Invited to Tunisia for a Wedding August 2016
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Monday, 8 August 2016 Day 1 Rome
I arrived in Rome on the same day as I met Wiwa 5 years ago! Isn't that an amazing cosmic universal coincidence!? We went out to celebrate our anniversary last night with dinner at Trastevere.
A young man called Vincent from USA came too and shouted us dinner, what a nice guy. His only brother was a victim of America - he'd been shot and killed in a car jacking. He had a smashed up leg from a work accident that's pretty much mended now. He was a wonderful positive person, getting on with life.
I had a great afternoon of shopping yesterday! New dresses, shoes and swimming costume. I'll have a whole new wardrobe of Italian dresses for summer. I wore fabulous orange high cork wedges out. It's a jolly good thing I have flexible ankles cause I rolled over on the cobbles at least 8 times. I'm going back to flats tomorrow.
The butterfly painting for Wiwa got here safely. I only left it somewhere once - outside of customs before I came through in Sydney so they had to escort me all the way back through to get it.
And now Rome is full of butterflies! - not real ones, pictures and dresses and stuck on walls, though I suppose it's one of those things that you notice because they are already in your mind.
Wiwa has given me the best room at the hostel. It's very comfortable and I like the wall paper, it has flowers and little foxes. There is a picture of butterflies above my bed.
It's so great being here with her. She is very impressed with my Italian skills.
Oh and yoga pose of the day was viparita karani- legs up the wall, for my swollen feet.
A young man called Vincent from USA came too and shouted us dinner, what a nice guy. His only brother was a victim of America - he'd been shot and killed in a car jacking. He had a smashed up leg from a work accident that's pretty much mended now. He was a wonderful positive person, getting on with life.
I had a great afternoon of shopping yesterday! New dresses, shoes and swimming costume. I'll have a whole new wardrobe of Italian dresses for summer. I wore fabulous orange high cork wedges out. It's a jolly good thing I have flexible ankles cause I rolled over on the cobbles at least 8 times. I'm going back to flats tomorrow.
The butterfly painting for Wiwa got here safely. I only left it somewhere once - outside of customs before I came through in Sydney so they had to escort me all the way back through to get it.
And now Rome is full of butterflies! - not real ones, pictures and dresses and stuck on walls, though I suppose it's one of those things that you notice because they are already in your mind.
Wiwa has given me the best room at the hostel. It's very comfortable and I like the wall paper, it has flowers and little foxes. There is a picture of butterflies above my bed.
It's so great being here with her. She is very impressed with my Italian skills.
Oh and yoga pose of the day was viparita karani- legs up the wall, for my swollen feet.
Tuesday, 9 August 2016 Day 2 Rome
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It is so great to wake up whenever I like with no alarm. I admit, so far the Alter ego has taken over and I have only done essential yoga, legs up the wall. But I did have the girls doing yoga that night at dinner
The day was perfectly blue and very hot.
Before I went out shopping, I managed to get stuck in the lift and when I got out I pulled the handle off my door. It was a slapstick moment! Haha so funny. The boys I asked to help were from Poland or somewhere and didn't know a word of English. Wiwa came to my rescue.
I have bought out most of the shops in Rome by now. Make up, new bag (it's blue) and more shoes (soooooo comfortable).
I had a chat to a sweet old couple from Ireland who asked me the way to the Trevi Fountain and walked along my favorite cool & leafy street eating a gelato. If only Singleton had left our trees along John street, we would have had a street like that in another hundred years or so.
The best hotels are along this street & my hostel is around the corner, in the safest spot, between the huge American Embassy building and the FBI on the corner under my window.
One of Wiwa's friends picked us up and we drove out of the center of the city for dinner. We were 4 girls and one Italian boy who didn't know English which was handy at times. I would say the night was kind of Wiwa's unofficial hens night.
Tartaruga is the best word I learnt from my Italian app. It was the star word of the night. Tartaruga is turtle and another word for your tummy. Either way - if you are full your tummy is the top of the turtle shell but if you have six pac abs you have the underside of the tortoise shell. From now on there will be no more ab exercises - we will have exercises for tartaruga.
We had a delicious dinner, they had bistecca (steak) but I had my favorite tonno (tuna) pizza.
We also had wine. Life is different when I'm not the yoga teacher. Then we went to Brazil. Brazil is a bar set amongst the graffiti of Rome that serves extra potent cocktails and good music. Graffiti is the art form of the common people I see in all the places around the world.
It is different to have friends who live in the city. It is my fourth visit and I am no longer the tourist! And I know what Tartaruga is!
I'm off to Greece now. Caio.
The day was perfectly blue and very hot.
Before I went out shopping, I managed to get stuck in the lift and when I got out I pulled the handle off my door. It was a slapstick moment! Haha so funny. The boys I asked to help were from Poland or somewhere and didn't know a word of English. Wiwa came to my rescue.
I have bought out most of the shops in Rome by now. Make up, new bag (it's blue) and more shoes (soooooo comfortable).
I had a chat to a sweet old couple from Ireland who asked me the way to the Trevi Fountain and walked along my favorite cool & leafy street eating a gelato. If only Singleton had left our trees along John street, we would have had a street like that in another hundred years or so.
The best hotels are along this street & my hostel is around the corner, in the safest spot, between the huge American Embassy building and the FBI on the corner under my window.
One of Wiwa's friends picked us up and we drove out of the center of the city for dinner. We were 4 girls and one Italian boy who didn't know English which was handy at times. I would say the night was kind of Wiwa's unofficial hens night.
Tartaruga is the best word I learnt from my Italian app. It was the star word of the night. Tartaruga is turtle and another word for your tummy. Either way - if you are full your tummy is the top of the turtle shell but if you have six pac abs you have the underside of the tortoise shell. From now on there will be no more ab exercises - we will have exercises for tartaruga.
We had a delicious dinner, they had bistecca (steak) but I had my favorite tonno (tuna) pizza.
We also had wine. Life is different when I'm not the yoga teacher. Then we went to Brazil. Brazil is a bar set amongst the graffiti of Rome that serves extra potent cocktails and good music. Graffiti is the art form of the common people I see in all the places around the world.
It is different to have friends who live in the city. It is my fourth visit and I am no longer the tourist! And I know what Tartaruga is!
I'm off to Greece now. Caio.
Wednesday, 10 August 2016 Day 3 Santorini
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I'm drinking a coffee - the first of the day and it's after 6pm! It was a travel day today. Rome to Santorini, one of the Greek Islands.
I left some stuff I didn't need at the hostel to make my baggage lighter including my carry-on bag (accidentally forgot it) but neaya, I figured I can live without vegemite for a while.
At first I thought it was quiet here but as I walked towards the town the traffic is crazy.
After coffee I had Sangria, at a wine bar & cafe called Graffiti. I chatted with an Aussie couple from Adelaide who have come over for a friend's birthday party. We agreed that it very nice of our friends to make us come to celebrate special events in fabulous places.
