Dear all,
Derek and me had a fab fab time in Greece. The island we were on was pretty, the hotel nice, food great, drink great, nice private beach, pool. What more do you want really for a week of relaxation!
On Friday the 27th we took the plane to Athens very early in the morning. It was with Air Scotland (part of Air Greece) in a rickety old plane (and Derek was happy to point out to me how these low-cost airlines save on upkeep etc...). It was fine though, and we arrived safely in Athens. We waited for the suitcase and Derek went for a loo-break. Unfortunately this took a bit long (surprisingly;)), and by the time he came out everyone had already left... I was about to run into the men's toilets and shout "Derek!" (in a naggy voice: Derek can give you a rendition);)! We were met by a rep that said: "Oh, there you are, the 'lost' ones." Slightly embarrassing. We got on a bus that took us to the hotel. First thing we did, in true Greek (/Mediterranean) style, was go for a wee siesta. Lovely:). We had a room at the front of the hotel. No sea view, but on the shade side, which was good for me. Airco in the room was good too.
Over the next few days we didn't really do much. We just enjoyed the lovely weather (30-35C. Sunshine, sea-breeze), the food and the drink. I read a lot (nearly three books in a week!). Derek enjoyed the sunshine (a bit too much at one point) and I stayed in the shade. Still managed to burn, in the shade with factor 20 on!!! Not too badly thankfully.
We also went to Eretria (the town nearby) to go the the market there. We got a lift in by Phillipous, our rep. Derek jokingly said :"So you'll pick us up again about 1pm?", which he didn't seem to enjoy, hehe;). The market though was great! The fruit and vegetables looked so lovely, and huge! We bought some strawberries (the best I ever had!), apples and some olive oil for Derek's dad. We wanted to take the bus back. We found a time-table and people waiting on the bus. They were all on the 'wrong' side of the street though, we thought. We checked, and yes, we needed to go in the other direction. This was a two-way street with cars parked either way, so there was no space for two cars in the middle, let alone for two busses! Typical;). I saw that this wee shop sold tickets, so we got tickets and asked what time there was a bus. The shop keeper said there would be one about 12.45. On the timetable there were NO BUSSES at that time... Weird. The bus did get there about 12.45. It was very full and warm, but we made it to the hotel safe and sound.
The food in the hotel was good, though somewhat repetitive. They pretended to have themed night, but the food was essentially the same every night. The black olives were especially gorgeous. They just burst in your mouth and fell right off the pip. Mmmm. I love Greek food, so for a week it was good. Did feel like I had olives coming out my ears though by the end of the week.
The bar was nice too. It opened up onto a big terrace with a view over the garden and the sea. The waiters were cute and funny, the cocktails very nice, and so was the drambuie;). Not too expensive either. The only downside was a 'piano-man', or actually a keyboard-man that played badly... Our 'favourite' was "Oh Ah Hoki Hoki Doki(3x), that's what it's all about!". Great... There was also a disco outside an an 'amphi-theatre', but we never went. The reps were a bit disappointed and one accused us of always 'hiding'. We just like to quietly sip our drink and chat and enjoy the breeze really (how boring eh?). Derek didn't even enter the "Mr Palmariva" competition... I'm sure he would have won;)!
On Wednesday we went to Athens, on an organised trip with guide. Wow, that was fab. The city itself is not that exciting, but the 'piece de resistance' was of course the Akropolis. Wow. So much better than in the pictures! Unfortunately I had forgotten my student card, so the guide made me pay the €12 entrance fee (which I'm sure she pocketed, as she had tickets left over after handing everyone one!!). After the Akropolis we were left to roam the old town. Derek and me first went to this big park, which was really nice. Nice and shady too, which was good as my arms and chest were covered in (itchy) heat rash... The high(/low)light there was a tortoise eating (!!!) a dead pigeon. Then we went for a cold beer, and on search for the flee market. Found it in the end. Went for a bite to eat, some lovely mezze (starter/tapas), in this case a bowl with some sort of meat stew and lovely home-made bread. Mmm.
Soundbites:
"Hmm, beep?"
"I suppose it's better than rape!"
"I hope to f*ck that's not an olive!"
It was my first time on an organised holiday like that. It was nice for a week of relaxing times. When I have the money though I'd prefer to organise my own holiday. This was a cheap, practical and pleasant solution though!
Will give you URL for the pics soon, and might add some more info later. Off home now though to start work on the dissertation (yes, START, work... 3months to go!).
Derek flies to Luton this afternoon, on his way to Milton Keynes for a preliminary job interview tomorrow. Yes, MILTON KEYNES in BUCKINGHAMSHIRE... That's what I thought. Of course I am trying to be supportive, and I am very happy he got an interview, but people that know me know that I would really like to stay in Glasgow (and so would Derek actually if he has the chance), but I love Derek and I would move down there if he does get offered a good job that he would really enjoy. He doesn't want to force me to make that sort of descision, but I would make it if I had to.
I have an interview on the 5th of July with a company that does multi-lingual customer services. Hope they can give me a job for October, so that I have financial security untill I find the elusive 'dream-job'.
Anyway, really off home now!
Hope you're all well&happy-bouncy!
Love,
Monday, June 27, 2005
Thursday, June 16, 2005
GREECE!!!!!
Hello everyone!
Just wanted to remind everyone (not meaning to make you jealous of course;)) that I'll be in GREECE for the coming 7 days. 27 degrees, sunshine: what more do you want eh?
Exams went ok I think.
Back here in a wek's time!
