back to athens

Well we just arrived back to Athens. The Greek Islands were AMAZING. Everyone is so nice there. I guess waking up to the gorgeous beaches and mountains just puts people in a good mood. We visited Santorini and Ios. There are only 1000 locals that actually live year round in Ios. But during the months of June - August they get about 15,000 visitors. I think during winter it must feel like a ghost town to the locals, and they probably really enjoy it. The towns are just as beautiful as you would think...white walled buildings and blue topped roofs against the bright blue sea. It was breathtaking.

I will say that the locals drive like mad men. The guy who drove us to the port this morning flew around the corner so fast he hit this other van and ripped the whole side mirror off. It was an experience and I had to just shut my eyes and not think about flying off a side of a mountain in some beat up van... but the only other option was taking a donkey down. I think the mad man in the beat up van was the lesser of two evils...

We meet so many people while we were there. Some from America, some from Australia, and some that have decided to move to Ios and make it their home. I will say that they know how to party in the Greek Isles. They don't even go OUT till 2am. Crazy!!!

Today we are resting up since we fly out to Venice really early tomorrow morning. I can't believe that my semi-retirement is coming to a close. I am both excited and sad.