The most fun I had, (aha there was just a pussy cat at my window) was in the shop buying a sim card. Having won over their seriousness with some of my intentionally stupid jokes, he tried on the blue hat I bought to wear on the cruise I'm going on tomorrow to the volcano in the bay, hot springs and beautiful beaches at sunset.
I practiced yoga on the yoga deck as the sky grew darker and the lights of the town came on. There were even fireworks in the distance. It felt a bit special.
Good night xoxo
I left some stuff I didn't need at the hostel to make my baggage lighter including my carry-on bag (accidentally forgot it) but neaya, I figured I can live without vegemite for a while.
At first I thought it was quiet here but as I walked towards the town the traffic is crazy.
After coffee I had Sangria, at a wine bar & cafe called Graffiti. I chatted with an Aussie couple from Adelaide who have come over for a friend's birthday party. We agreed that it very nice of our friends to make us come to celebrate special events in fabulous places.
The most fun I had, (aha there was just a pussy cat at my window) was in the shop buying a sim card. Having won over their seriousness with some of my intentionally stupid jokes, he tried on the blue hat I bought to wear on the cruise I'm going on tomorrow to the volcano in the bay, hot springs and beautiful beaches at sunset.
I practiced yoga on the yoga deck as the sky grew darker and the lights of the town came on. There were even fireworks in the distance. It felt a bit special.
Good night xoxo
Thursday, 11 August 2016
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Santorini isn't what I expected. I am just one of the entire population that seems to be made up of tourists or people who cater to the holiday makers.
It is so dry, not a green blade of grass amongst the burnt brown sun charged stalks. The grape vines lie espaliated along the ground producing abundant wine. Water is sparse but wine is plentiful.
High brown cliffs rise up out of the blue sea. The sky above is pale, a haze hangs heavily, I suspect from volcanic ash.
The atmosphere of the place is resonant of India to me. It seems to be sliding back into 3rd world status with the same indolence accompanied by manic bustle.
I am on a cruise boat headed towards a volcanic island and hot springs.
It is so dry, not a green blade of grass amongst the burnt brown sun charged stalks. The grape vines lie espaliated along the ground producing abundant wine. Water is sparse but wine is plentiful.
High brown cliffs rise up out of the blue sea. The sky above is pale, a haze hangs heavily, I suspect from volcanic ash.
The atmosphere of the place is resonant of India to me. It seems to be sliding back into 3rd world status with the same indolence accompanied by manic bustle.
I am on a cruise boat headed towards a volcanic island and hot springs.
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Wow what a day! An hours tough climb in 30° heat, scaling the side of a volcanoe, Nea Kameni with the crunching pumice under foot, hot to the touch. I encouraged myself all the way back down with the thought of a beer when I reached the ship.
Then we sailed to a swimming spot where I dived off the side of the ship into cool water. I had made a new friend by now, Manar from Syria but living in the US with her diplomatic and studious husband who had stayed behind to review a book.
As we swam further from the boat the water temperature rose till we were swimming in a warm mud bath. The mud stained me slightly orange the rest of day.
The ship called us back with its siren and we sailed onto another part of the island and docked for lunch. I am always so fortunate in companions, Manar and I enjoyed a sea food lunch, at Thirassia. With great conversation, sharing the common interest of yoga, followed by an amazing swim in the bluest water I ever swam in.
Then we sailed to a swimming spot where I dived off the side of the ship into cool water. I had made a new friend by now, Manar from Syria but living in the US with her diplomatic and studious husband who had stayed behind to review a book.
As we swam further from the boat the water temperature rose till we were swimming in a warm mud bath. The mud stained me slightly orange the rest of day.
The ship called us back with its siren and we sailed onto another part of the island and docked for lunch. I am always so fortunate in companions, Manar and I enjoyed a sea food lunch, at Thirassia. With great conversation, sharing the common interest of yoga, followed by an amazing swim in the bluest water I ever swam in.
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At the next stop I said good bye to my new friend, her tour was over, I wish she could have come with me. I continued up the side of a cliff on a donkey to the town of Oia. I did a bit of tourist shopping (a t-shirt and fridge magnet for my collection from around the world) as I walked to the place to watch the sunset.
I really needed to pee so I went into a restaurant. I climbed up their stairs and saw the most spectacular view. There were only a few tables and one didn't have a reserved notice on it. I left but then I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask and somehow it seems the table must have been waiting just for me. I had a the most delicious dinner with a glass of white wine with a spectacular view of the sun as it turned into a red orb. A young lady in a long red dress and flowing blond hair looked like a Greek goddess as she leaned out over the wall, and the other table was filled by a big family of Greeks. Everyone else was crowded along the footpath down below and clapped as the the sun was swallowed by the sea.
I have never forgotten the experience, or the day, it was one of the best days of my life.
To finish off the night I got the last seat on the bus sitting right up the front to watch the lights and life at night as we wound our long way back along narrow streets.
I really needed to pee so I went into a restaurant. I climbed up their stairs and saw the most spectacular view. There were only a few tables and one didn't have a reserved notice on it. I left but then I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask and somehow it seems the table must have been waiting just for me. I had a the most delicious dinner with a glass of white wine with a spectacular view of the sun as it turned into a red orb. A young lady in a long red dress and flowing blond hair looked like a Greek goddess as she leaned out over the wall, and the other table was filled by a big family of Greeks. Everyone else was crowded along the footpath down below and clapped as the the sun was swallowed by the sea.
I have never forgotten the experience, or the day, it was one of the best days of my life.
To finish off the night I got the last seat on the bus sitting right up the front to watch the lights and life at night as we wound our long way back along narrow streets.
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Day 5 Santorini
Yesterday when I woke up there was a red orb hanging in the sky outside my window. I dashed outside to feel the morning unfold practicing salute to the sun in the cool dawn air on the yoga deck. This morning I got up before the sun so I was ready to photograph it.
After a simple breakfast of watermelon, muesli with Greek yogurt and toast with strawberry jam (as my vegemite is in Rome) I had a Thai yoga massage. It released all the tension in my body from the long flight. I loved it so much I had another one this morning. I'm putting it on my list to learn how to do. Santorini Holistic Massage, if you are ever here. (I did learn it, at the school they recommended in Thailand - The Sunshine Massage School)
For lunch, an excellent waiter helped me choose traditional Greek food. I had lamb with fetta and capsicum and chick pea salad with purple onion. It was FABULOUS! I was stuffed. I had 2 beers too - Red Donkey beer 😊. They were so nice, they gave me my desert for free, a perfect little baklava.
When I got back to the hostel I relaxed and swam by the pool then I decided I was tired so I went to bed for my nap. I liked my little room. They only have one private room. The yoga teacher told me always yoga teachers stay in that room! I had to use a stool to climb up into the bed.
After I woke up it was time for yoga class as evening fell and the heat of the day subsided.
I met a lovely girl from Australia who didn't want to go out either so we spent the rest of the night talking.
The extraordinary stories of the people I meet never cease to amaze me. She had meningitis last December in Germany and nearly died. It left her deaf in one ear. Yet here she is travelling around the world and going back to study soon in Germany. She even said one of my life mottos "you can't live your life in fear."
