rK9Y93yqS2SQXLVLIQnEC5g4vlJEU/s200/DSCN1716.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588052059136644194" border="0"></a> The blue and white alternating stripes represent the sea and the relentless waves of the Aegean. There are nine stripes representing each letter of the Greek word for freedom, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Eleftheria.</span> Or the meter of the phrase <span style="font-style: italic;"></span>"Eleftheria i Thanatos" <span style="font-style: italic;"></span>(Freedom or Death).<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkMeOz_jmVFRYF2LlDRqYhPoopEsSXeqWjSWLnOq18JL0S2GGdLdir6Xm1oxKAo72T0Yb5EkZ0R9831HPOwDNfFoxT6GAp6H4XzDUhSQFgog266lhyphenhyphentFpBso4EpimVQpr5hCA5o97rw10/s1600/DSCN1705.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkMeOz_jmVFRYF2LlDRqYhPoopEsSXeqWjSWLnOq18JL0S2GGdLdir6Xm1oxKAo72T0Yb5EkZ0R9831HPOwDNfFoxT6GAp6H4XzDUhSQFgog266lhyphenhyphentFpBso4EpimVQpr5hCA5o97rw10/s200/DSCN1705.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588059213490859090" border="0"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /> <span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>We knew thee of old,<br /> Oh, divinely restored,<br /> By the lights of thine eyes,<br /> And the light of thy Sword,<br /> From the graves of our slain,<br /> Shall thy valour prevail,<br /> As we greet thee again-<br /> Hail, Liberty! Hail!<span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span><br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw_jwNhMMxPczMunQM58CybnB3O7Hrs9CSnv_KbE39pcyRylgv03Uu98q_sxupN2bpziqAkeZiEgedAEMR_' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Bloozebabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15888406067990952626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486546706059840306.post-75637708693844782932011-03-22T11:33:00.011+02:002011-03-22T12:06:52.478+02:00The Blog Slog<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6tPL6o7L_19UOJElfSUd2vk2R9zdE_02vsShEfhBgIhUsawKMeqtYCEAdEXvnCM6IhOSch9KG51Wx5aw8R3KgjcdNq7kNZyigV_IDcsMBbuFDANGE4I5q_AqvmAOd-aEisD5jpfogR8w/s1600/winter+boat.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6tPL6o7L_19UOJElfSUd2vk2R9zdE_02vsShEfhBgIhUsawKMeqtYCEAdEXvnCM6IhOSch9KG51Wx5aw8R3KgjcdNq7kNZyigV_IDcsMBbuFDANGE4I5q_AqvmAOd-aEisD5jpfogR8w/s200/winter+boat.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586836721785871266" /></a><br />I’ve been unfaithful to you, dear reader. The blog this year has become a bit of a slog. Why? Well, quite honestly, I’m not doing anything terribly interesting that bears writing about. And, if we’re really being honest, I’m a bit blue and doing some really hard self-examination stuff about my purpose here in Greece and … well…. on the planet.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZEOXffvdP2w2hTEkl6B6whRVFLFTD7KF2VzTtkSYgMZD9THJThRcY_OW2PeahT9kIO6OMbwoUbe6xj0q2GDtbx67CYll8LUb9Lri8eNx_id6JZBigJPAgg3reVeUl1Nvh6CiksW69lA/s1600/snow+on+mountains.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZEOXffvdP2w2hTEkl6B6whRVFLFTD7KF2VzTtkSYgMZD9THJThRcY_OW2PeahT9kIO6OMbwoUbe6xj0q2GDtbx67CYll8LUb9Lri8eNx_id6JZBigJPAgg3reVeUl1Nvh6CiksW69lA/s200/snow+on+mountains.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586839926825263634" /></a>I arrived in Greece in mid-January prepared for another 90 days of sunshine. But in my three decades of visiting here, I’ve never seen such crummy weather! Rain almost every day – good god, we even had snow! What’s next - the Leafs winning the Stanley Cup? <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-YP-W_VxAbqLGbw_2FovEOzonCRW93olAqkGLLQb8PRSRIVBKg7acrHz6inoN7gVsKgz91rVVgX57-4eTKZx7ptTVnRKPaqT9YLLLsKafLQdaxlhpzhNaVaNQ5cDVTjfexpX3Wz4E5jQ/s1600/Rethymnon.