Mes photos des voyages 1 et 2 sont disponibles a ce lien : http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLandingSignin.jsp?Uc=t04w5el.4z1aj4wp&Uy=-kg9zzg&Upost_signin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=0
My pix from travel 1 and 2 are available at this link :
http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLandingSignin.jsp?Uc=t04w5el.4z1aj4wp&Uy=-kg9zzg&Upost_signin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=0
Enjoy!!!
Friday, July 28, 2006
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Journal 2 a Londre / 2nd Journal in London
Je suis repartie / I'm Gone Again
Bonjour tous,
Je suis maintenant a Londre et j'attends patiemment qu'on me donne une chambre et je profite de l'attente pour vous envoyer ce courriel. Il et 13h20 et il doit bien faire plus de 30 degrés. J'ai commence à écrire mon journal de voyage que je devrais vous envoyer. Entre-temps, vous pouvez toujours m'envoyer des messages texte (SMS) sur mon téléphone polonais. Les instructions (a partir d'Internet : Gratuit) sont à la fin de ce couriel.
Au plaisir d'avoir de vos nouvelles!!
Hi all,
I'm now in London and I'm patiently waiting for my room, so I'm now taking the time to write to you, it is 1:20pm and it must be over 30 degres outside. I've started to write my travel journal and I should be sending it soon. Meanwhile, you can send me text messages (SMS) on my Polish phone. The instructions (thru Internet : Free) are at the end of this e-mail.
Waiting for new!
Friday, June 17th 2005
I'm at the airport with my mother and it is soon time to leave. I don't want to leave anymore. I had so much fun last night with Gab and Vero at Les Vieilles Portes in St-Sauveur where the Jello Shots (www.thejelloshots.com) were playing. It is sooo sad to leave. I wish all of you could come with me. I left my mother and my throat is tightening up, I feel like I can't breathe. I think I'm gonna call Gab. Pissing me off, he's goin to Les Vieilles Portes with Catherine to see the Jello Shots again, he even offered to pick me up at the airport. I so wish I could go. Well, I'll call Mark, he'll cheer me up! :( Answering machine. I left a message but I sure won't get a call back. I'm very upset about not getting a window seat. The 2 people sitting next to me are snoring like hell. I'd love to sleep. I'm at the airport and this guy is yelling like hell: "Let me go, call the police" as two guys takes him and pulls him in the airport with hand cuffs on.
Saturday, June 18th 2005 (London, England)
I just arrived from a long flight on an aisle seat next to loud snorers. I'm extremely tired but I gotta make the most of my time here. It is oh so hot here, I'm sweating like I've been dancing for 5hrs non-stop. My luggage is sooooo heavy, my hands are all red. I'm in the Underground (Metro, Subway, whatever) on my way to the hostel and I can't find the street it's on, on my map. All I know, is what stop (South Kensington) to get off. This is crap, it's noon and I have to wait 'till two to check in . They don't have a luggage storage so I gotta wait in the lobby. I can't wait to freshen up and change.
It looks like it's tourist season here in London. They're so obvious with their maps and cameras. I've put on loads of sunscreen and I can alwready feel my face burn. I don't know what's all the fuss about London fashion, it's not different from us. It's so fucked up here with the driving on the wrong side of the road, no wonder they have to write on the roads where to look for trafic. Well, there's not much to say about London, it's the same as in the movies, Taxis old style with doors that opends the wrong way, red telephone booths, red double deck busses, ect. The weird thing is that when you take the tube (slang for metro), you have to put your ticket in the machine when you get in AND out, so don't lose it. I'm now at The Household Cavalry at 4pm they'll be changing the guards. I just saw the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and the London Eye. Well, now I'm sitting on a bench in front of a beautifull lake in the middle of St-James park. Isabelle wouldn't like it, there's a lot of birds, my aunt on an other side, would love it as you can find along the path pictures and info on the birds we see. Buckingham Palace, Hello!! Not much to see now except a row of tourist along the gate staring at the guards like animals in a huge cage.
Wow I'm really tired, I think I'll go back to the hostel and take a nap before I go out dancing tonight. On my way to the tube, I saw a man and a woman greating people goin inside a house the woman was dressed exactly like Bridget Jone's mother.
10:35pm
I'm in the Underground on my way to dance at the Metropolis, I can't wait to get there. I had to transfer tube line at Monument Station and it's quite a walk thru tunnels, escalators and narrow stairs to get to another station "Bank". I'm at the Metropolis after searching for like 20mins. I changed my shoes and whom do I not see standing next to the dance floor... It's Jaz!! -For those who doesn't know her, she swing dances (duh!!) and used to teach at Cat's corner.- It was great to see a familiar face. Jaz left wright afteer the show (Harlem Hot Shots) which left me alone in a dancing sea of British people. Wow!! I'm having so much fun. The dancing is great. In London, it is mandatory for bars to provide tap water. Wish it was the same in Montreal. It's 2am and the dance just ended, it's quite early! Gotta take the night bus to the hostel know. Taking the well known double deck red bus with some swing dancers. The night bus service is quite decent here. I have to transfer to another bus to get to the hostel. One of the swing dancers (Jeremy) is comming with me as he's looking for a place to stay aver night (he lives in San Fransisco). We're in a London cab, it is very spacious and nice.
Well, that's all for now, more another time!
Miss ya'll!!
Sunday, June 19th 2005
I'm at the Victoria and Albert museum waiting for Jeremy as we'll be eating together. Just got a Fish & Ship for 5 Pounds (~12,50 CAD). It was delicious!! It is oh so hot out here. Whent to Harrods (famous store), it's closed! On my way there, I found a Crabtree and Evelyn store which is my mother's favorite. I had to go in. Now, I'm in a double deck bus on my way to Baker St. (where Sherlook Holmes "lived"). It's quite a view from up here! I think I'm going the wrong way. Ah well!! Oh my god! I just saw the Lovebug. I gotta go back and take a picture. The architecture here is quite nice. Enough to make MTL jelous. It is beautifull, the lovebug of course!! As I walk next to it, there's a smell of burnt. The interior is burnt and it has loads of bird feathers inside. To me, it's just special to see it. Back at the bus stop, I realized the time of when the next bus will be coming is writen. There are a lot of parks and people enjoying them.
There's notting much on Backer St. except for shops all using Sherlook holmes as a selling point. I bought a couple of souvenits and left. The Backer st. station has this old time feeling with it's brick walls and wood benches. It's beautifull. The Underground was the first metro everbuilt (Jan 10th 1863) and is the biggest in the world. Took a Salmon and cream cheese bagel at the convinience store which here are called "treats".
I'm walking down the Thames river, as I stop to write these notes, there's a boat filed with tourists passing by. On my left, I see the HMS Belfast (a ship used during WW2 against the Nazi) it is facing the London Bridge showing it's beautiful colors as the sun sets. A plain passing by reminding me, I'm soon taking off for Athens. In front of me, the tower of London looking at me with it's dark "windows". I cross the bridge and walk around the tower of London looking for the Beauchamp tower thinking of Gab. I've walked so much today, me feet are killing me. There are too many things to do and see, I don't know how much I'll be abel to do in 3-4 days. I'm a bit tired, I think I'm gonna go to the hostel, change and take a nap before I go dancing. 10:39pm I just woke up, my alarm didn't wake me up. Must have been REALLY tired. I think I'll watch the Majestic (my mother bought for me before I left). I hate "comunity rooms" it always seems like my roomates don't give a "F" about the fact that I'm sleeping, when they come in they open the light, make noise, talk. Last night when I came in, I changed outside and worked in the dark without making noise.
Monday, June 20th 2005
Well, it’s 1pm and I just woke up. As my roomates woke me up in the middle of the night, I couldn’t fall asleep untill 6am.
2pm (9am - MTL)
I’m on my way to Piccadilly circus, will see what’s up there! As I got out of the tube, the first thing that came into my mind is : 'Hello New York'. (see pictures to understand). The top publicity 'TV' used by Coke, is seen in Bridget Jones Diary 2 'The edge of reason'. I just walked by this theatre where Jedi Master (Ewan McGregor) and Bimbo secretairy (Jane Krakowski) are playing in Guys and Dolls. I think I found the 'peep' show and Xrated area unlike MTL, woman are outside trying to get men inside instead of men. The streets are narrow and the side walks can only take one person at the time. This is quite the borough to hang out with all these horny man and lost tourists.
I just steped inside some kind of an outdoor mall. You can reach this mall thru 3 narrow streets (no cars) in the middle there’s a roof and it’s 3 stories high. Some kinda funky! This is shoppers paradise. Isabelle would love it. As I’m venturing on the streets of London, I found myself in Chinatown. It is not as pretty as the one in MTL. There are lots of theatres around here offering a bunch of musicals from Mary Poppins to Les Miserables they even have one staring David Schwimmer. I stopped in a diner 50’s style to get some thing to eat. I haven’t been very hungry lately I kinda have to remind myself to eat and sometimes even force myself. Eating alone isn’t a great motivation either.
Today isn’t as hot as the other days, there was a tunderstorm this morning. I called my mother earlier, it was great to hear her. Everytime she picks up the phone tears starts running down my cheeks. As I take the time to observe people aroundme , I see how people here seems so peacefull. As I stroll across a street, a motorcyclist yells at me: 'Before tomorrow'. I feel so sad for hime as he is in a hurry one of these days, time will catch up to him and he’ll wonder what happened. This part (Soho) of London must be the pretiest part.
I went back around the theatre where they pla Guys and Dolls, I went in and took a pamflet or leaflet as they call, they have standing tickets for 15 Pounds (about 37CAD) the story is in the 40's so I wanted to go but there's no tickets left for tonight and it's my last night. Ah well! I spoke with a guy who works there and he was nice, he sugested other shows , I let him talk but I wasn’t interested by other ones. All of a sudden, I felt a little groupyish as I wanted to hang around the employe entrance to see Ewan McGregor. I did the only thing I could think of at that moment, I called groupie expert Isabelle. She said I gotta do it, if not for me, for her. I think calling her might have been a bad idea. It’s only 6:30pm now and the show ends at 10:15pm. So, I guess I’ll go back to my room to get some rest, change and pick up my dance shoes to go dancing afterwards.
I wanna kill my roomates, they’re making so much noise. Well, it’s time to feel ashamed of myself. Well, here I am next to the stage door. At lease, I'm not the only one. Feeling a bit better. Anyways, I've done it before, what's the difference now?!? I feel pathetic, thank god I'm goin dancing after this. Well, this guy who works for Ewan McGregor told us he wasn't coming out tonight but tomorrow night. I told him I'm leaving tomorrow and he told
me to postpone my flight, I replied: 'Do you have 300$'. We started talking and we exchanged nos. he said he'll send me an autographed picture of Ewan. He might have been lying but hey! that's life. If I started doubthing everyone, I wouldn't be where I'm at now.
I'm really pissed now not drunk but F&/¿! mad. I just paid 10Pounds (about 25CAD) for a swing dance that lasted 1h30 (stopped at midnight) and the band sucked. I hope everyone in my room are sleeping right now so I can open the light and make noise when I go in tonight just like they do to me when I'm sleeping. Took the tube to Piccadilly circus to transfer but I missed the last tube so gotta take the night bus. There's a lot of people at night in the streets of London.
Tuesday, June 21st '05
Last day in London, walked by a school where little girls where playing outside wearing little uniforms - pink dresses - they were having fun together in their serene world.
Harrods - The famous Harrods, take The Bay mixed with Provigo, seperate it into sections, rise prices, add more employees then customers and dip it into snobery, this is what it would look like. This place makes Ogilvy look like a dump. As I leave each room, I find a sigh written : "We kindly request you pay for your selection in this room, thank you." This place is so big, I feel I need a map to go thru this store. In the ladies room, there's an attendant and a selection of perfume in case you feel like you stink. I find myself on the 3rd floor which is an "elegant" version of IKEA, I feel everything I see here I could get for way less at IKEA. This store makes me feel like I have to pay to breath.
Everywhere in this city, there are signs writen To Let it is not the word toilet misspelled, it is their version of For Rent. My legs and feet are killing me. That must be from all that walking I've done in the past 3 days. I'm enjoying a salad and a carrot cake at a restaurant / coffee shop called Pret a manger. A lot of restaurants and stores have french names. I even saw a restaurant called Chez Gerard, which reminded me of Gab (he'll understand if he reads this part). This city is as multicultural as MTL is, tho it seems there's a French fest as I keep hearing french speaking people. A good looking gentlemen in a stripe suit and baby blue tie just sat next to me. He's reading a journal and he seems to be representing the typical London gentlemen. I decided to take a stroll around South Kensington and stoped at an Internet cafe. It's 5:30pm and the receptionnist at the hostel isn't there. I'm quite upset as my flight leaves at 8:30pm.
In the escalators taking me to the tube I had trouble with my bags and a young lady helped me, it was really nice of her, I think I thank her about 10 times. I tried calling my mother from the airport but she never answered. I called Gab instead. It was really nice to talk to him. I feel like I was on vacation and that my journey's about to begin. I sure wonder what's in store for me next. At the airport, I meet a hindou travelling with his daughter, he's in the travel business and he gave me his card in case I go to India.
Again an aisle seat. God, I hate those! Well, the guy next to me started talking to me after I gave him those discusting krakers they give during the flight. He also left me his no in case I need something. I guess, the fun part about traveling is meeting people.
Bonjour tous,
Je suis maintenant a Londre et j'attends patiemment qu'on me donne une chambre et je profite de l'attente pour vous envoyer ce courriel. Il et 13h20 et il doit bien faire plus de 30 degrés. J'ai commence à écrire mon journal de voyage que je devrais vous envoyer. Entre-temps, vous pouvez toujours m'envoyer des messages texte (SMS) sur mon téléphone polonais. Les instructions (a partir d'Internet : Gratuit) sont à la fin de ce couriel.
Au plaisir d'avoir de vos nouvelles!!
Hi all,
I'm now in London and I'm patiently waiting for my room, so I'm now taking the time to write to you, it is 1:20pm and it must be over 30 degres outside. I've started to write my travel journal and I should be sending it soon. Meanwhile, you can send me text messages (SMS) on my Polish phone. The instructions (thru Internet : Free) are at the end of this e-mail.
Waiting for new!
Friday, June 17th 2005
I'm at the airport with my mother and it is soon time to leave. I don't want to leave anymore. I had so much fun last night with Gab and Vero at Les Vieilles Portes in St-Sauveur where the Jello Shots (www.thejelloshots.com) were playing. It is sooo sad to leave. I wish all of you could come with me. I left my mother and my throat is tightening up, I feel like I can't breathe. I think I'm gonna call Gab. Pissing me off, he's goin to Les Vieilles Portes with Catherine to see the Jello Shots again, he even offered to pick me up at the airport. I so wish I could go. Well, I'll call Mark, he'll cheer me up! :( Answering machine. I left a message but I sure won't get a call back. I'm very upset about not getting a window seat. The 2 people sitting next to me are snoring like hell. I'd love to sleep. I'm at the airport and this guy is yelling like hell: "Let me go, call the police" as two guys takes him and pulls him in the airport with hand cuffs on.
Saturday, June 18th 2005 (London, England)
I just arrived from a long flight on an aisle seat next to loud snorers. I'm extremely tired but I gotta make the most of my time here. It is oh so hot here, I'm sweating like I've been dancing for 5hrs non-stop. My luggage is sooooo heavy, my hands are all red. I'm in the Underground (Metro, Subway, whatever) on my way to the hostel and I can't find the street it's on, on my map. All I know, is what stop (South Kensington) to get off. This is crap, it's noon and I have to wait 'till two to check in . They don't have a luggage storage so I gotta wait in the lobby. I can't wait to freshen up and change.
It looks like it's tourist season here in London. They're so obvious with their maps and cameras. I've put on loads of sunscreen and I can alwready feel my face burn. I don't know what's all the fuss about London fashion, it's not different from us. It's so fucked up here with the driving on the wrong side of the road, no wonder they have to write on the roads where to look for trafic. Well, there's not much to say about London, it's the same as in the movies, Taxis old style with doors that opends the wrong way, red telephone booths, red double deck busses, ect. The weird thing is that when you take the tube (slang for metro), you have to put your ticket in the machine when you get in AND out, so don't lose it. I'm now at The Household Cavalry at 4pm they'll be changing the guards. I just saw the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and the London Eye. Well, now I'm sitting on a bench in front of a beautifull lake in the middle of St-James park. Isabelle wouldn't like it, there's a lot of birds, my aunt on an other side, would love it as you can find along the path pictures and info on the birds we see. Buckingham Palace, Hello!! Not much to see now except a row of tourist along the gate staring at the guards like animals in a huge cage.
Wow I'm really tired, I think I'll go back to the hostel and take a nap before I go out dancing tonight. On my way to the tube, I saw a man and a woman greating people goin inside a house the woman was dressed exactly like Bridget Jone's mother.
10:35pm
I'm in the Underground on my way to dance at the Metropolis, I can't wait to get there. I had to transfer tube line at Monument Station and it's quite a walk thru tunnels, escalators and narrow stairs to get to another station "Bank". I'm at the Metropolis after searching for like 20mins. I changed my shoes and whom do I not see standing next to the dance floor... It's Jaz!! -For those who doesn't know her, she swing dances (duh!!) and used to teach at Cat's corner.- It was great to see a familiar face. Jaz left wright afteer the show (Harlem Hot Shots) which left me alone in a dancing sea of British people. Wow!! I'm having so much fun. The dancing is great. In London, it is mandatory for bars to provide tap water. Wish it was the same in Montreal. It's 2am and the dance just ended, it's quite early! Gotta take the night bus to the hostel know. Taking the well known double deck red bus with some swing dancers. The night bus service is quite decent here. I have to transfer to another bus to get to the hostel. One of the swing dancers (Jeremy) is comming with me as he's looking for a place to stay aver night (he lives in San Fransisco). We're in a London cab, it is very spacious and nice.
Well, that's all for now, more another time!
Miss ya'll!!
Sunday, June 19th 2005
I'm at the Victoria and Albert museum waiting for Jeremy as we'll be eating together. Just got a Fish & Ship for 5 Pounds (~12,50 CAD). It was delicious!! It is oh so hot out here. Whent to Harrods (famous store), it's closed! On my way there, I found a Crabtree and Evelyn store which is my mother's favorite. I had to go in. Now, I'm in a double deck bus on my way to Baker St. (where Sherlook Holmes "lived"). It's quite a view from up here! I think I'm going the wrong way. Ah well!! Oh my god! I just saw the Lovebug. I gotta go back and take a picture. The architecture here is quite nice. Enough to make MTL jelous. It is beautifull, the lovebug of course!! As I walk next to it, there's a smell of burnt. The interior is burnt and it has loads of bird feathers inside. To me, it's just special to see it. Back at the bus stop, I realized the time of when the next bus will be coming is writen. There are a lot of parks and people enjoying them.
There's notting much on Backer St. except for shops all using Sherlook holmes as a selling point. I bought a couple of souvenits and left. The Backer st. station has this old time feeling with it's brick walls and wood benches. It's beautifull. The Underground was the first metro everbuilt (Jan 10th 1863) and is the biggest in the world. Took a Salmon and cream cheese bagel at the convinience store which here are called "treats".
I'm walking down the Thames river, as I stop to write these notes, there's a boat filed with tourists passing by. On my left, I see the HMS Belfast (a ship used during WW2 against the Nazi) it is facing the London Bridge showing it's beautiful colors as the sun sets. A plain passing by reminding me, I'm soon taking off for Athens. In front of me, the tower of London looking at me with it's dark "windows". I cross the bridge and walk around the tower of London looking for the Beauchamp tower thinking of Gab. I've walked so much today, me feet are killing me. There are too many things to do and see, I don't know how much I'll be abel to do in 3-4 days. I'm a bit tired, I think I'm gonna go to the hostel, change and take a nap before I go dancing. 10:39pm I just woke up, my alarm didn't wake me up. Must have been REALLY tired. I think I'll watch the Majestic (my mother bought for me before I left). I hate "comunity rooms" it always seems like my roomates don't give a "F" about the fact that I'm sleeping, when they come in they open the light, make noise, talk. Last night when I came in, I changed outside and worked in the dark without making noise.
Monday, June 20th 2005
Well, it’s 1pm and I just woke up. As my roomates woke me up in the middle of the night, I couldn’t fall asleep untill 6am.
2pm (9am - MTL)
I’m on my way to Piccadilly circus, will see what’s up there! As I got out of the tube, the first thing that came into my mind is : 'Hello New York'. (see pictures to understand). The top publicity 'TV' used by Coke, is seen in Bridget Jones Diary 2 'The edge of reason'. I just walked by this theatre where Jedi Master (Ewan McGregor) and Bimbo secretairy (Jane Krakowski) are playing in Guys and Dolls. I think I found the 'peep' show and Xrated area unlike MTL, woman are outside trying to get men inside instead of men. The streets are narrow and the side walks can only take one person at the time. This is quite the borough to hang out with all these horny man and lost tourists.
I just steped inside some kind of an outdoor mall. You can reach this mall thru 3 narrow streets (no cars) in the middle there’s a roof and it’s 3 stories high. Some kinda funky! This is shoppers paradise. Isabelle would love it. As I’m venturing on the streets of London, I found myself in Chinatown. It is not as pretty as the one in MTL. There are lots of theatres around here offering a bunch of musicals from Mary Poppins to Les Miserables they even have one staring David Schwimmer. I stopped in a diner 50’s style to get some thing to eat. I haven’t been very hungry lately I kinda have to remind myself to eat and sometimes even force myself. Eating alone isn’t a great motivation either.
Today isn’t as hot as the other days, there was a tunderstorm this morning. I called my mother earlier, it was great to hear her. Everytime she picks up the phone tears starts running down my cheeks. As I take the time to observe people aroundme , I see how people here seems so peacefull. As I stroll across a street, a motorcyclist yells at me: 'Before tomorrow'. I feel so sad for hime as he is in a hurry one of these days, time will catch up to him and he’ll wonder what happened. This part (Soho) of London must be the pretiest part.
I went back around the theatre where they pla Guys and Dolls, I went in and took a pamflet or leaflet as they call, they have standing tickets for 15 Pounds (about 37CAD) the story is in the 40's so I wanted to go but there's no tickets left for tonight and it's my last night. Ah well! I spoke with a guy who works there and he was nice, he sugested other shows , I let him talk but I wasn’t interested by other ones. All of a sudden, I felt a little groupyish as I wanted to hang around the employe entrance to see Ewan McGregor. I did the only thing I could think of at that moment, I called groupie expert Isabelle. She said I gotta do it, if not for me, for her. I think calling her might have been a bad idea. It’s only 6:30pm now and the show ends at 10:15pm. So, I guess I’ll go back to my room to get some rest, change and pick up my dance shoes to go dancing afterwards.
I wanna kill my roomates, they’re making so much noise. Well, it’s time to feel ashamed of myself. Well, here I am next to the stage door. At lease, I'm not the only one. Feeling a bit better. Anyways, I've done it before, what's the difference now?!? I feel pathetic, thank god I'm goin dancing after this. Well, this guy who works for Ewan McGregor told us he wasn't coming out tonight but tomorrow night. I told him I'm leaving tomorrow and he told
me to postpone my flight, I replied: 'Do you have 300$'. We started talking and we exchanged nos. he said he'll send me an autographed picture of Ewan. He might have been lying but hey! that's life. If I started doubthing everyone, I wouldn't be where I'm at now.
I'm really pissed now not drunk but F&/¿! mad. I just paid 10Pounds (about 25CAD) for a swing dance that lasted 1h30 (stopped at midnight) and the band sucked. I hope everyone in my room are sleeping right now so I can open the light and make noise when I go in tonight just like they do to me when I'm sleeping. Took the tube to Piccadilly circus to transfer but I missed the last tube so gotta take the night bus. There's a lot of people at night in the streets of London.
Tuesday, June 21st '05
Last day in London, walked by a school where little girls where playing outside wearing little uniforms - pink dresses - they were having fun together in their serene world.
Harrods - The famous Harrods, take The Bay mixed with Provigo, seperate it into sections, rise prices, add more employees then customers and dip it into snobery, this is what it would look like. This place makes Ogilvy look like a dump. As I leave each room, I find a sigh written : "We kindly request you pay for your selection in this room, thank you." This place is so big, I feel I need a map to go thru this store. In the ladies room, there's an attendant and a selection of perfume in case you feel like you stink. I find myself on the 3rd floor which is an "elegant" version of IKEA, I feel everything I see here I could get for way less at IKEA. This store makes me feel like I have to pay to breath.
Everywhere in this city, there are signs writen To Let it is not the word toilet misspelled, it is their version of For Rent. My legs and feet are killing me. That must be from all that walking I've done in the past 3 days. I'm enjoying a salad and a carrot cake at a restaurant / coffee shop called Pret a manger. A lot of restaurants and stores have french names. I even saw a restaurant called Chez Gerard, which reminded me of Gab (he'll understand if he reads this part). This city is as multicultural as MTL is, tho it seems there's a French fest as I keep hearing french speaking people. A good looking gentlemen in a stripe suit and baby blue tie just sat next to me. He's reading a journal and he seems to be representing the typical London gentlemen. I decided to take a stroll around South Kensington and stoped at an Internet cafe. It's 5:30pm and the receptionnist at the hostel isn't there. I'm quite upset as my flight leaves at 8:30pm.
In the escalators taking me to the tube I had trouble with my bags and a young lady helped me, it was really nice of her, I think I thank her about 10 times. I tried calling my mother from the airport but she never answered. I called Gab instead. It was really nice to talk to him. I feel like I was on vacation and that my journey's about to begin. I sure wonder what's in store for me next. At the airport, I meet a hindou travelling with his daughter, he's in the travel business and he gave me his card in case I go to India.
Again an aisle seat. God, I hate those! Well, the guy next to me started talking to me after I gave him those discusting krakers they give during the flight. He also left me his no in case I need something. I guess, the fun part about traveling is meeting people.
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Friday, July 21, 2006
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Journal 2 en Grece / 2nd Journal in Greece
Wednesday, June 22nd - Greece (3am - 8pm MTL)
Finally in Greece! In the bus on my way to Syntagma (Downtown), I see an IKEA, Shell, Goodyear and other familliar cies. I also try to read the greek words I incounter.