After a simple breakfast of watermelon, muesli with Greek yogurt and toast with strawberry jam (as my vegemite is in Rome) I had a Thai yoga massage. It released all the tension in my body from the long flight. I loved it so much I had another one this morning. I'm putting it on my list to learn how to do. Santorini Holistic Massage, if you are ever here. (I did learn it, at the school they recommended in Thailand - The Sunshine Massage School)
For lunch, an excellent waiter helped me choose traditional Greek food. I had lamb with fetta and capsicum and chick pea salad with purple onion. It was FABULOUS! I was stuffed. I had 2 beers too - Red Donkey beer 😊. They were so nice, they gave me my desert for free, a perfect little baklava.
When I got back to the hostel I relaxed and swam by the pool then I decided I was tired so I went to bed for my nap. I liked my little room. They only have one private room. The yoga teacher told me always yoga teachers stay in that room! I had to use a stool to climb up into the bed.
After I woke up it was time for yoga class as evening fell and the heat of the day subsided.
I met a lovely girl from Australia who didn't want to go out either so we spent the rest of the night talking.
The extraordinary stories of the people I meet never cease to amaze me. She had meningitis last December in Germany and nearly died. It left her deaf in one ear. Yet here she is travelling around the world and going back to study soon in Germany. She even said one of my life mottos "you can't live your life in fear."
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Day 6 Paros Island
I enjoyed a yummy dinner last night when I found a table at last amongst the hundreds of restaurants that are all booked out.
Today, when I went out to get a quad bike they didn't have any. I finally found one but I didn't want to rent it for €50 as by then I had spent €65 euros on pair of fabulous sandals!
While I had stuffed vine leaves and souvlaki with red wine for lunch I realized what all these people are doing here!
I came to Greece because I wanted to experience another culture but there is no culture here - there are only tourists on holiday.
They are here to take a summer break from their normal lives. Like we would go up the coast to relax on a beach or maybe to Bali or Thailand - Europeans come to the Greek Islands.
Well now I don't feel guilty for wanting to nap on my big wide bed with the Mediterranean air blowing in through my door. I'm going to relax doing whatever I want. I don't even have to do yoga if I don't want to.
I brought a young writer from Singleton's book with me - Blair, The Same Daughter by April Klasen. I'm going to spend the afternoon reading.
Caio :-)
Today, when I went out to get a quad bike they didn't have any. I finally found one but I didn't want to rent it for €50 as by then I had spent €65 euros on pair of fabulous sandals!
While I had stuffed vine leaves and souvlaki with red wine for lunch I realized what all these people are doing here!
I came to Greece because I wanted to experience another culture but there is no culture here - there are only tourists on holiday.
They are here to take a summer break from their normal lives. Like we would go up the coast to relax on a beach or maybe to Bali or Thailand - Europeans come to the Greek Islands.
Well now I don't feel guilty for wanting to nap on my big wide bed with the Mediterranean air blowing in through my door. I'm going to relax doing whatever I want. I don't even have to do yoga if I don't want to.
I brought a young writer from Singleton's book with me - Blair, The Same Daughter by April Klasen. I'm going to spend the afternoon reading.
Caio :-)
God, did I really pay €65 euros for these fabulous sandals? I still wear them on special occasions.
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Ferry to Paros
My lovely, breezy room
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Monday, 15 August 2016: Day 7 Delos & Mykonos
Wow what a day.
Have you ever had a day when you fulfil a vow you made to a Goddess? I did today when I visited the sacred island of Delos, the birth place of Artemis, goddess of the moon and her twin brother Apollo.
The energy in the ground of that place was intense. The stone streets glittered with silver and gold. Ancient ruins were crumbling. The first place is the slave market, the place to gossip, where everyone gathered to see who was there and what they were wearing.
A guide showed us around for a while pointing out where the main things were and she fed her favorite cat. She was the epitome of the crazy Greek cat lady.
After walking down passed the line of guardian lions I did a little yoga in a quiet Grove where Leto gave birth to her twins, Apollo and Artemis. No one else went in there, I suppose because there weren't any ruins, just shrubs and some dragonflies. The energy is still giving me goose bumps.
From there I walked up to the museum that has some of the statues, mosaics and trinkets that were found there. Amazing.
I found a spot near the ruins of the temple to do yoga. There weren't many people around. The power and energy from the sun was more intense than I have experienced before. When I finished, I looked down into my phone and the sun created a halo behind my head, turning my wild hair gold
Everything is still rocking from my ferry ride to the islands today. I vomited 5 times on the way over. The sea was rough. It's so windy here. Thankfully the wind had calmed down by the time i came back and the rocking boat sent me to sleep, not to throw up.
Have you ever had a day when you fulfil a vow you made to a Goddess? I did today when I visited the sacred island of Delos, the birth place of Artemis, goddess of the moon and her twin brother Apollo.
The energy in the ground of that place was intense. The stone streets glittered with silver and gold. Ancient ruins were crumbling. The first place is the slave market, the place to gossip, where everyone gathered to see who was there and what they were wearing.
A guide showed us around for a while pointing out where the main things were and she fed her favorite cat. She was the epitome of the crazy Greek cat lady.
After walking down passed the line of guardian lions I did a little yoga in a quiet Grove where Leto gave birth to her twins, Apollo and Artemis. No one else went in there, I suppose because there weren't any ruins, just shrubs and some dragonflies. The energy is still giving me goose bumps.
From there I walked up to the museum that has some of the statues, mosaics and trinkets that were found there. Amazing.
I found a spot near the ruins of the temple to do yoga. There weren't many people around. The power and energy from the sun was more intense than I have experienced before. When I finished, I looked down into my phone and the sun created a halo behind my head, turning my wild hair gold
Everything is still rocking from my ferry ride to the islands today. I vomited 5 times on the way over. The sea was rough. It's so windy here. Thankfully the wind had calmed down by the time i came back and the rocking boat sent me to sleep, not to throw up.
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After amazing Delos I went to Mykonos. The view was extraordinarily beautiful with the bluest water and boats in the harbour and white houses on the hill with windmills in the distance.
But I thought it was a party island! There were no people! It was totally dead! I'd call it relaxing. It was extremely windy. Maybe the party goers were inside, sleeping. It is was a fantastic island.
When I got back I rushed up the hill to do a yoga class. Lucky me, I was the only one in the class. I'm going to go back to spend the morning doing 4 different classes.
(Oh no! I've turned into a crazy Greek cat lady - I'm feeding a cat fish for dinner under my table!)
Good night. I'm exhausted. And sunburnt.
But I thought it was a party island! There were no people! It was totally dead! I'd call it relaxing. It was extremely windy. Maybe the party goers were inside, sleeping. It is was a fantastic island.
When I got back I rushed up the hill to do a yoga class. Lucky me, I was the only one in the class. I'm going to go back to spend the morning doing 4 different classes.
