Up early to head across the island to the red sand beach of Akrotiri.
We stopped for coffee and ordered breakfast by mistake, (Excuse me, can you tell me what is in this standard breakfast? “Yes.” She wanders off, then returns in five minutes with two of the standard breakfasts.) but it was good, and the coffee brewed well so we didn't mind really. We caught the 9:05 bus to Thira for our transfer.
Well, the beach was spectacular. Located on a short trail up and over the shoulder of a dark dark red cliff, the narrow beach was red; red and black pebbles and sand, wide enough for one row of beds and umbrellas. Seven euro later we snagged a primo spot on the sandy section, and watched the beach slowly fill up over the hours. The occasional rogue wave would wash up under our beds (WHOA! What a way to be shocked awake!) but the warm sun, loud surf and wild setting made me feel like I was awake in a dream. All too soon the morning and half the afternoon passed.
We walked back out to an organic restaurant, Taverna Glaros. Traditional food, home made wine, cute yellow and blue building with a dining patio... another lazy meal. The wine was a little, uh, off... maybe bitter… maybe it tasted of pure alcohol… OK, it was pretty bad, BUT it was home made and charming, and it got better the more I drank.
We dropped off the bus and spent a few hours roaming the alleys of Thira (and thinking how lucky we were to have stayed in Oia) before heading home for a shower. Gail went out for an hour massage with Antonio(!!) before a light dinner.
One habit I don't want to bring back from Turkey & Greece is throwing away your toilet paper instead of flushing it. These old sewage systems can't handle the paper, so there are signs everywhere. And they do empty the trash bins regularly. But still... Throwing it away. Uck.
Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind." - Seneca (4 B.C.-A.D. 65), Roman stoic philosopher and adviser to Emperor Nero
Tomorrow we go to Athens and catch a ferry to the island of Hydra for two days. We are at a funny point in the trip: we reminisce about our times in Turkey as if it was a trip last year, and we wonder what awaits in Albania, or Budapest as if it is a trip far in the future. Almost two weeks out, six to go and every day so far has been an adventure.
Also, today was the vote for the new president and government in Greece. People are really divided. The two groups seem to be the austerity group: we need to cut, cut, cut and budget; and the “don’t take it out on us” group. They look at the rich countries, and the rich people and say, “raise their taxes, but I work pretty damn hard for a living. Don’t give me the pay cut.” The debates are all really civilized, and people are eager to share their viewpoint with us. So far we have seen no riots, no trouble… but tomorrow, the day after the election… in Athens… if there is going to be a strike, shutdown or riot, tomorrow is the day.