5:30pm - 10:30am MTL
I just woke up. I was so tired, I needed loads of sleep. It is 10pm and I'm walking down Adrianou St, the moon is out but the shops are opened and the ligth they produce makes you feel like the sun is out. There's a lot of noise but it's peacefull noise, the type of noise you love to hear. It is not hot nor cold, the smell in the air of summer is just suithing. I walk slowly around the streets of Plaka as I enjoy every moment. I stop next to a restaurant not far from Monasteraki Metro (or train as they call it here) to look into my phrase book as I'm hungry and I want to order in Greek. A clown starts talking to me. He's Polish! What a freeking irony!?! He wants to eat with me. Why not, I'm thinking! Wright now, I'm sitting alone at a table waiting for him as he went to his hotel room to change. Like I said, meeting people is the best part of traveling. There's so much english here, I feel I'm goin to have a hard time using my phrase book. Every restaurant have musicians playing Greek music and it's very nice. The "clown" came back with his brother. They offered me a job as a clown. They're just traveling around Europe, like I do, and work as clowns in every city. We had super and Marco sent me an SMS to meet him at a bar. As we started walking there Marco sent another SMS as he's goin back to his place, the guys brought me back to Marco's place and we exchanged nos. Marco got jealous of them.
Thursday, June 23rd (4am - 9pm MTL)
I can't sleep. I'm watching That's 70's Show on my portable DVD player. I'm so tired but I can't sleep. Marco's body smell and perfume stinks, it's nosiating. I can't wait to get my own place.
It's 11am, I haven't sleep much and I'm very tired. My stomach eached like hell. Marco found a place where they rent appartments but I couldn't find the place so I went to the Internet instead. there's a lot of those CSmart cars here (tho here they simply call them Smart). After taking a nap, I went to the Greek-Spanish institute as Marco said they'll be postings for appartments. This is where I say thank god for my spanish lessons, I was able to ask where the postings are and read the ones in spanish. My Greek was only good to read greek-spanigsh (which ment it had something to do with language classes). To go there, I past thru Syntagma which is the center of Athens. On my way back, I walk thru a street which I haven't been before and again, it's shopers paradise - when I think shoper, I think Isabelle, it's inevitable -
C'est drole a dire, mais depuis que je suis ici, la temperature me semble moins chaude et plus douce qu'a Londre. Je crois que Marco a hâte de se debaraser de moi et c'est mutuel. J'ai tellement hâte de quitter ce "dump", il y a des araignées, des toiles, sa pue et c'est sale. Je commence tranquillement a me faire manger par les moustiques. Dam blood sucker!!! J'ai hâte de travailler et de rencontrer du monde (des amis). Lorsque je vais être installée, je vais voir quelques écoles de danse et essayer d'enseigner le swing. Bon! Je crois que je vais faire un boute, depuis tantôt je suis assise sur un banc en bois qui commence à me durcir le cul.
Je passe plus de temps a l'intérieur que je devrai. J'allais me rendre au resto et c'est alors que Marco arrive avec une salade grecque pour moi, exactement ce que je voulais. Je suis contente d'avoir mon DVD portable par contre, je pense que je passe trop de temps a l'écouter.
Vendredi, le 24 juin 2005
Aujourd'hui, il n'y a aucun moyen de transport et plusieurs endroit sont ferme, moi qui voulais aller à la plage.
*****A tous les hommes, ne portez jamais Pascal Drukker, Paris ça doit être le parfum qui pue le plus que j'ai jamais senti, c'est effroyable. ****** Si le but de Marco en portant ce parfum est de m'encourager a partir au plutôt, c'est réussit quoique j'avais déjà l'intention de partir aussitôt possible. Je dois traduire l'avertissement pour le parfum c'est trop noseabond.
*****Warning gentlemen! Do never, ever, ever wear Pascal Drukker, Paris it must be the most discusting perfume ever.***** It smells so bad, it keeps me from sleeping. It feels like Marco's wearing that perfume to encourage me to leave ASAP and it works, though I alwready want to leave ASAP with or without that poisonous smell.
Since all transportations and most venues are closed, I think I'll read the guide to Greece and learn more about this country.
Il me dégoûte royalement, il est toujours entrain de faire des bruits degueux et il vient de piser la porte ouverte. Il me rend malade. Il n'a même pas de papier de toilettes. Il vient de me poser des questions et je lui ai dit la vérité. J'espère que maintenant il comprend. Il pensait qu'on étaient ensemble. Ewww Jamais! Il n'a aucun respect pour même ou pour moi. Ca pue la cigarette ici, c'est pas croyable. Au secours!!! Ca me donne le goût de rentrer chez moi. Il pue tellement que la nuit j'ai peur qu'il touche mon sac de couchage car son odeur pourrait s'imprégner. Je dois trouver un appart au plus sacrant.
Samedi, le 25 juin 2005
Je me suis enfin procure une carte SIM grecque (un no de téléphone grec). J'aillais me rendre à la plage mais Marco m'a convaincu de partir pour Santorini. Je crois que maintenant que je lui ai clairement dit qu'il n'était pas mon chum (beurk), qu'il ne l'a jamais été et qu'il ne le sera jamais, il veut pas me voir trop souvent. En ce moment, je suis dans un train (métro) vers Piraeus pour aller voir combien sont les billets pour les îles. Je pourrais sûrement trouver du boulot pour l'été. Au pire, je peux toujours revenir a Athènes chez Marco (dernier recours seulement).
Je cherche un café Internet, au moins a Piraeus, j'ai l'occasion de pratiquer le grec. En chemin, j'ai vue une superbe voiture rose fushia des années 50. Elle est magnifique (pas la couleur par contre). Ce café Internet est bien moins cher que celui a Syntagma. Le gars a l'Internet m'a donne de mauvaises indications pour me rendre au train (Métro), il est 19h, mon bateau part à 22h et je dois faire mes valises. Wow! La vue de cette rue sur les montagnes est superbe. Bon! Je viens de réserver mon auberge et mon billet de bateau pour Santorini.
Je suis dans un train vers Piraeus et il est 21h15, Marco était suppose m'aider mais il ne l'a pas fait, quel surprise! Connard! Je suis debout près des portes et il y a un gars assis dos a moi qui passe son temps a se retourner. Maintenant, il a change de place pour être face à moi.
I'm really tired and scared to be late catching my ferri to Santorini, it's 9:15pm , the boat leaves at 10pm and the lady said to be there at 9:30pm by the lastest. I don't even know how many stops there's left. The sunset is magnificent. I haven't been eating much lately and I'm loosing a lot of weight. I didn't eat yesterday and all I got to eat today is a piece of feta and about 4 olives. God, if that guy doesn't stop looking at me, his glasses will melt.
Well, I'm in the boat. This is exciting, as I love boats. I'll wait 'till the boat leaves the deck to do some exploring. As I look thru the window, I see the blue sky showing it's many shades of blue marking the limits between the mointains and the sky. What a beautiful scenery. The crew is very helpful and nice. I took somekinda cheese pie at the snak bar but it doesn't taste very good, I'm trying to force mysefl to eat as I don't eat much. I guess you could say, I'm saving money and loosing weight at the same time. It's a win-win situation. There's a boy who brough puppies with him. They're so cute! I'm goin to go around the boat and find a trash can for the "cheese pie" at the same time.
En faisant le tour du bateau, je me suis retrouvée "accidentellement" (j'ai eu cette impression lorsque j'ai vu le tapis) dans la section 1ere classe. Un beau jeune homme m'a demande gentiment de lui montrer mon billet et m'a dit qu’était 1ere classe et je suis partie. J'ai eu comme un sentiment être dans le film Titanic. Il y a 8 bateaux de sauvetage qui peuvent contenir 56 ou 59 passagers dépendant du bateau. Il y a aussi de ces chaloupes gonflables avec "tente". C'est la nuit et nous longeons la cote grecque d'ici, on voit des milliers de petites lumières et l'ombre d'une montagne par-ci, par-la. En regardant l'eau défiler le long du bateau, j'ai cette affreuse idée de vouloir me jeter à l'eau, juste pour savoir ce que c'est que de toucher l'eau en plein milieu de la mer, d'entendre crier "un homme a la mer", qu'on me lance une bouée et qu'on me sauve de cette eau glaciale.
Alors que je marchais sur le quai, je vis au loin (très loin) un feu d'artifice qui semble sortir de nulle part. Il y a de nombreuses étoiles ce soir, qui attache à cette grande toile noire accroche au-dessus de nos têtes semblent nous accompagner dans ce voyage au milieu de la mer. Il y a un petit vent frais. Je suis tellement bien que je me suis mise à danser sur le pont en chantant "Beyond the sea" (il n'y avait personne pour me voir).
Dimanche, le 26 juin 2005 - 2h45am (samedi 25 juin - 7h45pm MTL)
J'essaie de dormir mais c'est quasi impossible. Il y a des gens qui ont emmené leurs sacs de couchage et qui dorment un peu partout surtout sur les ponts extérieurs. J'ai décide de prendre une marche, il fait très froid! Wow, c'est très sombre, on ne voit que les remous que subit l'eau sur les bords du bateau qui la rend blanche et la lune (3/4) reflète et éclair en même temps une partie de l'eau.
6h40 am (25 juin - 11h40 pm MTL)
Nous sommes à Ios un village de Santorini et la vue est superbe, des maisons blanches, des montagnes, l'eau et le soleil qui se lève. Dans le bateau, j'ai rencontre un homme et son fils qui viennent du Peru et qui voyagent à travers l'Europe en 3 semaines. En sortant du bateau, il y a une vingtaine de personnes qui viennent nous offrir une chambre a l'hôtel et ils négocient. J'aurais pu avoir ma propre chambre pour le prix d'un lit a l'auberge de jeunesse (15 Euros). Un homme m'a offert une chambre a ce prix, j'aurais bien pris son offre mais j’avais déjà paye. Il m'a donc offert de me donner un lift (10Euros), j'ai bien sur refuse puis, il m'a montre une van (celle de l'hôtel) et m'a offert pour 5 Euros. J'ai accepte.
Lorsque l'on prend un recul sur tous ces gens qui nous harcèlent, on voit de magnifiques montagnes qui rappellent beaucoup l'Arizona. Ces montagnes font face à une sublime mer bleu. Il y a deux filles dans la van (une Coréenne et une Péruvienne) elles sont très gentilles et je commence à avoir mal au cœur comme lorsque mon oncle, ma tante et moi avoir fait le tour de Apache Trail en Arizona. On monte la montagne de cote, en zigzag pour ce rendre en haut. Le chauffeur m'a déposé à la mauvaise place, j'ai du marcher 1km pour me rendre à l'auberge. C'est bien ici, j'ai la chambre a moi toute seule et je vais dormir car je n'ai pu dormir dans le bateau.
16h (11h MTL)
Je viens tout juste de me réveiller. Wow, j'ai beaucoup maigri en une semaine. Je me regarde dans le miroir et il y a définitivement du gras en moins. Mes vêtements sont aussi plus lousses. Ici, c'est l'endroit des maisons blanches avec des fenêtres, des portes et des toits bleu. Je suis dans un village qui s'appelle Perissa. Alors que je marche sur la rue principale, j'ai l'impression être dans un film de cow-boy se situant au Mexique, les rues sont quasi-vides, la moitié des magasins sont ferme, il fait chaud et il y a une brise. En chemin, j'ai vu quelques mulet profiter de l'herbe passionnément. Je suis sur une île grecque en plein milieu de la mer mediterannee, le ciel est clair, le soleil nous réchauffe et une brise craque la chaleur. Je n'ai pas a me plaindre. Parcontre, je suis seule et me sent très seule.
18h15 (13h15 MTL)
Je suis dans un restaurant grec sur le bord de la plage a savourer une salade grec. Je mange une olive et je pense à Gab, je suis sur qu'il adorerait.
Santorini has the shape of a cresent moon, it is part of the Cyclades and is close to Crete. Greece has 427 Islands but only 134 are inhabited. People travel alot in scooters here. I guess, I'll be walking back towards the hostel next to it, there's an info center and they have tours of the island so I can get an idea of what it's like. I asked the waitress to help me refill my phone with a prepaid card and another waitress came and said she has Vodafone aswell and put the phone services in english for me. We started talking and I told her I was looking for a job and she told me to hold on. So, I waited and she told me she knows someone who's looking for help. I left her my no. and we'll see. Tourist season starts next week so, their ain't that many people here. The beach sand is as dark as coal here.
I just booked a tour around the island for tomorrow. I also booked 2 more nights here at the hostel. I went to the post office and there were some tourists speaking french with the employe so when they left, I spoke french with him. He comes from Albania and gave me names of restaurant's owners that would need help for the summer. The sun came down and the stores, restaurants and bars are lid up. There's more people outside then there was earlier. There's a very fresh breeze and it's getting cold. I stoped at a bakery shop to get something for tomorrow morning. The man there was very nice, he sliped in my bag two little bread sticks. Greek people are very religious, often you'll see them do a cross sigh with their hands.
Monday, June 27th 2005
(11am, yes! 11am - 4am MTL)
I'm waiting for the bus for the excursion. The bus is here on time. There's a diving center in Santorini if I stay awhile, I'll take diving lessons. This excursion has taken me on a ship. Yo ho! Wonder if we'll meet Captain Jack Sparrow. The view is breathtaking. In the inside part of the Santorini island (cressent moon) there's two islands which are actually volcanos one of them is still active. I finally feel that thrill I was looking for awhile, this is really exciting. They even have security mesures incase the volcano erups. This is great! I just saw a cuiter version of captain Ron. On the way to the top. It's magnificent, I embrase the cooling wind. As we walk up the volcano, we cross past many different types of rocks: colors and textures. The volcano is mostly active at the white parts and as I got closer to it, I got this overwhemingly delitefull wind of smell, like rotten eggs. Next to the green stones, you can see smoke goin out of it. Feels like the crater is farting. There's holes dug by geologists in the morning along the path where smoke comes out of and I stook my hand in one of them, it felt boilling hot and my hand looked like I've been sweating for 3 days without washing it out.
Back to the boat and off to the old volcano to swim we go. Ahhhh.... There's notting like swimming in warm rust. This volcano has one inhabitant and 1 chapel. There's red water next to the volcano caused by sulfure.
I'm on a small island across from Santorini. It's a fisherman's island and it's 200m high. It is nice to see these small boats anchored next to the island, which has restaurants and souvenir shops at the bothom. I'm at one of the restaurants where I decided to try the grilled lobster. I'm a bit hesitant to try the octopus. The smell of the ocean and the food is just great. The grilled lobster is just great! I meet the girl from Peru again. She's really nice.
Je viens de partir du village de pêcheurs et on s'en retourne à Santorini. Je suis dans un village qui s'appelle Oia après avoir monte 257 marches, remplie de merde de mulet, sur le bord de la falaise. C'est ce village que l'on voit sur les photos de la Grèce. C'est magnifique! Les maisons et hôtels sont construit en haut de la falaise dans des grottes qu'ils on creuse. Je crois que je préfère être ici. L'auberge est aussi moins cher mais l'accessibilité a la plage est plus difficile. Je vais essayer de m'informer de la différence pour la paye et la location d'appartements. Il n'y a pas beaucoup de clubs et je ne sais pas s'ils ont besoin d'employés.
Oia (also known as Ia) is located at one end of the cresent shaped island, it's narrow streets are made of on-even rocks molded in ciment. On the end side of the village, is the old village where you can admire old "cave" houses which are empty. I'm starting to get cold as the wind blows stronger. Everywhere on this island, you can see unleached cats and dogs (some dogs have collars). I'm bored to death as I'm waiting for the sun to set. Apparently, it's the prettiest sun set. We'll see!!
Assise sur le bord du chemin, sur le bord de la falaise, j'entent le bruit des vagues qui se fracassent sur le bord de île voisine.
Well, the sun has set leaving behind beautifull stripes of colors in the sky: orange, pink, red, yellow, white, bleu... It was quite a scene. Goin back to Perissa in half an hour.
Tuesday, June 28th 2005
I'm battleling with myself wondering if I should stay in Perissa which has a Club Med party all night feel, Oia which is oh so beautifull and 257 steps from the beach or Thira (also known as Fira) which is the capital of Santorini. Right now, I'm on a bus to Thira to get a feel of it. I love Thira, it's the best! It has a bit of the Plaka (in Athens) feeling and it has the look of Oia. Fira is the way to go! I looked for the youth hostel but apparently it's closed then, I tried looking for a job in these narrow streets goin up and down with occasionnal steps filled with tourists goin from one shop to the other. I think I might have found a job at a tourist office. The guy I spoke to is the son of the owner. I'm meeting the owner tomorrow morning. If I get that job, I'll have to find an appartment. It is so hot here, my throat is dry, always bring alot of water bottles, 1l is not always enough. Bought a Gyros (1,5 Euro) and sat on high chairs looking at cars, scooters and people passing by while the sun burns my skin.
I think I'll go back to Perissa. It's 5pm and way too hot, I guess I'll go swim in the pool. The pool was very refreshing, there was 3 americans there playing with a half deflated ball. They were funny as they thru the ball in the air and trow themselves in the water trying to kick the ball with their feet. They kept on splashing this girl reading her book by the pool. She told them she'd be more impressed if they did it from the diving board, so they did. They made me laugh so hard, all I could think was that I'd rather date one of them then the macho stud lying next to the pool, cheking me out.
As I whent back to my room, I found out the girl who was reading the book is in the same room as I am. She was sleeping in a different room the other night and during the day, the staff moved her stuff (without her notice) from that room to mine. This hostel is weird! She's from Australia like the past two roomates I had. She's really nice, we went to the restaurant together. On the way there, we stopped at the post office and I spoke with the guy who works there. He sais the average pay is 750-800Euros/mth and you work long hours every day as for an appartment, it's like 250 no utilities. It's better if a local gets the appartment for me 'cause if I do, they'll charge me more thinking I'm a tourist with alot of money. He also offered to get me an appartment in Perissa which would be cheaper than Fira.
Lauren and I walked randomly and whent by the diving center, we stopped and I asked how much it would be to get lessons (350Euros) to get my permit. The lady said it would be better for me to try first and see if I'd like it. I explained to her, I've alwready tried in Cuba also that I'm most likely goin to work and live here for the summer. She then said she'd make a special price for me and after I get my certificate, I'll be able to come and dive as often as I like and she'd charge me a bit (mostlikely for the O2). She's so nice! Lauren said she now wants to stay here realising how nice people are here. We went to the restaurant where I went last time, where Milena works. This is great, just how friendly everyone is.
The restaurant offered a shot of ouzo on the house and YES everyone, I took it. Ouzo is the thing here, I had to try it. I think they also might have taken it as an offence if I wouldn't have. Anyways, it was really good. We really get along well Lauren and I. We talked untill like 11:30pm (4:30pm MTL) and I have to get up at 6am (11pm MTL) to take the 7am (midnight MTL) bus so I can be in Fira for my interview at 8am (1am MTL). After meeting all there locals here in Perissa, I feel more confident about staying here a couple of mths.
Wednesday, June 29th 2005
God it was hard getting up early this morning. The local roster doesn't seem to have that problem at 5:30 in the morning. One of the great things here is that the sun is up around 5:30-6am and doesn't go to bed until, like 8:30-9pm so it doesn't get dark untill late. It's great! Right now, it's 7:45 (45 past midnight - MTL), and I'm in front of the touristic office waiting for the bus. I just meet with the boss and he's hesitant to hire me 'cause I don't speak greek so he want's to talk about it with his son. I now have to stay in Thira and wait untill they call. So I walk in the streets as the town slowly waking up.
I'm on the edge of the cliff nex to a restaurant playing decent music. The view is just too beautifull. Walking around Fira is just peacefull and nice. The streets are slowly filling up with people and becoming alive. I have so much time to kill it's crazy. I'm trying to stay away from the sun as I forgot to put sunscreen begore I left Perissa. I can't go on the internet here, it's too expensive (7 Euros) here in Fira. Now, I found a bench over looking the volcanos. What a beautifull view! I'm enjoying some huge kalamata olives I bought at the super market. Irony, I spoke with Gab a couple of minutes before I whent to the market and at the store, they where selling big green olives stuffed with almonds. ie. For those who doesn't understand the irony, Gab works for an Olive cie called Olive it! and they sell big olives stuffed with all sorts of food including almonds. Gab was just leaving the Petit Medley when I called him. Just as I suspected. It's been 12 days since I've last swing danced.
At this point, I wonder if I want this job in Fira, I definetely want to stay in Santorini but I don't know if I wanna work with these undecided people anyways, we'll see what they say. It might be better for me to stay in Perissa. The people are much more friendlier and it's cheaper to live there. I know I can get a job and a cheap appartement in Perissa. Look at me! I'm writing alot again. Oh god, this is goin to take a long time to put on the internet and it's gonna cost me, $$$. With the amount of pictures I've been taking for people, I should just charge them and make it my business. If you wanna see tourists, this is the place. People are here from all around the world. White seems to be the in color here in Santorini, tho it doesn't look good on everyone. If you guys save money and don't know where to go for your vacation, this is the place. Come visit me, it's paradise in all it's beauty.
Well, they gave me the job as trial but I'd be working 7hrs/day 7days/week. I'd be making 680-700Euros/mth (which is minimum salary here) and an appartment in Fira would be about 200Euros/mth without utilities. I don't want to work 7days/week, I think I might be better in Perissa even if I'm paid the same at lease life is much less expensive here. We'll see! Lauren and I went to that same restaurant as yesterday. Milena gave me more ideas as for where to look, she says it's better for me to look at restaurants not bars. So, I'll do those tomorrow.
Thursday, June 30th 2005
I gotta find something quik so I can get an appartment. I went on the internet again and it was great to chat with Sebastien one of the swing dancers. There haven't been one drop of rain since I've been here. My shoulders, upper back and arms are red like tomatoes and freeking burning. Well, that's what happends when you're on an island. God this is great! I went eating to that restaurant (Tavern Kalimera) I got used to. Everytime I go in, all the waiters talk to me. It's like where everybody knows your name. Hi hi!! I'm 98% sure I'm staying here for the summer. I'll get an appartement soon and see Magda again for those diving lessons. It gets frisky on the island after sunset.
Friday, July 1st 2005
Happy Canada day!! Yesterday, I went to see the owner of the water park (3 slides and 2 pools) and he offered me to give out pamflets but he had to speak with his partner first. Today, I went back and they won't give me the job as apparently, 2 australians got caught 2 weeks ago giving out pamflets for a restaurant. I think, I don't want to risk it. There's no bank in Perissa, I have to walk to the next village 1km away. Wright now, I'm by the hostel pool enjoying the nice weather. I had super with the men at the post office and then, he dropped me at Fullmoon, a bar owned by a Canadian and they're celebrating Canada day.
This is great, the bartender is from Saskachewan and really cute. Love the atmosphere in this bar. It's great! They're playing one of the songs the Jello Shots play often. This is so cool! I went back to my room to get a song that Tim put on one of the CDs he made for me, that song is about pirates in Saskatchewan. On my way there, I called Mark he just finished practicing with the Jello Shots. I talkid to him for about 15mins and it felt good. I'm back at the bar and I asked the DJ to dedicate the song to the barman. I spoke to one of the owners tosee if they have a job for me but he said only in 2-3 weeks. I need a job now! I'm alone in this bar but the ambiance is great. The barman (Anjelo) and the DJ (Tony) keeps on talking to me. It's great to be with Canadians. This is actually the first night I'm out sinve I left MTL. The DJ saw me writing in my journal and he's like "You work for Lonely Planet!" I don't feel that much alone tonight. I'm feeling quite good and I have a smile on my face. I guess, the amount of writing I'm doing wright now is an indication on my humor.
Well, it's 2am (7pm - MTL) and I'm still at the bar. Haven't danced but at times, I wish Gab was there so we could lindy bomb this place. Anyways, the floor's not slipery enough. There's someone here who keeps on farting. I like the atmosphere so much, I think I'd like working here if I could. There's not many people here left but everyone here's talking to me. A girl gave me a bracelet earlier. Most of the people left are drunk. They're all very nice. This Australian (his parents are greek but he considers himself as Aussie first) has been talking to me for awhile and paying me Sherly Temples. It's 4:30am (9:30pm - MTL) and he's walking me to the hostel. Funny, he's staying here too. I guess, I'll stay another night. Good night!!
Monday, July 4th 2005
I'm in Pireaus. Back to the mainland! I've meet up with Yani (Marco's friend) he looks a lot like Antonio Banderas. He's actually from Syrie and doesn't speak english much. His appartment (bachelor pad) is great! It's really nice. His "living room " is the same colors than my kitchen in MTL and the most important, it's clean. Suprisingly very clean. He left for the bank and loocked me in. He probably didn't think about it. The elevator in this building is like in Poland, we could bearly fit my luggage, him and me. Yani's really nice, he just cooked for me and it was good. I know what some of you are thinking about but no thanks. I don't know if he treats all his guests like that or if he's pulling a seducion scene but the baby blue shots and pink shirt kinda kills it and he's always looking at himself thru the mirror.
I left his appartment looking for an Internet cafe. I walked for about 15-20mins and didn't find anything. I saw a bus written Omonia on it so I took it. Omonia is downtown. I took it the wrong way. I ended up in a dodgy neibourhood. Looks like chinatown. I saw a group of people so I walked towards them. All men, great! (sarcastically, of course) I felt really uncomfortable so I walked back towards the bus stop and along it's bus route to catch it. Now, I'm in the bus and I fell better. Finally found an Internet cafe. Now, I'm in a bus on my way to Syntagma. I'll only be able to find my way to Yani's place from the train.
He's incredible! We were watching a movie and then he tried to kiss me. I pushed him away and told him I had a boyfriend. I think he's mad he's not getting any. Not from me at lease. Earlier he told me to sleep in his bed and I told him I'll sleep on the coutch. Anyways, good night.
Tuesday, July 5th 2005
Just got up and Yani is acting different than yesterday. What did he expect! I'm not a hore, I don't sleep with guys to have a place to stay. Ah well! OK, he's a real jerk. Marco told me I could stay at Yani's place for a couple of nights and Yani just said that Marco told him it would be for one night only. Whatever! I'll just go on the net and look for the cheapest place to stay. Wow! I just made my luggage and Yani is almost like throwing my bags out. I'm making sure I'm not leaving anything here. Well, I just called backpackers to see if they had space so I'm goin to go there. My luggage is too heavy to carry around. On my way to the train, I saw Yani and told him off. Ass hole! I expected something like that would happen at some point. Thank god I'm independant! Well, I'll see if I can get a job here in the next 3-4 days if not, I think I'll go to Spain.
The guys at backpackers are nice and I feel good here but it's 24Euros/night. I'll check on the net if I can get cheaper.
En ce moment, je suis assise dans un McDo, c'est la première fois depuis que j'ai quitte MTL. Ici, il vendent de la Heineken et il faut mettre le pied sur un bouton dans le plancher pour actionner la champlure. Je viens de passer 2hrs sur le net a chercher un vol, bateau, train ou bus pas cher pour l'Espagne sans succès. J'vais aller faire un tour a Plaka comme touriste.
