I like Rhoads and I like Athens too. But first let me tell you why I didn't write before this. Don has several papers due (papers he should have been doing while we were in Greece) and since we have been home has had the computer tied up. This morning he is at school so I have the computer all to myself.
Thursday evening we were at the Tel Aviv Airport, but found that luggage couldn't be checked in until morning, so, since there were no good candy or cigar cases to sleep in, off to a hotel for the night. While waiting for our flight Friday morning, we began to realize that "Yes! Of coarse, this is spring break!", a group of college kids was swelling ( the group, not the kids) and swelling, and swelling. The flight consisted of mostly college kids, only about a dozen of us weren't, (actually I should say 11 weren't, Don is a student on spring break too). After the stewarded gave her instructions about oxygen masks and life jackets, the group on the plane applauded and whistled as if it was the best performance they had ever seen. When the plane lifted off, another applause, and then again when the plane touched down. These kids were ready for a big time. It seems the students from the main land go to the islands for spring break and the kids from the islands go to the main land.
In Rhoads we were in a fourth floor condo with a balcony that looks out over the beach and the Mediterranean. The weather was mild, some times overcast, and one day it rained. In a little blue rented Fiat with a sun roof and big red and yellow letters on the side that told everyone that this is a rental, we explored the island. Don was interested in all the antiquity sites, and there were many. We went through museums and even a silver factory. The man at the silver factory showed me all his machines and tools, and I was wishing I could live in Rhoads and have access to his shop. I missed my studio.
Rhoads has an Old City. Don was disappointed, he likes the shops which have been out of business for 2000 years, I like the relatively modern ones that are still in business. The Old City was full of tourist shops, I had a great time, Don got bored and went to the car and took a nap.
What I liked best on the Island of Rhoads was the villages we drove through, they are nestled here and there and are both beautiful and charming. The people there seemed very anxious to please the alien, unlike Israel.
Athens is a very big city, our hotel was right in the middle of town, and our room was on the 14th floor. Looking over our very small balcony, the traffic below reminded me of New York, lots of traffic and many yellow cabs. We were able to get around town by walking or taking a city bus.
Greek is much easier to figure out than Hebrew, I guess that's because the alphabet is closer to the English alphabet. Currency was a different matter, there are about 350 dinaro (I know this is spelled wrong) to a dollar. It was confusing to think about lunch costing one or two thousand.
The Acropolis, and antiquate suites were all interesting. As I looked at all the marble statues in the museum, I thought about my life drawing group, "Hi! I miss you!", these models were holding nice and still, but some didn't have arms or had there noses knocked off. Oh well........you can't have every thing.
Each evening Don and I wandered the streets of Athens and found a place to eat dinner. Ha, ha, the stores are open in the evening! Much to Don's dismay, I had to go into stores and shops and see what I could see. There was no car to go sleep in so he endured. I needed Faith, Jan, and Sarah, my shopping buddies, Don's attitude takes some of the fun out of shopping. I wish I could fly over from time to time, even for groceries, Greece has better selection and prices than I find in Israel.
The airport in Athens looks out over the runway, then to buildings, and then to some mountains, Burbank! This reminded me of the Burbank airport. It seemed as though I could walk out of that airport and drive the short distance to Granada Hills and see my kids and grand kids. But alas, I'm on the other side of the world and it would take a lot more than a short drive to see them.
We got home about midnight on Sunday. I had let my cupboards get empty because of the trip and didn't think about it being Passover when we got back. No food, no markets open, no busses. I felt silly wandering around the city dragging my little basket looking for an open anything that might have food. The only people on the street were dressed in there Shabbat best and looked like they had important places to go. I was in jeans and a T shirt and obviously on a futile mission. I finely found a small shop with meager supplies (over priced) and bought enough to last until Passover passed over. I had begun to think our only choices for food was to hike to the school cafeteria, or the Christian Quarter of the Old City for meals. Meager meals at home are better than either of those choices.
I really enjoy hearing from you even if it is to say " Hi, I'm still here." A friend reminded me that I haven't been very good about writing individual letters, I plan to do better and answer all mail.
Shalom..............Bernice