(Oh no! I've turned into a crazy Greek cat lady - I'm feeding a cat fish for dinner under my table!)
Good night. I'm exhausted. And sunburnt.
I actually came all this way to take this photo. I had seen the image on line and I wanted my own photo of it.
View at lunch
Fresh lunch
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A good way to keep cool
Famous Greek Bougainvillea
Beautiful girl with the same sandals
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Thursday, 18 August 2016 Day 8 Paros to Athens
On my last day on the Greek islands I had to wake myself up from a nightmare of wrong directions, lost bags, biscuits, buses & a coke sniffing dwarf driving me in a clown-car taxi.
After I woke up I packed and checked out of my lovely room and big comfy bed at Pensione Anna and walked up to the yoga shala. I went the wrong way passed by a brown hill and a rooster and hen. But I got there.
I did what I like to do most - a morning of yoga. In a beautiful place on top of a hill on a Greek island. Not bad. By meditation time it was easy to connect with the sparkling energy of nothingness. I think it had something to do with sensing the incredible energy from Delos yesterday. It made my body tingle and surge from the ground up and out into space.
After I woke up I packed and checked out of my lovely room and big comfy bed at Pensione Anna and walked up to the yoga shala. I went the wrong way passed by a brown hill and a rooster and hen. But I got there.
I did what I like to do most - a morning of yoga. In a beautiful place on top of a hill on a Greek island. Not bad. By meditation time it was easy to connect with the sparkling energy of nothingness. I think it had something to do with sensing the incredible energy from Delos yesterday. It made my body tingle and surge from the ground up and out into space.
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Afterwards I collected the stunning dress that was being altered (the hem was being taken up). I bought it to wear to the wedding, it is clingy and I am a bit worried that as my belly grows from eating sweets all day on the day of the wedding I may pop. In case of emergency I can change into the flowing dress I bought with me.
After I collected my luggage & said good bye to Anna - the lady from the hotel, I waited at the bus station drinking an icy - a frappe. I caught the bus to Pirikea where I had lunch at the port, and caught the ferry to Athens.
The ferry was very comfortable, big and fast. I didn't get sick. I was so lucky to get a seat, it was chockers because all of Europe goes to the Greek Islands for their summer vacation. I hadn't been able to book a seat when I tried back in Australia, but there were two left when I booked on Santorini.
Getting off the ferry in Athens is crazy! Everyone waits with their baggage and the motor cycles and the cars. All waiting for the back of the ferry to lower so they can surge off all at once. It was like waiting for the starting gun at the beginning of a race, everyone jostling for their position and holding their spot in anticipation.
I caught a taxi to my hotel in Athens and to dinner at a restaurant recommended by the hotel. It was almost dark. I'm glad I'm a black belt because the streets are dark and strange.
Dinner was awful. I was surrounded by tourists again, opposite a tourist shop selling the same merchandise as the other hundreds of tourist shops. I had just sat down when they wanted my order before I had even had time to look at the menu. The waiter suggested Beef stew. If I'd had a moment to think about it I would have said no. I don't even like beef stew! But he said the Greek word for beef stew. Then they asked me to move to a different table. Then they forgot to bring my beer and my food. Then the waiter told me to hurry up and eat it. Then the man at the table next to me lit a cigarette. I bolted.
When I woke up early in the morning I was so hungry. I found the perfect breakfast cafe a few metres from the hotel. He served me coffee, scrambled eggs, ham, tomato, cheese and Greek sausage. The perfect start to one of my perfect days
After I collected my luggage & said good bye to Anna - the lady from the hotel, I waited at the bus station drinking an icy - a frappe. I caught the bus to Pirikea where I had lunch at the port, and caught the ferry to Athens.
The ferry was very comfortable, big and fast. I didn't get sick. I was so lucky to get a seat, it was chockers because all of Europe goes to the Greek Islands for their summer vacation. I hadn't been able to book a seat when I tried back in Australia, but there were two left when I booked on Santorini.
Getting off the ferry in Athens is crazy! Everyone waits with their baggage and the motor cycles and the cars. All waiting for the back of the ferry to lower so they can surge off all at once. It was like waiting for the starting gun at the beginning of a race, everyone jostling for their position and holding their spot in anticipation.
I caught a taxi to my hotel in Athens and to dinner at a restaurant recommended by the hotel. It was almost dark. I'm glad I'm a black belt because the streets are dark and strange.
Dinner was awful. I was surrounded by tourists again, opposite a tourist shop selling the same merchandise as the other hundreds of tourist shops. I had just sat down when they wanted my order before I had even had time to look at the menu. The waiter suggested Beef stew. If I'd had a moment to think about it I would have said no. I don't even like beef stew! But he said the Greek word for beef stew. Then they asked me to move to a different table. Then they forgot to bring my beer and my food. Then the waiter told me to hurry up and eat it. Then the man at the table next to me lit a cigarette. I bolted.
When I woke up early in the morning I was so hungry. I found the perfect breakfast cafe a few metres from the hotel. He served me coffee, scrambled eggs, ham, tomato, cheese and Greek sausage. The perfect start to one of my perfect days
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Day 9 Athens: The Parthenon
There are cat's everywhere in Greece. Not scaredy alley cat's, but walk around, laze around cat's of every colour. Back and white ones, orange ones, black ones, gray ones, mousy ones. I was walking along one of the beautiful shopping alleys in Paros a little cat jumped out of nowhere, batted me playfully around the legs and ran off again. It was so cute and soft and gray. I think the cats own Greece actually.
I had the most amazing day in Athens yesterday. I went on the hop on hop off bus to see over the city then joined the walking tour. The guide was so clever and handsome and passionate about Greek history and culture and philosophy. The girls in the tour group were so interested and interesting. He knew all about the things I love to know about. We learnt so much! And I was in Athens, the home of the Olympic games while the Olympics were on hearing about the battle of Marathon.
We didn't want the tour to end, we walked for 5 hours and two of us took the guide, Dimitris for a beer afterwards. We had earned it, the weather continues to be perfectly blue, hot summer weather, every day.
I had the most amazing day in Athens yesterday. I went on the hop on hop off bus to see over the city then joined the walking tour. The guide was so clever and handsome and passionate about Greek history and culture and philosophy. The girls in the tour group were so interested and interesting. He knew all about the things I love to know about. We learnt so much! And I was in Athens, the home of the Olympic games while the Olympics were on hearing about the battle of Marathon.
We didn't want the tour to end, we walked for 5 hours and two of us took the guide, Dimitris for a beer afterwards. We had earned it, the weather continues to be perfectly blue, hot summer weather, every day.
The Areopagus or Ares rock was the location of the first law courts in Athens. It is a solid marble hill and has a very significant history. According to Greek mythology, Ares was tried here in the first murder trial in history. Ares was the Greek god of war and was very unpopular because of his quick temper, aggressiveness, and unquenchable thirst for conflict. He famously seduced Aphrodite, unsuccessfully fought with Hercules, and enraged Poseidon by killing his son. He was accused of killing Halirrhothios near a stream below the Athenian acropolis. A special court was convened - the Areopagos - on a hill near the stream, to hear the case. Ares was acquitted as it was disclosed Halirrhothios had raped Ares’ daughter Alkippe. Thereafter in Athens, the Areopagus became the place of trial for cases involving murder and impiety. In later Roman times it was here that the Apostle Paul delivered his sermon against paganism and idolatry to the Athenians and converted the first Athenians to Christianity.