21h (14h MTL)
Je suis dans un tram a chercher un super marche pas cher pour faire une petite commande.
There's a guy checking tickets, it's the first time I see one. I stoped at this place where I saw a lot of people and store lights opened. This is like a big square where people shop and eat like St-Catherine St. It's nice! I just saw 2 guys with shoping bags and it made me laugh. Found a big super market but it's closed, I'm condamed to go to one downtown it's gonna cost a lot. I had planned to make Poutine tonight but it's too late. I'll do some tomorrow. I promissed some guy at the backpackers I'd make him taste. I alwready paid for two nights but the following night, I'll go to the hostel where it's cheaper. 24Euros/night is too much. I'm at a restaurant called Smile which was recomended by the guy at backpackers.
Wednesday, July 6th 2005
I sleeped a lot but I still feel tired. I went to the youth hostel on Victor Hugo to see if they had space but they're full. It's 8Euro something/night there. Ah well, I'll just go somewhere else. Since my transport ticket is still good, I've decided to go to Lykavittos which is the hill you see on my pictures from the Acropoli (http://photobucket.com/ user : goofy_swings and goofy_swings_pix password (for both) : poland). It's 4,50 Euros to take the lift and I'm on a tight budget. I don't want to walk it 'cause I don't have enough water. I gotta find a job, I just have to push myself into stores and ask for one. It's hard! I'm a bit shy when it comes to that type of thing. I'm at the youth hostel in Plaka. I reserved my room for the night. I spoke with a girl that sais I might get a job at the hostel. I've got a meeting with the boss tomorrow. Back at backpackers talking with my roomates. They're cool!
6pm (11am - MTL)
I think I'll go to the super market to get food (motzy - for poutine). Wow, this super marcket is far. In the kitcheen making poutine but the sauce is not taking, it's not thick enough. Bob from Scotland who works here seems to like it. Good! It's like 8pm (1pm - MTL) and I'm tired, I think I'll take a nap. It's 11:30pma (4:30pm - MTL) and Marco just called, I'm goin to meet him.
Well, that was interesting! I told him the truth in his face and he didn't like it (obviously) so he said I was fat. Sure! That's why he came to me in November. He's so full of it! Trying to convience me he's good at it and he can get it as often as he likes. Well, good for him. He's not getting it from me tonight or any other night. Ladies, be aware of greek man. They don't understand the word "No" weather you say it in english or greek, you gotta say it 25 times and even then, they don't understand. Info: "No" in greek is "Oxi" (pronounced : Oh-He). At this, I'll say good night!
Saturday, July 2nd 2005
Went to bed at 7am (midnight MTL), woke up at 2pm (7am - MTL). Just got a new roomate from Terrebonne. Cool! Someone to speak quebecois with. Brought her to the landromate and it's 7 Euros (~11.48 CAD) for washing and drying, a woman does it for you. I've decided to go to the beach today, as I've been here for a week and haven't been. The beach (sand) is black but the water is clear and freaking cold. There's alot of smoke comming from the other side of the hill. Looks like there's a big fire or the volcano errupted.
As I walk towards the hostel, there's a strong smell of burnt. I really wonder what's happening. People here are really very friendly. They work hard, alot and often (every day). They usually work every day of 6 mths and then have 6 mths off. They're suprised if you don't stay at lease half an hour after you finish eating. I'm at Tavern Kalimera (the place I've gone every night to eat). It feels a bit like Petit Medley. I go there alone but I know everyone there. If I don't get the job tonight, I'm leaving tomorrow and it would be sad.
I went to Fullmoon and spoke with Tony, the DJ (also the owner). I told him I needed a job and this guy offered me a job. He owns a car rental shop in Fira. He will arrange for me to have a place in Perissa. He and some friends (a couple) of his, took me to a bar which has live greek music. There's people dancing traditionnal dances. It's great to watch! These people are really into it. The music is loud and doesn't sound good. I wanna leave but I gotta see for that job. This guy is way to affectionate. I keep on taking his hands of my lap and he keeps on kissing my hand. I told him: "I'm looking for a job not love". I hope he understands. I wanna see Georges (Aussie). He hasn't called. I wonder if he's at Fullmoon now. We finally left that boring place. On our way to Fullmoon, Yani (the guy who offered me a job) wanted to stop at the Beach club, so I left them to go to Fullmoon. It's empty! Ah well, I'll go see Yani at the Beach club and tell him I'm retrieving for the night. He didn't take my number or gave me his, he just said: "Don't worry!" I'm like :"Ya sure!" Well, I'll check out tomorrow and if I don't get any news before the boat leaves for Piraeus (Athens), I'll just take it.
That means, back to Marco. Yeah!!! (in my sarcastic way) I've been away from home 2 weeks now and I don't have a job or place to stay. The good news is that if I stay, I'll get to see Georges another couple of days and if I leave, I'll still be able to see him but in a couple of days. It's a win-win situation, not!
It's 2:30am (7:30pm MTL) and I'm at the pool, Georges is in it and his friends are chilling. I brought my DVD player, Georges and I are watching "Rebel without a cause" under the stars, it's great!
Sunday, July 3rd 2005
There's no more space for the 4hr boat to Piraeus (Athens) in the economy class, so I gotta take the 10hr one that leaves at 10pm. Haven't heard from Yani. Ah well, we'll see what's instore for me. The hostel tried to charge me 17Euros/day as it's supposed to be 15Euros. I'm at the pool enjoying the beautifull day. There are clouds in the sky which is quite unusual. I hope it won't rain. Last day in Santorini. I guess, we could say it was a vacation.
I walk around Perissa, stop at Fullmoon and saw Toni. He gave me a card of a hostel in Athens and told me to say he sent me to get a job. Really nice of him! He also told me that Yani was full of shit and that he doesn't own anything. I had a feeling about it. Old geeser! Then, I saw Courtney (the waitress at Fullmoon) and we walked around the beach. She showed me a place in Perissa which I've never been and it was nice. Stoped at Tavern Kalimera and said goodbye to Milena. Went to the market, got some salami, greek cheese and olives. I went back to the hostel and saw Georges's friends. Chilled with them. I'm pretty sad to leave as I wish I could've stayed for the summer.
The bus was 20mins late. My boat is at 10pm and now, it's 9pm (2pm MTL). I just got off the bus with another guy from Vancouver. Tthe only thing is, we don't know where we are and we're not sure where to go. This is crap! We decided to split a cab but the taxi didn't stop. Patrick (the guy from Vancouver) waved at a car. Cool! The car stoped and 2 greeks brought us to the port at the base of the hill. It's 9:45pm (2:45 MTL) and the boat's not here. It's nice to have meet Patrick, it's someone to hang with for the trip.
There's people sleeping everywhere on the boat. This boat is much nicer then the one I took to get to Thira (Santorini). This boat has a discotheque, a bar and a restaurant. There are many more people on this boat as well. We meet some americans and we started watching Superman 2 together but we were too tired so we'll sleep on the floor. At lease, there's carpet on the floor.
Thursday, July 7th 2005
I just spent an hour enjoying the complementary breakfast and talking with the girls here but now I gotta go to the hostel to meet with the boss. That's great, they're goin to teach me bartending, I'm gonna be paid 18Euros/day, plus tips, plus housing, plus breakfast. I'll be working 7days/week but, I can switch with someone to get a day off. Anyways, I'll try and see how it goes. I walked around Plaka for awhile and stopped at that restaurant I like, across from Monastiraki station for a souvlaki pita (1.50 Euros).
I'm at backpackers to get my luggage and I just learned about the terrorists attacts in London. It's horrible! Edward (the owner of backpackers) asked me about that job that I got. He told me that if anything went wrong, to come to him and that I'm always welcome at their bar on the roof. He's really nice. I've meet a lot of Australians here and they're all great. I've been hanging here for like a couple of hours. I've been talking to this girl from Toronto who worked in Italy but she says she didn't like it that much. We went for some French fries and then she left for sanatorium - Perissa. She's so lucky! I wanna go back! I went back to backpackers to the bar on the roof, it's really nice and the new of the Acropole is great. I've been talking with people all night and now I'm tired. I'm going back to the hostel. Good night!
Friday, July 8th 2005
This room has no air and is very hot. I took a cold shower in the middle of the night to be able to sleep. I woke up sweating like Gab after a couple of dances. I'm a bit late at the other hostel but as I taught, the boss isn't here yet. No worries! This is going to be quite an experience. This hostel seems nicer but it's in the middle of nowhere. Well, we'll see! The heat is starting to get to me and I'm tired most of the time. I share my room with 2 guys, one Australian that works night shifts at the reception and a 19 year old Lithuanian kid who's here with his sister that works the bar. This room is very small but has air conditioning. There's also another girl from Czech Republic that works here. Another guy (Greek ) who works here is also a police officer. I'm at the bar as the Lithoannian girl is showing me how it works. It's not hard and most people only order beer. It's fun 'cause I'm meeting alot of people here. I can choose the music. Working here doesn't seem bad, it's the living here part which seems a bit sketchy. We'll see, if I can stand it, I'll stay 'till October than go to another country if not, I'll leave for another country. I'm not getting paid tonight but I get free lodging and breakfast while I'm "training".
Saturday, July 9th 2005
I don't have the key to leave the roof (where the employes rooms are) so I'm prisonned up here and can't go for breakfast. It's oh so hot! I don't want to be outside. I don't know what I'm goin to do today. It doesn't seem to be well organised. At lease, Internet is cheap here at 2Euros/hr. Well, I'm goin to be giving out flyers at the train station at 6:30pm it's 2:30 now, I've got lots of time. I'll put some sunscreen, got to Syntagma, eat and walk around. There's some kind of a side walk sale not far from the hostel but it's a non-touristic neiborhood so they're all Greeks. There's like no stores on this street. It's funny!
I'm back at McDonald's and it is not by choise, it's cheaper. I can get a double cheeseburger with a small fry for 2 Euros. I went on the internet earlier and Gab sent me an e-mail. I was so glad to have news from him. Everywhere I go, old man talks to me. I'm at backpackers and this girl just spoke to me in english and I reconized her Quebecquer accent. Oups! It's almost 6 and I have to be at the train station by 6:30. Ouf! Got here on time, the train hasn't arrived yet. Yap! Today I'm giving out flyers. It's really hot todday. This flyer thingy is crap. Competition is there and they steal customers. I hate this, I'm not agressive. I hope I won't be doing this often or at all. Roberto says he does it once a week.
I don't really like my boss and the girls (well, y'all know me and girls doesn't work) they're too young and girly. The only person I get along with is Daniel, he's older and more mature. I'm still in the process of seeing how long I can deal with this. I can only eat in my room, the burning hot balcony or the bar with obnossious noise I can't wait to be able to put on my own music. These 2 guys just came to the hostel, they look exausted and like a couple.
I'm at the bar eating a pizza and the 2 guys came in. I've been speaking to one of them all night. They're brothers from Danmark and he's studying to be a doctor. He's really nice and cute. I left them 'cause I'm tired but I've been talking with Daniel for like an hour now. That's cool! I'll go to bed now.
Sunday, July 10th 2005
I'm feeling really lazy today. I've taken my shower and watch a movie. Daniel's not here which is suprising as he should be sleeping now. It's so hot, I don't feel like going out. The heat here is not the type that makes you appreciate summer. It's very tiring this heat. I can't wait to work steadilly so I can "start living". The super markets are closed today so I have to wait 'till tomorrow to get stuff to cook. I just hand washed some clothes and the soap stained my white pants. I love them so much. I'm back at the train station. There's a mexican that works in an another hotel here and he talks with the security guy. That guy just spoke to me but I guess he's just bored 'cause the mexican's talking with some mexican girls in spanish. I understand most of what they're saying but they don't know that.
I'm back at the hostel. I brought 2 customer. I think the girl who's training me doesn't like me. I don't really care but she outta treat me better. She gives me orders and she gives me attitude when I do something wrong. When training is done, she better not do this to me I'll quit. A girl just asked for Fanta and I taught she said Vodka. The girl who's training me said I had to pay for the Vodka. I'll see with the boss but if it's true, I quit! I'll just get myself somewhere else. It's only 11:30 (4:30 MTL) and I'm stuck here 'till 1am. As she treats me like a dog. If this job's gonna be like this, I'm not gonna be happy so what's the point?!? We'll see with the boss's wife tomorrow. I'll talk with Daniel later. At lease someone nice. To think I just finished unpacking today. The boss asked me earlier for my passport but I don't feel comfortable leaving it to him.
I'm sitting at a table waiting for time to pass by. I' m thinking about you guys and I miss ya'll very much. You'd say I'm here by choice and it's true. I'm glad I'm in Europe but it doesn't change the fact that I love and miss you. I'm feeling quite alone tonight, tho I've been talking with some french girls earlier. Tolous (my boss) said not to worry about the Vodka. That's set! It's 1:30am (6:30pm MTL) and there's still people at the bar so we have to stay open.
Monday, July 11th 2005
I've stayed in bed so late again. I'm supposed to really start working today as the boss's wife (Rita) should be here. I drink so much water, I spend hafl my time drinking and the other half peeing. Well, Rita seems quite nice. I'm goin at the train station again today. Crap! I don't like this featching for customers shit! I went to the super market and made a small grocery but I practiced my greek which is good.
I'm back at the train station. I think I'll be seeing that security guy often. He's kinda cute, at lease he doesn't try to pick me up like all those greek jerks who thinks they're god's gift to women. This time, I brought my CD player, time goes by faster with music.
I'm standing on the balcony observing the life around here. There's a lot of noise (screaming) comming from the balsony in front of me. On the right side building there's an old woman observing life as she's eating. All of a sudden,I hear Chris Cross, Sailing. A man in his undies is taking his laundry out. This car passes by disturbing the peace with it's loud hip hop music. On an other balcony, a familly's attention is centered on a babay while an other one's eating and watching TV at the same time. This neiborhood is full of life ant it's great to observe it. I just learned that this is the Polish/Albanian neiborhood, so I found myself looking for a Polish restaurant. Found it! It's closed of course. Well, at lease I know where it is. Well, I'll go back to the hostel and have myself a quiet evening. There's nobody on the balcony so I'll put on some music and dance. Men, that felt good! There's a guy in the building across that keeps on watching us at night. This time he got a dance show.
Sunday, July 10th 2005
I'm feeling really lazy today. I've taken my shower and watch a movie. Daniel's not here which is suprising as he should be sleeping now. It's so hot, I don't feel like going out. The heat here is not the type that makes you appreciate summer. It's very tiring this heat. I can't wait to work steadilly so I can "start living". The super markets are closed today so I have to wait 'till tomorrow to get stuff to cook. I just hand washed some clothes and the soap stained my white pants. I love them so much. I'm back at the train station. There's a mexican that works in an another hotel here and he talks with the security guy. That guy just spoke to me but I guess he's just bored 'cause the mexican's talking with some mexican girls in spanish. I understand most of what they're saying but they don't know that.
I'm back at the hostel. I brought 2 customer. I think the girl who's training me doesn't like me. I don't really care but she outta treat me better. She gives me orders and she gives me attitude when I do something wrong. When training is done, she better not do this to me I'll quit. A girl just asked for Fanta and I taught she said Vodka. The girl who's training me said I had to pay for the Vodka. I'll see with the boss but if it's true, I quit! I'll just get myself somewhere else. It's only 11:30 (4:30 MTL) and I'm stuck here 'till 1am. As she treats me like a dog. If this job's gonna be like this, I'm not gonna be happy so what's the point?!? We'll see with the boss's wife tomorrow. I'll talk with Daniel later. At lease someone nice. To think I just finished unpacking today. The boss asked me earlier for my passport but I don't feel comfortable leaving it to him.
I'm sitting at a table waiting for time to pass by. I' m thinking about you guys and I miss ya'll very much. You'd say I'm here by choice and it's true. I'm glad I'm in Europe but it doesn't change the fact that I love and miss you. I'm feeling quite alone tonight, tho I've been talking with some french girls earlier. Tolous (my boss) said not to worry about the Vodka. That's set! It's 1:30am (6:30pm MTL) and there's still people at the bar so we have to stay open.
Monday, July 11th 2005
I've stayed in bed so late again. I'm supposed to really start working today as the boss's wife (Rita) should be here. I drink so much water, I spend hafl my time drinking and the other half peeing. Well, Rita seems quite nice. I'm goin at the train station again today. Crap! I don't lke this featching for customers shit! I went to the super market and made a small grocery but I practiced my greek which is good.
I'm back at the train station. I think I'll be seeing that security guy often. He's kinda cute, at lease he doesn't try to pick me up like all those greek jerks who thinks they're god's gift to women. This time, I brought my CD player, time goes by faster with music.
I'm standing on the balcony observing the life around here. There's a lot of noise (screaming) comming from the balsony in front of me. On the right side building there's an old woman observing life as she's eating. All of a sudden,I hear Chris Cross, Sailing. A man in his undies is taking his laundry out. This car passes by disturbing the peace with it's loud hip hop music. On an other balcony, a familly's attention is centered on a babay while an other one's eating and watching TV at the same time. This neiborhood is full of life ant it's great to observe it. I just learned that this is the Polish/Albanian neiborhood, so I found myself looking for a Polish restaurant. Found it! It's closed of course. Well, at lease I know where it is. Well, I'll go back to the hostel and have myself a quiet evening. There's nobody on the balcony so I'll put on some music and dance. Men, that felt good! There's a guy in the building across that keeps on watching us at night. This time he got a dance show.
Tuesday, July 12th 2005
Well, the boss said that today, I'd be working as a receptionnist at another hostel. Here I go! It doesn't look nice and the guy there told me I'd be doing breakfest. I don't want to do breakfest. I'll talk with the boss because there wasn't question of breakfest before. Now, I gotta move all my stuff to that other place and I'm going to share a room with a guy and his girlfriend. Great a couple (sarcastically)! Well, I'll see what it's like and if I don't like it, I'm otta here. His girlfriend is from Quebec City and she's not like girly, she's more sporty so I'll most likely get along with her. At lease, I'll have someone to speak Quebecois with most of the time.
The room is bigger and I get free internet and they have a washing machine for that, it's better. I'll give it time. I went out looking for a curling iron and all I found, is a pack with all sorts of irons for like 46Euros. It's way too much especially if I only use one of them. Got myself some McD's and now I'm back at the hostel to do some laundry. They're nice here! I should be doing breakfest for 2-3 weeks and then reception. That's ok for me. The good thing is there's no such thing as trainning here, I'll be paid for everything I do. Anyways, I'm starting tomorrow. That means no money out of the bank. I get to not spend my savings anymore. I'm tired but I can't sleep.
Mercredi, le 13 juillet 2005
Wednesday, July 13th 2005
Great, I'm late for my first day. I woke up a bit late and the couple in the next room have been using the bathroom/shower for the past half hour. Ah well, I don't think they'll make a fuss this morning. I didn't get to sleep. It was way too hot in the room, even with the fan and the 3 cold showers I took. There's not much to do for breakfest. It's a self serve, all I have to do is lay out everything (coffee, tea, juice, marmalade, butter, hot water, utensils and plates), cook hard boilled eggs and cut bread. Then, I have to stand there for 4hrs taking money from customers and clean up after them. It's not bad as I've been talking alot with customers and I get to put my own music. I've just spoke with this guy who's going to studdy in Poland and he was asking alot of questions also about teaching, I had loads to tell him.
I finally spoke with Niko (the boss) he says he has another hostel and he'll see if I can work reception or bar there. I decided to go look for that other Polish restaurant I was told but I couldn't find it so, I guess I'll go to the other one. On my way back, there was a huge park (Eden Garden) so I decided to walk thru it. It's really nice! At this moment, I'm sitting on a bench in this park. It's peacefull and chaotic at the same time. There's a breeze going thru the leaves and then, I hear different birds trying to be louder then the others, kids playing in the background, cars reminding me I'm in the middle of the city.
Attention a tous les monocles et matantes, je viens de passer devant un salon de bridge et oui, vous m'avez bien compris, j'ai dit Salon de BRIDGE! Le restaurant polonais est encore ferme. Quel merde! Bon, je vais aller chez Goody's pour me prendre une salade a 4Euros (c'est un bar a salade et le plat est gros). Je suis très fatiguée je vais monter à ma chambre pour manger ma salade devant Simba et ses amis.
Jeudi, le 14 juillet 2005
Thursday, July 14th 2005
Je me suis lève ce matin pour faire le déjeuner mais Lucyenda (celle qui le fait d'habitude) était entrain de le faire. On lui a dit que je travaillais à l'autre auberge. Je ne sais pas, je n'ai pas eu de nouvelles de Niko. On verra aujourd'hui! La, je vais me couche. Il pleut et il y a eu du tonnerre toute l'avant-midi. Je suis restée au lit.
I got cheated off 3Euros on my pay 'cause I was 30mins late. I said what about this morning, I got up to get to work and nobody told me I wasn't working. What a bull of crap. Man, the greeks, they want people to work for them for free. I got myself a salad at Goody's with lots of olives and feta cheese and now, I'm back in that huge park where I found myself a quiet spot to eat my salad. I'm at Victoria Station waiting for the train and there's some Glen Miller paying. Nice!
I've been looking all over for a curling iron. I went to this hair dresser in Plaka who was really nice and told me where I could find one. Man, the cheapest one is like 30Euros. Way too expensive for my blood! Back at the hostel and I've been on the internet of the past 3-4hrs. There's a girl from Equador that just came in (Katharina), she's really nice and she speaks french. She's staying in my room tonight. The couple that stays with me bought loads of food so we're like watching "Down with love" and eating. Cool!
Friday, July 15th 2005
Katharina and I decided to hang out together today. I showed her around Plaka and we've been walking for like 6hrs. Cynthia called, I was very suprised and glad to hear her. Isabelle also called before she left for work. It's great hanging out with Katharina. We ate Gyro and McFlurry. Now, we're at backpackers and my chocolates are still there but not the cheese. Ah well! We went up to the roof bar. It's great up here! I'm having so much fun the "DJ"just played a set of Jazz music that was cool! We're like all signing and dancing. It's fun! I've been talking with this Scotish guy for like 2hrs now. He's like drunk and all over me but it doesn't bother me as he's not forcefull. He's really nice and I like the scottish accent. Party's ended now at backpackers and we're all walking to another club or bar.
Katharina and I are hungry for Mussaca. Wow, this mussaca was very expensive (9.50Euros) this is more than we shoul've paid. Normaly, the maximum price should be 4-5Euros 6 max. Thank god we took one for both of us. The DJ past by while we were paying the check. he says he wants to hang out with me once in awhile, that would be great! We went back to the club, I hung with Roy (the scott) while Katharina went talking to other people. They have a projection of a silent movie on the wall. That's cool! I'm having fun observing every one dancing and having fun. They look so serene, no worries, just hapinest, that's what I like. Cool, Charlie Chaplin! It's so funny! Well, almost everyone's gone and we've been invited to party at the boys room at backpackers. I just have to give my no to the "DJ", we'll meet them there.
We'll we're here but they're not! We went outside to wait for them as we hung with Bob and some other guy. Cool! They're giving us massages. That guy's really good. He's loosen some nots. Well, the belgium guys got here and we're all talking. Finally, the scotts are here they taught we weren't comming. Wow, it's 5:30am. We gotta take the train back to the hostel. The guy's opening the gate. Kalimera! Time to go to bed, good night!
Saturday, July 16th 2005
It's 11am and the idiot at the reception woke us up to tell Katharina to change rooms now. I'm like, Hey! this is the employe's room let us sleep. We went to bed at 6:30am. It's 4pm Katharina woke me up her and her friend are going to the beach and she asked me if I wanted to go. Yes! This is great! The sun is out, it's hot and the water is blue. I've been showing Fernandina to float and after we played frizby. Now, we're just relaxing on the beach. Man, this is life! Fernandina is sleeping on the beach as Katharina and I are throwing pebles at her aiming for the bellybutton. It's fun! We're hungry! Let's go seafood! We've been walking around the port for a seafood restaurant for like 20mins now. So we decided to go for salad at Goody's. We're going out tonight.
Hello backpackers! It's not as fun as yesterday. We're back at that other club as backpackers bar closes at midnight. It's cool 'cause now, I can watch that silent movie they were playing yesterday and understand the story. The movie ended now and it's Charlie Chaplin, he's really funny! After we left the club, Katharina, Fernanda, an Aussie girl, some spanish guys and I left to go sleep. On our way, we found a club with good dancing music and a dance floor. So we went in and made the party move then, they said we had to leave if we didn't drink so we left.
Sunday, July 17th 2005
I've had enough! I'm leaving Athens! The stupid big fat dodo receptionnist who doesn't speak english woke me up to leave the room as today, I should start at Zeus (the other hostel). It's like 11am, can't he let me sleep! I hung up and went back to bed. The big fat stupid bitch maid came knocking at the door. She thru my stuff off the bed to make it for customers but this is the employe's room. They only rent these beds when the stupid big fat dodo receptionist makes mistakes. She's throwing everyone's stuff all over. What a bitch! I'm packing! She left so I looked the door to change but she came back bashing on the door and yelling at me to open the door, I told her after I finish changing and she knocked the door down. She's psyco! Men, I can't take this, I quit! I'm goin to Zeus and see what's up there. Anyways, I have nowhere to go. There's way too many bosses here, I spoke with Niko but the wrong one.
I went to see Tolus to tell him what happened and that I quit. I'm going to Corfu. The bus leaves tomorrow from Aphrodite Hostel. The bus is 39Euros one way and it includes one night stay plus dinner and breakfest. Tolus told me to bring my stuff at Aphrodite and that he'll arange it for me and he'll also call the boss at Pink Palace (the hostel in Corfu) to see if they need someone. In that case, I'll have a job as Tolus said. That's nice of him. I'm really pised today and I'm tired which makes things worse. Don't anybody get to me today! I got a bed at Aphrodite for 10Euros as the regular price is 15. That was nice of Tolus. I went back to Zorbas to say bye to Shade and Marie-Eve. Now, I'm on my way to backpackers with 2 turkish guys who stays in my room.
I love the roof bar here, it's great! I'm always talking to many people here from all around the globe. Hey, the equador girls just got here. Cool! I think, I told what happened this morning to 10-15 people (not exagerating). Being at backpackers now makes me sad that I'm leaving. The "DJ" is here (Niko). He's really bumed that I'm leaving. Well, he has my number. Tonight we're all goin to karaoke. Gotta luv a bunch of drunk guys singing. I'm going for it, I'll be singing (or trying to) "Fever". We're all dancing in the isle. I'm having so much fun. Great, someone sang "Just a gigolo" and I did backup singing. That was so much fun, maybe after this, I can do back up for the Jello Shots. Hi hi hi!! Now, they're pulling the greek songs, this is my Q. I'm flesing! I had a great night.