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-YP-W_VxAbqLGbw_2FovEOzonCRW93olAqkGLLQb8PRSRIVBKg7acrHz6inoN7gVsKgz91rVVgX57-4eTKZx7ptTVnRKPaqT9YLLLsKafLQdaxlhpzhNaVaNQ5cDVTjfexpX3Wz4E5jQ/s200/Rethymnon.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586842722858607554" /></a>So, Ok. The point of these winter odysseys was to just live a regular life here and not as a tourist guest. - crummy weather and all. My days have been a boring routine of going to the market, making meals for one, walking along the ramparts of the city when the weather slackened off to a mere gale and mundane chores like laundry and cleaning. I am still working, cranking out grant proposals to keep starving musicians employed and that’s actually been a pleasant distraction. My new friends here pitch in every now and then and trot me out for coffee or dinner and even for a St. Patrick’s Day dance in the village. And of course, I’ve been coming closer, ever closer to finalizing the deal on my house building project.<br /><br />Ahhh, the building project. And how is that coming along? Slowy, slowly, as the Greeks say. Let’s review: first I had to prove to the Greek Minister of Defense that I am neither a crook nor a money launderer. Apparently, this is giving him some pause, as he has had my paperwork now for about six months. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIbHmp9uQxkTtsnV0ybQs8MJ4xUAH4zzUH5GrAxG6b3A4eW6nc90ttpdK8_bYwHNawaaMGpJBfa4EJ6fGcuIsDt7ZDhBT3uZkq-SHzOkKaasyudpsSuSNEgbNpdCV1B9cdoM5GN379fQ/s1600/Koum+Kapi.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 129px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIbHmp9uQxkTtsnV0ybQs8MJ4xUAH4zzUH5GrAxG6b3A4eW6nc90ttpdK8_bYwHNawaaMGpJBfa4EJ6fGcuIsDt7ZDhBT3uZkq-SHzOkKaasyudpsSuSNEgbNpdCV1B9cdoM5GN379fQ/s200/Koum+Kapi.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586843112179774162" /></a>All normal, my Greek friends tell me. In fact, by Greek bureaucratic standards, this qualifies as clipping right along briskly.<br /><br />In the meantime, I’ve been driving around the island with the ever patient Andreas looking at architectural styles and features to get some vague idea of what I want in a house. I’m a blank canvas – all I know is that I want a really cool house that has some style and elegance and will be comfortable as I get older and creakier. I count on Andreas, who is more of a visionary than I (and frankly has better taste) to steer me in the right direction. “The blue shutters? Really? No, I don’t THINK so,” he tuts.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXspmX_vE13fKIt_t8MqqdY8Sq77XOTHtqC3Sn7esyRa9imdYYQSPm2yN-1NCNx3wCSr3a3hJl_XybEfIlXDEzf0jOnwM2fjHeymwePQfR66ATZjpMxXvBnrUHpNhgzZttuMYo00OzUtc/s1600/upper+plaka.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXspmX_vE13fKIt_t8MqqdY8Sq77XOTHtqC3Sn7esyRa9imdYYQSPm2yN-1NCNx3wCSr3a3hJl_XybEfIlXDEzf0jOnwM2fjHeymwePQfR66ATZjpMxXvBnrUHpNhgzZttuMYo00OzUtc/s200/upper+plaka.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586840876722804018" /></a>All I know is that I don’t want an ultra modern concrete cube, like some of the characterless holiday homes I see piled on top of each other here. And I don’t want a traditional white village house that reeks of cute. Chic, I aren’t and quaint, I ain’t. Other than that, I am wide open to ideas. You can imagine how frustrating this will be for my architect.<br /><br />Today I meet with a project engineer to start sketching out some plans so we can be ready to jump, er, saunter – when the approval from Athens comes through. Then we can apply for building permits – which take several more months. I won’t see ground broken til late fall I’m told… a full 15 months after starting the process. In the meantime, I will use the time here to pick out marble tiles, the perfect bathroom fixtures, and select windows and flooring. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_b5-S28ZtSRNuwQsTExJ3TuXMfII-fyPTpjBsKNWKggwQMjqCzf7ACKBUwBNF9NasFNA1XRms_uEmV4Jd-r4n1HsnKSQ3HIF8Mju2wFR4XIrzBFKh3mxX8VgZG6KrLU9AQctMjSXZtI/s1600/balloon.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_b5-S28ZtSRNuwQsTExJ3TuXMfII-fyPTpjBsKNWKggwQMjqCzf7ACKBUwBNF9NasFNA1XRms_uEmV4Jd-r4n1HsnKSQ3HIF8Mju2wFR4XIrzBFKh3mxX8VgZG6KrLU9AQctMjSXZtI/s200/balloon.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586841253826401970" /></a>Next week, I am moving from the lovely city of Chania to the resort village of Almyrida to be closer to new friends and to the village where I am building. With a car, I can putter around the back roads and get to know my new neighbourhood better. I promise to get back on track with funny stories, great recipes (Easter lamb – Yum!), endearing cultural quirks and a minimal amount of whining about my life. Promise.Bloozebabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15888406067990952626noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486546706059840306.post-31736219347503294472011-02-28T22:41:00.004+02:002011-03-01T09:30:53.437+02:00The next 90 days: PerspectivesHello again faithful readers - I'm back by popular demand! Well, maybe not - I am back chasing my own brand of hedonism. I am once again searching for my 90 days of sunshine this winter in Crete. I landed back in Greece the end of January and will be here until mid-May. This time, I will be focused on my building project and getting to know my new neighbourhood and seeing if I can fit into the community.<br />|<br />There's lots I want to share with you over the next few months - my quirky insights into packing for 3 months, the joys of transiting through multiple airports in this post 9/11 time, the exquisite flavour of lamb kleftiko cooked the way the gods intended, the exuberant joy of snagging a fat orange off a neighbour's tree in January, or the vibe in Athens when the tourists aren't there.... and more, of course, on the bureaucracy of a foreigner (me) buying land on a Greek island.<br /><br />But tonight, as I write this, the Mediterranean basin is in turmoil, with governments toppling from Tunisia to Egypt. Crete is just a stone's throw across the Libyan sea. In fact we are closer to Libya here than mainland Europe. Perspective is important. My friends back in Canada are bitching about yet another winter storm; my friends here in Greece are bitching about the economic measure designed to pull them out of the shitter. But tonight.... tonight I shared a taverna table with 8 bewildered Chinese engineers who had just escaped from Libya. The Greeks sent over their big friendly ferry boats to bring them to Crete. 4,500 Chinese nationals landed in Heraklion yesterday. The young people I was sitting with were still reeling from their experiences and waiting for their countrymen to send planes to bring them home. Suddenly the fact that I had to endure a few days of rain when I got here, or my Greek friends had to endure skyrocketing petrol prices seemed pretty insignificant. Tonight it was my job to listen to their stories and act as a buffer between Chinese needs and Greek custom.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWdB9gbHp9E0L-W3_O04ohvjUMFOpX1P-ylbZCQwNpRFvks76-Tln6PY1oBYM4bTieAIq1BXujkibChqrKSL2PpqgsP1H2i3gGiFDDOyXVmhpun89CFh8mA_0MYg1vfCJG3h7C8qNRgHs/s1600/3268fee0440ceb.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 142px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWdB9gbHp9E0L-W3_O04ohvjUMFOpX1P-ylbZCQwNpRFvks76-Tln6PY1oBYM4bTieAIq1BXujkibChqrKSL2PpqgsP1H2i3gGiFDDOyXVmhpun89CFh8mA_0MYg1vfCJG3h7C8qNRgHs/s200/3268fee0440ceb.