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After a cool beer I scaled the tall steps all the way up to the Parthenon and stayed there till the last. At sunset we were the bad tourists who had to be herded out of the monument. I met a Chinese girl, her nick name is Meow and we took photos for each other as we came down.
Having learnt all about the reason for the structure, the building materials and the history along with the light on the stones at sunset made it an incredible experience. I meditated and had a realization, clear as a bell. "You can have everything". It's true, when you align with the universe it will bring everything you could possibly want and need at the right time.
And when we came down the full moon came up. Meow had no plans and I was starving so we continued the evening together. We walked and walked till we found a beautiful spot to eat. Meow wasn't hungry but we had such a fun time together and after I finished, I wasn't hungry any more.
It was too far to walk back so I hopped in a taxi and Meow went the other direction to locate her friends. I got back to the hotel and crashed.
Having learnt all about the reason for the structure, the building materials and the history along with the light on the stones at sunset made it an incredible experience. I meditated and had a realization, clear as a bell. "You can have everything". It's true, when you align with the universe it will bring everything you could possibly want and need at the right time.
And when we came down the full moon came up. Meow had no plans and I was starving so we continued the evening together. We walked and walked till we found a beautiful spot to eat. Meow wasn't hungry but we had such a fun time together and after I finished, I wasn't hungry any more.
It was too far to walk back so I hopped in a taxi and Meow went the other direction to locate her friends. I got back to the hotel and crashed.
This is Nike's temple. Nike is the winged goddess of speed, strength and victory. The ancient Greeks did not want her flying around during battles as one minute one side would have the upper hand then swiftly the tide of the battle could change and victory could be given to the other side. A statue of the goddess was made after the victory of the Greeks over the Persians. She was sealed up in the temple as a prisoner and her wings were broken off so she couldn't fly away from Athens.
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Day 10 Athens then Rome
In the morning after I packed, I went to the cafe at the end of the street for a good breakfast again.
I decided to walk up to join the my tour guide again for the other half of his tour. I would have liked to have gone to the museum but I would be talking with someone and learning more this way. I will have to come back again, I didn't have enough time, I love the ancient history of this place.
The universe set it up so it was only the two of us for the tour in the morning. It was about the foundation of democracy, the philosophers and the some other interesting stuff about religion.
There was a byzantine church that he suggested included parts of the other ancient temples as a symbol that they they weren't trying to destroy the old religion but include it. All religions come from the same source
There is a lot of cross over of the religions. The Ascension of Mary, is a huge festival over here when Mary died and went to join her son Jesus in Heaven coincides with the same time as the festival of the Virgin goddess Athena who the Parthenon was built for and I was on Delos praying to the pagan God's the Virgin Artemis and her brother Apollo.
Dimitris & I really like each other. It was awful to have to leave him but I had a plane to catch to Rome. We are going to write. Especially as I knew Wiwa wasn't going to be in Rome, she has gone to Tunisia to prepare for the wedding. I wish I could have stayed but I couldn't afford to waste my plane ticket. And my accomodation in Rome is free. Haha, it must be because of all that praying to chaste goddesses!
I decided to walk up to join the my tour guide again for the other half of his tour. I would have liked to have gone to the museum but I would be talking with someone and learning more this way. I will have to come back again, I didn't have enough time, I love the ancient history of this place.
The universe set it up so it was only the two of us for the tour in the morning. It was about the foundation of democracy, the philosophers and the some other interesting stuff about religion.
There was a byzantine church that he suggested included parts of the other ancient temples as a symbol that they they weren't trying to destroy the old religion but include it. All religions come from the same source
There is a lot of cross over of the religions. The Ascension of Mary, is a huge festival over here when Mary died and went to join her son Jesus in Heaven coincides with the same time as the festival of the Virgin goddess Athena who the Parthenon was built for and I was on Delos praying to the pagan God's the Virgin Artemis and her brother Apollo.
Dimitris & I really like each other. It was awful to have to leave him but I had a plane to catch to Rome. We are going to write. Especially as I knew Wiwa wasn't going to be in Rome, she has gone to Tunisia to prepare for the wedding. I wish I could have stayed but I couldn't afford to waste my plane ticket. And my accomodation in Rome is free. Haha, it must be because of all that praying to chaste goddesses!
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Anyway I arrived in Rome and was swept up by the moment. Everyone at the hostel was having a great time together,as travellers do while drinking wine and sharing stories and thoughts.
I went to an amazing event that a tall young man from USA had heard about. A piano concert at the Theatre of Marcellus, a grand piano was placed at the foot of an ancient stadium. The music included Mozart, Beethoven and Gershwin. Fabulous and exclusive as it was, it only cost €15.
And then the full moon came up. We walked to see it above the Colosseum & caught the metro back.
I went to an amazing event that a tall young man from USA had heard about. A piano concert at the Theatre of Marcellus, a grand piano was placed at the foot of an ancient stadium. The music included Mozart, Beethoven and Gershwin. Fabulous and exclusive as it was, it only cost €15.
And then the full moon came up. We walked to see it above the Colosseum & caught the metro back.
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Day 11 Rome
Today I went to my most favorite place in the world. The Villa Borghese Gallery and gardens. This is the best gallery I ever been to. It never disappoints me, I am always surprised and refreshed when I come.
I was never allowed to take photos before and had to sneak them before the guard came up saying "no photos".
this time I was allowed to take as many as I liked so I have heaps.
And as I stayed till last I even had me time alone with my favorite sculptures and slipped in a little bit of yoga. That took guts! I put the camera on timer an a chair. Just once I asked a Chinese man to take one for me with my favorite painting. I didn't think they would mind because Chinese people love to take photos.
I had lunch in the gardens then slept the rest of the afternoon.
In the night I went with my friend Anna to her work at a hotel, she was waiting for a family to check in. We ordered pizza on the way and had it delivered.
On the way home we went through Piazza Navona, home of the fountain of the four rivers. It is unbelievable that in all my visits to Rome I have not been there before. I feel better now that I have. It is the picture on my favorite place mat at the studio.
We called in for a gelato at a shop with 100 flavors and walked all the way back to the hostel and bed.
I was never allowed to take photos before and had to sneak them before the guard came up saying "no photos".
this time I was allowed to take as many as I liked so I have heaps.
And as I stayed till last I even had me time alone with my favorite sculptures and slipped in a little bit of yoga. That took guts! I put the camera on timer an a chair. Just once I asked a Chinese man to take one for me with my favorite painting. I didn't think they would mind because Chinese people love to take photos.
I had lunch in the gardens then slept the rest of the afternoon.