Monday, July 18th 2005
I love Goody's for 3,95Euros, I get a big empty carton bol with a lid which I can fill with as much feta cheese, kalamata olives and salad as I want. Isn't it great!?! I'm back in that huge park. This old fart was following me, I even changed places to see if he was really following me. I went straight up to him and yelled at hime to stop following me and I left. Anoying old fart! Mostly, I come here for peace and quiet. Motorcycles and scooters rule here, threy're in the streets, on the sidewaks, they cross on the red lights, go on the oposite direction of the street... It's like chaos! I found the cheapest place to have pictures from a memory card placed on a CD, 3Euros and it's done wright away not far from Aphrodite hostel on Mihal Voda.
I hate pigeons, they're everywhere and they're not scared of humans. Went back to my favorite place, backpackers. I have 2hrs to kill. I love this place. I've been talking with AJ an Aussie which I've pocked all night. We went for gyros and icecream. Backpackers again! Good bye all, had loads of fun! My bus is in 30mins. I'll get there on time. This is goin to take 11hrs to get to Corfu. I met 3 americans and we played thruth or dare. Bus, ferry, bus, ferry, bus.... Can't really sleep with all those changes.
Tuesday, July 19th 2005
I'm in Corfu at the Pink Palace, finally! This place is known to be the party place, people getting drunk and laid. This is like Club Med. Someone greats you, you get to wear a bracelet, no outsiders on the property, loads of activities (but you gotta pay separate)... I'm oh so tired! I spoke with the boss here and I think I have a job at reception.
Oh man! My room is at the bothom and I have to get thru the beach to get there, it's like the other end of the world. I can't bring my luggage onthe beach, it's on rollers and 30kilos. Someone's gonna bring it for me. I'm way too tired. The guy at the reception here is useless, he doesn't want to hepl me with my luggage. The guy at the convinience store on the beach is helpfull, he'll take care of it. Thanks! Great, I have the room to myself (first time in a month). Sleeped 'till 7pm. The door doesn't lock from inside and the guys brought my luggage in while I was sleeping and I was half naked. Thank god my sleeping bag was covering me.
I spoke with the boss again and tomorrow, I'm moving to the staff quaters. Food is good and guys are serving us. The guy who brought me my plate, started to describe the meal to me (joking), he's really cute. Most of the guys here are good looking. This is the place for booze, sex and rock'n roll, it's mostly booze and sex. I've been meeting alot of staff. That's cool! I played poker with a sweedish and his teenage son. They're nice! It's beautifull here, the hills, the clear water, the sand, the fullmoon. I talked with this french man who live in Mikonos 'till like 2:30am. I gotta check out at 9am and switch to an employe room.
Wednesday, July 20th 2005
I didn't sleep much, the waves woke me up and I had f%^$ up dreams. That guy at the reception here is an idiot. Nobody at the reception want to help me with my luggage. I'll go see the guy that helped me yesterday. Finally, people that will help me. This guy's carrying my luggage allthe way, it's soooo heavy! He's good! Finally got my luggage all the way up to reception. I'll be making muscles going up and down the stairs and paths here. I'm at the main reception waiting for god knows what. My cellphone doesn't work here and that's a bummer. There's no signal.
Oh man! I have to go all the way down again. I'll be working with that idiot and staying there. Great! (sarcastically) This is shit! They sent me to the crappy place. I bet ya, there's no phone there. Why do I end up with these idiots at work here. I tought I'd be working at the main reception. And again, we'll see. If it doesn't work out, I'll asked to be switched. Now that I got some guy to bring my luggage up, I have to find guys to bring it back down. The waves are so big, I gotta swim. Man, that was fun! The only problem is that there's rocks as you get in and out of the water, it is a bit dangerous as the waves are strong and makes me fall.
Gotta go work, I'm training at the main reception. It's cool! Everyone's nice and the job's easy. I'm so hungry!!! Food's good here but I need more then what we get. I don't know when I finish, I guess Dina (my boss) will tell mi. It's 11:30pm (4:30pm - MTL), I just finished and I have to be back here at 8am tomorrow.
Thursday, July 21st 2005
I'm late! Of course I'm at the other end of the world, I have to climb up and I barelly got to sleep. This job is ok. I get a free t-shirt but I'm not paid for the first 3 weeks as I'm on "trial". That's a way of getting free labour. It's relaxing, no one's on your back or bothers you, you can chill and tal to people, no stress. I'm here from 8am 'till 2pm and then, back at 4pm 'till 11pm, 10hrs of work. It's fun meeting all these new guests. These texans just came in and one of the guys has a t-shirt that says: "I sware, it's this big!" so I asked him if I could get a proof of that, he said later. We'll see!! I had time to take a swim and a nap.
I'm going to be late again. I'm a bit late but nobody noticed. I'm hungry, I wonder what time they'll bring food up. Oh man! everyone's ordering food from the restaurant and the kitchen's closing. I had to run to the kitchen and ask the chef if he had food for me, thank god he had some rice and vegetables, it's not much but better than nothing. That guy working the night shift is giving me attitude and doesn't want me to work, Whatever!! I need the key to the kitchen here to clean my dishes but he's mean to me and claims he doesn't have them so, I'll leave them here. Man! I'm starting at 8am tomorrow morning.
When am I supposed to sleep? My phone has no signal here, only at the beach if I'm lucky. I don't think I'll stay here, if I stay 3 months, I leave with 300 Euros as I spend approximately 3-5 Euros/day for water, lunch, etc. That's without my expenses to leave the country to get my passport stamped, so actually, I'll leave with approximately 150-200 Euros. This is not worth working 7days/week, 10hrs/day.
Friday, July 22nd 2005
I barely sleeped last night and I didn't wake up when the alarm went off. I'm 45mins late but I don't care and they don't seem to either. Dina sent me to the H-I building (the one I'm suposed to work at). It took 10mins for the guy to show me the job so I have notting to do untill this afternoon (time? no time here, they're always vague). I ate breakfest with a german and now, I'm at a bar from another hotel with 2 french Patrick, Benjamin and one quebecer Charles. Patrick and Charles are talking too much politics for me. Benjamin studies to be an airline pilot, that's cool! I spent all day with Charles and Benjamin. It was nice. Now (6pm) I'll go see at reception what's up. Dina's not there 'till 8pm so I have 2hrs. I've been talking with this guy from LA who's doing some painting and he works at the same place I do (H-I building). The texan guys just got off the Booze cruise. Well, it's 7pm I'll go up now. I've decided to stay a couple of days to figure out what I'm going to do and then, I'll quit.
I'm here doing notting as the night shift guy's here and I know he'll give me attitude if I do anything. So, I'm writing in my journal. Tomorrow, I'm working at the H-I building from 2 to midnight and I'll be making posters, Yeah! It'll be quiet, too quiet even. There's notting to do overthere, not many guests to serve. I went to the Paladium (disco) and my taughts were: "Kids with too much testosterone and low IQ's". This'll be fun!
Saturday, July 23rd 2005
I was so tired, I sleeped 'till noon. Now, I'm with Johanna who works at the reception here, she's Polish. There's notting to do untill midnight so we're watching DVDs. We played a bit of freezby and we're watching more DVDs. This is lond and boring, to think that starting tomorrow, I'll be doing this alone. Benjamin came to see us a couple of times. Now, it's 9pm and I'm at the main kitchen eating. The owner of this place is a jerk, he just said that all the employees here are stupid. Jerk!
Tonight's the toda party, everyone's wearing a pink toga (sheet you wrap around your body like the ancient greeks). This is the most discusting "party" I've been to. They start off with spin the bottle but they don't kiss just dance (that's OK) after, they have some "greek" dancing (doesn't look too greek to me) then, the boss (Dr. Georges) goes in and dances with no shoes on as some guys breaks plates on the floor and they put fire around the floor, up 'till now all is good but then, they have the guys who works here come in with a bucket of ouzo and they break plates on eachothers head followed by an ugly display of sex (with clothes on) with female guests for like 15-20mins as the guys breaks plates on the girls while f"%^@ing if you're still there after that crap, they serve ouzo and break plates on your head to end it with a beer chuging contest. I was wrong, this is not like club med, this is a hore house, "Un Bordel". I'm definetely not staying here.
Sunday, July 24th 2005
I got to take a 4 wheeler out this morning and it was great! This island is beautifull with wonderfull villages. I want to rent a 4 wheeler everday to see the island, I was supposed to go to Kerkyra (Corfu town) to look for a job but I didn't have time this morning, I'll go some other time. I'm not in a hurry to leave. Gas only cost me 1 Euro which is less than a bus ticket to Kerkyra. I'll take my time to leave as I have a place to stay and free food as long as I'm here. I'll just take advantage of the sea and the 4 wheelers. Nature here is beautifull. There's valleys everywhere. Awsome! I'm also getting quite a tan, something I never had. I learned today that I can borrow movies for free here and they have about 200 of them. Cool! This sucks, the movies don't work on my DVD, Crap! I'm too tired, I'm gona take a nap. It's 6pm now and I've been sleeping on a beach chair at the reception since 3pm. I opened my eyes when people came in but they took the keys and/or left them telling me not to move. Cool! It's so relaxing!!
Monday, July 25th 2005
Woke up at 10am, ate breakfest, swam and now, I'm working. In Greece, all trees are either orange, lemon or olive trees. At this building, there's a lemon trees so I get fresh lemons anytime I want. Cool! there's not much to say about today and I fear it's going to be like that for awhile.
Tuesday, July 16th 2005
Droped my laundry and did some kayak. Some of the employes are taking pictures of themselves with water like they're the chippendales or something. Losers! Back at work, the maids and the daughter of one of them are here. They're all greek and it's cool as I get to practice greek and the little girl is teaching me words. She's cute! She's watching Finding Nemo on my DVD player. I've taned more then I've ever been. I'm suprised and happy. Someone offered me a job in Mikonos, I have to think about it. My mother told me the empress of Austria Sisi had a house here, I gotta see it before I leave. It's really beautifull here, it's in the middle of a valley. After work, I walked around with a guy from Australia after awhile, he got on my nerves with all his wining and unhappiness he was too negative.
Wednesday, July 27th 2005
I woke up too late for breakfest so I took a swim. The sea is calm and we can easily see fish in the water near the shore, it's really nice. I wish I had snorkeling gear. I've got used to the heat, it's not making me sleepy anymore. Tonight was someking of exciting, there was a hole in a waterpipe in one of the rooms and it flooded another room as well. I went in and closed the water, I also had to move the occupant's stuff to another room as the boys weren't there. It kept me occupied for an hour.
Thursday, July 28th 2005
I wanted to get up early to take a quad and drive around the island but I couldn't get myself up. I went to get my lunch but on my way back, I fell and dropped my plate. I had to fight to get another plate of food. That's crazy! That's greek man for you! It's not like I did it on purpose or something.
Friday, July 29th 2005
This morning, I went to the top reception and my boss gave me a lift on his quad. It felt a bit akward but it's ok, I guess. Got the rest of my laundry and hung out at the bar talking to employes and customers. One idiote touched my breast twice on purpose so, when he wasn`t looking, I put my foot on his crutch (he was sitting). He got mad, he was like: "I'm canadian!!" oh sorry, as if that would give him the right to touch me. A$% Hole! Anyways, it was expected by people coming to this place. A couple of days ago, I fell and hurt my foot some skin was taken off. It didn't hurt but now, it's infected by the sand, it hurts and it's swallowed. I'll have to go to the doctor tomorrow.
Saturday, July 30th 2005
I went to the doctor and he desinfected my wound. He was rough and he hurt me alot. Now, I have to take a quad and go to Sinarades to get medication at the pharmacy. I love driving quads, it's so much fun. Weeeeee! This island is really beautifull with all those villages and valleys. I love it! I just gave myself a haircut and it feels great!
Monday, August 1st 2005
Alwready August! Today, I took a quad out and got myself to Kerkyra (Corfu town) but I only had time to drive around and go back. Next time, I really gotta get up earlier. It's so hot I sweat even when I'm sitting down. I wish I could go swim but the doctor said I couldn't. I'm really getting board at this job. Tonight, I'm goin out after work. I've been reading the bad girls guide to getting what you want and I want to try some of those things. I changed my name and pretended I was from NYC, it was cool. I danced a bit but mostly, the music sucked. I met an Italian guy who dances well and is quite bright. It was nice talking and dancing with him.
Tuesday, August 2nd 2005
I'm seriously thinking about studying the ocean. I guess I'm on somekinda quest, searching for my life, for what I want to do.
Wednesday, August 3rd 2005
My day was dull untill after dinner. I was talking to Alex a British then Paul an Aussie came and joined us after, Alex left and 4 german guys asked for music. Party! I had to pick up 2 guys (New Mexico) who had just arrived to show them the way here (H-I building). It's past midnight and my shift is done but I'm having loads of fun. Oh my god! I just spoke with Kyle (NM) and he swing dances, I'm so excited I have to dance now. It feels so good. Denisa (she's from Prague and works the midnight to 8 shift) filmed us dancing. Then, I went to bed.
Thursday, August 4th 2005
It's like 4 or 5 am but I can't sleep. I just started to talk to David (Kyle's friend) and Kyle told him I swing dance, so he asked me for a dance now and then, it was great. I showed him some moves, he learns fast.
7:30am Think I'll go tho bed and try to sleep now.
I went swiming and I lost my sun glasses. That sucks! I've had people coming and talking to me, time goes by faster. Denisa came around and we goofed around with condoms, filling them with water and Denisa kept asking every guy we saw if they wanted to model them for us. Haven't found any models yet! I taught David some new moves. I'm at the Paladium (the Pink Palace night club) it's great to dance swing. Lindy bomb! Kyle and I started talking after the ouzo circle as the music started to suck. Then, we decided to leave, on the other side of the H-I building where I work, there's the nicest view of the stars and we just talked and saw a dozen of chooting stars. It was really nice.
Friday, August, 5th 2005
I woke up at 1:20 pm and I work at 2pm. Just enough time to get dressed and food before I start. The maids are really nice, they're talking to me often and they're crazy. When I went for dinner, they made us wait so long that I decided to go dance with Kyle and David. There was no one on the dance floor as it was too early. I'm so excited to get to dance swing. It's making me soooo happy. These guys are great! It's sad they're leaving tomorrow. I had to "run" to H-I with my plate of food as new guests were about to arrive. I found models for the condoms, 2 Irish guys. As I past in front of their room, the window was opened and they were changing.
Midnigth, it's pumpkin time, gotta go to the paladium to dance. Kyle disapeared with my glaces. I'm starting to have a headeache. After looking for him for an hour, I found him with a girl on the beach.
Saturday, August 6th 2005
Kyle and David spent almost all day with me, I'm going to miss them. This has been the 3 best days of my trip. We danced, talked and watched a movie. They're both goofy in a different way, they complete eachother. David is goofy in his movements, he has a hard time sloutching as for Kyle, he falls in the stairs, hits his head and leaves with my glasses. I really like them. I've also convience them to come to the canadian swing championship. Lately, there's been more people here which makes it more interesting. It's 9:30pm, Kyle and David left, not without saying goodbye. I' really glad I met them, I hope to see them again someday, while traveling or at a swing dance event.
Monday, August 8th 2005
The maids gave me a hard core porn deck of cards yesterday. They're nuts! Sex addicts! I got sunburned today but I asked for it, I shouldn't have lied in the sun for 2hrs without sunscreen. I some kinda wanted to get burn to get a tan afterwards on my legs, stomac and back. The playing cards are making guys talk (to me). This guy from Calgary has been playing cards with me for the past half hour, he promised he'd come back around 1am to play again. I don't mind, he's good looking. I'm gonna take a walk later on the other side of H-I and stare at the stars. It's calm and nicer on the other side. I've been killing blood suckers and being proud of myself everytime one's dead.
Wednesday, August 10th 2005
This past few days, Justin (one of the employes) gives me compliments everytime I see him. He's really good looking and he knows it! Most of the guys working here are good looking, the petty is that they know it too well. They're like running after the good looking girls trying to land them every night.
Thursday, August 11th 2005
I signed my contract today. I'm here untill September 21st. It was good to get a pay, finally! I got to pay back Denisa who lent me money. My sun glasses were recovered by somekinda miracle. I can't believe it! The lenses are scratched but I'll have them changed when I can. I'm just happy to have them back. My sandals in an other way, are totally ruined. I'm stuck wearing my running shoes untill I get myself new sandals. There's 2 guys from NYC in room 35 and they're nice, I picked one of them up last night as David at reception described him to me as a white version of Mr. T. When I saw him, I introduced myself as the white version of chocolate ice-cream.
After my shift, I hung at the paladium but it sucked so I went to the main reception bar to get chips and I meet 2 guys from texas, we talked for like and hour and it turned out they rented a car so I talked them into taking me around tomorrow morning. Cool! It's like 2:30am at this time. On my way back to my room, I see this guy in his room going to the bathroom and we started talking. He's from Australia (of course) and he's here with a friend. We talked for awhile then, I went to bed.
Friday, August 12th 2005
Sleeped 2hrs, woke up Adam and Bryan at 9:45am. We ate breakfest and left the Pink Palace. We ended up at Achilleion where Sisi had a vacation house. It was her retreat house. It's magnificent, it's just sad we can't go on the top floors. It was really something to see things that belonged do her as well as her portrait and Franz's. There's a nice garden behind it and loads of statues. The guys were really into taking pictures of beautifull sights. They're really nice! It made me very happy to see that. I was gitty and I held myself from the excitment I felt. I was great! I didn't want to leave Corfu without seeing it and I did so I'm not missing out.
It's very foggy today, I've never seen that much fog since Krakow. It's 9:50pm (2:50pm - MTL), I'm sitting outside by the reception. The moon is there and the hotel at the other end is reflecting on the water from all the light it's producing. It's funny how I sleeped 2hrs this morning and I haven't been tired untill now and even now it's not that bad. I borowed a book at the exchange : Bridget Jones - The edge of reason - It'll keep me occupied for awhile. I've been looking for interesting books to read and since I don't read much, not many books sound appealing to me.
I see many people having sex here and I'm starting to feel lonely. I'd like to have a stable relationship but I guess that with my lifestyle, it's not really an option. I've been "waiting" (I don't really wait, it's more like leting things happen) for something to happen in the past 3-4 years now, I might as well be lonely for the rest of my life. This trip and being in this place doesn't help much. I meet really nice people here but the main conversation stays basic: Where are you from? Where were you before here? Where are you goin next?... It's the same story over and over again. People don't stay here long enough to extend the conversation. As for co-workers well, none of them works at H-I and I get to see them in the morning sometimes, sometimes in the evening (but I'm eating alone most of the time) or at night when I go out. In all of these occasions, I haven't got the chance to talk to them much. There goes my social life.
One's must ask herself why am I staying here then!?! I ask myself that same question every day. I don't really know, I guess I like the fact that I get peace and quiet here. I wish I had a lap top and something to study, at lease my time wouldn't feel that much like it's lost. For some reason, I feel like writing right now, I don't know if it's the wind blowing thru my hair, Nat King Cole, the sound of the waves, the fog I inhaled today or what, but I feel like writing. I don't know!
I meet some Aussie today who studied in MTL, it felt really good to talk about MTl with someone. Tomorrow's Saturday, I gotta pick up my pay. It's high season now and there's way more guests here at the Pink Palace, it keeps me busy, less time to miss MTL. I still miss swing tho but the New Mexicans last week made it better. It's MTLX now and I'm missing it. An exchange in my own city and I miss it. Ah well, that's life! Just gotta think that instead, I'm in Greece. It's a fair trade.
It feels good to write expecially that lately I haven't had much to say. I must say, thank god for Denisa! She's nice and we get along well. I don't know how long she'll be here for but I hope as long as me. She's the only person I see long enough to have decent discutions with and confide in. She's fun! I'm sure gonna keep contact with her.
One hour left 'till my shift is done. I've been writing for one hour. Of course, there was some disturbances as my boss (Dina) called a couple of times to check guests but not much. I wish you guys could see, smell, feel, hear, taste what I'm experiencing right now, it's great! I feel so serene, it's wonderfull. These sensations as much as I'm trying to descrive them seem undescribable. I, in many ways, enjoy and take advantage of every moment here. THIS, is what I call life, living! I guess my reasons for staying must be just as undescribable.
I had to fetch these 3 australians to show them the way here. They're really nice, mature and good looking. We chatted for awhile. My shift is done, I'm in my PJ's and I have to go to the main reception all the way to the top to bring some customer's passports to Dina. On my way up, I saw Joanna and we danced a bit at the paladium. Then I left and on my way up, I meet Justin, he was comming back from brigning a drunk girl to her room, I tried to come to H-I but, "it's too far". On my way back to H-I, I stopped at the paladium as Justin talked me into goin back (it wasn't too hard as he's the best looking guy here). I finally got myself back to H-I.
The australians were waiting for me to play cards but since the restaurant is closed, we went to the paladium so they could get some drinks. I love chatting with these guys, they're really cool. We stayed untill closing time which is a first for me and then, we went to the bar at the top reception. As we were leaving the paladium, I sliped my room key in Justin's pocket as a joke. He kept my key. No prob, there's a spare one back at H-I. I sugested to the Australians who thinks the paladium sucks as much as I do, to rent a car and go out in Kerkyra. I can drive them back afterwards. They liked the idea, I hope they'll do it. It would be too cool.
Saturday, August 13th 2005
Joanna's brother's here, he doesn't speak a lot of english, this will be a good opportunity for me to practice my Polish. I feel ashamed, I have books to learn greek and I haven't opened them often enough. I think I sleeped for an hour and a half now on chairs. I will soon become an expert on togas, I've been placing togas on a dozen of boys and girls tonight alone. I'm replacing Denisa again tonight for a couple of hours. I'm just accumulating time when she'll be replacing me. Going to watch Down with love.
Sunday, August 14th 2005
I'm at the Paladium but the 3 Australians aren't here. Oh my God! Ren (one of the busboys) is walking without pants or undies. Thank god he's young! So funny! All the busboys are runing after him to take his shirt off. Aparently, he lost a game of babyfoot and that was the consiquence. They're all down stairs where the bathrooms are exept for Justin who's sitting next to me. What the hell!!! All the busboys just came up and are running around naked and yelling, so funny! These guys are too much! I've been bored all night but I got to talk with these guys much.
Monday, August 15th 2005
I've been talking with Mladen for the past two hours (one of the Australians). The other one's are on the booze cruise. It was great to talk with him as I was sun bathing again, trying to keep my tan and get a better tan on my legs. They're leaving now, so sad! They're really nice and good looking. Took a pic and got their e-mails. Michael is coming to Canada for a year so I might see him there. It's sad to have some decent people leave 'cause it's so rare. They're cool!
Tuesday, August 16th 2005
I went to the market to get some stamps to send postcards and I saw some calling cards so I got myself one as they gave 1h45mins for 5 Euros which is decent. I called Isabelle, felt good to talk to her. I also called Gab and spoke quite a bit. It was really nice to talk to them. Love having news from them and getting advice. Went to the paladium tonight, it's ouzo circle night, crap! Ouzo circle is when they distribute ouzo to all and smash plates on people's head followed by my co-workers pretending to have hardcore sex on the floor with female guests for like 20mins. That's sooooo degrating! I'm sitting at the bar with Dana (a co-worker from Prague) who's boyfriend, Andrew is a busboy. I know she's been mean to Denisa but she's been nice to me. She's teaching me some Tcheck.
Wednesday, August 17th 2005
I went to eat at the beach kitchen David (a busboy) and Justin are there. Sat next to them, they had planned to go on the booze cruise but it was cancelled. 15mins later, the other busboys arrived and sat wiht us. It was nice to hang with them, I'm late for work but no one knows or care. I just want to hang with them as I haven't really got the chance. The DJ's an ass! He kept on asking me if I had sex last night which is none of his bussiness.
Thursday, August 18th 2005
Fell like a chicken roasting on charcoal as for the past few days, I have been taking some colors and trying to keep those colors for 3-4hrs/day on reception balcony. I've also been reading Bridget Jone's The edge of reason, very good and interesting as developments are a bit different then the movie itself. Spoke with Denisa today and tomorrow, I have the entire day off. WEEE! She's taking my shift, this is great! Dr. Georges yelled at me today, saying I take too much time for dinner. Well, it's my only time to socialize. Anyways, he only saw me there for half an hour. Whatever! He need employees so he's not gonna fire me for that.
Went to the Paladium tonight, I started dancing as the music was miraculusly good. It was great as I danced with Gab, Daren (aka Sexy -not to take seriously-), Rob and other busboys. Felt a bit like Petit Medley as going there alone but knowing most people and adknologizing eachother as they pass by me, joking at times. Felt great! Gotta go to bed early, need to get laundry first. On way back, stoped at Paladium again and spent all night with Stuart (a busboy/doorman). He's funny in a weird way. I like him. I have a weird feeling the busboys think I'm a slut. It's so not me. This place is just evil. Got one month left, got Denisa. Get occasional phone calls from familly and friends. Think positive, think positive! Gonna make nervous breakdown! No! Think positive!
Friday, August 19th 2005
Day off! Weeee! Denisa's replacing me today. I took a quad out and I'm now in Kerkyra walking thru the small streets filled with shops, reminds me of Plaka in Athens. Walked along the port it's nice to have some time to myself. Feels so good! Like freedom! Have forgoten my passport, bad! It's hot, sunny, beautiful and lively. Have also forgoten phrasebook. One wonders where one's head is at! Am pretty sure I have the answer to that but feel too ashamed to say.
Past by the Pink Palace. Justin past out last night and someone shaved half of one of his eyebrows. It's so funny. He's pissed off, too funny!!
Left on the Quad to explore the island. The roads are narrow and can barely fit 2 cars, they're always in zigzags going up and down. Cool! Wow, this is magnificent! Past thru 2 villages where people would say hi to me as I pass thru. Now, I'm at some ruins in the middle of nowhere. It's breath taking. I've been driving for hours, it's just so beautiful and I fell so free.It's great! I had an awsome day as I drove really fast (as fast as a Quad can go) while stading up with the wind blowing thru my hair and coat (it rained a bit). I almost killed myself twice. That was great! I drove thru a strange forest where the roads where narrower than usual. Gotta live it up and do this more often. It was a great hi. Note to self: Get more hi experience in life. As I drove thru that strange creapy forest, I found a fountain built by the Serbs during WWI, that's awsome. This is the beauty of Corfu, driving every where and nowhere, finding ruins here and there that I bet even the locals have no clue are there.
