Not working is kind of the best... Sort of...

It seems like I just got back from Greece a few days ago, but it's been almost three weeks! The good news is I've been busy with a contract that should earn me some money. Actually, I should say great news since July 29 was my last official day on the ALU payroll and today I received my last paycheck. I'm now officially unemployed.

Aside from bearing the stigma of lazy, unemployed drain on the American taxpayer, I'm very much enjoying my "time off." I've been able to visit my mom, who is recovering from surgery, and take care of some updates on the home front -- including painting my bedroom purple and planning more redecoration projects and furniture purchases. Most of these projects are on hold since my extended work-free sabbatical is unpaid. But I should be getting my severance check shortly, so I can pretend to have money once again.

I'm also planning my next big trip. The less than 24 hours I spent in London on the way back from Athens has me thinking about heading back in the spring. The plan: rent an apartment in London for at least 2 weeks and take time to see the sights. Hopefully, I can bamboozle some friends into joining me so we can split the cost.

I have also finally had time to post a few of my Greece photos to my Flickr page. Check out the slideshow.

Mykonos: Santorini's Bastard Cousin with a Drinking Problem

Arrived in Mykonos a couple of days ago. I'd be more specific but unemployment + vacation = having no idea what day of the week it is, which is quite nice I must say. I went on a tour, which confirmed my opinion that it's no Santorini. Plus, plus we found out that 15 years ago or so, much of what we saw on the island wasn't there. In many sections of "Old Town," cobblestone is painted onto the streets and the electrical wiring is actually inside the white stucco walls (as opposed to wild configurations of wiring and cable strewn everywhere like in Santorini). They do have an interesting mascot -- the pelican. They are down to two after one got hit by a car last summer. Not surprising. The drivers here are terrifying.

What Mykonos has to offer is nightclubs. Lots of nightclubs. Plus, storefronts selling t-shirts with wacky messages about being in nightclubs and picking up your evening hook-up in nightclubs. Offering opportunities for drinking, partying, and exposing one's self to a variety of international STDs appears to be it's most lucrative industry. That being said -- good times. At least until you have to find a taxi at 4 a.m. because the buses stop running at 2 but the party goes all night. Literally, all night.

Yesterday, we took a ferry to Dalos, an old island that was the original point of commerce into Europe. There are ruins, and it's incredibly hot. There is also some pretty hardcore brush with brambles, which you don't notice until you take a wrong turn and have to scramble up and down ancient ruins with stickers in your pants. But it was fun, and we made it back without incident.

Arrived back in Athens today by boat. Tour of the city and Acropolis tomorrow.

Bouncing back, baby

So after climbing the steps in Santorini, I thought it would be a good idea to go out on the town. And it was -- though probably not until 5:30 a.m. (No photos of the evening will ever see the light of day.) Having been told that we didn't need to leave until about 11 a.m., I was struggling when I woke up at 9:30 and found out we had to be packed and on the bus by 10. I made it before having a slight meltdown on the ferry to Mykonos. As Laura was WAY under the weather, I loaded our bags onto the ferry because she was too sick to handle her bags and stay in line. I'm very glad she and I buck the female trend and pack light. Dragging 3 bags plus my camera bag up that ramp was a nightmare. Plus, I couldn't see Laura and thought, "What if she's passed out in the ferry depot?" Luckily, she made it. I made it and then passed out in my seat with my iPod.

Mykonos isn't nearly as scenic as Santorini and apparently, its greatest offering to the world is over-the-top crazy nightlife. After my night in Santorini, I'm not sure I can handle Mykonos night life, but may go out in a more controlled fashion tonight. Today, we changed rooms because someone else on our trip isn't handling Mykonos very well. One of the women in our group was sharing a two-room suite with a couple of guys who didn't make it in until 8:15 a.m. One of them stumbled in and passed out in her room. So now, we've switched and moved into the suite.

Good news is that Laura is feeling better and actually made it out to the beach for lunch. Opa!

Laura and her non-flu

-- Post From My iPhone

Me Santorini My Feet

Ammoudi & Sweat

After some very planned days, today I decided to relax and sit out by our pool, read, and take in the scenery without climbing on and off of a tour bus. Some friends and I ended up heading to what is now my favorite spot in Santorini -- the Ammoudi port to watch the fishing boats, eat lunch, and head to what passes for a beach on Santorini. It's more of a rocky shore next to a swimming hole.

To get there, we hoofed it down about 300 steps from Oia down to the bay. We were told it would take about an hour, maybe longer, but we kicked ass and made it in 20 minutes - very nearly beating the other half of the group that decided to cab it. The best part was that we also made it back up those 300 steps in the same time -- sweating profusely as there is NO shade and this is the west facing side of the island.

Unfortunately, vacation roommate Laura didn't make it -- even though this was her idea. She has some sort of illness that we dare not name for fear of quarantine. I thought I'd get her something at the pharmacy, but was told that if she should go straight to a hospital or clinic. There are tremendous fears of the swine flu here. Hopefully, she'll be feeling better before we ferry to Mykonos tomorrow.

Pictures to come. Having issues getting my camera photos online. However, I did get one photo with my phone of my feet (got to have proof I was there) by the water. Will post shortly.

Don't know how they do it

I can't believe how late some of the others can stay out. 4 am every night? I was in bed by midnight and I still haven't gotten over the jet lag. On the upside, the hotel is beautiful and Santorini is gorgeous.

Here are some pics from our bus tour. I'll have better pics on Flickr that I took with my regular camera.

Lucky traveller

It's amazing that I'm actually going to make my flight to Athens. First, I missed my flight due to Dallas traffic. Then, I got put on the direct flight to London, and it left 2 hours late. But I made it and now just one flight to go. I'm tired and I smell, but since I'm now in Europe, I don't expect anyone to notice the second part.

-- Post From My iPhone