Monemvasia

January 24-25, 2009
What a perfect day! Kate, Lindsey, Miah, Dwain and I arrived in Monemvasia on Friday night. It was a 5 hour drive in the dark and in the rain – but Dwain did a great job driving. Dwain and I had both looked up this beautiful hotel “on the rock” and we decided we should spoil ourselves and stay here (especially since the car we had rented was going to be so inexpensive! I am sure glad we chose to go with this hotel – Malvasia Hotel.
Monemvasia is a village on the southern peninsula of the Peloponnese. Many of the native Greeks all commented on Monemvasia being their favorite place-not much to do except eat and read and relax – perfect for me! The “rock” is this huge rock – mountain type of island that is only connected to the main land by a narrow two land road. Prior to a huge earthquake a few hundred years ago, the rock was connected to the main land. You can drive up a road on the rock but you can’t drive in the village. So on Friday night we parked the car and walked to our hotel through the castle gateway along the stone paths to our hotel.
Lindsey, Kate and I shared a triple – I had a single bed on the first floor which had a small balcony with a view of the sea downwards and the rock upwards and there was a double on the second floor. But on this floor was part of the rock where the fridge and tv were. Our hotel (which we all agreed we would come back to) had a great breakfast included.
But getting on with the better part – Saturday! Miah and Dwain rose the sunrise which they said was spectacular! We had a leisurely breakfast in a unique room overlooking the sea. The room had lots of games and places to hang out. After breakfast we hiked up to the top of the rock to see the castle. What amazing views we had and on top of the rock which was dense with a huge variety of green plants and some flowers – yellow daisies, red poppies and some purple flowers. A local merchant was saying that because of the beautiful spring like weather they have been having the flowers and plants think it is time to bloom. It was such a beautiful day. The sun was warm the breeze was warm and the sky was blue! There were many ruins on the rock including a fully restored church. The view was breathtaking!
We all took tons of photos – it’s like whenever we stopped to “catch our breath” was the perfect place to take a photo. After the hike we got in the car and drove to the main land. I don’t know why anyone would want to stay on the main land! There wasn’t much to do. We had a great lunch outside – all the locals, I think, think we are nuts to sit outside but it’s about 60 degrees – lovely!!!! We had a leisurely lunch and then walked around the stores on the rock.
Although we were not allowed to relax on the couches in the breakfast room, we sat in the “lounge” of the hotel last night playing card games.

Inauguration Night 2009

Wow! What an amazing experience to watch the first African-American get sworn in! You know you don't really appreciate your country until you leave your country!

I volunteered to help with the Inauguration event which was being held at my school this evening. I was on protocol - escorting delegates and other "important" people to the theater.

Honestly, I don't know who I escorted but I did see many ambassadors and ministers from so many different countries, such as, Senegal, United States, South Africa. It was great to see them come to support this historical moment - entourage and all!

The school had many different places to view the ceremonies. I watched in the library. It was great - we all applauded after many things President Obama said in his speech or after Aretha Franklin sang!

We also all applauded at 7pm our time which marked the official time he became President even before he was sworn in!

I was glad it was a sunny day and not too cold. It was a nice 60 degrees here!
Yes I took pictures of the screen I was watching!

This is the ambassador of the United States Embassy in Greece. The man onthe left.

Trust Me I Know

Trust Me I Know

Can only do one load a wash a day b/c I have to put my clothes out to dry and I only have enough pegs and lines to dry one load at a time. Winter takes longer as it is rain season.
Since it is rain season, I need to check the weather before I do laundry.

I also have to have enough time b/c one wash averages on 1.5 hours to do and then I have peg the laundry.

My wash machine sits in my bathroom. I have take all the stuff off of it if I am doing a load b/c during the spin cycle and can make everything fly off of it. Trust me I know!

Talking about bathroom, a few other idiosyncrasies: toilet paper cannot go in the toilet –ever! The pipes are narrow. Trust me, don’t flush the paper, I know!

In the winter, if I need to take a shower I need to flip my circuit breaker on and then wait up to 2 hours for the hot water to get hot. Then it is hot and it’s a nice shower. I usually shower in the evenings!