Back at the Pink Palace, eating with staff, feel so good! I've been talking with Woytek (Johanna's brother) and his friend (Wukarsz) about Polish music and TV. They're cool! Frank is being an ass more than usual tonight. He's on the boys ass all night. No wonder these boys want to drink all the time. The music is getting better lately. I've also been hanging outside with Stuart, he's a sweet little guy, a bit weird and creepy at times but he's cool! He had his hair shaved and I love playing with the 1cm left. I took Stuart's offer to look at the stars. Bad idea! I know Stuart likes me and I like him too but he's not for me. I hope he's ok. I'll have a talk with him. I hope it won't change anything.
Men! Relationship with men is so complicated! I'd love to have a boyfriend but it's impossible! Men can't express themselves and say what they think, that's jsut how they are and it drives me mad. I really don't want to hurt Stuart. Sometimes, I'm just too much.
Saturday, August 20th 2005
I'm so tired! I barely sleeped. I went to dinner and didn't get to talk with any of the busboys. Stuart passed in front of H-I today but didn't stop to talk to me. I think he's mad at me. Men, too complicated. Well, at lease it gives me some kind of action and something to write in my journal. I've definetely lost weight, my tanning is getting better. That was my instant of positive note. Lately, the blood suckers have been more vicious, I literally have at lease 30 bites on each leg, I counted.
Sunday, August 21st 2005
Exactly 1 month until I get ot leave this hell hole. I worked 18hrs yesterday, from 2pm 'till 8am this morning. I got p at 2pm to work. Great! (sarcastically) Denisa came and replaced me at 3pm so I can get food, my pay check and take a walk. As I was getting to Dr. Georges's office, I saw 3 busboys. I said hi and Rob asked me to come see them. Rob and Justin gave me a hug for some reason, it was nice. I ate with them. Apparently, I can't get money on Sunday, it's closed! Went walking on the beach towards teh "village" for the 1st time. It's really nice! There's a boardwalk along the beach and more people on this side. There's restaurants and bars. I met Patrick while walking and then, I saw Nikita playing on TV. It felt so good to watch it. It's really hot today. Gottago back to work.
Awful, totally awful and humiliating. I was eating at the Paladium when all of a sudden, I felt really bad, I was woozy, light headed, unbalanced. It was horrible! It was time for me to go back to work so I got up to bring my dishes back as I couldn't walk straight. Stuart saw me, took the dishes and told me to sit down after a bit, I got up and headed for the exit. Ren saw me and told me to sit down. He came to me a couple of times asking me if there's anything he can do while rubbing my back. I took a second atemped to leave as Justin came to me and told me to sit down again. Later, he came to me and said he had a chair for me behind the kitchen. He took me by the arm and walked me there. Someone asked him if I was drunk, he told them I didn't drink. On my way to teh chair, Justin kept on saying: " You're ok! You'll be fine! You're good! You won't dye!" He just made me laugh. Ha was paniking, not me. Some of the bar staff came to me as waell as Antonella. I got up and this guy's like: "Sit down, you're not going anywhere." Someone brought me a bottle of water. I felt a bit better so I got up, atempt no3 to go to work. Brenda (actually Brad but everyone calls him Brenda) from the Quads made me sit down with him then, he helped me down the stairs to get to the bathroom. As I got out of the loo, he had disapeared. I started to get up stairs but it was hard as everything was spining. Some girls got the barthender to help me up. He called reception to get a car pick me up and bring me to H-I. Charlie (the night watchman) was there but didn't do anything. He came to me later and said he'd bring me down. He didn't even help me walk, he stood 2m away from me as I stubled across the room towards teh exit. Andrew and this girl saw me as I was going out of the Palladium and told me to sit with them. Charlie left! Andrew called him back to pick me up. Charlie drove me to the volleyball court and left me on my own to get across the beach to H-I. Jerk! That was soooooooooooooo humiliating! I must have looked so sstupid. Brenda said: " It's funny 'cause you don't drink and you look drunk." What a nightmare that was!
When I got back, I called Dina to let her know I was back. She was mad at me, bitch! She said:"If you were working with me, this wouldn't have happened. The problem si you girls do whatever you want down there. Iknow what you do, I've been working here for 8 years." What the f/"%$ She thinks I'm lying or facking or something. This is creap! Dr. Georges just called and asked me what happened. I explained to him then, he said that maybe I should go home. No wasy! I know if I leave now, I wont be paid. This really is a hell hole to work in. Any excuse so they don't have to pay us.
Monday, August 22nd 2005
Felt woozy again today, not as bad as yesterday, tho. At lease, I'm at work not the Palladium. Just vame back from diner, everyone came to me to ask if I'm ok. Frank, suprisingly came to me to ask me how I felt and advised to go to the doctor. After work, I went to the Palladium, it was empty. I spoke with Gab and I teased him. He didn't like it so I stopped. He thinks I made-out with Stuart. I cleared that up with him, don't know if he believes me. Ah, who cares! One of the busboys is making out with this girl in the Palladium (the lights are opened as it is the end of the night), her skirt is up to her waist and he's slaping her half naked butt. No respect for themselves. This place makes people loose respect for themselves as they make out anywere in front of anybody. It's sad! This place is totally corrupted. I can't wait to leave this place forever. There are things more fun and important in life than drugs, sex and alcohol. I was talking with this girl about greek man and ugly old man that would follow me around and Stu said:"What about ugly young man!?" It's awful that he shall think that of himself. This guy from Toronto started to talk to me outside the Palladium, he was nice.
Tuesday, August 23rd 2005
Tonight is Andrew's last night so I have to go to the Palladium. Andrew got drunk and is now sleeping, he's supposed to be working now. I was very hungry so I went up to get food on my way, I stopped at the Palladium. Frank was fighting with a guess, he gave him a punch in the face which sent the guy flighing on the floor, looked like it came right out of a movie scene. I can't stand violence. i went outside and told Stuart. I hate violence. Afterwards, some of the boys were really mad and I saw Frank yelling at them outside for over an hour. I left the place as I couldn't stand all that violence. I went to the reception bar to get something to eat. On my way back I met Cody, the guy from TO I was talking to last night. We took a long walk and talked alot. He's really nice and not a sex addict drunky. He's bright. Tomorrow, he's going to the Quad safari with his friends as it is Dana's last day, she wants to do it, Denisa as well. I hope Cody'll come to H-I to see me afterwards.
Wednesday, August 24th 2005
It's past 7pm and Coby hasn't past yet. 8pm time to go eat. Still no Coby. I just came back from Dinner, as I was leaving H-I, I saw Coby who just got here, he walked with me to the Paladium. Tonight is Coby's last night in Greece so he's going to Kerkira with his friends.
These busboys are unbelievable! I was hanging with the Polish boys as they were playing pool with a mexican (Eloy), when I went to talk to Justin asking him if all is OK since last night. It seems to me there's some tension between the busboys. Justin told me to ask Stuart as he thinks I made out with him. I don't care what these guys think. I told him I didn't have sex with Stuart so he went to ask him and Stuart said no. Justin left really quick. I went to see him later asking him for an apoligy for calling me a liar. He then claimed that Stuart told everyone we did it and he said Stuart only denied it then 'cause I was there. What a bull of crap. Then, Justin asked Ty if I had sex with Stuart, what the hell! What Ty has to do with it, oh yah of course Ty was there as well (being really sarcastic). Maybe I'm wrong and I did it with Stuart, someone gave me a tinted (rape pill) drink and they all had sex with my body. The freeky part is that I wouldn't be supriced. Scary!! Justin's an Ass! Whatever! It's not worth it. None of these guys matter. Thank god I'm leaving this evil place soon.
I went back to H-I and felt relieved to talk to Denisa soon after, Coby arrived and made me fell better. It's nice to talk with a guy who's not obsesed with sex. It's sad he's leaving tomorrow. Ah well! I sure hope we keep in touch.
Thursday, August 25th 2005
Woke up at 8:30am I went to get my pay for last Saturday, it was closed. I went to eat breakfest as I could smell the pancakes on my way up. I spoke with Costa as the H-I building is goin to close soon, so I asked to work in the beach kitchen after that. I don't want to work at the main reception with Dina and David. I went back up to get money. Door still closed. Went up to reception to see if Coby's there, Kerry says they just checked out and left for breakfest. Went back down, stoped to get money. Door's open, weeee! Drank tea with Coby. Second goodbyes. Time to go to bed! Saw Denisa, she wanted me to accompany her for breakfest and whom do I not see again Coby. He was leaving later finally, he needed to sleep so he went on the beach. I took a picture while he was sleeping.
Denisa replaced me for awhile, I sleeped 'till 4:20pm, swam, ate. I saw Vito he's one who got yelled at by Freaky Frank. Frank pushed Rob and now Rob can't walk, his ankle's twisted. I finally got to see Rob, this is awfull. Frank should get fired for that. He's dangerous! He enjured one of "his" employees.
Just got back from the Paladium as I got inside, Justin saw me and tried to meet me at the stairs, I was faster. He called me, I stoped and turned around. He asked me how I was. I told him I still want an apoligy. He didn't say a thing. Jerk! Whatever!
Friday, August 26th 2005
Shit! Dina called at 8pm asking me to come up at reception 'till midnight. I don't want to work at the top reception. I was really hoping to work at the beach kitchen.
Saturday, August 27th 2005
This sucks! I got woozy again and Stephanie (one of the girls at the reception) took me to the doctor. I got a shot of something and I'll be getting some medication. Great! (sarcastically) Dina just “yelled” at me. She says I should leave and that she’s fed up of me and Denisa and blah blah blah.... Anyways, she’s a bitch. Things are so bad here, it’s horrible. I think the Pink Palace is going down. The busboys are getting it the most. Dr. Georges (the boss) is making a scene at the disco throwing glasses and asking this guy to leave the place. He’s drunk, just like most of the time. Justin’s having a bad night, I offered him my ears. I changed room this morning and the good news is, I’m with Denisa.
Sunday, August 28th 2005
All day, this little girl from Canada with Dr. Georges were bragging about the “28hrs” blojob she’d given him. Dr. Georges gave her and her friend 2nts free. Talk about hooking! Rob hasn’t been smiling much lately. Understandably, since Frank injured him. I think I’ll go see him with a pizza, beer and movies. It’ll do him some good.
Monday, August 29th 2005
Woke up late. The busboys get off tonight as there’s no one at the club tonight. It’s Vito’s last night, some of the guys are going to “town”. Denisa went to get a pizza for me. Real food! Finally!
Tuesday, August 30th 2005
Boring Day! It’s quite empty so there’s not much to do. Justin’s mom called, she sounds nice, it’s a pitty that Justin’s an Ass!
Wednesday, August 31st 2005
Today, I woke up early. I went to the beach and took a walk on the boardwalk. There’s not many people around as we’re entering low season. I want to dye my hair redish again. The coper blond is not so nice. The “town” is a small street with barely enough space for 2 cars. Thank god there’s no Hummers here! It’s a nice day like every other. Took a swim and sunbathe as I haven’t had the chance lately.
Rob is leaving tomorrow. Tonight, I’m brigning my DVD player to his room and we’re gonna watch some movies. Oh so cool! My package just arrived. Finally, clothes that fit. I lost so much weight that my pants and skirts are falling. Got also new DVDs to watch.
What a night! Rob has been impressing me, for awhile. He’s a good bright guy, tho he doesn’t give that image. As I got to his room, there was classical music playing and he was studying. We watched a documentary about this guy who’s famous in the States. It was pretty interesting. We then watched Ray, but Ren came asking Rob to come drink with him as it is their last night. Rob and I went tho Rob didn’t want to drink, he felt like he had to. It sucks! I’m wearing my pj. He really suprises me. I’m bored here. This guy’s like talking shit and telling me how good looking I am and how he wants to “bang” me. He seems nice but he’s soooooo full of it. Rob is goin to bed so I went back to his room to pick up my DVD player and stuf.
Went back to talk with Patrick. Patrick told me that he spoke with Rob today and they talked about me. Apparently, Rob likes me alot and cares about me. I went to take a walk, then I went to my room. Patrick and “that guy” (which I “affectionately” nicknamed Dickhead) got here. We talked and that’s about as far as I’ll go for tonight.
Thursday, September 1st 2005
I’m tired of waking up late, I really gotta get myself to get up early to do stuff. Spent most of my day waking up Justin so he doesn’t miss his mom’s phone call. She called an hour late (missed on time difference). She’s so sweet! Spoke with Gab. Oh, so cool! So funny! David told me my mom called. So I when I picked up I was like “Salut..... M’man?!” and the lady on the other end was like “It your second mom!” I had no clue whom it was until she said “It’s Mrs Whitaker!” So funny, she’s a sweetheart!
Friday, September 2nd 2005
Just got a call from a customer who was like: “ Hi, this is Eric from Canada!” they’re 10 and they need transportation and then I heard him say something about Quebequer and I started speaking french to him he was so suprised: “Tanbarnak!” he said. It was cool. I can’t wait for them to get here. They’re arriving at 8:30pm I’ll be doing the intro. OK! I just gave the intro to 10 Quebecois and 2 Aussies. It was nice and bad. Some girl didn’t want to leave her passport and cried about it. Things are better now, they went to eat dinner and they’re at the reception bar. It’s PARTY! A couple got engaged right now down at the beach. Eric keeps on yelling : “Champagne!”
Louis-Simon nous a amenés du champagne a la réception. Ils sont cool! Il y a 4 couples et 2 célibataires. J’ai fait mettre du Beau Dommage et tout l’monde étaient content. Après l’travail, je suis restée avec eux. C’était super! Avoir tout s’monde la pour parler l’québécois. Demain, ils partent pour 8 jours en bateau. Trop cool!
Samedi, le 3 septembre 2005
Les Québécois partent aujourd’hui L Bah! C’était l’fun des avoir. « Champagne » Étant à la réception, j’ai la chance de connaître tout’l’monde. Y’a trois Australiens qui me font rire, l’un d’eux a des sucettes dans l’cou et ils m’ont dit que c’est l’un des autres qui l’a fait. Je les taquine tout’l’temps à cause de ça. Trop drôle! Celui qui a les sucettes est plutôt charmant. C’est aberrant! Mon patron est à la réception depuis 1hr sans pantalon. Il n’est pas croyable! C’est affreux! Justin est fini, il s’est endormi dans le bateau du booze cruise. Cet endroit est mal foutu. Patrick vient d’arriver avec l’œil mal amancher, du sang plein le visage et beaucoup de bandages. Il a eu un accident. Je suis incapable! J’en ai marre! Depuis qu’il sait que ma chambre est proche de la sienne, il vient me déranger tout les jours. Il est souvent saoul et il devient très désagréable. La je n’en peux plus, j’ai hâte qu’il parte et de partir moi-même. Il me reste 2 semaines et demi. Ce soir est suppose être le Toga party mais il n’y a pas assez de monde pour. Chu aller au Palladium pour voir si Denisa y est. Les « amoureux » d’Australie sont la. Pas vrai! Ils font le toga party, ça doit être Dr. Georges qui a insiste. Il est tellement saoult! Il y a peut-être 25-30 personnes ici, surtout des employés. Tim (l’un des Australiens « gay ») et moi sommes parti avant la fin, on en avait marre.
Dimanche, le 4 septembre 2004
Aujourd’hui, je ne suis pas dans mon assiette. J’chu arrivée en retard au travail et j’ai pas l’gout d’être ici. Chu juste écœure! J’en ai plein l’cul d’icite. 2 semaines et demi. Isabelle est chez sa grand-mère, ma mère a un mariage et Gab ne me rappelle pas. Il y a 2 bus boys qui partent demain matin alors qu’ils étaient suppose partir plustard. J’ai pris un Breezer (peu d’alcool - ils mettent une paille dedans et calle la bouteille le plus vite possible) avec eux et d’autres collègues de travail. Oui, j’ai bu un breuvage alcoolise. Lorsqu’il y a des personnes qui arrivent, parfois je prends du Ouzo avec eux.
Lundi, le 5 septembre 2005
16 jours, il reste 16 jours avant que je parte. Tout’l’monde part avant moi Gab et Justin partent le 8 sept., Géraldine le 12, Kerry le 15, les autres je ne le sais pas. Je pars le 21, je dois partir de la Grèce. Je vais soit me rendre Athènes avec Denisa, prendre un avion pour Londres et me rendre à Paris ou prendre un avion de Corfu pour Londres et ensuite Paris. Je dois faire étamper mon passeport. Denisa va me rejoindre plus tard. Il pleuvait lorsque je me suis levée ce matin alors, je me suis recouchée.
Mercredi, le 7 septembre 2005
Je n’ai quasiment pas dormi mais c’est pas grave. Denisa ronflait fort. Je dois arranger mon transport pour Londres et la France. Je ne suis plus blonde! Je suis tellement content de ne plus l’être. Par contre, la couleur est un peu bizarre. Un genre de roux-orange. Skip, Gab et Justin partent demain et ils vont tous au resto avec d’autres employés. Je fini à minuit et je vais les rejoindre après. C’est cool tout’l’monde ici ensemble, nous sommes dans un resto au « village ». Tout d’un coup, tout’l’monde est humain et ce n’est plus un « bordel » mais un rassemblement de collègues de travail qui partage un souper. J’aime cette atmosphère. Je suis bien tout d’un coup. Tout’l’monde part et les choses ne seront plus pareils. Ces choses sont déjà différentes. J’adore atmosphère qui m’entoure en ce moment. Tout’l’monde se parlent et il y a beaucoup de bruit mais il y a quelque chose de serein dans cette cacophonie. Je ne voudrais être nulle part autre en ce moment. Je sens mon cœur battre et le coin de mes lèvres monter. Je me sens très bien.
Thursday, September 8th 2005
Justin and Gab are leaving today. It’s sad! Ah well, I’ll see them again sometime, I hope. They got my e-mail. What? I can’t believe it (actually yes I can)! Dr. Georges just told me it’s my last day of work today. Wow! OK, I guess this was expected. They hate me. I hope I can stay 2-3 days to do the Quad safari and some sight seeing. Bitch! Dina said that if I want to stay, I have to work but I wont get paid what a load of crap. Well, I have to leave tomorrow. I was planning on goin directly to London to get my passport stamped after my “term” since it would’ve been 3mths in the Shengen but now that I have time, I’ll go to Italy and get to London from there. There’s a ferri to Brindisi tomorrow night it leaves at 12:45 and gets to Italy in the morning. I’ll go to Rome for a couple of days.
Friday, September 9th 2005
There’s so much I want and have to do today; I have to say goodbye to everyone, I have to do my luggage, plan my trip, take a shower and the bus to the port at 9pm, I want to go to La Grotta (Rob told me I have to go at lease once before I go and I want to eat lunch in a small village where no one speaks english. I feel a bit deorientated as this was unexpected and sudden.
There are 4 neederlanders here and one of them over heard me say I was leaving, we spoke for awhile and he offered to take me to La Grotta as he and his friends had rented a car. I couldn’t refuse his offer. I had to go to my room and then, I would meet them at a pool bar down in the “village”. Just got the lamest musaca at the pool bar for 5,80 Euros. Jan-Kees and I went to La Grotta, it’s beautiful. We “visit” (that’s the word he uses for chatting, weirdo!) and swam, it was really nice. He’s nice and I see he likes me. I had a feeling he did a couple of nights ago when I was dancing at the Paladium. He’s obviously older them the regular crowd here. He’s really tall and skinny, I feel so small!! It is refreshing to not think about work and have no other worries then catching the bus at 9pm. It’s funny how we both have different backgrounds and was of living but don’t get on eachothers nerves about it. He’s a 37 year old materialist lawyer and I’m a 23 year old care free “gipsy”. Oposits attracts. He’s charmin and treats me like a woman, it feels great! We’ll be talking or he’ll be asking me a Q and he’ll randomly ask me if I’m cold or uncomfortable. So sweet and attentionate!
We went back to the Pink Palace or Sex Palace (as I like to call it) so I can do my luggage and take a shower. Took me an hour and a half to do my luggage, I left some stuff and Denisa and I promissed eachother that we’ll meet in Paris in a couple of days. Great! We’re still goin to see about picking grapes. I took a shower in Jan-Kees’s room as we don’t have hot water in our room anymore. I got 250 Euros plus the 250 Euros I took (50Euros/week), in total, I was paid 500 Euros as I should’ve been paid 580 Euros (80 Euros/week x 7 2 days). That’s crap! I didn’t get to say bye to Lisa and Katerina (maids at H-I). Ah well, not much I can do.
The neederlanders picked me up and we’re goin to Kerkyra (Corfu town). Jan-Kees and I are goin to the restaurant but we’re droping the 3 others first. We went to get my ticket and then we went to a restaurant on top of a hotel. The view is magnificent, with the light rock music playing, this is pretty romantic. Wow! Never had this setting before. It’s nice and weird at the same time. So unusual to me. We ate some fried cheese as an entree and I got spagetti with seafood, it was delicious. Gotta luv seafood! From here, you can see the planes land and leave from the airport. Nice! We then went to take tea in an outdoor terrace. I feel a bit sad that I have to leave in such a hurry. Ah well, that’s life! Well, it’s time to go, I had a great time today and I’m sure gona use that invitation to Amsterdam sometime (soon I hope).
Finally in Greece! In the bus on my way to Syntagma (Downtown), I see an IKEA, Shell, Goodyear and other familliar cies. I also try to read the greek words I incounter.
5:30pm - 10:30am MTL
I just woke up. I was so tired, I needed loads of sleep. It is 10pm and I'm walking down Adrianou St, the moon is out but the shops are opened and the ligth they produce makes you feel like the sun is out. There's a lot of noise but it's peacefull noise, the type of noise you love to hear. It is not hot nor cold, the smell in the air of summer is just suithing. I walk slowly around the streets of Plaka as I enjoy every moment. I stop next to a restaurant not far from Monasteraki Metro (or train as they call it here) to look into my phrase book as I'm hungry and I want to order in Greek. A clown starts talking to me. He's Polish! What a freeking irony!?! He wants to eat with me. Why not, I'm thinking! Wright now, I'm sitting alone at a table waiting for him as he went to his hotel room to change. Like I said, meeting people is the best part of traveling. There's so much english here, I feel I'm goin to have a hard time using my phrase book. Every restaurant have musicians playing Greek music and it's very nice. The "clown" came back with his brother. They offered me a job as a clown. They're just traveling around Europe, like I do, and work as clowns in every city. We had super and Marco sent me an SMS to meet him at a bar. As we started walking there Marco sent another SMS as he's goin back to his place, the guys brought me back to Marco's place and we exchanged nos. Marco got jealous of them.
Thursday, June 23rd (4am - 9pm MTL)
I can't sleep. I'm watching That's 70's Show on my portable DVD player. I'm so tired but I can't sleep. Marco's body smell and perfume stinks, it's nosiating. I can't wait to get my own place.
It's 11am, I haven't sleep much and I'm very tired. My stomach eached like hell. Marco found a place where they rent appartments but I couldn't find the place so I went to the Internet instead. there's a lot of those CSmart cars here (tho here they simply call them Smart). After taking a nap, I went to the Greek-Spanish institute as Marco said they'll be postings for appartments. This is where I say thank god for my spanish lessons, I was able to ask where the postings are and read the ones in spanish. My Greek was only good to read greek-spanigsh (which ment it had something to do with language classes). To go there, I past thru Syntagma which is the center of Athens. On my way back, I walk thru a street which I haven't been before and again, it's shopers paradise - when I think shoper, I think Isabelle, it's inevitable -
C'est drole a dire, mais depuis que je suis ici, la temperature me semble moins chaude et plus douce qu'a Londre. Je crois que Marco a hâte de se debaraser de moi et c'est mutuel. J'ai tellement hâte de quitter ce "dump", il y a des araignées, des toiles, sa pue et c'est sale. Je commence tranquillement a me faire manger par les moustiques. Dam blood sucker!!! J'ai hâte de travailler et de rencontrer du monde (des amis). Lorsque je vais être installée, je vais voir quelques écoles de danse et essayer d'enseigner le swing. Bon! Je crois que je vais faire un boute, depuis tantôt je suis assise sur un banc en bois qui commence à me durcir le cul.
Je passe plus de temps a l'intérieur que je devrai. J'allais me rendre au resto et c'est alors que Marco arrive avec une salade grecque pour moi, exactement ce que je voulais. Je suis contente d'avoir mon DVD portable par contre, je pense que je passe trop de temps a l'écouter.
Vendredi, le 24 juin 2005
Aujourd'hui, il n'y a aucun moyen de transport et plusieurs endroit sont ferme, moi qui voulais aller à la plage.
*****A tous les hommes, ne portez jamais Pascal Drukker, Paris ça doit être le parfum qui pue le plus que j'ai jamais senti, c'est effroyable. ****** Si le but de Marco en portant ce parfum est de m'encourager a partir au plutôt, c'est réussit quoique j'avais déjà l'intention de partir aussitôt possible. Je dois traduire l'avertissement pour le parfum c'est trop noseabond.
*****Warning gentlemen! Do never, ever, ever wear Pascal Drukker, Paris it must be the most discusting perfume ever.***** It smells so bad, it keeps me from sleeping. It feels like Marco's wearing that perfume to encourage me to leave ASAP and it works, though I alwready want to leave ASAP with or without that poisonous smell.
Since all transportations and most venues are closed, I think I'll read the guide to Greece and learn more about this country.
Il me dégoûte royalement, il est toujours entrain de faire des bruits degueux et il vient de piser la porte ouverte. Il me rend malade. Il n'a même pas de papier de toilettes. Il vient de me poser des questions et je lui ai dit la vérité. J'espère que maintenant il comprend. Il pensait qu'on étaient ensemble. Ewww Jamais! Il n'a aucun respect pour même ou pour moi. Ca pue la cigarette ici, c'est pas croyable. Au secours!!! Ca me donne le goût de rentrer chez moi. Il pue tellement que la nuit j'ai peur qu'il touche mon sac de couchage car son odeur pourrait s'imprégner. Je dois trouver un appart au plus sacrant.
Samedi, le 25 juin 2005
Je me suis enfin procure une carte SIM grecque (un no de téléphone grec). J'aillais me rendre à la plage mais Marco m'a convaincu de partir pour Santorini. Je crois que maintenant que je lui ai clairement dit qu'il n'était pas mon chum (beurk), qu'il ne l'a jamais été et qu'il ne le sera jamais, il veut pas me voir trop souvent. En ce moment, je suis dans un train (métro) vers Piraeus pour aller voir combien sont les billets pour les îles. Je pourrais sûrement trouver du boulot pour l'été. Au pire, je peux toujours revenir a Athènes chez Marco (dernier recours seulement).