In the night I went with my friend Anna to her work at a hotel, she was waiting for a family to check in. We ordered pizza on the way and had it delivered.
On the way home we went through Piazza Navona, home of the fountain of the four rivers. It is unbelievable that in all my visits to Rome I have not been there before. I feel better now that I have. It is the picture on my favorite place mat at the studio.
We called in for a gelato at a shop with 100 flavors and walked all the way back to the hostel and bed.
Day 12 Ostia
I was so proud of myself, I found my way to Ostia all by self. I got the metro from Barberini, changed lines at Termini, changed to a train then got on a bus (because everybody else was) and ended up the beach at Ostia.
They have a funny attitude at the beach, they just lie around on deck chairs under umbrellas. No one swims and if the do they just stand in the water, which is not very deep. I did not like this attitude so I had a swim far out and back then caught the bus back to the train. Also the club owns the beach so you have to pay.
I travelled 4 stops to Ostia Antica and walked to the ruined city. It is like Pompeii but much better preserved. There are many buildings to see, street pavements, mosaics and some headless statues. Lots of stairs to climb and alleys to explore. I spent quite a few hours walking around in the sun under my blue parasol quietly exploring.
They have a funny attitude at the beach, they just lie around on deck chairs under umbrellas. No one swims and if the do they just stand in the water, which is not very deep. I did not like this attitude so I had a swim far out and back then caught the bus back to the train. Also the club owns the beach so you have to pay.
I travelled 4 stops to Ostia Antica and walked to the ruined city. It is like Pompeii but much better preserved. There are many buildings to see, street pavements, mosaics and some headless statues. Lots of stairs to climb and alleys to explore. I spent quite a few hours walking around in the sun under my blue parasol quietly exploring.
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When I came back to Rome we spent the evening in the hostel together drinking wine. We kept wanting to go out but not going. Eventually about midnight I got starving and took off to buy pizza. I brought them back to share. I was overwhelmed by their love! Because I brought back pizza! Haha. I had a beer too because I was a bit sick of wine.
About 3am we did go out for some fresh air and ended up bathing in the fountains. We tried to get in the Trevi Fountain but we only got as far as our feet before the polizia stopped us with their whistle, though we tried to pretend not to hear. We went and found some more friendly fountains. We had so much fun 😂😂😂
About 3am we did go out for some fresh air and ended up bathing in the fountains. We tried to get in the Trevi Fountain but we only got as far as our feet before the polizia stopped us with their whistle, though we tried to pretend not to hear. We went and found some more friendly fountains. We had so much fun 😂😂😂
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Day 13 Castel St Angelo and Trastevere
In the morning, after frolicking in the Roman fountains we all gradually surfaced and we made a plan to go to the catacombs. But as it took Natasha so long to get ready and we didn't want to leave her behind, time gradually slipped away and we wouldn't have had enough time to see them before they close for lunch.
I had a brainwave that we could go to Castelo St Angelo. We were at the right bus stop and then had a lovely shaded walk along the Tiber.
We had plenty of time to explore the fort and met Patrick on the terrace under the angel at midday.
Then we went to Trastevere all together for lunch. A big happy bunch of travellers. All different personality types and from different countries. It was fun.
We spent the late afternoon back at the hostel resting - well that's what I did.
In the night Minu cooked us dinner and they drank wine and vodka, playing drinking games. I had beer. I was a bit sick of drinking by now.
I sent Wiwa a message saying I would see her tomorrow and she replied she thought it was the day after. She was right. I had entered the wrong day in my diary. I wasn't leaving, I had another whole day in Rome. Lucky that she made me check or I would have gone to catch the plane!
I had a brainwave that we could go to Castelo St Angelo. We were at the right bus stop and then had a lovely shaded walk along the Tiber.
We had plenty of time to explore the fort and met Patrick on the terrace under the angel at midday.
Then we went to Trastevere all together for lunch. A big happy bunch of travellers. All different personality types and from different countries. It was fun.
We spent the late afternoon back at the hostel resting - well that's what I did.
In the night Minu cooked us dinner and they drank wine and vodka, playing drinking games. I had beer. I was a bit sick of drinking by now.
I sent Wiwa a message saying I would see her tomorrow and she replied she thought it was the day after. She was right. I had entered the wrong day in my diary. I wasn't leaving, I had another whole day in Rome. Lucky that she made me check or I would have gone to catch the plane!
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Day 14 Last day in Rome
The group was splitting up and moving onto different cities. A couple of them had a few hours to fill in but it was super hot outside, too hot to wander around. I suggested we could go up to the Borghese gardens where the leafy trees make it lovely and cool. They liked the idea but needed a few more minutes to get ready.
I went back down to my room to do a few things like hanging my washing to dry in a different spot and put on deodorant. When I went back up to meet them, they had gone without me. I was a bit hurt. I had taken such good care of them. I gave Natasha pawpaw cream for her mosquito bites and insect repellent and I'd given them both Indian head massages and I went out and bought them all pizza before getting in the fountains. And we had such a fun time in the fountains.
Anyway, my true gang was there, Danny arrived and Minu made us yummy scrambled eggs. I thought of going to the forum or shopping but it was too hot. I packed my suitcases and slept most of the day. It was good. And I did a session of yoga for Minu.
We had a plan for the evening so I needed to save my legs and my energy.
Me, Minu and Danny set off to find our way to the highest spot in Rome. We would have preferred to go on the bus but we ended up walking or we would have missed the sunset. It was a long climb and we made it just in time to see the entire city laid out below turned orange.
Coming down was definitely easier than going up. We had dinner at Trastevere again, it's the nicest part of the city, more for Roman's than tourists.
My tiramasu tried to kill me! All day long Minu had been trying to convince me that it is easy to die and I disagreed. And then I inhaled the cocoa on top of my desert and couldn't breath! But I lived to tell the tale. Though now I must agree, it is easy to die!
We stopped to listen to some beautiful music. I bought their CD'S for us for yoga and talked to the girl for a few minutes. It was another one of those instants that a spiritual connection is formed in a moment.
We walked down to the edge of the Tiber where they have music and stalls. It was really great. We stopped to smoke shisha and drink mint tea.
We were lucky to get the bus back and there was an adorable baby who blew kisses to every single person on the bus. She was so cute.
Ben had asked us to meet him at the hostel to drink wine but we didn't get back in time.
Minu had to stay up to wait for a check-in that didn't arrive. We went to bed early for once at 1 o'clock.
I went back down to my room to do a few things like hanging my washing to dry in a different spot and put on deodorant. When I went back up to meet them, they had gone without me. I was a bit hurt. I had taken such good care of them. I gave Natasha pawpaw cream for her mosquito bites and insect repellent and I'd given them both Indian head massages and I went out and bought them all pizza before getting in the fountains. And we had such a fun time in the fountains.
Anyway, my true gang was there, Danny arrived and Minu made us yummy scrambled eggs. I thought of going to the forum or shopping but it was too hot. I packed my suitcases and slept most of the day. It was good. And I did a session of yoga for Minu.