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578848845013630082" /></a>Perspective is important to keep - well, in perspective. Tonight these young Chinese engineers weren't fighting for democracy in their homeland - they were escaping a war zone. They weren't poorly paid migrant field workers, rather they were educated professionals working in high level jobs away from home. But, once they get safely home, I wonder what questions they will chew over after their experience of seeing simple peasants fighting for democracy with little more than hunting rifles and kitchen knives.Bloozebabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15888406067990952626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486546706059840306.post-33976092355851721582011-01-07T19:45:00.003+02:002011-01-07T19:54:09.425+02:00Travel delays: What the airlines DON'T want you to know<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLU9ixlCb8WYrkwFP5BT3AyKskd1WtF8HtyaFV_NXRSS2xdSmdj_lSVutirFL814BBfOxx3idqcYZv64Ic-TjTn9VbpKG75HtxQPjHcfF2RRF0FaITiVwjSbwDseRBnr1S-xRiQoyevo/s1600/terminal-tom-hanks.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 130px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLU9ixlCb8WYrkwFP5BT3AyKskd1WtF8HtyaFV_NXRSS2xdSmdj_lSVutirFL814BBfOxx3idqcYZv64Ic-TjTn9VbpKG75HtxQPjHcfF2RRF0FaITiVwjSbwDseRBnr1S-xRiQoyevo/s200/terminal-tom-hanks.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559503401220543858" /></a><br />With this past strange year of weird weather seemingly designed by Sybil - from volcanoes to winter storms of biblical scale, air travel can seem a bit dodgy. So, it's good to know your rights.<br /><br />I am re-printing this from Frommer's website - this is what the airlines would prefer you DON'T know about your rights if you are stranded.<br /><br />The EU and Canada both have laws that can help stranded travelers. The U.S., notably, doesn't.<br /><br />The EU has the strongest protection for flyers. EU protections apply if you are flying out of an EU airport, or if you're flying into the EU on an EU-flagged carrier -- which makes it useful to fly, say, Air France rather than Delta. If a flight has been cancelled or subject to a "long delay" (which is 2-4 hours depending on destination), passengers are required to be allowed to contact two people outside the airport and get refreshments and hotel rooms at the airline's expense. There is no limit on the amount of time they have to put you up.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSlhKSVEwQbC_wkoYu83Kkm7OnbwcHHbfLmyg69XzULz9dPMEcCmWRk6gspW_TO6t80cqNfXLeAT7tTtaqDZi72WwaY7QnidJiQe_Q9ASIOvO0UHrMIVKjxhgSinEUBfJmKiUetVC_dI/s1600/Britain_Weather_1-450x350.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 156px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSlhKSVEwQbC_wkoYu83Kkm7OnbwcHHbfLmyg69XzULz9dPMEcCmWRk6gspW_TO6t80cqNfXLeAT7tTtaqDZi72WwaY7QnidJiQe_Q9ASIOvO0UHrMIVKjxhgSinEUBfJmKiUetVC_dI/s200/Britain_Weather_1-450x350.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559503563508128178" /></a>In Canada, if your flight is delayed more than four hours, airlines must provide passengers with a meal voucher. If it is delayed more than eight hours and overnight, the airline must pay for a hotel -- but only if you're in the middle of a trip, not at your destination or arrival point.<br /><br />But beyond those countries, you're basically at the mercy of your airline.<br /><br />Read more: http://www.frommers.comBloozebabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15888406067990952626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486546706059840306.post-73551266226355566572011-01-02T17:20:00.005+02:002011-01-02T17:25:06.675+02:00Chronia Polla!<span style="font-weight:bold;">Just wanted to share this pic......