Day 9: History, Wine, Toilets, and Girls

Pictures: Picture #1 and #2 are of the teen girls here in Nafplion. Picture #3 is of Ms. Kristen Margetson, another teacher on the trip, in the prison-cave at Palamidi Fortress. Picture #4 is for Ryan...it's his quintessential Greek car!

I am still in Nafplion, which I have to say is one of the most charming places I have ever been. It is a very small town with cobble-stoned streets and right on the water. Today we visited Palamidi Castle which was built by the Turks and Venetians (this town is so romantic because of the huge Venetian influence here). It was later used as a prison and I got to go inside one of the cells which was just a hole in the rock. It is said that one man was in the prison for over two years without light and almost went blind...I could completely see that being true! It was dark in the cave-jail :)

After the historical tour we went to a winery! It was wonderful because it's in the Nemea provence, which is supposedly where Hercules was born. They call the dark red wine that comes from this area "Hercules Blood." The grapes are St. George grapes which are special to this northern part of the Peloponnese. Our group was taught how to correctly taste the wine and then we sampled (and drank) four different kinds of wine. I bought three bottles (one for here in Greece and two to bring back with me to Chicago, so Jeff -- You can be prepared to help me drink the wine when I get home!). The windery we were at is named Skouras...when you're all old enough you'll have to try this kind of wine.

So today at breakfast we were all talking about the toilets here in Greece and I thought I would add a little comment for you all about the sewage and plumbing here. Since Greece is such an old country, the plumbing is also old. You can't ever throw any paper products (toilet paper included) in the toilet. I think the maids are the hotel should get a TON of money for having to clean out the trash in the bathroom every day for all the guests staying in their hotel. Don't you agree? I think that has to be the worst job imaginable...well, at least pretty gross of a job.

Tevin -- I have had the worst time getting you pictures of girls without looking creepy! I had everyone in our group on the look-out for teenage girls. Today at Palamidi Fortress there was a group of girls, though, and I got two semi-decent pictures for you. This is as good as it gets, I think! Enjoy :)

Ryan -- I know more about he cars and gas stations here in Greece now. First let me ask: how are you doing in class? Are you ready for your final next week? I hope you're not annoying Ms. Lina too much :) So I included a picture of a smart car for you. Everyone here drives crazy! I have almost gotten run over twice. Also the cars are all small. Gas here is about 1.30 Euro per liter ( a liter is about 1/4 of a gallon) -- which means gas is expensive!

Erika and Latiana -- Greeks seem to like their alcohol and having dinner the best here. They have long hour and a half / two hour lunches.

Yaslin -- Every day Greeks spend a long time for dinner. The dinner hour usually starts around 8 or 8:30 and lasts until at least 10. There are appetizers, then a Greek salad, the main couse, and finally dessert. Yum!

Terry -- The families in Greece are very close. Everyone is super-friendly and families stick close together...at least they do in the smaller towns. In Athens it is more like Chicago where some families are close and some not so close.

Hope you're all having a nice Friday!

Cheers,

Ms. G