Friday, October 31, 2008

Happy Halloween!

I had to write one more entry before heading off to Italy tomorrow. It’s Halloween and I just want to wish everyone a good one, whether it be sweet parties or taking dem kiddies out trick o’ treatin’! Around this time last year I was going caving in North England, ah those were good times! I miss those days, and those people. I miss everybody. But, I’m heading off to meet my Italian family back in Mirandola, to see my old friends and hopefully have some good times. I can’t wait to eat Italian food and drink good wine again (Greek wine sucks!).

It’s truly been a strange week here and I just have to say that staying with James has been the strangest situation I’ve ever encountered as a guest. I live here in his room, and when he comes home (8 hours later), he sleeps in another room! I tried to confront him about this, but he is evasive and non confrontational about the whole thing. If I had a problem with someone, I’d kick ‘em out before I go and start sleeping elsewhere. Obviously he’s in the same state as I, in that we aren’t meshing. There’s not been one argument, just… segregation. I know how I think of him since staying here, but I wonder what he thinks of me?

So anyway, I don’t know what’s in store for my future. It’s a critical time now and this thing could go any way. I don’t know what’s gonna happen. Money is low and I need work.

I know I’ve been really lazy with pics, but you’ve seen it all anyway; it’s nowhere new. I’ll get some pics of James and post ‘em, cause I don’t think I have any and at this point and I should! Oh, and I want to say my congratulations to a childhood friend, recently married- way to go Tommy! I hear the wedding was fabulous and that you rocked the dance floor, man. Enjoy the honeymoon and don’t knock her up too soon! Just kidding…

Happy Halloween!

Monday, October 27, 2008

Agli Lupoli

I've been living here in Athens for over two weeks now, staying as a guest with James in Agli Lupoli. It's been an interesting time, but I'm ready to move on. I know James is probably tired of me, and to tell you the truth the feeling is more than mutual. Actually, I'm pretty tired of Greece altogether. Athens IS a rough city, and although I tried I just haven't been able to feel like I can belong.

For starters, James is only 19 and his household is a pretty rocky environment (I know mine was back then). There's lots of drama, and not to just here but even with his crazy friends when we go out. He burns through money that his parents give him like crazy, whilst I try my best not to spend what I've worked hard for all Summer. He and his friends are very tough and seem prone to getting into fights. I know they don't like me, which is probably why I've spent these last few days sitting around the house while he's off galavanting. But it's alright, one of them is a racist whom I just can't stand, sitting there as he rants about blacks while listening to rap music like a hypocrite. I hate ignorant people. James cares mostly about status and I think the only reason he likes me or wanted me to come stay so badly is because of the guy he saw on Ios. He looked up to me I think, but that's not all of who I am- sorry to disappoint. I feel like maturity plays a big part here and I shudder to think I was that bad once. I still like the guy, but I just don't mesh in his environment. And don't get me wrong, I'm still thankful he let me come stay and see another side of Athens.

So, it's time to move on. I am heading back to Italy in a few days via ferry. Wish me luck that I don't get caught by immigration for staying in Greece longer than 3 months, or for being in the EU longer than 6. :P

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Back In Athens

Well here's the scoop~ I couldn't hack it. I got tired of it, folks. I went through over a week training, reading and writing almost every day and then going back over the material when in the end it still just wasn't what I'm looking for. I don't like it and I'm not gonna send it. Sure enough, I started heading up to town to hit up the pub- meeting people whatnot, but man as soon as it started I knew I was in trouble! But I was quick to kill my own buzz, 'cause as soon as the money started flyin' I knew it was time to get the hell out of there! I didn't work hard all Summer savin' and scrapin' only to lose it all on an all but empty island!

And so, I moved on to Athens to stay with a friend whom I met back in Summer time. His name is James. He is a Greek American from Jersey who is living in Athens until he is properly drafted into the Greek army for a year next month. I've been staying here with his family for a few days so far and already it's a very different experience compared to Athens as a tourist before. For starters, I go to coffee everyday surrounded by Greeks in a non tourist part of Athens playing/learning backgammon, eating amazing foods and trying to learn Greek but failing miserably at attracting one of the many beautiful girls attentions(so many here, believe me).

James actually comes from a unique and special family that goes back to Jersey where they were very much affiliated with Greek Mafia and used to own a club that apparently hosted Joe Pesci as a comedian but fired him at some point. Frank Sinatra also attended this club on occasion (seen pictures of both guys with the dad). At some point, James' father had to leave and return to Greece etc., etc. for whatever reason. So, here we are driving around in James' BMW convertible (whatever) without concern for police due to these past ties, living it up. What are we to do but enjoy ourselves? And yet I ask myself: who am I but a lone Californian run away? Am I destined for Office Space? I dunno. Makes the old life feel so boring....

So here I am still figuring out what to do with myself at this point. I hear the economy sucks back home; that true? Well, in the meantime I have two family names which come out of Sparta that I intend to investigate before I leave- James promised to help call and that is what we will do. I also need to figure out how get out of this fucking country without too much reprisal, but from what I understand that is becoming more and more difficult as everyone is all pissed off at America. Thus, everyone is paying more attention to illegal travelers abroad. Eh? Eh?

I'll figure out what to do but until then we'll just have to see. I do have time and until then, maybe the horizon will get a little bit brighter.