Forever Paisley

PART I

Traveling here was a challenge, but we made it. When we left Athens two days ago we had a hard time getting back to the airport as there was some kind of strike going on so every form of public transportation was stopped. We asked a cab driver what the deal was and he said “Money runs the world, and coke runs the mind, the people have no use for the coke because they smoke their drugs not snort it” …. Okay so I still have no idea what was going on, but after watching approx. 1,000 people march by the Sintagma Square in Greece we were finally able to catch a bus to the airport. On our way we met a guy from England who was currently working in Kuwait, yes working not fighting, so the three of us went to the airport bar and had a few beers before our flight.

We finally made it to Cinque Terre at 4AM yesterday, and since we couldnt check into our hostel, or even catch a bus at that time, we hung out at the train station until 6:30 until we could catch transportation. With no sleep we dropped our stuff off and started exploring Cinque Terre. There are five different villages (hence the name Cinque Terre) here all of which are situated on a seperate hill on the coast of Italy. The building are basically built on top of one another because the land is not exactly construction friendly. Most of the people here are tourists (go figure) and the area is a national park so you have to pay to even walk here. You have to love how tourism turns natural jewels into economic boosters. Yesterday we hiked three of the five cities, caught a ferry to view the entire coast, and ended up going to sleep almost right after dinner because we were wiped. Being here has been a nice change of pace as I have been doing city after city for the past month, so to finally be somewhere with natural scenery is very nice. Today we are going to rent some kayaks and probably hike the last two cities.

After Cinque Terre we are off to Milan and then Angie and I go our seperate ways to fly back to the states 😦 I will probably write again when we get to Milan in a couple of days, until then enjoy the rest of your weekend!!!

PART II

I just looked up the sad news that US lost to Ghana!!! We missed the game as we were on a plane and in a rail car. I also looked up the strike that we witnessed in Athens. Turns out that they were protesting the US initiated war on Iraq. They feel that the war is negatively effecting all part of the World including the EU. Turns out it was not over drugs like the cab driver said. It makes me really sad to belong to a country that so many other countries are so passionately opposed to. It brings out the issue of living my a label. People percieve Americans with a certain stereotype, when in fact it doesnt always hold true. With the way that the Europeans deal with tourists on a day to day basis I can understand why they have a bias. I have faith that most people here are here for the culture, immersion, and a new understanding, however I have seen my fair share of upidity, ethnocentric travelers who are come to Europe hoping for it to cater to them. Even though it is hard being ashamed with aspects of the American culture, I have gained a greater appreciation for certain things during my travels over the years. I was talking about this conflicted topic with someone in Germany and he entertained me with the following quote “My government when it deserves, my country always”. I think that sums it up pretty well.

So as far as what we have done today … I rented a kayak this morning and paddled the coast of three of the cities, went near the rock coves, and explored new beaches. Angie still has never been kayaking as she decided to hike to a nature look out at the peak of the cove instead. We both enjoyed our morning nonetheless. We just got back from the farthest city where we spent most of our afternoon, and are now going to chill out in Riomaggiore until we can catch the bus back to our hostel. We have planned an early hiking trip tomorrow so we will probably crash pretty early. Goodnight!

Cherrettie