day 95 –piraeus, greece

today was finally bob’s turn to go have some historical adventures… i had in port manning, so i stayed here, but bob went to nearby athens and the acropolis!  this morning, he had a drill, so i did get off long enough to go into the terminal to have a cup of strong coffee and find a couple of things i wanted for souvenirs (then i wouldn’t have to ask bob to spend his time looking for olive oil soap, etc.); so, i did find some great stuff, had a good cup of joe and came back to the ship. 

after bob left, i spent the morning packing and inventorying some of the many souvenir items we’ve acquired.  a few of the heavier or potentially clothes wrecking items, like hot sauce, or honey, i am leaving with bob since he stays on the ship ‘til it relocates to seattle anyway… the other stuff i packed and realized it is now just over two weeks now ‘til i am home.. it is zooming by!  after doing this and having an early lunch (ship was virtually empty – nice!), i took a nap and got up when bob got back.  he seemed to enjoy his adventure! 

just at a glance, greece seems lovely, but bob and i thought turkey’s vibe had more warmth, charm, and didn’t seem quite as tired or stressed as greece felt… maybe it’s political tension in the air… some people who toured saw some protests going on, and they’ve certainly had a pretty horrible time economically.  i enjoyed having a day to catch up on a little rest as all of the adventures have been so close together and such a lot to absorb. 

when bob got back, i did my blog and wrote my port song, then got ready to go to bob’s cocktail set.  it started a little late because we had a ship passenger safety drill… we disembarked roughly 400 people in athens who wanted to jump ship a little closer to home or travel in europe a bit, and we only took on about 50 for the transatlantic crossing, so the guest population has dwindled by about 20-25%.  people were a bit tuckered out from 3 days of adventures or traveling to get here, ‘tho i kept people til 11:30… just not that many!  we had a few fun new people, and that’s nice… i don’t want people to feel like they’ve walked in at the end of the movie, they have a 16 day cruise they just got on, so i want to make sure it is as nice for them as when the other people got on at the start… it definitely requires a bit of concentration and deliberateness in the approach to make this happen, and i can’t coast on the last many weeks, but actually have to put a little more out than usual.  at this stage, it’s tough because i’m getting tired, y’all!  my limit is about 12 weeks of 7 nights a week, and this will be 16… i can do it, though, and after this, even a 70 day grand voyage will be a piece of cake…

i said goodbye to some really nice piano bar regulars, and they will be missed!  there were a couple sad disembarks, for medical or family emergencies, and that is always disconcerting – it’s never how one plans to end a vacation, and i will send those folks some good energy and keep them in my meditations… for as many happy things as you experience here, on a longer voyage, the more like a small town this place becomes, and you are often privy to people’s real life dramas – it’s amazing how, like a bartender, people tell me everything… so it’s certainly not all light and superficial, like a 7-day mexico party cruise, and over this amount of time you are a little invested emotionally if you are the type of person who gets to know your guests. 

tomorrow we have a sea day, and i think bob and i will have a bounce back day to restore ourselves a little… i will look forward to that!  ciao for now!  xo, me

port song for piraeus, greece

(to the tune of “summer lovin’” from the musical “grease”)

in Piraeus – just for the day - i’ve got ipm, but that’s ok

i’ve had so much adventure of late, a day to just kick back sounds pretty great

first bob’s got a drill - and so i will - go inside to pick up some souvenirs

well a well a well a well

buy some more buy some more there’s cute oven mitts

buy some more buy some more where will i put all this sh…tuff?

uh huh, uh huh, uh huh, uh huh

bbq - and tzatziki sauce spices - olive oil soap cause it’s really good prices

i think i’m done, so i head out the door, and on the way back there’s the duty free store

what the hell, the prices are swell; think i’ll just take a small peek inside

well a well a well a well

buy some more buy some more, olive oil and some honey

buy some more buy some more ‘cause you save lots of money (right?)

uh huh, uh huh, uh huh, uh huh

with some hair gel, my shopping spree ends – ‘til we hit naples, then more i will spend

i’ve never been to italy, i’m sure they also have stuff i need urgently

a shopping pro, wherever i go, getting essentials - for the whole family

buy some more buy some more!