Greece and 'Scooter-ED'
Well I'm back in the States and sitting at work doing little of anything; just got back from a 2 week vacation to Greece which was fabulous...maybe I'll try to attach some pictures later on....
We stayed on a small island called Siphnos, in the Cyclades of the Aegean sea....it was amazing - the sea is so, so blue, not like the Caribbean...it looks like it's been dyed. The town where we stayed was sitting along a cove, surrounded by large mountains on either side; when you looked up at the sky it was as if you were sitting is some sort of giant coffee cup! The volcanic rocks have flecks of mica in them and when mixed in with the sand, it makes it glitter so brilliantly in the sun...it sticks to your skin so that you sparkle, too :)
It was very quiet there...you could sometimes hear all of these bells and then look up on the hillside to see a herd of goats grazing maybe like 50 yards away....strange, but wonderful. The people are so friendly, too....not a bit condescending or anything...just welcoming and helpful. I kept a detailed journal for myself and altogether I think I learned about 40 greek words or phrases (free souvenirs!) ...if I collect enough maybe I can go back to live there!
Europe, in general, is so different than the US, especially when you get out of the cities. First, there is really no vehicle snobbery...they will drive whatever has wheels and the cars are so small and economical...it makes our cars/trucks/SUV's look so utterly ridiculous and GIANT...i really wish we could adopt transportation like they have over there...of course, they are paying more for gas, too (I think almost $6 per gallon). Also, they mostly eat what grows on their island - for instance, they mostly use oregano to season everything and that's because oregano grows all over the islands....goat cheese, olives, cucumbers, seafood, tomatoes, etc.....also, they don't eat peanut butter there....a lot of people have never heard of it...they call our fast food "plastic food" ... they ask with dismay why exactly I didn't smoke, because everyone else does...it's strange if you're not a smoker (OH BY THE WAY - I QUIT SMOKING WITH CHANTIX AND IT WORKS BEAUTIFULLY IF ANYONE IS THINKING ABOUT QUITTING!!!). The kids behave differently, the rules are different, the hospitality is different, their lifestyles and pace is so vastly different - I asked someone to translate the word "lazy" and they got very confused, gave me a word (Tempelis) and said that it didn't translate very well haha.
I have been searching environmental jobs internationally all day. I really, really want to live abroad - but first, I need to save money. I am doing pretty well right now.......I was actually heavily considering buying a scooter (100 mpg) ... I am actually not worried about what people here would think...it's only a 9 mile drive to and from work for me right now and when I move back to Bloomington, that will be great for inner-'city' transportation....then I will only have to use my car for long trips...................does anyone know much about scooters? do you have to have a license? Will I have to take "Scooter-ED" to drive on the road?
Ok, well I hope everyone has been doing just great...I am trying to get caught up at work (but procrastinating)....I need to get in touch and hang out with some of you.....also looking forward to a few concerts this summer but might need a 'date' (Andrew doesn't necessarily 'dig' the same music I do....I took him to a Margot and the Nuclear So and So's concert with Bon Iver and he 'tolerated' it. haha poor guy......) Well take care and I WELCOME DRUNK DIALS ANYTIME :) (jerks) *cheers to freedom of speech!
PS - did you know that Obama is an intermittent smoker and currently chews nicorette gum? Hmmm.