Love
xxx
Just wanted to remind everyone (not meaning to make you jealous of course;)) that I'll be in GREECE for the coming 7 days. 27 degrees, sunshine: what more do you want eh?
Exams went ok I think.
Back here in a wek's time!
Love
xxx
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
Yeah! and no cocktails
Dear all,
First of all: my last essay was described by my supervisor as "excellent"! Another A! I can't believe it... :)! Enough bragging eh?
Last Friday Derek and me went to Leith docks for the elusive cocktail party. First of all I forgot to take the invitation, so we had to race back and just managed to be at the station on time, only to discover the train was 15mins delayed. At Edinburgh it took ages to get a ticket (we didn't get one on the train and you need one to get out the station), as there was only one ticket place. Really annoying if you want to be on time! We got into a taxi with a crazy Italian at the wheel who drove recklessly while shouting, with his head out the window in true Italian style, to all other road users holding him up. At the docks we took a wrong turn, as the invitation was not very clear, and 15 pounds poorer and 10mins late we finally arrived. We were welcomed by marines with flags and one with a gun, which made me feel a bit weird... The ship the party was on was an Estonian naval ship called the 'Admiral Pitka'. The party was the 'launch party' for the ship's mine sweeping mission. The crew was mostly Dutch, with some Danish, Estonian and English. The ship will eradicate the last mines from the North Sea. A few months back a Dutch fishery boat pulled out a bomb or mine, and the thing blew up, killing three people. That is one of the reasons to (finally!) do something about it. Derek and me talked to some Dutch navy people, drank free wine and beer (no cocktails!) and had some nibbles. The ship was not as big as we had expected, but it was nice all the same. Unfortunately I didn't talk to the Consul. I did talk to the lady that I had talked to at the consulate, and she told me that they are hoping to expand. Bureaucracy is holding them back apparently. Maybe one day they will call! After the cocktail party we were invited to come to another ship for a disco, but the music sounded like Dutch dance and the thought of spending an evening with 98% men did not exactly appeal to Derek. It was funny to see some slightly older women flirt with all these young, I'm talking 18/19/20-year old, guys;). We decided to meet up with my Dutch friend Barbara in the city centre. Was nice for her to finally meet Derek. We had a few drinks and a late night snack and then we took the last train home.
On Saturday we went to Joe and Liisa's goodbye party at the Counting House. That was nice. The atmosphere was great in there as Scotland had just won its match against Moldova. Lots of people in football gear singing, shouting, honking.
On Monday we went to the Graduate Fair at the SECC. Was not terribly usefull for me, but Derek got lots of information about companies he might be interested in (he's better be thankfull I told him to come, as he wasn't going to;)!).
Since then I've been trying to revise hard again (well as you can see I am doing this in stead at the moment)! The A for my last essay has made me realise I don't realy have to worry about it! Doing a great job would be fab though, so bck to the hard graft!
Hope you're all alive and well!
Love
First of all: my last essay was described by my supervisor as "excellent"! Another A! I can't believe it... :)! Enough bragging eh?
Last Friday Derek and me went to Leith docks for the elusive cocktail party. First of all I forgot to take the invitation, so we had to race back and just managed to be at the station on time, only to discover the train was 15mins delayed. At Edinburgh it took ages to get a ticket (we didn't get one on the train and you need one to get out the station), as there was only one ticket place. Really annoying if you want to be on time! We got into a taxi with a crazy Italian at the wheel who drove recklessly while shouting, with his head out the window in true Italian style, to all other road users holding him up. At the docks we took a wrong turn, as the invitation was not very clear, and 15 pounds poorer and 10mins late we finally arrived. We were welcomed by marines with flags and one with a gun, which made me feel a bit weird... The ship the party was on was an Estonian naval ship called the 'Admiral Pitka'. The party was the 'launch party' for the ship's mine sweeping mission. The crew was mostly Dutch, with some Danish, Estonian and English. The ship will eradicate the last mines from the North Sea. A few months back a Dutch fishery boat pulled out a bomb or mine, and the thing blew up, killing three people. That is one of the reasons to (finally!) do something about it. Derek and me talked to some Dutch navy people, drank free wine and beer (no cocktails!) and had some nibbles. The ship was not as big as we had expected, but it was nice all the same. Unfortunately I didn't talk to the Consul. I did talk to the lady that I had talked to at the consulate, and she told me that they are hoping to expand. Bureaucracy is holding them back apparently. Maybe one day they will call! After the cocktail party we were invited to come to another ship for a disco, but the music sounded like Dutch dance and the thought of spending an evening with 98% men did not exactly appeal to Derek. It was funny to see some slightly older women flirt with all these young, I'm talking 18/19/20-year old, guys;). We decided to meet up with my Dutch friend Barbara in the city centre. Was nice for her to finally meet Derek. We had a few drinks and a late night snack and then we took the last train home.
On Saturday we went to Joe and Liisa's goodbye party at the Counting House. That was nice. The atmosphere was great in there as Scotland had just won its match against Moldova. Lots of people in football gear singing, shouting, honking.
On Monday we went to the Graduate Fair at the SECC. Was not terribly usefull for me, but Derek got lots of information about companies he might be interested in (he's better be thankfull I told him to come, as he wasn't going to;)!).
Since then I've been trying to revise hard again (well as you can see I am doing this in stead at the moment)! The A for my last essay has made me realise I don't realy have to worry about it! Doing a great job would be fab though, so bck to the hard graft!
Hope you're all alive and well!
Love
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