Journal - Day 19

Day 19 - Analipsi, Crete

Saturday, May 31, 1997

We got off the ferry about 8:30 not having a clue where to go. We knew it was about a 4 hour bus ride to Analipsi (where our condo was), but where is the bus? I asked a cab driver, and he smiled and said he would drive us there. When I started to walk away, he told me with a grin, that the bus station was just outside the port and to the right. Sure enough, there it was - a few hundred meters away. Our bus leaves at 9:30. I hopped aboard, and then the bus driver started yelling at Dad in Greek! Turns out he wanted him to leave his backpack in the underneath storage area, but it sure scared me. We had to change buses in Iearapetra, so Dad told Me to go buy the tickets.

I walked up and asked for two tickets to Analipsi. I pronounced it "An-a-LIP-see". The Greek says "Makri Gialos". (this was the name of the next town past Analipsi). I pointed to the map and said "Analipsi" again. He repeats "Makri Gialos". So I said OK, two tickets to Makri Gialos. No problem. We hopped aboard and followed along with our map as we went so we were sure where to get off. We got to Makri Gialos and still had not passed Analipsi. So I said we'd better get off. The heat hit us like a blast furnace. Now we're in this tiny little village, in front of a fruit stand. Dad asked the vendor if he could tell us how to get to Analipsi. He'd never heard of it, but went across the street to ask someone else. Yes, it is not far. You can walk. But its hot, we have all our luggage, and we really don't know where we're going. We flagged a taxi-cab, but he wouldn't take us there because it wasn't far enough away. So we started to walk. As it turned out, they were right. It was only a few hundred meters or so, but it seemed a lot farther in the mid-day sun. We later found out that Greeks have no imagination when it comes to pronunciation. The town is pronounced "An-AL-ip-see", so nobody had ever heard of it!

pool Our hotel, Villea Village, is unbelievable! Huge lobby, swimming pool, beautiful room with an extra bedroom and a bathTUB! (Hard to come by in Greece), TV and phone, and bouganvellia cascading down and over our terrace. Our room wasn't quite ready, so we went poolside and ordered a tall frosty beer. I met Christine our social director for the week. Dad went to the market and I laid by the pool for an hour or so.

Went for a little 'explore' about 6:30. Had the best "gyro" Dad's ever had. My only experience with one had been that gyro 'portion' I had in Mykonos. It was very tasty (fries right inside the pita).

Then to the Welcome meeting at 8:00 PM. Christine has some optional excursions planned to various sights around the island, and a few special pool side functions. Greek language lesson tomorrow, and they're going to make Raki one night. Raki is a local hooch made from grape stems. Strong! There is a honeymoon couple here from Edmonton (Wendy and Martin). Imagine meeting somebody from Edmonton over here in Crete!

Day 20 - Analipsi, Crete

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