</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPipuDIgBRBpqaGXGZsUapRKtphN25dcUFNuoaS0IVP7TD_dl6EreAuKmqxEShjXLBp94GXUM5SikBQcK1bKEQaNg-ElDKctKUokD1mftM1EAvLv7QzTM4qAjBVqA0j12-OGGhuylyZe4/s1600/19257_313764270126_47552340126_4605144_5582083_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPipuDIgBRBpqaGXGZsUapRKtphN25dcUFNuoaS0IVP7TD_dl6EreAuKmqxEShjXLBp94GXUM5SikBQcK1bKEQaNg-ElDKctKUokD1mftM1EAvLv7QzTM4qAjBVqA0j12-OGGhuylyZe4/s320/19257_313764270126_47552340126_4605144_5582083_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557608984651979746" /></a>Bloozebabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15888406067990952626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486546706059840306.post-18511462243021446272010-11-15T19:26:00.007+02:002010-11-15T19:44:05.649+02:00We have the biggest balls!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivtVSrppYWDtiVcFBbkhG0ZrltkBvo8FImdUseLU8gXonwr9WD8BpRxQgntCm8eNWY-ErO5pix_rcQS3aYu3zqIqe-1j3rQSQDQDBMM5OYdsKqkSoqOkbrekHyofHJE9-cHMN28WnWALI/s1600/cheese-sesame-balls.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 124px; height: 122px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivtVSrppYWDtiVcFBbkhG0ZrltkBvo8FImdUseLU8gXonwr9WD8BpRxQgntCm8eNWY-ErO5pix_rcQS3aYu3zqIqe-1j3rQSQDQDBMM5OYdsKqkSoqOkbrekHyofHJE9-cHMN28WnWALI/s400/cheese-sesame-balls.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539833423422399346" /></a><br />I was once on the island of Sifnos for about a month - Sifniots are renowned as incredible cooks. My guide book at the time urged me to hike across the mountain paths to a small village where I would find the most incredible taverna serving astonishing food. This particular place was very famous for its tyrobalakia, advised the book, and other small croquettes made from zucchini, eggplant, sausage - you name it. The guide book was right. <br /><br />Mouth watering after my hike, I sashayed in to the packed taverna - alone (as always) and hopefully asked the owner - a dashing young man - if he had any cheese balls on the menu today. "We have ALL the balls," sez he! "The biggest and best on the island!" A mortified hush fell over the crowd. He blushed, I sniggered, and the crowd burst into hysterical laughter. The night went to hell after that with fantastic food, buckets of barrel wine, toasts to the largest balls and new friends.<br /><br />So here is another one of my favourite recipes - with adaptations for North American cooks. Delicious as an appetizer, deadly to the waistline.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Tyrobalakia (Cheese balls)</span><br /><br /><br />Ingredients<br />250g anthotyro (ricotta-style cheese)<br />250g feta (piquant-style, grated)<br />250g kefalotyri or pecorino romano (grated)<br />2 eggs<br />3-4 tbsp flour<br />Ground pepper to taste<br />Sesame seeds<br />Extra virgin olive oil<br /> <br />Method<br />Mix all the ingredients together except for the sesame seeds. Add enough flour to ensure the mixture is pliable but not dry. With hands greased in olive oil, ply the cheese mixture into small balls.<br />Roll the balls into the sesame seeds so the balls are completely coated. Fry in olive oil and serve. The cheese balls can be prepared up to 24 hours in advance, stored in the fridge and fried when ready to serve.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix6JR0pNQdZ2rz-VCsxYnKC5MPnne0tmGvQTYaByCM0d8wnqwr4Lm7zhZZl_3ztIpHEf9nK8F3nSemNKI-q_FIuN-qoUa_xSCSj5JN6w30ub3tw7A3Ub_SosfK64fIO_WzWQzU1u0UIeM/s1600/MG_5492-550x366.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix6JR0pNQdZ2rz-VCsxYnKC5MPnne0tmGvQTYaByCM0d8wnqwr4Lm7zhZZl_3ztIpHEf9nK8F3nSemNKI-q_FIuN-qoUa_xSCSj5JN6w30ub3tw7A3Ub_SosfK64fIO_WzWQzU1u0UIeM/s320/MG_5492-550x366.