Back home.

Yep, I'm home. And I'm tired. No real posting tonight. Maybe updates throughout the week on how my trip to Greece went. Bye.

Nice quiet day.

So, today wasn't really a sightseeing day. We all slept in (which everyone should do as part of a vacation), then we relaxed around the hotel grounds for most of the day. We drove into the nearby town, Agios Nicolaos (St Nicolas), for lunch and some walking and some great Greek ice cream. But that was the biggest part of the day.

It's been really muggy here today. We've been blessed with great weather throughout our time in Greece. This was the first "bad" weather day we've had, and it's tough to call it bad compared to some of the weather they're having in Paris or London or other parts of Europe this week. We're content with highs in the 80s and 90s, even if today had its touch of humidity.

Tomorrow is our final day on Crete. We don't return the rental car until the early evening, and our ferry leaves at 9PM for Athens. We arrive early Saturday morning, and then we drive with a friend up to a place called Meteora, which has some of the most incredible monasteries imaginable. Once again, photo-posting will have to wait until we're back home next week. I've shot more than 200 digital pics and I've used about 5 film rolls so far. I only brought 8 rolls with me, so I've tried to conserve them.

That's it for today. Hope your Thursday is beginning well, going well or ending well -- depending on when you read this!

Crazy driving.

Well, we're over on Crete now. It's been a great week. Lots of sun and fun and sightseeing. We rented a car, so that's allowed us to drive ALL over the island to see stuff. It also created the setting for today's hilarious moment...

I was driving this morning. To fully understand this story, you need to realize that Greek drivers -- well, they take certain liberties while driving that few Americans ever would (with the exception of some of my teenage friends, I guess). Speed limits are suggestions. Lines are recommendations. Shoulders are second lanes. And honestly, it's hard to avoi picking up some of their driving habits while here.

So... I was driving this morning. We weren't far from our destination. We came around a bend in the road, and this big-rig was driving "too slow" for our desires. So I made my way around to pass him...even though it was a double line. And you have to understand...most cars move over to the right shoulder, so you never really even leave the lane while passing another vehicle. But for SOME reason, this truck didn't.

I soon saw the reason.

There before my eyes was a police officer. He was standing next to his motorcycle, and he signaled for me to pull over. Ugh! I did. And then I played the dumb American tourist and didn't use ANY of my Greek to talk with him. I gave him my passport and my international drivers license. I then showed him our rental registration form for the car. He checked it all out, gave it back to me, thanked me and sent us on our way. That was it! No ticket, no warning statement. Nada. Rien. Tipota. Nothing.

This is the SECOND time this year that I've been pulled over by a cop yet escaped with nothing more than a warning. I'm sure there's some kind of life lesson in here somewhere. Maybe.

Headed on to Crete.

Hey folks, we're leaving Athens in just a few hours, on our way down to Crete, where we'll spend most of the next week. Athens has been a lot of fun. It's always good to see folks and visit places you haven't seen in several years. Our weather has been pretty much perfect all week long, so that's enhanced the overall experience.

A few odd notes:

1. We've encountered tortoises on this trip. Yes, tortoises. We're up to either 4 or 5 so far, and we've seen them in odd places. Not sure why they're here and why I never saw even 1 back when I lived here. Weird.

2. Ran into some rather ignorant folks at the Temple of Poseidon yesterday, out at the edge of this region. There are very clear barriers that keep guests from touching the actual temple, but these two bright individuals chose to walk past those barriers -- twice. Ugh.

3. We visited an art museum yesterday, featuring various art pieces from the 19th and 20th century here in Greece. Wasn't something I would have planned to see, but my brother thought it would be a good idea, and he was right.

Well, that's enough for no. I'll update sometime while in Crete, and pics once we're back in the States. Cya!

I'm not dead. Seriously.

Yeah, yeah...it's been way too long since I've posted! Some of you have probably dropped me off your must-read list because I've been so silent for so long.

No good excuse. But I am in Greece right now on a two-week vacation with my mom and my brother. We're having fun in Athens, seeing some fun sites and catching up with some friends over here (I lived here in 2000-2001). This weekend we head to Crete for a few days on the island, which will be fun.

I've taken a bunch of pics, but mainly with my film camera, so you'll have to wait until I get home to see those.

It's likely I'll post from time to time, depending on Internet access. It's easier to find than it used to be, but it's still a little bit of a luxury in some corners. In any case, enjoy this post and eagerly await my next one!

Healthy churches rock.

Don't you love just going to church when things are healthy? People go because they love God, they want to serve others, they want to live meaningful lives. I love that kind of atmosphere.

You know the kind of atmosphere that disgusts me? When people let their personal agendas and their wounds and their bitterness contaminate other people. That's just no fun. Sometimes there is no other answer than the back door.