Je cherche un café Internet, au moins a Piraeus, j'ai l'occasion de pratiquer le grec. En chemin, j'ai vue une superbe voiture rose fushia des années 50. Elle est magnifique (pas la couleur par contre). Ce café Internet est bien moins cher que celui a Syntagma. Le gars a l'Internet m'a donne de mauvaises indications pour me rendre au train (Métro), il est 19h, mon bateau part à 22h et je dois faire mes valises. Wow! La vue de cette rue sur les montagnes est superbe. Bon! Je viens de réserver mon auberge et mon billet de bateau pour Santorini.
Je suis dans un train vers Piraeus et il est 21h15, Marco était suppose m'aider mais il ne l'a pas fait, quel surprise! Connard! Je suis debout près des portes et il y a un gars assis dos a moi qui passe son temps a se retourner. Maintenant, il a change de place pour être face à moi.
I'm really tired and scared to be late catching my ferri to Santorini, it's 9:15pm , the boat leaves at 10pm and the lady said to be there at 9:30pm by the lastest. I don't even know how many stops there's left. The sunset is magnificent. I haven't been eating much lately and I'm loosing a lot of weight. I didn't eat yesterday and all I got to eat today is a piece of feta and about 4 olives. God, if that guy doesn't stop looking at me, his glasses will melt.
Well, I'm in the boat. This is exciting, as I love boats. I'll wait 'till the boat leaves the deck to do some exploring. As I look thru the window, I see the blue sky showing it's many shades of blue marking the limits between the mointains and the sky. What a beautiful scenery. The crew is very helpful and nice. I took somekinda cheese pie at the snak bar but it doesn't taste very good, I'm trying to force mysefl to eat as I don't eat much. I guess you could say, I'm saving money and loosing weight at the same time. It's a win-win situation. There's a boy who brough puppies with him. They're so cute! I'm goin to go around the boat and find a trash can for the "cheese pie" at the same time.
En faisant le tour du bateau, je me suis retrouvée "accidentellement" (j'ai eu cette impression lorsque j'ai vu le tapis) dans la section 1ere classe. Un beau jeune homme m'a demande gentiment de lui montrer mon billet et m'a dit qu’était 1ere classe et je suis partie. J'ai eu comme un sentiment être dans le film Titanic. Il y a 8 bateaux de sauvetage qui peuvent contenir 56 ou 59 passagers dépendant du bateau. Il y a aussi de ces chaloupes gonflables avec "tente". C'est la nuit et nous longeons la cote grecque d'ici, on voit des milliers de petites lumières et l'ombre d'une montagne par-ci, par-la. En regardant l'eau défiler le long du bateau, j'ai cette affreuse idée de vouloir me jeter à l'eau, juste pour savoir ce que c'est que de toucher l'eau en plein milieu de la mer, d'entendre crier "un homme a la mer", qu'on me lance une bouée et qu'on me sauve de cette eau glaciale.
Alors que je marchais sur le quai, je vis au loin (très loin) un feu d'artifice qui semble sortir de nulle part. Il y a de nombreuses étoiles ce soir, qui attache à cette grande toile noire accroche au-dessus de nos têtes semblent nous accompagner dans ce voyage au milieu de la mer. Il y a un petit vent frais. Je suis tellement bien que je me suis mise à danser sur le pont en chantant "Beyond the sea" (il n'y avait personne pour me voir).
Dimanche, le 26 juin 2005 - 2h45am (samedi 25 juin - 7h45pm MTL)
J'essaie de dormir mais c'est quasi impossible. Il y a des gens qui ont emmené leurs sacs de couchage et qui dorment un peu partout surtout sur les ponts extérieurs. J'ai décide de prendre une marche, il fait très froid! Wow, c'est très sombre, on ne voit que les remous que subit l'eau sur les bords du bateau qui la rend blanche et la lune (3/4) reflète et éclair en même temps une partie de l'eau.
6h40 am (25 juin - 11h40 pm MTL)
Nous sommes à Ios un village de Santorini et la vue est superbe, des maisons blanches, des montagnes, l'eau et le soleil qui se lève. Dans le bateau, j'ai rencontre un homme et son fils qui viennent du Peru et qui voyagent à travers l'Europe en 3 semaines. En sortant du bateau, il y a une vingtaine de personnes qui viennent nous offrir une chambre a l'hôtel et ils négocient. J'aurais pu avoir ma propre chambre pour le prix d'un lit a l'auberge de jeunesse (15 Euros). Un homme m'a offert une chambre a ce prix, j'aurais bien pris son offre mais j’avais déjà paye. Il m'a donc offert de me donner un lift (10Euros), j'ai bien sur refuse puis, il m'a montre une van (celle de l'hôtel) et m'a offert pour 5 Euros. J'ai accepte.
Lorsque l'on prend un recul sur tous ces gens qui nous harcèlent, on voit de magnifiques montagnes qui rappellent beaucoup l'Arizona. Ces montagnes font face à une sublime mer bleu. Il y a deux filles dans la van (une Coréenne et une Péruvienne) elles sont très gentilles et je commence à avoir mal au cœur comme lorsque mon oncle, ma tante et moi avoir fait le tour de Apache Trail en Arizona. On monte la montagne de cote, en zigzag pour ce rendre en haut. Le chauffeur m'a déposé à la mauvaise place, j'ai du marcher 1km pour me rendre à l'auberge. C'est bien ici, j'ai la chambre a moi toute seule et je vais dormir car je n'ai pu dormir dans le bateau.
16h (11h MTL)
Je viens tout juste de me réveiller. Wow, j'ai beaucoup maigri en une semaine. Je me regarde dans le miroir et il y a définitivement du gras en moins. Mes vêtements sont aussi plus lousses. Ici, c'est l'endroit des maisons blanches avec des fenêtres, des portes et des toits bleu. Je suis dans un village qui s'appelle Perissa. Alors que je marche sur la rue principale, j'ai l'impression être dans un film de cow-boy se situant au Mexique, les rues sont quasi-vides, la moitié des magasins sont ferme, il fait chaud et il y a une brise. En chemin, j'ai vu quelques mulet profiter de l'herbe passionnément. Je suis sur une île grecque en plein milieu de la mer mediterannee, le ciel est clair, le soleil nous réchauffe et une brise craque la chaleur. Je n'ai pas a me plaindre. Parcontre, je suis seule et me sent très seule.
18h15 (13h15 MTL)
Je suis dans un restaurant grec sur le bord de la plage a savourer une salade grec. Je mange une olive et je pense à Gab, je suis sur qu'il adorerait.
Santorini has the shape of a cresent moon, it is part of the Cyclades and is close to Crete. Greece has 427 Islands but only 134 are inhabited. People travel alot in scooters here. I guess, I'll be walking back towards the hostel next to it, there's an info center and they have tours of the island so I can get an idea of what it's like. I asked the waitress to help me refill my phone with a prepaid card and another waitress came and said she has Vodafone aswell and put the phone services in english for me. We started talking and I told her I was looking for a job and she told me to hold on. So, I waited and she told me she knows someone who's looking for help. I left her my no. and we'll see. Tourist season starts next week so, their ain't that many people here. The beach sand is as dark as coal here.
I just booked a tour around the island for tomorrow. I also booked 2 more nights here at the hostel. I went to the post office and there were some tourists speaking french with the employe so when they left, I spoke french with him. He comes from Albania and gave me names of restaurant's owners that would need help for the summer. The sun came down and the stores, restaurants and bars are lid up. There's more people outside then there was earlier. There's a very fresh breeze and it's getting cold. I stoped at a bakery shop to get something for tomorrow morning. The man there was very nice, he sliped in my bag two little bread sticks. Greek people are very religious, often you'll see them do a cross sigh with their hands.
Monday, June 27th 2005
(11am, yes! 11am - 4am MTL)
I'm waiting for the bus for the excursion. The bus is here on time. There's a diving center in Santorini if I stay awhile, I'll take diving lessons. This excursion has taken me on a ship. Yo ho! Wonder if we'll meet Captain Jack Sparrow. The view is breathtaking. In the inside part of the Santorini island (cressent moon) there's two islands which are actually volcanos one of them is still active. I finally feel that thrill I was looking for awhile, this is really exciting. They even have security mesures incase the volcano erups. This is great! I just saw a cuiter version of captain Ron. On the way to the top. It's magnificent, I embrase the cooling wind. As we walk up the volcano, we cross past many different types of rocks: colors and textures. The volcano is mostly active at the white parts and as I got closer to it, I got this overwhemingly delitefull wind of smell, like rotten eggs. Next to the green stones, you can see smoke goin out of it. Feels like the crater is farting. There's holes dug by geologists in the morning along the path where smoke comes out of and I stook my hand in one of them, it felt boilling hot and my hand looked like I've been sweating for 3 days without washing it out.
Back to the boat and off to the old volcano to swim we go. Ahhhh.... There's notting like swimming in warm rust. This volcano has one inhabitant and 1 chapel. There's red water next to the volcano caused by sulfure.
I'm on a small island across from Santorini. It's a fisherman's island and it's 200m high. It is nice to see these small boats anchored next to the island, which has restaurants and souvenir shops at the bothom. I'm at one of the restaurants where I decided to try the grilled lobster. I'm a bit hesitant to try the octopus. The smell of the ocean and the food is just great. The grilled lobster is just great! I meet the girl from Peru again. She's really nice.
Je viens de partir du village de pêcheurs et on s'en retourne à Santorini. Je suis dans un village qui s'appelle Oia après avoir monte 257 marches, remplie de merde de mulet, sur le bord de la falaise. C'est ce village que l'on voit sur les photos de la Grèce. C'est magnifique! Les maisons et hôtels sont construit en haut de la falaise dans des grottes qu'ils on creuse. Je crois que je préfère être ici. L'auberge est aussi moins cher mais l'accessibilité a la plage est plus difficile. Je vais essayer de m'informer de la différence pour la paye et la location d'appartements. Il n'y a pas beaucoup de clubs et je ne sais pas s'ils ont besoin d'employés.
Oia (also known as Ia) is located at one end of the cresent shaped island, it's narrow streets are made of on-even rocks molded in ciment. On the end side of the village, is the old village where you can admire old "cave" houses which are empty. I'm starting to get cold as the wind blows stronger. Everywhere on this island, you can see unleached cats and dogs (some dogs have collars). I'm bored to death as I'm waiting for the sun to set. Apparently, it's the prettiest sun set. We'll see!!
Assise sur le bord du chemin, sur le bord de la falaise, j'entent le bruit des vagues qui se fracassent sur le bord de île voisine.
Well, the sun has set leaving behind beautifull stripes of colors in the sky: orange, pink, red, yellow, white, bleu... It was quite a scene. Goin back to Perissa in half an hour.
Tuesday, June 28th 2005
I'm battleling with myself wondering if I should stay in Perissa which has a Club Med party all night feel, Oia which is oh so beautifull and 257 steps from the beach or Thira (also known as Fira) which is the capital of Santorini. Right now, I'm on a bus to Thira to get a feel of it. I love Thira, it's the best! It has a bit of the Plaka (in Athens) feeling and it has the look of Oia. Fira is the way to go! I looked for the youth hostel but apparently it's closed then, I tried looking for a job in these narrow streets goin up and down with occasionnal steps filled with tourists goin from one shop to the other. I think I might have found a job at a tourist office. The guy I spoke to is the son of the owner. I'm meeting the owner tomorrow morning. If I get that job, I'll have to find an appartment. It is so hot here, my throat is dry, always bring alot of water bottles, 1l is not always enough. Bought a Gyros (1,5 Euro) and sat on high chairs looking at cars, scooters and people passing by while the sun burns my skin.
I think I'll go back to Perissa. It's 5pm and way too hot, I guess I'll go swim in the pool. The pool was very refreshing, there was 3 americans there playing with a half deflated ball. They were funny as they thru the ball in the air and trow themselves in the water trying to kick the ball with their feet. They kept on splashing this girl reading her book by the pool. She told them she'd be more impressed if they did it from the diving board, so they did. They made me laugh so hard, all I could think was that I'd rather date one of them then the macho stud lying next to the pool, cheking me out.
As I whent back to my room, I found out the girl who was reading the book is in the same room as I am. She was sleeping in a different room the other night and during the day, the staff moved her stuff (without her notice) from that room to mine. This hostel is weird! She's from Australia like the past two roomates I had. She's really nice, we went to the restaurant together. On the way there, we stopped at the post office and I spoke with the guy who works there. He sais the average pay is 750-800Euros/mth and you work long hours every day as for an appartment, it's like 250 no utilities. It's better if a local gets the appartment for me 'cause if I do, they'll charge me more thinking I'm a tourist with alot of money. He also offered to get me an appartment in Perissa which would be cheaper than Fira.
Lauren and I walked randomly and whent by the diving center, we stopped and I asked how much it would be to get lessons (350Euros) to get my permit. The lady said it would be better for me to try first and see if I'd like it. I explained to her, I've alwready tried in Cuba also that I'm most likely goin to work and live here for the summer. She then said she'd make a special price for me and after I get my certificate, I'll be able to come and dive as often as I like and she'd charge me a bit (mostlikely for the O2). She's so nice! Lauren said she now wants to stay here realising how nice people are here. We went to the restaurant where I went last time, where Milena works. This is great, just how friendly everyone is.
The restaurant offered a shot of ouzo on the house and YES everyone, I took it. Ouzo is the thing here, I had to try it. I think they also might have taken it as an offence if I wouldn't have. Anyways, it was really good. We really get along well Lauren and I. We talked untill like 11:30pm (4:30pm MTL) and I have to get up at 6am (11pm MTL) to take the 7am (midnight MTL) bus so I can be in Fira for my interview at 8am (1am MTL). After meeting all there locals here in Perissa, I feel more confident about staying here a couple of mths.
Wednesday, June 29th 2005
God it was hard getting up early this morning. The local roster doesn't seem to have that problem at 5:30 in the morning. One of the great things here is that the sun is up around 5:30-6am and doesn't go to bed until, like 8:30-9pm so it doesn't get dark untill late. It's great! Right now, it's 7:45 (45 past midnight - MTL), and I'm in front of the touristic office waiting for the bus. I just meet with the boss and he's hesitant to hire me 'cause I don't speak greek so he want's to talk about it with his son. I now have to stay in Thira and wait untill they call. So I walk in the streets as the town slowly waking up.
I'm on the edge of the cliff nex to a restaurant playing decent music. The view is just too beautifull. Walking around Fira is just peacefull and nice. The streets are slowly filling up with people and becoming alive. I have so much time to kill it's crazy. I'm trying to stay away from the sun as I forgot to put sunscreen begore I left Perissa. I can't go on the internet here, it's too expensive (7 Euros) here in Fira. Now, I found a bench over looking the volcanos. What a beautifull view! I'm enjoying some huge kalamata olives I bought at the super market. Irony, I spoke with Gab a couple of minutes before I whent to the market and at the store, they where selling big green olives stuffed with almonds. ie. For those who doesn't understand the irony, Gab works for an Olive cie called Olive it! and they sell big olives stuffed with all sorts of food including almonds. Gab was just leaving the Petit Medley when I called him. Just as I suspected. It's been 12 days since I've last swing danced.
At this point, I wonder if I want this job in Fira, I definetely want to stay in Santorini but I don't know if I wanna work with these undecided people anyways, we'll see what they say. It might be better for me to stay in Perissa. The people are much more friendlier and it's cheaper to live there. I know I can get a job and a cheap appartement in Perissa. Look at me! I'm writing alot again. Oh god, this is goin to take a long time to put on the internet and it's gonna cost me, $$$. With the amount of pictures I've been taking for people, I should just charge them and make it my business. If you wanna see tourists, this is the place. People are here from all around the world. White seems to be the in color here in Santorini, tho it doesn't look good on everyone. If you guys save money and don't know where to go for your vacation, this is the place. Come visit me, it's paradise in all it's beauty.
Well, they gave me the job as trial but I'd be working 7hrs/day 7days/week. I'd be making 680-700Euros/mth (which is minimum salary here) and an appartment in Fira would be about 200Euros/mth without utilities. I don't want to work 7days/week, I think I might be better in Perissa even if I'm paid the same at lease life is much less expensive here. We'll see! Lauren and I went to that same restaurant as yesterday. Milena gave me more ideas as for where to look, she says it's better for me to look at restaurants not bars. So, I'll do those tomorrow.
Thursday, June 30th 2005
I gotta find something quik so I can get an appartment. I went on the internet again and it was great to chat with Sebastien one of the swing dancers. There haven't been one drop of rain since I've been here. My shoulders, upper back and arms are red like tomatoes and freeking burning. Well, that's what happends when you're on an island. God this is great! I went eating to that restaurant (Tavern Kalimera) I got used to. Everytime I go in, all the waiters talk to me. It's like where everybody knows your name. Hi hi!! I'm 98% sure I'm staying here for the summer. I'll get an appartement soon and see Magda again for those diving lessons. It gets frisky on the island after sunset.
Friday, July 1st 2005
Happy Canada day!! Yesterday, I went to see the owner of the water park (3 slides and 2 pools) and he offered me to give out pamflets but he had to speak with his partner first. Today, I went back and they won't give me the job as apparently, 2 australians got caught 2 weeks ago giving out pamflets for a restaurant. I think, I don't want to risk it. There's no bank in Perissa, I have to walk to the next village 1km away. Wright now, I'm by the hostel pool enjoying the nice weather. I had super with the men at the post office and then, he dropped me at Fullmoon, a bar owned by a Canadian and they're celebrating Canada day.
This is great, the bartender is from Saskachewan and really cute. Love the atmosphere in this bar. It's great! They're playing one of the songs the Jello Shots play often. This is so cool! I went back to my room to get a song that Tim put on one of the CDs he made for me, that song is about pirates in Saskatchewan. On my way there, I called Mark he just finished practicing with the Jello Shots. I talkid to him for about 15mins and it felt good. I'm back at the bar and I asked the DJ to dedicate the song to the barman. I spoke to one of the owners tosee if they have a job for me but he said only in 2-3 weeks. I need a job now! I'm alone in this bar but the ambiance is great. The barman (Anjelo) and the DJ (Tony) keeps on talking to me. It's great to be with Canadians. This is actually the first night I'm out sinve I left MTL. The DJ saw me writing in my journal and he's like "You work for Lonely Planet!" I don't feel that much alone tonight. I'm feeling quite good and I have a smile on my face. I guess, the amount of writing I'm doing wright now is an indication on my humor.
Well, it's 2am (7pm - MTL) and I'm still at the bar. Haven't danced but at times, I wish Gab was there so we could lindy bomb this place. Anyways, the floor's not slipery enough. There's someone here who keeps on farting. I like the atmosphere so much, I think I'd like working here if I could. There's not many people here left but everyone here's talking to me. A girl gave me a bracelet earlier. Most of the people left are drunk. They're all very nice. This Australian (his parents are greek but he considers himself as Aussie first) has been talking to me for awhile and paying me Sherly Temples. It's 4:30am (9:30pm - MTL) and he's walking me to the hostel. Funny, he's staying here too. I guess, I'll stay another night. Good night!!
Monday, July 4th 2005
I'm in Pireaus. Back to the mainland! I've meet up with Yani (Marco's friend) he looks a lot like Antonio Banderas. He's actually from Syrie and doesn't speak english much. His appartment (bachelor pad) is great! It's really nice. His "living room " is the same colors than my kitchen in MTL and the most important, it's clean. Suprisingly very clean. He left for the bank and loocked me in. He probably didn't think about it. The elevator in this building is like in Poland, we could bearly fit my luggage, him and me. Yani's really nice, he just cooked for me and it was good. I know what some of you are thinking about but no thanks. I don't know if he treats all his guests like that or if he's pulling a seducion scene but the baby blue shots and pink shirt kinda kills it and he's always looking at himself thru the mirror.
I left his appartment looking for an Internet cafe. I walked for about 15-20mins and didn't find anything. I saw a bus written Omonia on it so I took it. Omonia is downtown. I took it the wrong way. I ended up in a dodgy neibourhood. Looks like chinatown. I saw a group of people so I walked towards them. All men, great! (sarcastically, of course) I felt really uncomfortable so I walked back towards the bus stop and along it's bus route to catch it. Now, I'm in the bus and I fell better. Finally found an Internet cafe. Now, I'm in a bus on my way to Syntagma. I'll only be able to find my way to Yani's place from the train.
He's incredible! We were watching a movie and then he tried to kiss me. I pushed him away and told him I had a boyfriend. I think he's mad he's not getting any. Not from me at lease. Earlier he told me to sleep in his bed and I told him I'll sleep on the coutch. Anyways, good night.
Tuesday, July 5th 2005
Just got up and Yani is acting different than yesterday. What did he expect! I'm not a hore, I don't sleep with guys to have a place to stay. Ah well! OK, he's a real jerk. Marco told me I could stay at Yani's place for a couple of nights and Yani just said that Marco told him it would be for one night only. Whatever! I'll just go on the net and look for the cheapest place to stay. Wow! I just made my luggage and Yani is almost like throwing my bags out. I'm making sure I'm not leaving anything here. Well, I just called backpackers to see if they had space so I'm goin to go there. My luggage is too heavy to carry around. On my way to the train, I saw Yani and told him off. Ass hole! I expected something like that would happen at some point. Thank god I'm independant! Well, I'll see if I can get a job here in the next 3-4 days if not, I think I'll go to Spain.
The guys at backpackers are nice and I feel good here but it's 24Euros/night. I'll check on the net if I can get cheaper.
En ce moment, je suis assise dans un McDo, c'est la première fois depuis que j'ai quitte MTL. Ici, il vendent de la Heineken et il faut mettre le pied sur un bouton dans le plancher pour actionner la champlure. Je viens de passer 2hrs sur le net a chercher un vol, bateau, train ou bus pas cher pour l'Espagne sans succès. J'vais aller faire un tour a Plaka comme touriste.
21h (14h MTL)
Je suis dans un tram a chercher un super marche pas cher pour faire une petite commande.
There's a guy checking tickets, it's the first time I see one. I stoped at this place where I saw a lot of people and store lights opened. This is like a big square where people shop and eat like St-Catherine St. It's nice! I just saw 2 guys with shoping bags and it made me laugh. Found a big super market but it's closed, I'm condamed to go to one downtown it's gonna cost a lot. I had planned to make Poutine tonight but it's too late. I'll do some tomorrow. I promissed some guy at the backpackers I'd make him taste. I alwready paid for two nights but the following night, I'll go to the hostel where it's cheaper. 24Euros/night is too much. I'm at a restaurant called Smile which was recomended by the guy at backpackers.
Wednesday, July 6th 2005
I sleeped a lot but I still feel tired. I went to the youth hostel on Victor Hugo to see if they had space but they're full. It's 8Euro something/night there. Ah well, I'll just go somewhere else. Since my transport ticket is still good, I've decided to go to Lykavittos which is the hill you see on my pictures from the Acropoli (http://photobucket.com/ user : goofy_swings and goofy_swings_pix password (for both) : poland). It's 4,50 Euros to take the lift and I'm on a tight budget. I don't want to walk it 'cause I don't have enough water. I gotta find a job, I just have to push myself into stores and ask for one. It's hard! I'm a bit shy when it comes to that type of thing. I'm at the youth hostel in Plaka. I reserved my room for the night. I spoke with a girl that sais I might get a job at the hostel. I've got a meeting with the boss tomorrow. Back at backpackers talking with my roomates. They're cool!
6pm (11am - MTL)
I think I'll go to the super market to get food (motzy - for poutine). Wow, this super marcket is far. In the kitcheen making poutine but the sauce is not taking, it's not thick enough. Bob from Scotland who works here seems to like it. Good! It's like 8pm (1pm - MTL) and I'm tired, I think I'll take a nap. It's 11:30pma (4:30pm - MTL) and Marco just called, I'm goin to meet him.
Well, that was interesting! I told him the truth in his face and he didn't like it (obviously) so he said I was fat. Sure! That's why he came to me in November. He's so full of it! Trying to convience me he's good at it and he can get it as often as he likes. Well, good for him. He's not getting it from me tonight or any other night. Ladies, be aware of greek man. They don't understand the word "No" weather you say it in english or greek, you gotta say it 25 times and even then, they don't understand. Info: "No" in greek is "Oxi" (pronounced : Oh-He). At this, I'll say good night!
Saturday, July 2nd 2005
Went to bed at 7am (midnight MTL), woke up at 2pm (7am - MTL). Just got a new roomate from Terrebonne. Cool! Someone to speak quebecois with. Brought her to the landromate and it's 7 Euros (~11.48 CAD) for washing and drying, a woman does it for you. I've decided to go to the beach today, as I've been here for a week and haven't been. The beach (sand) is black but the water is clear and freaking cold. There's alot of smoke comming from the other side of the hill. Looks like there's a big fire or the volcano errupted.
As I walk towards the hostel, there's a strong smell of burnt. I really wonder what's happening. People here are really very friendly. They work hard, alot and often (every day). They usually work every day of 6 mths and then have 6 mths off. They're suprised if you don't stay at lease half an hour after you finish eating. I'm at Tavern Kalimera (the place I've gone every night to eat). It feels a bit like Petit Medley. I go there alone but I know everyone there. If I don't get the job tonight, I'm leaving tomorrow and it would be sad.
I went to Fullmoon and spoke with Tony, the DJ (also the owner). I told him I needed a job and this guy offered me a job. He owns a car rental shop in Fira. He will arrange for me to have a place in Perissa. He and some friends (a couple) of his, took me to a bar which has live greek music. There's people dancing traditionnal dances. It's great to watch! These people are really into it. The music is loud and doesn't sound good. I wanna leave but I gotta see for that job. This guy is way to affectionate. I keep on taking his hands of my lap and he keeps on kissing my hand. I told him: "I'm looking for a job not love". I hope he understands. I wanna see Georges (Aussie). He hasn't called. I wonder if he's at Fullmoon now. We finally left that boring place. On our way to Fullmoon, Yani (the guy who offered me a job) wanted to stop at the Beach club, so I left them to go to Fullmoon. It's empty! Ah well, I'll go see Yani at the Beach club and tell him I'm retrieving for the night. He didn't take my number or gave me his, he just said: "Don't worry!" I'm like :"Ya sure!" Well, I'll check out tomorrow and if I don't get any news before the boat leaves for Piraeus (Athens), I'll just take it.