We had a plan for the evening so I needed to save my legs and my energy.
Me, Minu and Danny set off to find our way to the highest spot in Rome. We would have preferred to go on the bus but we ended up walking or we would have missed the sunset. It was a long climb and we made it just in time to see the entire city laid out below turned orange.
Coming down was definitely easier than going up. We had dinner at Trastevere again, it's the nicest part of the city, more for Roman's than tourists.
My tiramasu tried to kill me! All day long Minu had been trying to convince me that it is easy to die and I disagreed. And then I inhaled the cocoa on top of my desert and couldn't breath! But I lived to tell the tale. Though now I must agree, it is easy to die!
We stopped to listen to some beautiful music. I bought their CD'S for us for yoga and talked to the girl for a few minutes. It was another one of those instants that a spiritual connection is formed in a moment.
We walked down to the edge of the Tiber where they have music and stalls. It was really great. We stopped to smoke shisha and drink mint tea.
We were lucky to get the bus back and there was an adorable baby who blew kisses to every single person on the bus. She was so cute.
Ben had asked us to meet him at the hostel to drink wine but we didn't get back in time.
Minu had to stay up to wait for a check-in that didn't arrive. We went to bed early for once at 1 o'clock.
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Day 15 to Tunisia
I packed what I thought I would need for a week in Tunisia and Sicily, including the beautiful dress I bought in Greece to wear to the wedding. I had a spare dress also in the luggage and shoes I had bought in Rome - high orange shoes that would go perfectly with either. I left the rest of my stuff at the hostel to collect before flying home.
I woke up 10 minutes late and kept getting later and later. I'm running a bit late by the time I leave the hostel. I'm quickly adding someone to facebook and answering a message from Wiwa to say I'm about to leave - she is already in Tunis and will be waiting for me at the airport.
I'm running a bit later as I have to wait for the bus. And I'm running a bit latter still because an accident on the expressway is holding up the traffic.
But I get there before they close the check in gates and arrive at the boarding gates with 5 minutes to spare. Time to buy a packet of chips at the vending machine - though guys - I wish someone had mentioned to buy the VODKA!
Plenty of time!
In Tunisia I discovered they speak French and Tunisian Arabic. I've been trying to learn Italian because my friends all speak in Italian. If I concentrate very hard i can pick up what they are saying.
I also discovered that my luggage didn't arrive with me, probably they didn't have time to put it on the plane. It is fortunate that I was wearing a pretty dress with butterflies on because we went out to dinner and dancing at a night club.
It was amazzzzzing! First there was a band. They played so well. Then me and Anna and her friend, Diago came with me to wade in the pool. We were at a resort. It helped my feet to recover. My feet aren't used to so much walking, miles & miles & miles every day.
I feel so loved. We dance and hold hands and dance all together. These are my girls. It is strange to have to come so far for a girls night out, I don't know why it is but it just is. It is so wonderful to see them again and meet new girls too. I love them all.
And the boys are Youssef's friends and brothers from Lebanon. And family friends. We danced and drank and sat on the wall and talked and laughed and we're all together so happy.
I woke up 10 minutes late and kept getting later and later. I'm running a bit late by the time I leave the hostel. I'm quickly adding someone to facebook and answering a message from Wiwa to say I'm about to leave - she is already in Tunis and will be waiting for me at the airport.
I'm running a bit later as I have to wait for the bus. And I'm running a bit latter still because an accident on the expressway is holding up the traffic.
But I get there before they close the check in gates and arrive at the boarding gates with 5 minutes to spare. Time to buy a packet of chips at the vending machine - though guys - I wish someone had mentioned to buy the VODKA!
Plenty of time!
In Tunisia I discovered they speak French and Tunisian Arabic. I've been trying to learn Italian because my friends all speak in Italian. If I concentrate very hard i can pick up what they are saying.
I also discovered that my luggage didn't arrive with me, probably they didn't have time to put it on the plane. It is fortunate that I was wearing a pretty dress with butterflies on because we went out to dinner and dancing at a night club.
It was amazzzzzing! First there was a band. They played so well. Then me and Anna and her friend, Diago came with me to wade in the pool. We were at a resort. It helped my feet to recover. My feet aren't used to so much walking, miles & miles & miles every day.
I feel so loved. We dance and hold hands and dance all together. These are my girls. It is strange to have to come so far for a girls night out, I don't know why it is but it just is. It is so wonderful to see them again and meet new girls too. I love them all.
And the boys are Youssef's friends and brothers from Lebanon. And family friends. We danced and drank and sat on the wall and talked and laughed and we're all together so happy.
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Day 16 Lost luggage and shopping
I land at Carthage airport. But my luggage does not. Poor Wiwa is outside the gates waiting for me but it takes me about 2 hours from the time my plane touched down till the time I can go out to see her.
She is allowed back through to help me fill out my luggage claim, to help with the language. The lost luggage claim guy was really cute, I asked Wiwa if I could invite him to dinner. Wiwa translated to me that he was not used to people being nice to him in his job as they are usually angry. It wasn't his fault my luggage was misplaced, there was no reason to be angry, it would not make my luggage appear. Anger only makes everyone feel bad.
There was a big family and friends dinner that night. Luckily I had put on a pretty dress that morning, white with butterflies. I wore it for two whole days and to the party. That party was extraordinary.
So there's me with one dress and everything that was essential in my hand bag. It was like a magician's sack, when ever someone needed something, I magically pulled it out of the bag. Bandaids, the right shade of lipstick, hair band, headache tablet, whatever, the bag had it.
The next afternoon provided me with with my own very special treat. I waited patiently. Youseff had told me that something was being organized and I would be able to go somewhere to buy some things.
There didn't seem to be anywhere I could buy nickers or even a toothbrush. We were staying in a sandy beach apartment. Right on the white sands of Korba beach. I had washed my undies and dried them in the hot sun on the terrace before anyone else got up. Haha!
After lunch, Wiwa, beckoned me as she and Youseff bundled into the back of the car. I ran upstairs for my shoes and bag and set off with Youseff's mum and dad in the front.
We went to an extraordinary bazaar, just like in the movies. Shisha, carpets, dresses & clothes, trinkets & jewelry.
I had about an hour and half on my own to do some serious shopping.
First on the list was golden shoes. Then a swimsuit. I couldn't find shorts but I got a perfect traditional dress that I wore for the next 3 days. It was so airy, it stayed fresh. I also bought a fridge magnet for my around the world collection. And a pink sheet that doubled as a towel, dress and bed sheet. (Everything dries really fast in the hot white sun).
Then we all set off on a special task. It is the tradition of their culture for the grooms family to buy the bride a necklace. We hunted in every jewelry shop. I think they knew where they wanted to get it from in the end but needed to see others too. What they bought in the end was exquisite. Gold encrusted with diamonds and earrings and bracelet to match. So suitable for Wiwa, my Tunisian Princess.
And it was a special time for me to spend with her and Youseff's family.
We passed a lingerie shop & I got 3 pairs of underpants. I felt much better knowing I now owned underwear.