The hot water breaker for the bathroom cannot be up if the light is on for “not efficient” time to use a lot of electricity. If so it blows a huge fuse which is in the basement of my building. Trust me I know!

The hot water breaker for the kitchen water doesn’t take long to heat up, however the tank is quite small and therefore I can’t get through washing my dishes without running out of hot water. We don’t have dishwashers.

I also have to flip the breaker to give electricity to my microwave and oven/stove. If the water isn’t boiling after 20 minutes – trust me I know I haven’t flipped the switch up!

If I am in the middle of a conversation on my cell phone and the phone call gets dropped. I have run out of minutes – trust me I know!

Although Greeks are known for just going with the flow, no time sense, etc., except you need to be planned b/c stores close on Mon., Wed. and Sat. around 2pm - and don't reopen! Now grocery stores on these days do stay open until 9pm. Tues., Thurs. and Friday they close around 2 and reopen around 6 - 9. Sundays everything is closed! So if I don't get something I need on Saturday, I basically have to wait until Tuesday to get it. Trust me I know!

On the school front – there is an Xerox machine in the faculty room but we are not allowed to make multiple copies – if we need more, we need to fill out a form, turn it into the principal where she signs off on it and then someone takes it to get copied. It doesn’t get returned for 2 business days. I still haven’t figured out when I need to turn it in and get it back in time. Many times I don’t have the papers. I plan but I can’t plan this far in advanced – trust me I know!

I think this is all the basics. I will make a continuation link if I think of more! :)

....and then it hit me!

This is just a random entry and a random photo;

So I was in the "Toys 'R Us" called "Jumbo" here the other day and I realize that there all these kids Halloween costumes all over the place for sale. There are wigs, hats, costumes, swords, etc. everything you would need for Halloween - and then it hit me - (it took more time than it really should of...) it's January! And at this time, I don't know why there are all these costumes... I will keep you posted!

The photo is my class (just mine) they were dressed up for a theater UN performance. They are usually in "regular" clothes.

Porto Heli

This past weekend, my friend, the first grade teacher at ACS let me tag along to her parent's house in a small town/village called Porto Heli - it is located in the Peloponenesos. One of my student's also has a house there but he wasn't there this weekend. Christina and I enjoyed a relaxing weekend of caring for 7 dogs and 1 cat and watching movies, drinking wine, eating cheese and reading books!

The drive is up and around and over a mountain! A lot of hairpin turns and for some reason there are no guard rails on the roads. Christina said she was glad it was dark outside on our route there because beside my side of the car was straight cliff - no guard rails!

Happy New Year

Sorry for my delay.... So I had a great time in the states - covered a lot of ground and saw many friends and family! Was in SC for a week and went down to FL to see the grandparents and my uncle. Grandpa is not doing great but it was SO good to see him and give Grandma company and support. Weather was gorgeous in the south - even went to the beach on Christmas Day!!!!

My visit in Maryland was also great. The 4.5 days I was there was not too rushed and I was able to spend good quality time with so many friends. I headed straight to Montgomery Mall and the first person I see is Sr. Dyer - we looked at each other and said "You don't live here" and then I said " You don't live here!" Small worlds! I also saw the Earenfights, Mary Power and then I had coordinated to meet with any of my students who wanted to meet. Thank you all for taking the time to come out and see me - means a lot!!!! It was great seeing you Lena, Morgan (&Lucy), Claire, Lea, Suzanne, McKinley (&Grant), Sophia (&Catherine&Jane) & Ari & Emmie AND parents! I love hearing about middle school and your other adventures.

On the other side of SR, the "girls" had such a lovely lunch out - we chatted so long, when I looked at my watch 3 hours had quickly slipped by. Sarah, Ninette, Kate and Courtney - thank you for being such terrific friends - I miss you as colleagues and as friends!

New Years Eve was also great - the regular "gang" got together for a low-key, good food - chilli and 'smores - relaxing evening at Dave and Shannon's. (We should have got a group photo!) Chris I will not post the photo of you as this is a G rated blog! But Kir & Geoff thanks for bringing the party favors and thanks Dave and Shannon for hosting it. Ralph - glad you could swing by. Chris - great to spend time with you!

Happy 2009 everyone!