That means, back to Marco. Yeah!!! (in my sarcastic way) I've been away from home 2 weeks now and I don't have a job or place to stay. The good news is that if I stay, I'll get to see Georges another couple of days and if I leave, I'll still be able to see him but in a couple of days. It's a win-win situation, not!
It's 2:30am (7:30pm MTL) and I'm at the pool, Georges is in it and his friends are chilling. I brought my DVD player, Georges and I are watching "Rebel without a cause" under the stars, it's great!
Sunday, July 3rd 2005
There's no more space for the 4hr boat to Piraeus (Athens) in the economy class, so I gotta take the 10hr one that leaves at 10pm. Haven't heard from Yani. Ah well, we'll see what's instore for me. The hostel tried to charge me 17Euros/day as it's supposed to be 15Euros. I'm at the pool enjoying the beautifull day. There are clouds in the sky which is quite unusual. I hope it won't rain. Last day in Santorini. I guess, we could say it was a vacation.
I walk around Perissa, stop at Fullmoon and saw Toni. He gave me a card of a hostel in Athens and told me to say he sent me to get a job. Really nice of him! He also told me that Yani was full of shit and that he doesn't own anything. I had a feeling about it. Old geeser! Then, I saw Courtney (the waitress at Fullmoon) and we walked around the beach. She showed me a place in Perissa which I've never been and it was nice. Stoped at Tavern Kalimera and said goodbye to Milena. Went to the market, got some salami, greek cheese and olives. I went back to the hostel and saw Georges's friends. Chilled with them. I'm pretty sad to leave as I wish I could've stayed for the summer.
The bus was 20mins late. My boat is at 10pm and now, it's 9pm (2pm MTL). I just got off the bus with another guy from Vancouver. Tthe only thing is, we don't know where we are and we're not sure where to go. This is crap! We decided to split a cab but the taxi didn't stop. Patrick (the guy from Vancouver) waved at a car. Cool! The car stoped and 2 greeks brought us to the port at the base of the hill. It's 9:45pm (2:45 MTL) and the boat's not here. It's nice to have meet Patrick, it's someone to hang with for the trip.
There's people sleeping everywhere on the boat. This boat is much nicer then the one I took to get to Thira (Santorini). This boat has a discotheque, a bar and a restaurant. There are many more people on this boat as well. We meet some americans and we started watching Superman 2 together but we were too tired so we'll sleep on the floor. At lease, there's carpet on the floor.
Thursday, July 7th 2005
I just spent an hour enjoying the complementary breakfast and talking with the girls here but now I gotta go to the hostel to meet with the boss. That's great, they're goin to teach me bartending, I'm gonna be paid 18Euros/day, plus tips, plus housing, plus breakfast. I'll be working 7days/week but, I can switch with someone to get a day off. Anyways, I'll try and see how it goes. I walked around Plaka for awhile and stopped at that restaurant I like, across from Monastiraki station for a souvlaki pita (1.50 Euros).
I'm at backpackers to get my luggage and I just learned about the terrorists attacts in London. It's horrible! Edward (the owner of backpackers) asked me about that job that I got. He told me that if anything went wrong, to come to him and that I'm always welcome at their bar on the roof. He's really nice. I've meet a lot of Australians here and they're all great. I've been hanging here for like a couple of hours. I've been talking to this girl from Toronto who worked in Italy but she says she didn't like it that much. We went for some French fries and then she left for sanatorium - Perissa. She's so lucky! I wanna go back! I went back to backpackers to the bar on the roof, it's really nice and the new of the Acropole is great. I've been talking with people all night and now I'm tired. I'm going back to the hostel. Good night!
Friday, July 8th 2005
This room has no air and is very hot. I took a cold shower in the middle of the night to be able to sleep. I woke up sweating like Gab after a couple of dances. I'm a bit late at the other hostel but as I taught, the boss isn't here yet. No worries! This is going to be quite an experience. This hostel seems nicer but it's in the middle of nowhere. Well, we'll see! The heat is starting to get to me and I'm tired most of the time. I share my room with 2 guys, one Australian that works night shifts at the reception and a 19 year old Lithuanian kid who's here with his sister that works the bar. This room is very small but has air conditioning. There's also another girl from Czech Republic that works here. Another guy (Greek ) who works here is also a police officer. I'm at the bar as the Lithoannian girl is showing me how it works. It's not hard and most people only order beer. It's fun 'cause I'm meeting alot of people here. I can choose the music. Working here doesn't seem bad, it's the living here part which seems a bit sketchy. We'll see, if I can stand it, I'll stay 'till October than go to another country if not, I'll leave for another country. I'm not getting paid tonight but I get free lodging and breakfast while I'm "training".
Saturday, July 9th 2005
I don't have the key to leave the roof (where the employes rooms are) so I'm prisonned up here and can't go for breakfast. It's oh so hot! I don't want to be outside. I don't know what I'm goin to do today. It doesn't seem to be well organised. At lease, Internet is cheap here at 2Euros/hr. Well, I'm goin to be giving out flyers at the train station at 6:30pm it's 2:30 now, I've got lots of time. I'll put some sunscreen, got to Syntagma, eat and walk around. There's some kind of a side walk sale not far from the hostel but it's a non-touristic neiborhood so they're all Greeks. There's like no stores on this street. It's funny!
I'm back at McDonald's and it is not by choise, it's cheaper. I can get a double cheeseburger with a small fry for 2 Euros. I went on the internet earlier and Gab sent me an e-mail. I was so glad to have news from him. Everywhere I go, old man talks to me. I'm at backpackers and this girl just spoke to me in english and I reconized her Quebecquer accent. Oups! It's almost 6 and I have to be at the train station by 6:30. Ouf! Got here on time, the train hasn't arrived yet. Yap! Today I'm giving out flyers. It's really hot todday. This flyer thingy is crap. Competition is there and they steal customers. I hate this, I'm not agressive. I hope I won't be doing this often or at all. Roberto says he does it once a week.
I don't really like my boss and the girls (well, y'all know me and girls doesn't work) they're too young and girly. The only person I get along with is Daniel, he's older and more mature. I'm still in the process of seeing how long I can deal with this. I can only eat in my room, the burning hot balcony or the bar with obnossious noise I can't wait to be able to put on my own music. These 2 guys just came to the hostel, they look exausted and like a couple.
I'm at the bar eating a pizza and the 2 guys came in. I've been speaking to one of them all night. They're brothers from Danmark and he's studying to be a doctor. He's really nice and cute. I left them 'cause I'm tired but I've been talking with Daniel for like an hour now. That's cool! I'll go to bed now.
Sunday, July 10th 2005
I'm feeling really lazy today. I've taken my shower and watch a movie. Daniel's not here which is suprising as he should be sleeping now. It's so hot, I don't feel like going out. The heat here is not the type that makes you appreciate summer. It's very tiring this heat. I can't wait to work steadilly so I can "start living". The super markets are closed today so I have to wait 'till tomorrow to get stuff to cook. I just hand washed some clothes and the soap stained my white pants. I love them so much. I'm back at the train station. There's a mexican that works in an another hotel here and he talks with the security guy. That guy just spoke to me but I guess he's just bored 'cause the mexican's talking with some mexican girls in spanish. I understand most of what they're saying but they don't know that.
I'm back at the hostel. I brought 2 customer. I think the girl who's training me doesn't like me. I don't really care but she outta treat me better. She gives me orders and she gives me attitude when I do something wrong. When training is done, she better not do this to me I'll quit. A girl just asked for Fanta and I taught she said Vodka. The girl who's training me said I had to pay for the Vodka. I'll see with the boss but if it's true, I quit! I'll just get myself somewhere else. It's only 11:30 (4:30 MTL) and I'm stuck here 'till 1am. As she treats me like a dog. If this job's gonna be like this, I'm not gonna be happy so what's the point?!? We'll see with the boss's wife tomorrow. I'll talk with Daniel later. At lease someone nice. To think I just finished unpacking today. The boss asked me earlier for my passport but I don't feel comfortable leaving it to him.
I'm sitting at a table waiting for time to pass by. I' m thinking about you guys and I miss ya'll very much. You'd say I'm here by choice and it's true. I'm glad I'm in Europe but it doesn't change the fact that I love and miss you. I'm feeling quite alone tonight, tho I've been talking with some french girls earlier. Tolous (my boss) said not to worry about the Vodka. That's set! It's 1:30am (6:30pm MTL) and there's still people at the bar so we have to stay open.
Monday, July 11th 2005
I've stayed in bed so late again. I'm supposed to really start working today as the boss's wife (Rita) should be here. I drink so much water, I spend hafl my time drinking and the other half peeing. Well, Rita seems quite nice. I'm goin at the train station again today. Crap! I don't like this featching for customers shit! I went to the super market and made a small grocery but I practiced my greek which is good.
I'm back at the train station. I think I'll be seeing that security guy often. He's kinda cute, at lease he doesn't try to pick me up like all those greek jerks who thinks they're god's gift to women. This time, I brought my CD player, time goes by faster with music.
I'm standing on the balcony observing the life around here. There's a lot of noise (screaming) comming from the balsony in front of me. On the right side building there's an old woman observing life as she's eating. All of a sudden,I hear Chris Cross, Sailing. A man in his undies is taking his laundry out. This car passes by disturbing the peace with it's loud hip hop music. On an other balcony, a familly's attention is centered on a babay while an other one's eating and watching TV at the same time. This neiborhood is full of life ant it's great to observe it. I just learned that this is the Polish/Albanian neiborhood, so I found myself looking for a Polish restaurant. Found it! It's closed of course. Well, at lease I know where it is. Well, I'll go back to the hostel and have myself a quiet evening. There's nobody on the balcony so I'll put on some music and dance. Men, that felt good! There's a guy in the building across that keeps on watching us at night. This time he got a dance show.
Sunday, July 10th 2005
I'm feeling really lazy today. I've taken my shower and watch a movie. Daniel's not here which is suprising as he should be sleeping now. It's so hot, I don't feel like going out. The heat here is not the type that makes you appreciate summer. It's very tiring this heat. I can't wait to work steadilly so I can "start living". The super markets are closed today so I have to wait 'till tomorrow to get stuff to cook. I just hand washed some clothes and the soap stained my white pants. I love them so much. I'm back at the train station. There's a mexican that works in an another hotel here and he talks with the security guy. That guy just spoke to me but I guess he's just bored 'cause the mexican's talking with some mexican girls in spanish. I understand most of what they're saying but they don't know that.
I'm back at the hostel. I brought 2 customer. I think the girl who's training me doesn't like me. I don't really care but she outta treat me better. She gives me orders and she gives me attitude when I do something wrong. When training is done, she better not do this to me I'll quit. A girl just asked for Fanta and I taught she said Vodka. The girl who's training me said I had to pay for the Vodka. I'll see with the boss but if it's true, I quit! I'll just get myself somewhere else. It's only 11:30 (4:30 MTL) and I'm stuck here 'till 1am. As she treats me like a dog. If this job's gonna be like this, I'm not gonna be happy so what's the point?!? We'll see with the boss's wife tomorrow. I'll talk with Daniel later. At lease someone nice. To think I just finished unpacking today. The boss asked me earlier for my passport but I don't feel comfortable leaving it to him.
I'm sitting at a table waiting for time to pass by. I' m thinking about you guys and I miss ya'll very much. You'd say I'm here by choice and it's true. I'm glad I'm in Europe but it doesn't change the fact that I love and miss you. I'm feeling quite alone tonight, tho I've been talking with some french girls earlier. Tolous (my boss) said not to worry about the Vodka. That's set! It's 1:30am (6:30pm MTL) and there's still people at the bar so we have to stay open.
Monday, July 11th 2005
I've stayed in bed so late again. I'm supposed to really start working today as the boss's wife (Rita) should be here. I drink so much water, I spend hafl my time drinking and the other half peeing. Well, Rita seems quite nice. I'm goin at the train station again today. Crap! I don't lke this featching for customers shit! I went to the super market and made a small grocery but I practiced my greek which is good.
I'm back at the train station. I think I'll be seeing that security guy often. He's kinda cute, at lease he doesn't try to pick me up like all those greek jerks who thinks they're god's gift to women. This time, I brought my CD player, time goes by faster with music.
I'm standing on the balcony observing the life around here. There's a lot of noise (screaming) comming from the balsony in front of me. On the right side building there's an old woman observing life as she's eating. All of a sudden,I hear Chris Cross, Sailing. A man in his undies is taking his laundry out. This car passes by disturbing the peace with it's loud hip hop music. On an other balcony, a familly's attention is centered on a babay while an other one's eating and watching TV at the same time. This neiborhood is full of life ant it's great to observe it. I just learned that this is the Polish/Albanian neiborhood, so I found myself looking for a Polish restaurant. Found it! It's closed of course. Well, at lease I know where it is. Well, I'll go back to the hostel and have myself a quiet evening. There's nobody on the balcony so I'll put on some music and dance. Men, that felt good! There's a guy in the building across that keeps on watching us at night. This time he got a dance show.
Tuesday, July 12th 2005
Well, the boss said that today, I'd be working as a receptionnist at another hostel. Here I go! It doesn't look nice and the guy there told me I'd be doing breakfest. I don't want to do breakfest. I'll talk with the boss because there wasn't question of breakfest before. Now, I gotta move all my stuff to that other place and I'm going to share a room with a guy and his girlfriend. Great a couple (sarcastically)! Well, I'll see what it's like and if I don't like it, I'm otta here. His girlfriend is from Quebec City and she's not like girly, she's more sporty so I'll most likely get along with her. At lease, I'll have someone to speak Quebecois with most of the time.
The room is bigger and I get free internet and they have a washing machine for that, it's better. I'll give it time. I went out looking for a curling iron and all I found, is a pack with all sorts of irons for like 46Euros. It's way too much especially if I only use one of them. Got myself some McD's and now I'm back at the hostel to do some laundry. They're nice here! I should be doing breakfest for 2-3 weeks and then reception. That's ok for me. The good thing is there's no such thing as trainning here, I'll be paid for everything I do. Anyways, I'm starting tomorrow. That means no money out of the bank. I get to not spend my savings anymore. I'm tired but I can't sleep.
Mercredi, le 13 juillet 2005
Wednesday, July 13th 2005
Great, I'm late for my first day. I woke up a bit late and the couple in the next room have been using the bathroom/shower for the past half hour. Ah well, I don't think they'll make a fuss this morning. I didn't get to sleep. It was way too hot in the room, even with the fan and the 3 cold showers I took. There's not much to do for breakfest. It's a self serve, all I have to do is lay out everything (coffee, tea, juice, marmalade, butter, hot water, utensils and plates), cook hard boilled eggs and cut bread. Then, I have to stand there for 4hrs taking money from customers and clean up after them. It's not bad as I've been talking alot with customers and I get to put my own music. I've just spoke with this guy who's going to studdy in Poland and he was asking alot of questions also about teaching, I had loads to tell him.
I finally spoke with Niko (the boss) he says he has another hostel and he'll see if I can work reception or bar there. I decided to go look for that other Polish restaurant I was told but I couldn't find it so, I guess I'll go to the other one. On my way back, there was a huge park (Eden Garden) so I decided to walk thru it. It's really nice! At this moment, I'm sitting on a bench in this park. It's peacefull and chaotic at the same time. There's a breeze going thru the leaves and then, I hear different birds trying to be louder then the others, kids playing in the background, cars reminding me I'm in the middle of the city.
Attention a tous les monocles et matantes, je viens de passer devant un salon de bridge et oui, vous m'avez bien compris, j'ai dit Salon de BRIDGE! Le restaurant polonais est encore ferme. Quel merde! Bon, je vais aller chez Goody's pour me prendre une salade a 4Euros (c'est un bar a salade et le plat est gros). Je suis très fatiguée je vais monter à ma chambre pour manger ma salade devant Simba et ses amis.
Jeudi, le 14 juillet 2005
Thursday, July 14th 2005
Je me suis lève ce matin pour faire le déjeuner mais Lucyenda (celle qui le fait d'habitude) était entrain de le faire. On lui a dit que je travaillais à l'autre auberge. Je ne sais pas, je n'ai pas eu de nouvelles de Niko. On verra aujourd'hui! La, je vais me couche. Il pleut et il y a eu du tonnerre toute l'avant-midi. Je suis restée au lit.
I got cheated off 3Euros on my pay 'cause I was 30mins late. I said what about this morning, I got up to get to work and nobody told me I wasn't working. What a bull of crap. Man, the greeks, they want people to work for them for free. I got myself a salad at Goody's with lots of olives and feta cheese and now, I'm back in that huge park where I found myself a quiet spot to eat my salad. I'm at Victoria Station waiting for the train and there's some Glen Miller paying. Nice!
I've been looking all over for a curling iron. I went to this hair dresser in Plaka who was really nice and told me where I could find one. Man, the cheapest one is like 30Euros. Way too expensive for my blood! Back at the hostel and I've been on the internet of the past 3-4hrs. There's a girl from Equador that just came in (Katharina), she's really nice and she speaks french. She's staying in my room tonight. The couple that stays with me bought loads of food so we're like watching "Down with love" and eating. Cool!
Friday, July 15th 2005
Katharina and I decided to hang out together today. I showed her around Plaka and we've been walking for like 6hrs. Cynthia called, I was very suprised and glad to hear her. Isabelle also called before she left for work. It's great hanging out with Katharina. We ate Gyro and McFlurry. Now, we're at backpackers and my chocolates are still there but not the cheese. Ah well! We went up to the roof bar. It's great up here! I'm having so much fun the "DJ"just played a set of Jazz music that was cool! We're like all signing and dancing. It's fun! I've been talking with this Scotish guy for like 2hrs now. He's like drunk and all over me but it doesn't bother me as he's not forcefull. He's really nice and I like the scottish accent. Party's ended now at backpackers and we're all walking to another club or bar.
Katharina and I are hungry for Mussaca. Wow, this mussaca was very expensive (9.50Euros) this is more than we shoul've paid. Normaly, the maximum price should be 4-5Euros 6 max. Thank god we took one for both of us. The DJ past by while we were paying the check. he says he wants to hang out with me once in awhile, that would be great! We went back to the club, I hung with Roy (the scott) while Katharina went talking to other people. They have a projection of a silent movie on the wall. That's cool! I'm having fun observing every one dancing and having fun. They look so serene, no worries, just hapinest, that's what I like. Cool, Charlie Chaplin! It's so funny! Well, almost everyone's gone and we've been invited to party at the boys room at backpackers. I just have to give my no to the "DJ", we'll meet them there.
We'll we're here but they're not! We went outside to wait for them as we hung with Bob and some other guy. Cool! They're giving us massages. That guy's really good. He's loosen some nots. Well, the belgium guys got here and we're all talking. Finally, the scotts are here they taught we weren't comming. Wow, it's 5:30am. We gotta take the train back to the hostel. The guy's opening the gate. Kalimera! Time to go to bed, good night!
Saturday, July 16th 2005
It's 11am and the idiot at the reception woke us up to tell Katharina to change rooms now. I'm like, Hey! this is the employe's room let us sleep. We went to bed at 6:30am. It's 4pm Katharina woke me up her and her friend are going to the beach and she asked me if I wanted to go. Yes! This is great! The sun is out, it's hot and the water is blue. I've been showing Fernandina to float and after we played frizby. Now, we're just relaxing on the beach. Man, this is life! Fernandina is sleeping on the beach as Katharina and I are throwing pebles at her aiming for the bellybutton. It's fun! We're hungry! Let's go seafood! We've been walking around the port for a seafood restaurant for like 20mins now. So we decided to go for salad at Goody's. We're going out tonight.
Hello backpackers! It's not as fun as yesterday. We're back at that other club as backpackers bar closes at midnight. It's cool 'cause now, I can watch that silent movie they were playing yesterday and understand the story. The movie ended now and it's Charlie Chaplin, he's really funny! After we left the club, Katharina, Fernanda, an Aussie girl, some spanish guys and I left to go sleep. On our way, we found a club with good dancing music and a dance floor. So we went in and made the party move then, they said we had to leave if we didn't drink so we left.
Sunday, July 17th 2005
I've had enough! I'm leaving Athens! The stupid big fat dodo receptionnist who doesn't speak english woke me up to leave the room as today, I should start at Zeus (the other hostel). It's like 11am, can't he let me sleep! I hung up and went back to bed. The big fat stupid bitch maid came knocking at the door. She thru my stuff off the bed to make it for customers but this is the employe's room. They only rent these beds when the stupid big fat dodo receptionist makes mistakes. She's throwing everyone's stuff all over. What a bitch! I'm packing! She left so I looked the door to change but she came back bashing on the door and yelling at me to open the door, I told her after I finish changing and she knocked the door down. She's psyco! Men, I can't take this, I quit! I'm goin to Zeus and see what's up there. Anyways, I have nowhere to go. There's way too many bosses here, I spoke with Niko but the wrong one.
I went to see Tolus to tell him what happened and that I quit. I'm going to Corfu. The bus leaves tomorrow from Aphrodite Hostel. The bus is 39Euros one way and it includes one night stay plus dinner and breakfest. Tolus told me to bring my stuff at Aphrodite and that he'll arange it for me and he'll also call the boss at Pink Palace (the hostel in Corfu) to see if they need someone. In that case, I'll have a job as Tolus said. That's nice of him. I'm really pised today and I'm tired which makes things worse. Don't anybody get to me today! I got a bed at Aphrodite for 10Euros as the regular price is 15. That was nice of Tolus. I went back to Zorbas to say bye to Shade and Marie-Eve. Now, I'm on my way to backpackers with 2 turkish guys who stays in my room.
I love the roof bar here, it's great! I'm always talking to many people here from all around the globe. Hey, the equador girls just got here. Cool! I think, I told what happened this morning to 10-15 people (not exagerating). Being at backpackers now makes me sad that I'm leaving. The "DJ" is here (Niko). He's really bumed that I'm leaving. Well, he has my number. Tonight we're all goin to karaoke. Gotta luv a bunch of drunk guys singing. I'm going for it, I'll be singing (or trying to) "Fever". We're all dancing in the isle. I'm having so much fun. Great, someone sang "Just a gigolo" and I did backup singing. That was so much fun, maybe after this, I can do back up for the Jello Shots. Hi hi hi!! Now, they're pulling the greek songs, this is my Q. I'm flesing! I had a great night.
Monday, July 18th 2005
I love Goody's for 3,95Euros, I get a big empty carton bol with a lid which I can fill with as much feta cheese, kalamata olives and salad as I want. Isn't it great!?! I'm back in that huge park. This old fart was following me, I even changed places to see if he was really following me. I went straight up to him and yelled at hime to stop following me and I left. Anoying old fart! Mostly, I come here for peace and quiet. Motorcycles and scooters rule here, threy're in the streets, on the sidewaks, they cross on the red lights, go on the oposite direction of the street... It's like chaos! I found the cheapest place to have pictures from a memory card placed on a CD, 3Euros and it's done wright away not far from Aphrodite hostel on Mihal Voda.
I hate pigeons, they're everywhere and they're not scared of humans. Went back to my favorite place, backpackers. I have 2hrs to kill. I love this place. I've been talking with AJ an Aussie which I've pocked all night. We went for gyros and icecream. Backpackers again! Good bye all, had loads of fun! My bus is in 30mins. I'll get there on time. This is goin to take 11hrs to get to Corfu. I met 3 americans and we played thruth or dare. Bus, ferry, bus, ferry, bus.... Can't really sleep with all those changes.
Tuesday, July 19th 2005
I'm in Corfu at the Pink Palace, finally! This place is known to be the party place, people getting drunk and laid. This is like Club Med. Someone greats you, you get to wear a bracelet, no outsiders on the property, loads of activities (but you gotta pay separate)... I'm oh so tired! I spoke with the boss here and I think I have a job at reception.
Oh man! My room is at the bothom and I have to get thru the beach to get there, it's like the other end of the world. I can't bring my luggage onthe beach, it's on rollers and 30kilos. Someone's gonna bring it for me. I'm way too tired. The guy at the reception here is useless, he doesn't want to hepl me with my luggage. The guy at the convinience store on the beach is helpfull, he'll take care of it. Thanks! Great, I have the room to myself (first time in a month). Sleeped 'till 7pm. The door doesn't lock from inside and the guys brought my luggage in while I was sleeping and I was half naked. Thank god my sleeping bag was covering me.
I spoke with the boss again and tomorrow, I'm moving to the staff quaters. Food is good and guys are serving us. The guy who brought me my plate, started to describe the meal to me (joking), he's really cute. Most of the guys here are good looking. This is the place for booze, sex and rock'n roll, it's mostly booze and sex. I've been meeting alot of staff. That's cool! I played poker with a sweedish and his teenage son. They're nice! It's beautifull here, the hills, the clear water, the sand, the fullmoon. I talked with this french man who live in Mikonos 'till like 2:30am. I gotta check out at 9am and switch to an employe room.
Wednesday, July 20th 2005
I didn't sleep much, the waves woke me up and I had f%^$ up dreams. That guy at the reception here is an idiot. Nobody at the reception want to help me with my luggage. I'll go see the guy that helped me yesterday. Finally, people that will help me. This guy's carrying my luggage allthe way, it's soooo heavy! He's good! Finally got my luggage all the way up to reception. I'll be making muscles going up and down the stairs and paths here. I'm at the main reception waiting for god knows what. My cellphone doesn't work here and that's a bummer. There's no signal.
Oh man! I have to go all the way down again. I'll be working with that idiot and staying there. Great! (sarcastically) This is shit! They sent me to the crappy place. I bet ya, there's no phone there. Why do I end up with these idiots at work here. I tought I'd be working at the main reception. And again, we'll see. If it doesn't work out, I'll asked to be switched. Now that I got some guy to bring my luggage up, I have to find guys to bring it back down. The waves are so big, I gotta swim. Man, that was fun! The only problem is that there's rocks as you get in and out of the water, it is a bit dangerous as the waves are strong and makes me fall.
Gotta go work, I'm training at the main reception. It's cool! Everyone's nice and the job's easy. I'm so hungry!!! Food's good here but I need more then what we get. I don't know when I finish, I guess Dina (my boss) will tell mi. It's 11:30pm (4:30pm - MTL), I just finished and I have to be back here at 8am tomorrow.
Thursday, July 21st 2005
I'm late! Of course I'm at the other end of the world, I have to climb up and I barelly got to sleep. This job is ok. I get a free t-shirt but I'm not paid for the first 3 weeks as I'm on "trial". That's a way of getting free labour. It's relaxing, no one's on your back or bothers you, you can chill and tal to people, no stress. I'm here from 8am 'till 2pm and then, back at 4pm 'till 11pm, 10hrs of work. It's fun meeting all these new guests. These texans just came in and one of the guys has a t-shirt that says: "I sware, it's this big!" so I asked him if I could get a proof of that, he said later. We'll see!! I had time to take a swim and a nap.
