Ahhh, it's been a while.


Look closely at this fountain. Now, take a look at where the water is coming out... look closelier...

Milano

Went to Milan this weekend, finally, which is something I’ve wanted to do for a while now; didn’t think I’d get the chance. I stayed with a girl I met back on Ios, Marta, who showed me around the city where I saw a church (big surprise), some big ass graveyard, the football stadium and of course THAT fabulous shopping strip! Actually, the city wasn’t anything too spectacular (sorry Milano), but I had a nice trip. I didn’t even bring my camera along the little tour Marta gave me, so no pics. Sorry about that! But like I said: nothing missed.

I stayed in the heart of the city, which is pretty modern so pretty boring. Boston is probably the largest urban-type city I’ve seen and have to compare with, and Boston was definitely more interesting than Milan- what wit all dem’ brick buildings and all!

Overall, it was a nice weekend. I had some good wine, thick-dough pizza (as opposed to the thin, southern style), panini and possibly the best Tiramisu I’ve ever had (we went to some famous restaurant for the last two, called Primo Guisto).

Not much else going atm, but maybe I'll head to Florence next weekend and visit good ole' Chris Lee, who is apparently here working or studying- or something. It would be good to see my old friend, who showed me the path way back in the genesis of my travels. If not for him, well, all might have been lost..

Back in Mirandola

I arrived safely in Ancona last week without any problems with immigration, lucky me. From there, I headed straight to Mirandola to see my old friends and the Benatti family. The older brother, Nico, hasn’t changed much but Freddy is definitely taller and stronger! Stefano has lost weight; I would say about 30 pounds! Whereas I used to compare him to Tony Soprano, now I would say he’s more of a Silvio. Eugenia is the same, ever so sweet. Paltro’s got a girlfriend, but it’s good to see him nonetheless. I have missed Mirandola, and all my old friends! I even went to a super market that I used to patron and a guy named Mario -who always used to hook me up with free bottles of wine- recognized me, and, of course he gave me a bottle of Montepulciano to boot! I’ve missed Italy, let the wine flow!

I was under the impression that I’d be here as a visitor for roughly one month, but as it turns out Eugenia thought I was coming to teach English again. This was a bit of a shock because I was prepared to head home, money is low and times are tough. What a break! I told Eugenia that I wanted to think about it- another Christmas/New year’s away from the family, away from home. But hey, I need the money and it feels right. I guess not ready to come home yet, so don’t ask! I don’t even know what I’ll do next. I have a few ideas/possibilities, but I’m here ‘til January and for now that’s all I know.

So it’s been a week now and I’m already getting into the groove. No word from James, but that was expected. I promised some pictures from my stay in Athens which are now posted below, so there ya go. I’ll take some pics of Mirandola next week. Ciao~

Photos o' Athens

This is James.
This is James' beamer- makes it pretty fun to ride around Athens. He's a pretty crazy driver too, but seemed to know what he was doing...
James' room where I sometimes spent an excess of 20 hours.
My mobile home. As you can see it's gotten a little fat, need to put it on a diet.

Found this in one of them black market shops in the center of Athens: 70% absinthe and made using 30% wormwood (apparently). I'm quite sure that it's not legal, but it was fun to try. As you can see it came in a dropper, which we used to mix into cokes. We didn't hallucinate at all, but I have to aggree with the info on wikipedia- absinthe creates a sort of lucid-state of drunkeness, where you don't feel stupid-drunk, but rather quit coherent mentally, and nor are you inhibited quite as much in the physical sense.
Went out clubbing on occasion, renting out tables and spending way too much money on alcohol and trying to be big shots (well not so much me, but you get the idea).

James' gun. It used to be his grandfathers and is still wanted by the police for whatever reason. Notice the clip is loaded with live bullets. I wanted to go and shoot it somewhere, but he wasn't keen. Crazy malaka...

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!

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

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.