Greece-Part 2 (Does anybody still care??)

I've decided to do away with the labeling of days. Why should I be tied down to some rigid, formal method of storytelling when stream-of-consciousness writing is so much more interesting. Plus I can't remember that much detail anymore. What can I say, it's been two weeks. My mind is mush. So what follows are the highlights of the rest of the trip.

Warning: The following story is not suitable for those under 17.
One day on the way back from Syntagma Square, the three of us were cutting through the National Gardens on the way back to AM's place. If you've been reading AM's blog, you know the Greeks seem to have a penchant for public weirdness and this was our first glimpse. We were walking next to the racewalkers' track (a whole other subset of weirdness) as well as a bunch of benches spaced maybe 15 feet apart. Oh, I should probably use the metric system. I meant 5 yards. Anywho, we see this old couple on one of the benches we're nearing and it seemed harmless enough. The man was kind of nuzzling the woman's face and vice versa. We think, "oh how sweet, an older couple still in love." Think again people. As we pass them, the first thing I see is the woman's bare leg. Wait, let me amend that to say bare thigh. Her calf was firmly encased in a knee-high stocking. The man's hand is much farther north than the rules of public decency would allow and it was at about this point that the three of us began our silent retching. I mean, for god's sake-you're in the middle of the National Gardens in FULL DAYLIGHT. Let's save that kind of behavior for after dark. And, I don't know if I mentioned this before but THEY WERE OLD!! I don't mean 40, 50,60-old. I'm talking 70,80,nearing death-old. And yet somehow none of us could look away. I had managed to block out the image until now but just thinking about it sends me into a cold sweat. I think a little piece of me died that day.

Moving on. Anne-Marie and Josie cooked a fabulous Thanksgiving meal on Thursday and I helped in the baking process. Who knew butternut squash pie was just as good as pumpkin? I even put aside my feelings on fruit as a dessert (a whole other blog) to make an apple crisp that was surprisingly delicious. The rest of the time we pretty much walked around Athens, did some window shopping and met adorable dogs who may or may not be bilingual.

Before I finish this entry I have two more things of import to share with you. First of all, those of you worried about my imminent eternal damnation (Mom) will be happy to know I've renounced my agnosticism because only an omniscient being such as the lord could come up with a creation as scrumptious as the Cheese Pie. Layers of flaky, buttery filo dough filled with every cheese you could imagine. I was in complete heaven. The Cheese Pie is now my proof that god does exist and Everest, the ubiquitous fast food chain that sells them, is my new place of worship. Here, gaze upon its beauty:








The other interesting thing happened on one of my flights home. The neverending trip from Madrid to Miami. I had taken a melatonin and was in a sleep-induced fog when I looked up to see a flight attendant approaching who bore a striking resemblance to John Ashcroft. At first, I thought "well he is out of work. Maybe he's trying a new career path." But then I heard him speaking Spanish and I figured the real John Ashcroft has probably never heard Spanish, let alone is fluent in it. But wouldn't that be awesome if it had been him?

Allright, that was Greece. A big thanks again to Anne-Marie and Eph for all their hospitality and aero-bed. And to Josie for making it a super-duper-awesome trip with her mere presence.

Rome, here I come!!