“PLEASE RETURN TO THE GARAGE FOR DISEMBARKATION”
Hundreds and hundreds of people swarmed the garage for disembarkation. Every time the little bridge slash ladder thing moved, they played a putrid song that I hope isn’t the Greek national anthem, because that would be a really shitty national anthem. I mean, that would be terribly ignorant and rude for me to say. Not that “Oh Canada” is anything great… I mean. I love everything about Canada. Everything.
We got off the ferry and were greeted by our hotel driver. Yup. We scored a hostel room and it included a driver. Suh weet. Hotel with a pool and a view. Take that $7 hostel. It was worth every 25 Euro.
I seriously needed to get my laundry done so we walked around looking for laundry places. We found one for 10 Euros - way too expensive. So we found another and the reception lady told us it was 6. I guess we didn’t really have a choice.
I fell in love… with Greece. Not Jesse. Crazy people, assuming things. Be careful, you could seriously get hurt making assumptions like that. Break a made-in-China heart saying things like that. Holy crap, this ferry ride is really getting to me (I wrote this 7 hours into the 8 1/2 hour trip back to Athens). Anyway. Greece is undoubtedly my favorite destination so far. We went to the grocery store, bought olives, fetta, bread, and wine. You’ve got to go to Greece. That night we watched “Battle Royal”. If you havn’t seen it, do. It’s a Japanese movie similar to Lord of the Flies… but I don’t want to give too much away.
The next day was a day I really needed. I got my hair cut, we walked around the cool streets, ate Gyros (I’ve had about 6 gyros so far - mmmmm gyros). And then we picked up our laundry. She charged us 8 Euros! I HATE YOU! CHEATER CHEATER PUMPKIN EATER! GO BACK TO YOUR LAUNDRY DUNGEON AND FOLD MORE CLOTHES.
I know, I know. It works out to only three dollars extra (Canadian)… but still. That cheat stole our money and it made me very unhappy. But my haircut made me extra happy so it balanced out in favor of a good time.
Now. Some people herd cattle. Other people herd tourists in busses. Man, these bus people on Santorini must be making a killing. Every leg of the trip is only 1 to 2 Euros… but when you add up the different places you want to go… its adds up. Multiplied by the over-capacity-ness of it all… they are doing very well for themselves.
We went to the black sand beaches close to Parissa, and the red sand beach known as Red Sand Beach. It was amazing, and reminded me of Hawaii. Hey Dad, if you are reading this… I think you should take me to Hawaii. We just caught the last bus back, and had the unfortunate experience of meeting a man named Massachusetts man. I call him that simply because he is from Massachusetts. I have nothing against Massachusetts people. Just him.
Anyway. He was telling us about how hard his travels have been because everyone he has met has been rude to him. According to him, all Italians are thieves, and there is a European conspiracy to treat travelers poorly so they spend more money on food. I couldn’t stand listening to his nonsense and I finally cracked.
“Dude. If every single person you meet is treating you like shit, shouldn’t you step back and see if you’re the one treating them like shit?” I couldn’t stand him.
I had Octopus for dinner that night. It was delicious. Tasted like chicken - seriously.
The next day Jesse and I got up early and rented ATVs. Seriously the best experience of my life. So much fun. Crusing around the island on the little cars was out of this world. There was this little off-the-beaten-track road we decided to go down, and it was a great little off-road experience. Until we got to the bottom. On the way back up the little engine that could, couldn’t deal with my fat ass, so I had to push the thing up the hill. It sucked. At last I was smart enough to figure out that I could rev the engine and run up the steep parts beside the car. I’m seriously not fat… but the car seemed to think I was. It was terribly embarrassing. But whatever. No more gelato for me.
We cruised to Oli, the little town that is on all of the post cards of Greece. It was super cool, and we ate yogurt and honey. Jesse loved it, I thought it was disgusting. It tasted like sour cream. But whatever. Its just something you do when you’re in Greece.
Beaches, roads. Everything. ATVing was awesome, and when I get to Australia - if you let me - I might buy a little moped / vespa type thing and use that to cruise around. I freaking love it.
After our little adventure, Jesse and I got ridiculously drunk and went to bed. Ha ha. No, get your head out of the gutter. We watched a movie. IN SEPARATE BEDS. Jesus people.
The next day we ate rice pudding, slept in all day, and got ready for the brutal ferry ride back to the mainland. Eight and a half hours, stuffy, and boring. But I bought playing cards with naked cartoons from greek pottery having sex on them and played solitaire. Sucks to be me. Ha ha just kidding. I’m in Greece!
