I'm baaack!

...so hide your booze and put your phones on vibrate!

Everything arrived safely, nothing broken, thanks be to God and to those who were praying for me.

I was particularly concerned about the liquids--olive oil and tsikoudia--but I packed them carefully in plastic bottles, and there were no mishaps.  The tsikoudia looks a little sad in PET bottle, so I went to the Goodwill and scored big time:

Glass liquor decanter: 0.99
Cordial glasses:          0.69 x 4
Pour spout:                1.99

Τσικουδιά (and the memories of hospitality that it represents): Priceless


I need to find glasses that are more like traditional τσικουδιά glasses, which about the same size and shape as communion glasses...hey! maybe a Christian supply store would have them.  But all the churches use plastic ones these days, so I don't know...

First leg

The first leg of my return journey is complete, and I'm safely ensconced in my room at the Kastro Hotel in Iraklion.  I miss Yaya, Dimitri, Dimitra, Tasos, and Katerina already!  It was all I could do to keep from crying during all the goodbyes; that came later.

Meanwhile, here at the Kastro Hotel, there is a gi-normous photo of the Old Harbour of Xania!  I guess the town wanted to give me one last good-bye.

This is not a photo of the Old Harbour of Xania

Being here in Iraklion is almost more surreal than the first time, because the feelings are so different.  When I arrived, I was completely disoriented, scared of getting lost and never finding my hotel again, and the future was a mystery: I had no idea what to expect.  But now, although I'm not as familiar with Iraklion as I am with Xania, I'm confident in my ability to get around, and the future is far more predictable, as futures go: I know I will miss my family in Perivolia, but that I will be glad to see my friends and family in Seattle.  I'll probably experience some reverse culture shock and occasionally confuse people by saying ναι (neh) for "yes".  I'll spend some time getting re-acquainted with people, but these will be people who I already know for the most part, so there will not be many big surprises--an entirely different sensation from not knowing anyone and not being quite sure what each day holds.

Well ... to time head out and find something to eat!  Tomorrow, Athens and Madrid, where I'll probably confuse everyone by speaking Spreek or Granish to the waiter.

Heading back already???

Hi everyone ... sorry about the lack of blogification.

Today is my last full day in Xania/Perivolia ... and it is a beautiful warm sunny day!  Dimitri says Crete is saying "bye-bye" to me.

Tomorrow afternoon I'll take the bus to Iraklion, spend the night in a hotel there, and leave for the airport in the morning.  I have a SIXTEEN HOUR layover in Madrid, so I've reserved a hotel room near the airport.  I plan to get something nice to eat, and see a few sights there before heading back to the hotel to crash.

Well I have to sign out ... busy day today!  I counted the stockings I'd like to feed, and discovered I need a few more μπεγλέρια...

Bye for now!

Jason