We’re staying in Plaka, one of the oldest, most touristy neighborhoods in Athens… it’s an AirBnB in a building built not in any century of which I’ve been a part. Our neighborhood. Shops on the ground floor, apartments above. We’re on the 4th floor (European 4th… American 5th) and mercifully there’s an elevator. Elevators, like … Continue reading Elevators in Athens and Prince Harry’s tootsies…
Holy god. Remind me to never drive in Greece. Apparently the white stripes on the road are a mere suggestion to be ignored. The taxi driver, who greeted us in English, displayed his entire command of the language in one brief sentence. “Is okay I get them” when faced with our luggage. Not that I’m … Continue reading He drives like an intoxicated wombat.
I can handle the reversal of the car - it’s not a total mirror image, as the pedals are in the same place. So is the manual gear box, but this one’s automatic. However, in this particular vehicle (a hybrid Toyota Corolla), the indicator is on the right, not the left. Every minute or two … Continue reading Driving on the left side isn’t the problem.
I swear I’m beefing up my thigh muscles (not a bad thing, really) with all the ups and downs we’re doing. We decided to go up to the top of Maungawhau (Mount Eden), the highest point in Auckland and a volcano dormant 28,000 years, give or take a decade or two. Somehow, my brain didn’t … Continue reading Who knew New Zealand was so damn hilly??
Eden Park Stadium is amazing. To this Los Angeleno, it’s astonishing to sit in a 43,200 capacity sports arena that has no parking. Your ticket includes public transit… so everyone is expected to ride the bus or the train to get there - the surrounding streets are closed to all but residents - so you … Continue reading Eden Park and an Island
Treble, the black lab we puppy sat a few weeks ago (I forgot I wrote this and just found it), paused during our morning walk: ‘Scuse me? Scottie, furiously pulling on his leash: Yah misrabble bas-tad, ‘ow dare ye walk on mah streeeeets Treble: hey man I didn’t mean offense Scottie: whell ye cawzed it, … Continue reading “Aye’ll rip ye lim from lim!” Howled the little Scottie dog.
Both Beloved and the dog looked guilty. I had taken the cat out of the bedroom, growling and spitting, so she could have a break (and go potty). Treble, the visiting three year old career-changed former guide dog puppy, didn’t worry much about the cat, but MaeMae was not thrilled with an untethered dog wandering … Continue reading “What the HELL!” I yelped. “He’s in BED with you??”
Cat: you and who else? Treble, the dog we're sitting, blinked. Dog: you of course your head nearly touched mine Cat: Because I was watching to make sure you didn't attack. Dog: We met in the middle of the bed your sweet lizard breath on mine Cat: Gross! You realize you heave carbon dioxide more … Continue reading “I can’t believe it’s almost over…”sighed the dog, “we had a beautiful night together…”
My grandfather was a wonderful man, kind, generous, gentle. On one topic, however, there was no budging the man... and I suppose I get it, he served as a British captain in the Great War ("Did I march down the quay to the ship to cross the Channel? Good god noh, my deah, I rode... … Continue reading Our doggy visitor is remarkably like my grandfather.
Me: No. Why? Cat: Damn. That means changing. Me: You looking to rehome? Cat, snorting: Me? After all the time I've spent training you? You gotta be kidding. No. I don't want Granny driving that far. Me, confused: You changed your mind? You want another companion? And why would Granny go? Incredulous look from cat: … Continue reading Does the no. 6 bus go to the shelter? Inquired the cat.
Examining Misadventures 