While they were in the shop buying the jewels I went for a skulk around. I found another lingerie shop with a girl who helped me buy a strapless bra. She was amazed that I had a Tunisian friend and had come all this way for a wedding.
I needed a strapless bra because the whole miracle of this lost luggage story is that in the luggage in Rome I had left behind a beautiful dress that I didn't think I would need.
We had called Anna and asked her if she could go by the hostel and get it out of the bag. Which she did, and it was lucky she did as she hadn't remembered her passport and she picked it up at the same time.
The beautiful $1.50 silk dress from the op shop looked stunning among my other stunning girls at the wedding.
She is allowed back through to help me fill out my luggage claim, to help with the language. The lost luggage claim guy was really cute, I asked Wiwa if I could invite him to dinner. Wiwa translated to me that he was not used to people being nice to him in his job as they are usually angry. It wasn't his fault my luggage was misplaced, there was no reason to be angry, it would not make my luggage appear. Anger only makes everyone feel bad.
There was a big family and friends dinner that night. Luckily I had put on a pretty dress that morning, white with butterflies. I wore it for two whole days and to the party. That party was extraordinary.
So there's me with one dress and everything that was essential in my hand bag. It was like a magician's sack, when ever someone needed something, I magically pulled it out of the bag. Bandaids, the right shade of lipstick, hair band, headache tablet, whatever, the bag had it.
The next afternoon provided me with with my own very special treat. I waited patiently. Youseff had told me that something was being organized and I would be able to go somewhere to buy some things.
There didn't seem to be anywhere I could buy nickers or even a toothbrush. We were staying in a sandy beach apartment. Right on the white sands of Korba beach. I had washed my undies and dried them in the hot sun on the terrace before anyone else got up. Haha!
After lunch, Wiwa, beckoned me as she and Youseff bundled into the back of the car. I ran upstairs for my shoes and bag and set off with Youseff's mum and dad in the front.
We went to an extraordinary bazaar, just like in the movies. Shisha, carpets, dresses & clothes, trinkets & jewelry.
I had about an hour and half on my own to do some serious shopping.
First on the list was golden shoes. Then a swimsuit. I couldn't find shorts but I got a perfect traditional dress that I wore for the next 3 days. It was so airy, it stayed fresh. I also bought a fridge magnet for my around the world collection. And a pink sheet that doubled as a towel, dress and bed sheet. (Everything dries really fast in the hot white sun).
Then we all set off on a special task. It is the tradition of their culture for the grooms family to buy the bride a necklace. We hunted in every jewelry shop. I think they knew where they wanted to get it from in the end but needed to see others too. What they bought in the end was exquisite. Gold encrusted with diamonds and earrings and bracelet to match. So suitable for Wiwa, my Tunisian Princess.
And it was a special time for me to spend with her and Youseff's family.
We passed a lingerie shop & I got 3 pairs of underpants. I felt much better knowing I now owned underwear.
While they were in the shop buying the jewels I went for a skulk around. I found another lingerie shop with a girl who helped me buy a strapless bra. She was amazed that I had a Tunisian friend and had come all this way for a wedding.
I needed a strapless bra because the whole miracle of this lost luggage story is that in the luggage in Rome I had left behind a beautiful dress that I didn't think I would need.
We had called Anna and asked her if she could go by the hostel and get it out of the bag. Which she did, and it was lucky she did as she hadn't remembered her passport and she picked it up at the same time.
The beautiful $1.50 silk dress from the op shop looked stunning among my other stunning girls at the wedding.
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We hired traditional wedding costumes to wear to the party the next night so I had some other clothes to wear the day after as well (minus the gold waist coat).
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Eventually we went to a supermarket and I was able to buy some shampoo and razors and toothbrush. The girls all lent me little things like sunblock and soap and body lotion.
We went back to the market with the others another day. I bought a pink sun hat and a beach bag to put all my stuff in.
It was so liberating not having my luggage. I didn't have the responsibility of dragging around a great big bag of stuff. (Mostly shopping I had done in Rome and Greece hehe).
After a few days they phoned Wiwa to say the luggage had eventually arrived at the airport but we decided to leave it there. I was doing better than fine without it and it was too far to go and get it.
The wedding party had gradually departed over a few days. The wedding went for three days. After we vacated the beach house, there were 4 of us left. I booked a tiny place in Tunis for the night. I thanked my lucky stars I didn't have to drag my heavy bag through the narrow winding cobbled alleyways. I only had a purse and a beach bag.
We went back to the market with the others another day. I bought a pink sun hat and a beach bag to put all my stuff in.
It was so liberating not having my luggage. I didn't have the responsibility of dragging around a great big bag of stuff. (Mostly shopping I had done in Rome and Greece hehe).
After a few days they phoned Wiwa to say the luggage had eventually arrived at the airport but we decided to leave it there. I was doing better than fine without it and it was too far to go and get it.
The wedding party had gradually departed over a few days. The wedding went for three days. After we vacated the beach house, there were 4 of us left. I booked a tiny place in Tunis for the night. I thanked my lucky stars I didn't have to drag my heavy bag through the narrow winding cobbled alleyways. I only had a purse and a beach bag.
28th August 2016 Tunis
Eventually I was reunited with my baggage at the airport. It was stored safely in a big room filled with luggage.
I took it to Sicily and then flew to Rome early in the morning. Then I got the train to La Controra to get the rest of the stuff that was being minded there and said good bye to Minu. Back to the airport in good time to book my luggage to fly back to Sydney.
Part 3
You might think this is the end of the saga. But you would be wrong.
When I arrived in Sydney, guess what?
My luggage didn't arrive with me. Haha. Free as a bird. I travel for a month all around the Mediterranean and arrive back with a small back pack and a beach bag. A few days later a little man knocked at my door in Singleton with my luggage.
And the moral of the story?
#Practice non attachment to material objects.
#The universe will provide you with everything you need just when you need it.
#Don't carry your baggage around, metaphorically speaking.
#Or my favorite, let someone else mind your baggage for you.
FREEDOM!!!!!
P.s. in my bag i have with me is a statuette I bought in Greece of Nike, winged Goddess of Victory.
I took it to Sicily and then flew to Rome early in the morning. Then I got the train to La Controra to get the rest of the stuff that was being minded there and said good bye to Minu. Back to the airport in good time to book my luggage to fly back to Sydney.
Part 3
You might think this is the end of the saga. But you would be wrong.
When I arrived in Sydney, guess what?
My luggage didn't arrive with me. Haha. Free as a bird. I travel for a month all around the Mediterranean and arrive back with a small back pack and a beach bag. A few days later a little man knocked at my door in Singleton with my luggage.
And the moral of the story?
#Practice non attachment to material objects.
#The universe will provide you with everything you need just when you need it.
#Don't carry your baggage around, metaphorically speaking.
#Or my favorite, let someone else mind your baggage for you.
FREEDOM!!!!!
P.s. in my bag i have with me is a statuette I bought in Greece of Nike, winged Goddess of Victory.