The Smell of Fresh Grappa in the Morning

I sat at a small table, looking at a developing elephant fetus on the TV. I was getting a second shot while still trying to finish my morning coffee - NesCafe, of course. And this was all before noon.
But this is how my trip is ending....
We left Rome Thursday morning, Aegan airlines went on strike, so we either could go to Athens and spend the night, or stay in Rome. We decided to go to Athens, although we had no idea where we were going to sleep. Once we landed at 5.30 pm, (our original flight was scheduled for 11.00 am) we got on a shuttle to a nearby Holiday Inn. We got a free night stay and dinner and breakfast. Also, as soon as we found out there was an indoor pool, we ran thru the hotel, like gleeful little children and jumped in. I showed off my best breaststroke and doggie paddle.
The next morning we got to Mykonos. The flight from Athens was 20 minutes long.
That day we just walked all over the "old town", "new port" and "old port". This took all of about 20 minutes. Pretty small place. Our hostel owner had hooked us up with some places to eat and drink at, which was nice. She said the next day we should rent a 4 wheeler and discover the island.
And that's what we did the next day. We rode all over the West side of the island, finding a bajillion more secret local spots, secret beaches and everything else. But it was far too windy to go swimming, so we just laid on the beach, jeans pulled up to mid shin, sinking our feet into the sand and when ambitious enough, dipping our toes in the Meditteranean water. That night we tried to find some nightlife, but alas, we are here in the off season. We are the tourists before the tourists arrive. Everyone in Mykonos is painting their doors and shutters. And the buildings are getting a fresh coat of white paint. The paint colors include a siena red, lime green, deep lilac, periwinkle, blood red, cerulean and baby blue.
This morning we had to check out. We then rode our 4 wheeler back into town, returning it to Posideon motor rental. After that we passed Cosmos Bar for the fiftieth time. This is a local bar it seems, where only the town drunks hang out. All men over 50, drunk as skunks, drinking and playing traditional greek music, if not on the speakers above.

Megan said, "do you think we could have breakfast there?"
You only live once i said.

We were the only ones in there not over 50 not greek not men and not tipsy. As soon as we wandered in the drunk owner approached us, with a huge smile, telling us to sit down, asking us what we wanted. He asked then yelled "Coffee, coffee?" then had us go behind the bar and make our own coffee. He suggested greek coffee, but we passed. Greek coffee is coffee with uozo in it. Really strong greek alcohol. he then started yelling "toast toast!!!!" we said sure, thank you.

While we waited one of his friends appears with a plastic water bottle. and pours us shots of whatever the hell is in this. i later learned this was a type of grappa - i think. i saw it on Anthony Bourdain, so i went with it.
Homemade grappa in the morning. Immediately after. they fed us baked ham.
He then presented us with a sandwich, much more than just toast. MMMM. then another shot with the old men.
then a platter of olives, sheep cheese and ham.
then another shot with the old men.
each time we took another one, the music got louder. He turned the TV on to National Geographic. no clue why. Then he pointed at the monkey with the momma gorilla and laughed.
Cosmo has a cigarette permanently attached to his bottom lip.
At the pouring of the 4th so we stopped there. We wanted to be able to walk out of there. It was only 11.00 am!!!!
They also said we were going too slow. LOL.
At the end of our adventure, we asked how much."Nothing! Nothing! i have too much money!" he reached in his pockets and pulled out a 100 euros, laughing.
He asked for the 11 hundred time if the food was good and we said very, again. He patted us on the shoulder and we left.

What a way to leave Mykonos. It certainly made up for the dead nightlife the night before. We went to a bar last night called Jackie - O. i thought i would share that.

Cosmo hooked us up.
So basically we had free brunch compliments of Cosmo's Bar and all his crazy friends. and free hotel with pool in Athens. :)

mykonos is beautiful and next time i come i want it to be beach bathing weather. i will lay on all the rocks and soak in the sun.
O we also saw a pink pelican in the town square today. I thought those were only in Dr. Dolittle! but they are real, yes at first i thought it was due to the 4 shots, but no it was real! i took tons of pictures due to my amazement.

now we are off to athens, to see the acropolis and other old things. ttyl, loves.

On an evening in Roma.

Before going to Greece, I have been staying with Megan at her place in Rome. Rome is a great city. I feel like you could never see all of Rome. Unless you lived here for 20 years or something.
Sunday, we went to Villa Borghese and walked all over the park. This is also a place in Rome where all the lovers go...i could tell by seeing all of them making out, necking, stradling and everything else they were getting up to in that green grass. O my.
After THAT, we went to the Modern Art Cafe located on the grounds. You could tell i was starting to miss Amurica by the drink i ordered - Posso avere "the Bronx". It wasnt that good though...unless you really love a glass of Gin with a splash of juice? Yeeesh.
That night we got some great gelato in Megans neighborhood. The woman who works there, hooked us up! She dipped the gelato in chocolate and "con panna" with whipped cream. o god. how does gelato not exist in the States!!!! its sooooo creamy and the flavors - bacio, nicciola, malaga, pistachio, chocolate with arancia...
on the other hand, i have been looking forward to a visit to my local Dairy Queen...so i guess some things never change and are still longed for even if they arent as good as gelato. Actually when i get back it will probably be snowing or blizzarding and the image that i have of April here is mixing with the one back home.
The past few days have been soooo humid and warm. Ive been breaking out my sundresses sans leggings!
Monday, i was restless and in a Roman apartment. Megan had class and i was sick of reading/surfing the web/watching trash on YouTube so i wandered into one of her roomates (i cant find the apostrophe key, sry it is bothering me, too) rooms. She was bored too. We originally set out to find the Bocca della Verità but we got side tracked by the Spanish Steps and then I remembered that my roommate for the past 3 months, Kat, suggested i go to Babingtons Tea Room, which is located right next to the Spanish Steps. I am a sucker for tea time. We got tea for two for 15.00 euros each. OOOO and it came with scones. i am an even bigger scone enthusiast.
Tuesday me and Megan found the Bocca della Verita. It was a close call, but dont worry, my hand is still intact and it was not bitten off.

The most famous characteristic of the Mouth, however, is its role as a lie
detector. Starting from the Middle Ages, it was believed
that if one told a lie with one's hand in the mouth of the sculpture, it would
be bitten off. The piece was placed in the portico of the Santa Maria in
Cosmedin in the 17th century.This church is also home to the supposed relics
of the saint, St Valentine.

- thats from Wiki.

im a HUGE Roman Holiday fan and had to stick my hand in it, just like Audrey and Gregory Peck do in the movie.

The church this statue is located in is so unique. Most European churches are so ornate and busy, but this church was soooo simple and plain on the inside, which gave so much genuine beauty. Santa Maria in Cosmedin was built in the 6th century. It had no gold or metal or spires, just frescoes from the same time it was built and wooden altars and rafters.

Last night i had too much fun for my own good at some American and later Irish bar. All i distinctly remember is yelling - no, not singing - yelling the words to Come On Eileen and doing lamaze breathing excersizes in the back seat of a Roman cab as to not leave him a few euros and then some.