Journal Day 6

Day 6 - Hermoupolis, Syros

May 18, 1997

The "Athens Subway Experience": Need I say more? Close your eyes and imagine.The temperature is around 30 degrees - that's HOT in celsius - everybody else seems to know where they're going, including Dad. We have our luggage with us, we're standing up, the train is passing all these stations - above and below grade - the conductor keeps calling out these names in Greek (we ARE in Greece after all, Sue). But I am quite comfortable actually - Dad did the dry-run yesterday, and Pireaus is the end of the line, so we have to get off there. So I think we're OK.

A 20 minute ride to Pireaus...and here we are...ON the Ferry! It's huge. The Naiae II. As big as the B.C. Ferries. This is not what I was expecting. For some reason, I thought the ferries would be much smaller and open to the elements with people, chickens maybe, and children crowding everywhere. This boat has a dining room, small shops, lounge areas, video games. I was amazed. It's a 4 1/2 hour ride to Syros.

Pulled out our trusty Lonely Planet, and had in mind to look for Ariadne Rooms, but the first guy to approach us was a hotel hustler from Paradise. Really. Paradis Rooms to Let. So we followed him to Paradise. This place is beautiful! Marble floors, roof-top cafe, private bath, and just far enough away from main street to be removed from the noise of traffic. And only 6,000 drachmas. (About $30 Cdn). Matter of fact, after staying in the Hotel Tempi with our bathroom down the hall, I was sure it was going to be much more expensive when we went to pay our bill. Still in a distrusting mode, I felt this guy probably meant 6,000 EACH, and that we'd get hit with a bill for 12,000 drachmas a day. But, as we were to learn as the weeks went by, we had wonderful accomodations for very low prices throughout the islands.

We walked along the harbourfront, had a cool drink under an umbrella, and then set out exploring. As I dipped my feet into the wondrous blue Aegean, I thought about home, and my family and friends who I wished had been able to share this with me. This is just too cool!! The water is incredible! And the buildings are so pretty. The streets are all cobblestone, narrow little alleys, but not just cobblestone... marble cobblestone!...everywhere! It's awesome. Wendy would freak! We have a market right at the end of our street.

Syros buildings We split up, and I immediately got lost. I wandered around for 10 - 15 minutes, and finally went right back to the harbor and backtracked my way to the hotel. Turns out Dad did the same thing. Anyway, we both got back within 10 minutes of one another.

Dad met a couple of backpackers on his excursion, and turned into a hotel hustler himself. Brought them back to "Paradise". We figure we should get a finders fee. I suntanned on the rooftop for 1/2 hour or so, then rendevoused with Dad for a cocktail on the balcony overlooking the garden courtyard.

We later wandered around looking for a small taverna. We were early, most don't serve dinner until after 9:00, and it was only 7:30. But we found one to serve us. Dad had ouzo. I had my first taste of retsina. (Not as bad as everybody said). We met a nice couple from Germany - talked for quite some time. Our entertainment over the dinner hour was an adorable 10 yr old girl, ballet dancing in front of her house to the Greek music that plays continuously everywhere, "Rembetika" I think it's called.

The Greek Islands......We're here. We're Really HERE!!

Day 7 -Galissas, Syros