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539830561578780114" /></a>Bloozebabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15888406067990952626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486546706059840306.post-89966741307241857162010-10-25T14:48:00.009+03:002010-10-25T15:07:09.381+03:00It's in the mail. Maybe<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsTn2kPhcyrfXz4O3cbSXwlaMm3kBSM_qnCGqrF3bG8Bvf3B3e2yg_UFgQNwt3UgA1VM0UWKgLPxzLRjYJf1UeIPRyLYrVQ2LEu3LtOQq2NpLoSuelST2GdPgkTV2_DN6S-tq_mrG2kIM/s1600/queen_elizabeth_ii_377215.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 227px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsTn2kPhcyrfXz4O3cbSXwlaMm3kBSM_qnCGqrF3bG8Bvf3B3e2yg_UFgQNwt3UgA1VM0UWKgLPxzLRjYJf1UeIPRyLYrVQ2LEu3LtOQq2NpLoSuelST2GdPgkTV2_DN6S-tq_mrG2kIM/s320/queen_elizabeth_ii_377215.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531952140807505698" border="0" /></a><br />Her majesty is a grand old gal, but her postal service is a bit dodgy sometimes. <br /><br />I finally DID manage to get all my paperwork (so far) signed, stamped, authorized, notarized, disinfected, inspected, sealed, laminated, framed, stamped again, and signed off by the Mounties, several lawyers, a notary, a commissioner of oaths, a nice lady at the Greek consulate in Montreal and New Brunswick's Lieutenant Governor (I am not making this up - really - the LG had to sign off too).<br /><br />So the next step is to mail the whole mess of documents to my lawyer in Crete - the talented Dr. Marios. He then gets them all translated by an OFFICIAL (of course) translator recognized by the Greek government (naturally). I'm not sure how many rogue wildcatting Greek translators are skulking about ready to do evil deeds to government documents, but apparently this process weeds them out.<br /><br />In good faith, I mailed a batch by means of something called an "international package." Cost me 57 bucks but got there in 4 days. The next batch went "expedited" - cost me 34 bucks and has yet to arrive 2 weeks later. The third batch went by regular international air mail - small package - cost me 7 bucks - it also is somewhere in Her Majesty's post office waiting to whisked to Greece. Three different post offices; three different recommendations for the best way to mail; three different prices and three different mail clerks who never heard of either of the first two ways to send the package. Hmmmm. Who needs reality TV when you have a post office providing such great edge-of-your-seat kind of entertainment.<br /><br />The bad news is that if Her Majesty manages to lose any of these letters, I have to start all over again.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUeRqohY5tKZ5twEvm2w3CDfkUAUF0nhADQQO1ykKXcIpZ18S2WgfNW4zRFu6p7AEolUCAIzLar6HeZT2CzdJgO3YTLhCmRyVnMvvYCpX6mBB8jMIhzA2X4cLu4yY_qpthEo5JMgGyYo/s1600/post_1506288c.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUeRqohY5tKZ5twEvm2w3CDfkUAUF0nhADQQO1ykKXcIpZ18S2WgfNW4zRFu6p7AEolUCAIzLar6HeZT2CzdJgO3YTLhCmRyVnMvvYCpX6mBB8jMIhzA2X4cLu4yY_qpthEo5JMgGyYo/s320/post_1506288c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531952287231916066" border="0" /></a>Bloozebabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15888406067990952626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486546706059840306.post-4186492241576731232010-10-06T23:32:00.004+03:002010-10-06T23:52:15.733+03:00Dudley Doright Done Me Wrong!Still here? Good lord, you must be a sucker for the boring minutiae of government paperwork! Or a kindly relative. Or a creditor. Hmmmmmm....<br /><br />I started my paperwork to purchase my tiny piece of Crete in May. It is now October. Oh those wacky Greeks and their bureaucracy, you say. Uhm, no - this 6 month delay in getting the paper I needed to START the purchase process was caused by my very own Canadian government. See, the first order of business in preparing to apply for permission to buy is the need for a criminal record check from our beloved Royal Canadian Mounted Police. