Pireaus

The title of this episode was to have been Athens, but due to labor unrest wth the public transportation workers and 'Cultural' workers going on strike, we did not want to risk getting stranded. We were to take the HoHO bus, but it required us to change buses in Athens and we felt it might be too big a target. The workers don't seem to get the idea that they are shooting their economy in the foot.

We opted instead to catch the courtesy shuttle from the ship to Terminal 1 in the Pireaus port and from there caught a HOHO 'train' that circled around Pireaus downtown. Dave, Barb, Linda and Leslee were more comfortable with this and came with Peggy and I. One stop, the 'shopping' stop, was teh site of a protest march and much loud rhetoric over the amplified speakers the protesters had set up. We could only imagine what was going on in Athens.

WE chose to walk the shopping district and browse the window fronts until we came to Marks and Spencer on a side street, where Barb bought some clothes and PEggy got a warm sweater for the return to the Pacific Northwest. After shopping, we went for lunch at a BBQ restaurant for a delicious meal. I had souvlaki and Peggy had the Greek salad with much PIta bread and Tzatziki. After, while payiing the bill, the owner poured us each glasses of a clear liquer which was very tasty.

I had programmed the cruise ship terminal as a waypoint into 'Garmie' my GPS, which was a big help in negotiating the streets (piled with garbage due to the garbage workers strike) through the city and back to the terminal. The GPS indicated .7Miles as the 'crow' flies, but zigzaging the streets probaby doubled the distance and we were all glad to see the terminal and the shuttle bus back to the ship.

We called home to check in on Sabrina, and offer her some words of encouragement while she manages teh house,the cats, her job, and most importantly, her practicum.

It is tough being away and not able to support her, but she is gaining some great experience and life lessons.

Tonight after dinner we six played a 50's and 60's music trivia game (scored 11/20) and then I participated in a "YEs/No' game and lasted a minute and a half without answeering yes or no (winner did 3 minutes). It was all in good fun, and we left the other foour to come to bed an prepare for Mykanos tomorrow.