Once again, the cheapo airline has the most violent colors. Not orange, though, Vueling uses neon yellow. The inside of the plane is yellow-er than the outside. Vueling is owned by Iberian Air as well as British Airways, and they use the Jetstar idea of pay for your carry on to minimize overhead bin space. … Continue reading “SIT. DOWN.” growled the flight attendant.
We went to see Sagrada Familia (Holy Family), the basilica in Barcelona planned and partially created by Gaudi… it’s insanely beautiful. The altar. I think it rather looks like Jesus was crucified on a merry-go-round, but I didn’t think the tour guide would appreciate that observation. Started in 1882, they’ve been working on it ever … Continue reading The longest construction project in modern history…
We made it to Barcelona, typically early morning as the cruise ships tend to do - and they clearly wanted us to bug off. So off we went to sit in the shade, surrounded by luggage, to wait until 11, at which point we could deposit our stuff in the AirBnB, then check in at … Continue reading Dark History of Barcelona
We started off the day early, for which I was grateful, given the almost 11,000 cruise ship passengers in port for the day. At around 8am, we were hustled off to the bus to be whisked away to the land of ancient pervy people. After a brief introduction, the tour guide (again, unsurprisingly in heavily … Continue reading Advertising the unprintable in Pompeii and other stories…
And now, Sicily. Specifically, Messina, the port that just about kisses the toe of the Italian boot. It’s a very short hop over to the mainland… which is why Messina has the dubious distinction of being the conduit of the Black Plague into Europe in the 1340s - well, that and the idea this place … Continue reading Muzzles and Clamps
We were getting ready for our kayaking trip to Montenegro when the announcement from the captain came over the speaker outside the cabin. Not, however, inside. Not being sufficiently covered to open the door and not wanting to traumatize the room steward, I didn’t crack it open to hear better. Much like placing a McDonald’s … Continue reading “…passengers left behind in Santorini…”
The Hellenic post office is a trip. The US Postal Service could learn a few things. There’s a take-a-number machine at the entrance, electronic, into which you say what service you need. The machine politely spits out a number. I can’t actually read it, but I get the general idea. Then, much like the DMV, … Continue reading Details of daily life in Athens… the Grecian way…
We hired a driver for the day who managed to nightbus that Peugeot through the skinniest spaces. It was an extravagance for what we usually do - I like public transit and going like a local, so we’re usually traipsing around on busses and the like as I giggle with glee at how much we’re … Continue reading “Are you sure you can fit through there…?” I muttered at the driver.
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.
Examining Misadventures 