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-m9ocMr2bL1sI_y5-NHmIYUAKk3JNI-aAC3b9AnpllssbakeG0m66Tk64FThy-a5YfxNBm1PcHfngnHkPQ7cIqQwSoFIlCq4mz78kO2heb7bB8zBrqi9CgmmYE-pVAkpZwIjSczSXgkw/s1600/4463259_std.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 280px; height: 257px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-m9ocMr2bL1sI_y5-NHmIYUAKk3JNI-aAC3b9AnpllssbakeG0m66Tk64FThy-a5YfxNBm1PcHfngnHkPQ7cIqQwSoFIlCq4mz78kO2heb7bB8zBrqi9CgmmYE-pVAkpZwIjSczSXgkw/s320/4463259_std.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525037530070611058" /></a>Six months this took - fee for getting fingerprinted (O my, THAT was an interesting experience!); fee for requesting the record check. Since my life is depressingly dull, I have no criminal record that would make me pop up instantly on any data base. Back when I was 9 years old and boosting chocolate bars, they apparently didn't record my life of crime. So, yes, six months for Dudley Doright to get off his Royal arse and give me the stinking piece of paper that says I'm a good girl (at least as far as they are concerned - all you exes out there - shaddup!)<br /><br />So, now the paperwork has been assembled that basically identifies me as (A) a Canadian and (B) Saintly. <br /><br />Then I had to send it to Greek consulate in Montreal for 6 copies of everything AND little paper stamps and arcane notations on each copy to prove that the Greek consulate agrees that these are in fact, indeed, documents issued by the Canadian government. There was a fee for this, of course. In fact, they charge by the page. I am $125 poorer. Plus the courier costs and the pre-paid return envelope. There are no free rides.<br /><br />So now, the paperwork rests with my lawyer in Crete. A very stylish hyperactive guy who speaks faster than the speed of stink. Let's hope his lawyering skills are as slick. He now has to assemble all my documents and their various copies and stamps and authorizations and find the topographical maps of the property, find the engineer and architect and contractor and probably Spiros down at the fish market to sign off on the whole mess and then send it to the Minister of Defense in Athens for his approval. My lawyer happily assures me that this will only take eight months. That's 8 (eight) months. It will be interesting to see if the Greek government can beat the 6 months it took for the Mounties to give me my piece of paper.<br /><br />And THEN...... I can write a check and buy a piece of land that would fit comfortably in a corner of my driveway here in Canada.<br /><br />Can't accuse ME of being an impulse shopper!!! God, I need and ouzo..... stay tuned.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFGXqhCeZDKFPIQ4Gq9-HybHf4vXKtpYEZLOA0JTrAo6BZVWsT1nPSubA0PrubLG52qRLB8IrYGrWSiafW1Gxvc3m3B_dN0BIFTFUA2WXliORe3_r_bZHIeRZ4paaNp5I-poTgm4HQdhI/s1600/steve-outram-ouzo-and-plate-of-black-olives-greece.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFGXqhCeZDKFPIQ4Gq9-HybHf4vXKtpYEZLOA0JTrAo6BZVWsT1nPSubA0PrubLG52qRLB8IrYGrWSiafW1Gxvc3m3B_dN0BIFTFUA2WXliORe3_r_bZHIeRZ4paaNp5I-poTgm4HQdhI/s320/steve-outram-ouzo-and-plate-of-black-olives-greece.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525038270138322866" /></a>Bloozebabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15888406067990952626noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-486546706059840306.post-71748422117244596992010-08-30T01:21:00.001+03:002010-08-30T01:21:52.255+03:00Local celebrity!http://dailygleaner.canadaeast.com/liveit/article/1072622Bloozebabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15888406067990952626noreply@blogger.com0