I'm going to be late again. I'm a bit late but nobody noticed. I'm hungry, I wonder what time they'll bring food up. Oh man! everyone's ordering food from the restaurant and the kitchen's closing. I had to run to the kitchen and ask the chef if he had food for me, thank god he had some rice and vegetables, it's not much but better than nothing. That guy working the night shift is giving me attitude and doesn't want me to work, Whatever!! I need the key to the kitchen here to clean my dishes but he's mean to me and claims he doesn't have them so, I'll leave them here. Man! I'm starting at 8am tomorrow morning.
When am I supposed to sleep? My phone has no signal here, only at the beach if I'm lucky. I don't think I'll stay here, if I stay 3 months, I leave with 300 Euros as I spend approximately 3-5 Euros/day for water, lunch, etc. That's without my expenses to leave the country to get my passport stamped, so actually, I'll leave with approximately 150-200 Euros. This is not worth working 7days/week, 10hrs/day.
Friday, July 22nd 2005
I barely sleeped last night and I didn't wake up when the alarm went off. I'm 45mins late but I don't care and they don't seem to either. Dina sent me to the H-I building (the one I'm suposed to work at). It took 10mins for the guy to show me the job so I have notting to do untill this afternoon (time? no time here, they're always vague). I ate breakfest with a german and now, I'm at a bar from another hotel with 2 french Patrick, Benjamin and one quebecer Charles. Patrick and Charles are talking too much politics for me. Benjamin studies to be an airline pilot, that's cool! I spent all day with Charles and Benjamin. It was nice. Now (6pm) I'll go see at reception what's up. Dina's not there 'till 8pm so I have 2hrs. I've been talking with this guy from LA who's doing some painting and he works at the same place I do (H-I building). The texan guys just got off the Booze cruise. Well, it's 7pm I'll go up now. I've decided to stay a couple of days to figure out what I'm going to do and then, I'll quit.
I'm here doing notting as the night shift guy's here and I know he'll give me attitude if I do anything. So, I'm writing in my journal. Tomorrow, I'm working at the H-I building from 2 to midnight and I'll be making posters, Yeah! It'll be quiet, too quiet even. There's notting to do overthere, not many guests to serve. I went to the Paladium (disco) and my taughts were: "Kids with too much testosterone and low IQ's". This'll be fun!
Saturday, July 23rd 2005
I was so tired, I sleeped 'till noon. Now, I'm with Johanna who works at the reception here, she's Polish. There's notting to do untill midnight so we're watching DVDs. We played a bit of freezby and we're watching more DVDs. This is lond and boring, to think that starting tomorrow, I'll be doing this alone. Benjamin came to see us a couple of times. Now, it's 9pm and I'm at the main kitchen eating. The owner of this place is a jerk, he just said that all the employees here are stupid. Jerk!
Tonight's the toda party, everyone's wearing a pink toga (sheet you wrap around your body like the ancient greeks). This is the most discusting "party" I've been to. They start off with spin the bottle but they don't kiss just dance (that's OK) after, they have some "greek" dancing (doesn't look too greek to me) then, the boss (Dr. Georges) goes in and dances with no shoes on as some guys breaks plates on the floor and they put fire around the floor, up 'till now all is good but then, they have the guys who works here come in with a bucket of ouzo and they break plates on eachothers head followed by an ugly display of sex (with clothes on) with female guests for like 15-20mins as the guys breaks plates on the girls while f"%^@ing if you're still there after that crap, they serve ouzo and break plates on your head to end it with a beer chuging contest. I was wrong, this is not like club med, this is a hore house, "Un Bordel". I'm definetely not staying here.
Sunday, July 24th 2005
I got to take a 4 wheeler out this morning and it was great! This island is beautifull with wonderfull villages. I want to rent a 4 wheeler everday to see the island, I was supposed to go to Kerkyra (Corfu town) to look for a job but I didn't have time this morning, I'll go some other time. I'm not in a hurry to leave. Gas only cost me 1 Euro which is less than a bus ticket to Kerkyra. I'll take my time to leave as I have a place to stay and free food as long as I'm here. I'll just take advantage of the sea and the 4 wheelers. Nature here is beautifull. There's valleys everywhere. Awsome! I'm also getting quite a tan, something I never had. I learned today that I can borrow movies for free here and they have about 200 of them. Cool! This sucks, the movies don't work on my DVD, Crap! I'm too tired, I'm gona take a nap. It's 6pm now and I've been sleeping on a beach chair at the reception since 3pm. I opened my eyes when people came in but they took the keys and/or left them telling me not to move. Cool! It's so relaxing!!
Monday, July 25th 2005
Woke up at 10am, ate breakfest, swam and now, I'm working. In Greece, all trees are either orange, lemon or olive trees. At this building, there's a lemon trees so I get fresh lemons anytime I want. Cool! there's not much to say about today and I fear it's going to be like that for awhile.
Tuesday, July 16th 2005
Droped my laundry and did some kayak. Some of the employes are taking pictures of themselves with water like they're the chippendales or something. Losers! Back at work, the maids and the daughter of one of them are here. They're all greek and it's cool as I get to practice greek and the little girl is teaching me words. She's cute! She's watching Finding Nemo on my DVD player. I've taned more then I've ever been. I'm suprised and happy. Someone offered me a job in Mikonos, I have to think about it. My mother told me the empress of Austria Sisi had a house here, I gotta see it before I leave. It's really beautifull here, it's in the middle of a valley. After work, I walked around with a guy from Australia after awhile, he got on my nerves with all his wining and unhappiness he was too negative.
Wednesday, July 27th 2005
I woke up too late for breakfest so I took a swim. The sea is calm and we can easily see fish in the water near the shore, it's really nice. I wish I had snorkeling gear. I've got used to the heat, it's not making me sleepy anymore. Tonight was someking of exciting, there was a hole in a waterpipe in one of the rooms and it flooded another room as well. I went in and closed the water, I also had to move the occupant's stuff to another room as the boys weren't there. It kept me occupied for an hour.
Thursday, July 28th 2005
I wanted to get up early to take a quad and drive around the island but I couldn't get myself up. I went to get my lunch but on my way back, I fell and dropped my plate. I had to fight to get another plate of food. That's crazy! That's greek man for you! It's not like I did it on purpose or something.
Friday, July 29th 2005
This morning, I went to the top reception and my boss gave me a lift on his quad. It felt a bit akward but it's ok, I guess. Got the rest of my laundry and hung out at the bar talking to employes and customers. One idiote touched my breast twice on purpose so, when he wasn`t looking, I put my foot on his crutch (he was sitting). He got mad, he was like: "I'm canadian!!" oh sorry, as if that would give him the right to touch me. A$% Hole! Anyways, it was expected by people coming to this place. A couple of days ago, I fell and hurt my foot some skin was taken off. It didn't hurt but now, it's infected by the sand, it hurts and it's swallowed. I'll have to go to the doctor tomorrow.
Saturday, July 30th 2005
I went to the doctor and he desinfected my wound. He was rough and he hurt me alot. Now, I have to take a quad and go to Sinarades to get medication at the pharmacy. I love driving quads, it's so much fun. Weeeeee! This island is really beautifull with all those villages and valleys. I love it! I just gave myself a haircut and it feels great!
Monday, August 1st 2005
Alwready August! Today, I took a quad out and got myself to Kerkyra (Corfu town) but I only had time to drive around and go back. Next time, I really gotta get up earlier. It's so hot I sweat even when I'm sitting down. I wish I could go swim but the doctor said I couldn't. I'm really getting board at this job. Tonight, I'm goin out after work. I've been reading the bad girls guide to getting what you want and I want to try some of those things. I changed my name and pretended I was from NYC, it was cool. I danced a bit but mostly, the music sucked. I met an Italian guy who dances well and is quite bright. It was nice talking and dancing with him.
Tuesday, August 2nd 2005
I'm seriously thinking about studying the ocean. I guess I'm on somekinda quest, searching for my life, for what I want to do.
Wednesday, August 3rd 2005
My day was dull untill after dinner. I was talking to Alex a British then Paul an Aussie came and joined us after, Alex left and 4 german guys asked for music. Party! I had to pick up 2 guys (New Mexico) who had just arrived to show them the way here (H-I building). It's past midnight and my shift is done but I'm having loads of fun. Oh my god! I just spoke with Kyle (NM) and he swing dances, I'm so excited I have to dance now. It feels so good. Denisa (she's from Prague and works the midnight to 8 shift) filmed us dancing. Then, I went to bed.
Thursday, August 4th 2005
It's like 4 or 5 am but I can't sleep. I just started to talk to David (Kyle's friend) and Kyle told him I swing dance, so he asked me for a dance now and then, it was great. I showed him some moves, he learns fast.
7:30am Think I'll go tho bed and try to sleep now.
I went swiming and I lost my sun glasses. That sucks! I've had people coming and talking to me, time goes by faster. Denisa came around and we goofed around with condoms, filling them with water and Denisa kept asking every guy we saw if they wanted to model them for us. Haven't found any models yet! I taught David some new moves. I'm at the Paladium (the Pink Palace night club) it's great to dance swing. Lindy bomb! Kyle and I started talking after the ouzo circle as the music started to suck. Then, we decided to leave, on the other side of the H-I building where I work, there's the nicest view of the stars and we just talked and saw a dozen of chooting stars. It was really nice.
Friday, August, 5th 2005
I woke up at 1:20 pm and I work at 2pm. Just enough time to get dressed and food before I start. The maids are really nice, they're talking to me often and they're crazy. When I went for dinner, they made us wait so long that I decided to go dance with Kyle and David. There was no one on the dance floor as it was too early. I'm so excited to get to dance swing. It's making me soooo happy. These guys are great! It's sad they're leaving tomorrow. I had to "run" to H-I with my plate of food as new guests were about to arrive. I found models for the condoms, 2 Irish guys. As I past in front of their room, the window was opened and they were changing.
Midnigth, it's pumpkin time, gotta go to the paladium to dance. Kyle disapeared with my glaces. I'm starting to have a headeache. After looking for him for an hour, I found him with a girl on the beach.
Saturday, August 6th 2005
Kyle and David spent almost all day with me, I'm going to miss them. This has been the 3 best days of my trip. We danced, talked and watched a movie. They're both goofy in a different way, they complete eachother. David is goofy in his movements, he has a hard time sloutching as for Kyle, he falls in the stairs, hits his head and leaves with my glasses. I really like them. I've also convience them to come to the canadian swing championship. Lately, there's been more people here which makes it more interesting. It's 9:30pm, Kyle and David left, not without saying goodbye. I' really glad I met them, I hope to see them again someday, while traveling or at a swing dance event.
Monday, August 8th 2005
The maids gave me a hard core porn deck of cards yesterday. They're nuts! Sex addicts! I got sunburned today but I asked for it, I shouldn't have lied in the sun for 2hrs without sunscreen. I some kinda wanted to get burn to get a tan afterwards on my legs, stomac and back. The playing cards are making guys talk (to me). This guy from Calgary has been playing cards with me for the past half hour, he promised he'd come back around 1am to play again. I don't mind, he's good looking. I'm gonna take a walk later on the other side of H-I and stare at the stars. It's calm and nicer on the other side. I've been killing blood suckers and being proud of myself everytime one's dead.
Wednesday, August 10th 2005
This past few days, Justin (one of the employes) gives me compliments everytime I see him. He's really good looking and he knows it! Most of the guys working here are good looking, the petty is that they know it too well. They're like running after the good looking girls trying to land them every night.
Thursday, August 11th 2005
I signed my contract today. I'm here untill September 21st. It was good to get a pay, finally! I got to pay back Denisa who lent me money. My sun glasses were recovered by somekinda miracle. I can't believe it! The lenses are scratched but I'll have them changed when I can. I'm just happy to have them back. My sandals in an other way, are totally ruined. I'm stuck wearing my running shoes untill I get myself new sandals. There's 2 guys from NYC in room 35 and they're nice, I picked one of them up last night as David at reception described him to me as a white version of Mr. T. When I saw him, I introduced myself as the white version of chocolate ice-cream.
After my shift, I hung at the paladium but it sucked so I went to the main reception bar to get chips and I meet 2 guys from texas, we talked for like and hour and it turned out they rented a car so I talked them into taking me around tomorrow morning. Cool! It's like 2:30am at this time. On my way back to my room, I see this guy in his room going to the bathroom and we started talking. He's from Australia (of course) and he's here with a friend. We talked for awhile then, I went to bed.
Friday, August 12th 2005
Sleeped 2hrs, woke up Adam and Bryan at 9:45am. We ate breakfest and left the Pink Palace. We ended up at Achilleion where Sisi had a vacation house. It was her retreat house. It's magnificent, it's just sad we can't go on the top floors. It was really something to see things that belonged do her as well as her portrait and Franz's. There's a nice garden behind it and loads of statues. The guys were really into taking pictures of beautifull sights. They're really nice! It made me very happy to see that. I was gitty and I held myself from the excitment I felt. I was great! I didn't want to leave Corfu without seeing it and I did so I'm not missing out.
It's very foggy today, I've never seen that much fog since Krakow. It's 9:50pm (2:50pm - MTL), I'm sitting outside by the reception. The moon is there and the hotel at the other end is reflecting on the water from all the light it's producing. It's funny how I sleeped 2hrs this morning and I haven't been tired untill now and even now it's not that bad. I borowed a book at the exchange : Bridget Jones - The edge of reason - It'll keep me occupied for awhile. I've been looking for interesting books to read and since I don't read much, not many books sound appealing to me.
I see many people having sex here and I'm starting to feel lonely. I'd like to have a stable relationship but I guess that with my lifestyle, it's not really an option. I've been "waiting" (I don't really wait, it's more like leting things happen) for something to happen in the past 3-4 years now, I might as well be lonely for the rest of my life. This trip and being in this place doesn't help much. I meet really nice people here but the main conversation stays basic: Where are you from? Where were you before here? Where are you goin next?... It's the same story over and over again. People don't stay here long enough to extend the conversation. As for co-workers well, none of them works at H-I and I get to see them in the morning sometimes, sometimes in the evening (but I'm eating alone most of the time) or at night when I go out. In all of these occasions, I haven't got the chance to talk to them much. There goes my social life.
One's must ask herself why am I staying here then!?! I ask myself that same question every day. I don't really know, I guess I like the fact that I get peace and quiet here. I wish I had a lap top and something to study, at lease my time wouldn't feel that much like it's lost. For some reason, I feel like writing right now, I don't know if it's the wind blowing thru my hair, Nat King Cole, the sound of the waves, the fog I inhaled today or what, but I feel like writing. I don't know!
I meet some Aussie today who studied in MTL, it felt really good to talk about MTl with someone. Tomorrow's Saturday, I gotta pick up my pay. It's high season now and there's way more guests here at the Pink Palace, it keeps me busy, less time to miss MTL. I still miss swing tho but the New Mexicans last week made it better. It's MTLX now and I'm missing it. An exchange in my own city and I miss it. Ah well, that's life! Just gotta think that instead, I'm in Greece. It's a fair trade.
It feels good to write expecially that lately I haven't had much to say. I must say, thank god for Denisa! She's nice and we get along well. I don't know how long she'll be here for but I hope as long as me. She's the only person I see long enough to have decent discutions with and confide in. She's fun! I'm sure gonna keep contact with her.
One hour left 'till my shift is done. I've been writing for one hour. Of course, there was some disturbances as my boss (Dina) called a couple of times to check guests but not much. I wish you guys could see, smell, feel, hear, taste what I'm experiencing right now, it's great! I feel so serene, it's wonderfull. These sensations as much as I'm trying to descrive them seem undescribable. I, in many ways, enjoy and take advantage of every moment here. THIS, is what I call life, living! I guess my reasons for staying must be just as undescribable.
I had to fetch these 3 australians to show them the way here. They're really nice, mature and good looking. We chatted for awhile. My shift is done, I'm in my PJ's and I have to go to the main reception all the way to the top to bring some customer's passports to Dina. On my way up, I saw Joanna and we danced a bit at the paladium. Then I left and on my way up, I meet Justin, he was comming back from brigning a drunk girl to her room, I tried to come to H-I but, "it's too far". On my way back to H-I, I stopped at the paladium as Justin talked me into goin back (it wasn't too hard as he's the best looking guy here). I finally got myself back to H-I.
The australians were waiting for me to play cards but since the restaurant is closed, we went to the paladium so they could get some drinks. I love chatting with these guys, they're really cool. We stayed untill closing time which is a first for me and then, we went to the bar at the top reception. As we were leaving the paladium, I sliped my room key in Justin's pocket as a joke. He kept my key. No prob, there's a spare one back at H-I. I sugested to the Australians who thinks the paladium sucks as much as I do, to rent a car and go out in Kerkyra. I can drive them back afterwards. They liked the idea, I hope they'll do it. It would be too cool.
Saturday, August 13th 2005
Joanna's brother's here, he doesn't speak a lot of english, this will be a good opportunity for me to practice my Polish. I feel ashamed, I have books to learn greek and I haven't opened them often enough. I think I sleeped for an hour and a half now on chairs. I will soon become an expert on togas, I've been placing togas on a dozen of boys and girls tonight alone. I'm replacing Denisa again tonight for a couple of hours. I'm just accumulating time when she'll be replacing me. Going to watch Down with love.
Sunday, August 14th 2005
I'm at the Paladium but the 3 Australians aren't here. Oh my God! Ren (one of the busboys) is walking without pants or undies. Thank god he's young! So funny! All the busboys are runing after him to take his shirt off. Aparently, he lost a game of babyfoot and that was the consiquence. They're all down stairs where the bathrooms are exept for Justin who's sitting next to me. What the hell!!! All the busboys just came up and are running around naked and yelling, so funny! These guys are too much! I've been bored all night but I got to talk with these guys much.
Monday, August 15th 2005
I've been talking with Mladen for the past two hours (one of the Australians). The other one's are on the booze cruise. It was great to talk with him as I was sun bathing again, trying to keep my tan and get a better tan on my legs. They're leaving now, so sad! They're really nice and good looking. Took a pic and got their e-mails. Michael is coming to Canada for a year so I might see him there. It's sad to have some decent people leave 'cause it's so rare. They're cool!
Tuesday, August 16th 2005
I went to the market to get some stamps to send postcards and I saw some calling cards so I got myself one as they gave 1h45mins for 5 Euros which is decent. I called Isabelle, felt good to talk to her. I also called Gab and spoke quite a bit. It was really nice to talk to them. Love having news from them and getting advice. Went to the paladium tonight, it's ouzo circle night, crap! Ouzo circle is when they distribute ouzo to all and smash plates on people's head followed by my co-workers pretending to have hardcore sex on the floor with female guests for like 20mins. That's sooooo degrating! I'm sitting at the bar with Dana (a co-worker from Prague) who's boyfriend, Andrew is a busboy. I know she's been mean to Denisa but she's been nice to me. She's teaching me some Tcheck.
Wednesday, August 17th 2005
I went to eat at the beach kitchen David (a busboy) and Justin are there. Sat next to them, they had planned to go on the booze cruise but it was cancelled. 15mins later, the other busboys arrived and sat wiht us. It was nice to hang with them, I'm late for work but no one knows or care. I just want to hang with them as I haven't really got the chance. The DJ's an ass! He kept on asking me if I had sex last night which is none of his bussiness.
Thursday, August 18th 2005
Fell like a chicken roasting on charcoal as for the past few days, I have been taking some colors and trying to keep those colors for 3-4hrs/day on reception balcony. I've also been reading Bridget Jone's The edge of reason, very good and interesting as developments are a bit different then the movie itself. Spoke with Denisa today and tomorrow, I have the entire day off. WEEE! She's taking my shift, this is great! Dr. Georges yelled at me today, saying I take too much time for dinner. Well, it's my only time to socialize. Anyways, he only saw me there for half an hour. Whatever! He need employees so he's not gonna fire me for that.
Went to the Paladium tonight, I started dancing as the music was miraculusly good. It was great as I danced with Gab, Daren (aka Sexy -not to take seriously-), Rob and other busboys. Felt a bit like Petit Medley as going there alone but knowing most people and adknologizing eachother as they pass by me, joking at times. Felt great! Gotta go to bed early, need to get laundry first. On way back, stoped at Paladium again and spent all night with Stuart (a busboy/doorman). He's funny in a weird way. I like him. I have a weird feeling the busboys think I'm a slut. It's so not me. This place is just evil. Got one month left, got Denisa. Get occasional phone calls from familly and friends. Think positive, think positive! Gonna make nervous breakdown! No! Think positive!
Friday, August 19th 2005
Day off! Weeee! Denisa's replacing me today. I took a quad out and I'm now in Kerkyra walking thru the small streets filled with shops, reminds me of Plaka in Athens. Walked along the port it's nice to have some time to myself. Feels so good! Like freedom! Have forgoten my passport, bad! It's hot, sunny, beautiful and lively. Have also forgoten phrasebook. One wonders where one's head is at! Am pretty sure I have the answer to that but feel too ashamed to say.
Past by the Pink Palace. Justin past out last night and someone shaved half of one of his eyebrows. It's so funny. He's pissed off, too funny!!
Left on the Quad to explore the island. The roads are narrow and can barely fit 2 cars, they're always in zigzags going up and down. Cool! Wow, this is magnificent! Past thru 2 villages where people would say hi to me as I pass thru. Now, I'm at some ruins in the middle of nowhere. It's breath taking. I've been driving for hours, it's just so beautiful and I fell so free.It's great! I had an awsome day as I drove really fast (as fast as a Quad can go) while stading up with the wind blowing thru my hair and coat (it rained a bit). I almost killed myself twice. That was great! I drove thru a strange forest where the roads where narrower than usual. Gotta live it up and do this more often. It was a great hi. Note to self: Get more hi experience in life. As I drove thru that strange creapy forest, I found a fountain built by the Serbs during WWI, that's awsome. This is the beauty of Corfu, driving every where and nowhere, finding ruins here and there that I bet even the locals have no clue are there.
Back at the Pink Palace, eating with staff, feel so good! I've been talking with Woytek (Johanna's brother) and his friend (Wukarsz) about Polish music and TV. They're cool! Frank is being an ass more than usual tonight. He's on the boys ass all night. No wonder these boys want to drink all the time. The music is getting better lately. I've also been hanging outside with Stuart, he's a sweet little guy, a bit weird and creepy at times but he's cool! He had his hair shaved and I love playing with the 1cm left. I took Stuart's offer to look at the stars. Bad idea! I know Stuart likes me and I like him too but he's not for me. I hope he's ok. I'll have a talk with him. I hope it won't change anything.
Men! Relationship with men is so complicated! I'd love to have a boyfriend but it's impossible! Men can't express themselves and say what they think, that's jsut how they are and it drives me mad. I really don't want to hurt Stuart. Sometimes, I'm just too much.
Saturday, August 20th 2005
I'm so tired! I barely sleeped. I went to dinner and didn't get to talk with any of the busboys. Stuart passed in front of H-I today but didn't stop to talk to me. I think he's mad at me. Men, too complicated. Well, at lease it gives me some kind of action and something to write in my journal. I've definetely lost weight, my tanning is getting better. That was my instant of positive note. Lately, the blood suckers have been more vicious, I literally have at lease 30 bites on each leg, I counted.
Sunday, August 21st 2005
Exactly 1 month until I get ot leave this hell hole. I worked 18hrs yesterday, from 2pm 'till 8am this morning. I got p at 2pm to work. Great! (sarcastically) Denisa came and replaced me at 3pm so I can get food, my pay check and take a walk. As I was getting to Dr. Georges's office, I saw 3 busboys. I said hi and Rob asked me to come see them. Rob and Justin gave me a hug for some reason, it was nice. I ate with them. Apparently, I can't get money on Sunday, it's closed! Went walking on the beach towards teh "village" for the 1st time. It's really nice! There's a boardwalk along the beach and more people on this side. There's restaurants and bars. I met Patrick while walking and then, I saw Nikita playing on TV. It felt so good to watch it. It's really hot today. Gottago back to work.
Awful, totally awful and humiliating. I was eating at the Paladium when all of a sudden, I felt really bad, I was woozy, light headed, unbalanced. It was horrible! It was time for me to go back to work so I got up to bring my dishes back as I couldn't walk straight. Stuart saw me, took the dishes and told me to sit down after a bit, I got up and headed for the exit. Ren saw me and told me to sit down. He came to me a couple of times asking me if there's anything he can do while rubbing my back. I took a second atemped to leave as Justin came to me and told me to sit down again. Later, he came to me and said he had a chair for me behind the kitchen. He took me by the arm and walked me there. Someone asked him if I was drunk, he told them I didn't drink. On my way to teh chair, Justin kept on saying: " You're ok! You'll be fine! You're good! You won't dye!" He just made me laugh. Ha was paniking, not me. Some of the bar staff came to me as waell as Antonella. I got up and this guy's like: "Sit down, you're not going anywhere." Someone brought me a bottle of water. I felt a bit better so I got up, atempt no3 to go to work. Brenda (actually Brad but everyone calls him Brenda) from the Quads made me sit down with him then, he helped me down the stairs to get to the bathroom. As I got out of the loo, he had disapeared. I started to get up stairs but it was hard as everything was spining. Some girls got the barthender to help me up. He called reception to get a car pick me up and bring me to H-I. Charlie (the night watchman) was there but didn't do anything. He came to me later and said he'd bring me down. He didn't even help me walk, he stood 2m away from me as I stubled across the room towards teh exit. Andrew and this girl saw me as I was going out of the Palladium and told me to sit with them. Charlie left! Andrew called him back to pick me up. Charlie drove me to the volleyball court and left me on my own to get across the beach to H-I. Jerk! That was soooooooooooooo humiliating! I must have looked so sstupid. Brenda said: " It's funny 'cause you don't drink and you look drunk." What a nightmare that was!
When I got back, I called Dina to let her know I was back. She was mad at me, bitch! She said:"If you were working with me, this wouldn't have happened. The problem si you girls do whatever you want down there. Iknow what you do, I've been working here for 8 years." What the f/"%$ She thinks I'm lying or facking or something. This is creap! Dr. Georges just called and asked me what happened. I explained to him then, he said that maybe I should go home. No wasy! I know if I leave now, I wont be paid. This really is a hell hole to work in. Any excuse so they don't have to pay us.
Monday, August 22nd 2005
Felt woozy again today, not as bad as yesterday, tho. At lease, I'm at work not the Palladium. Just vame back from diner, everyone came to me to ask if I'm ok. Frank, suprisingly came to me to ask me how I felt and advised to go to the doctor. After work, I went to the Palladium, it was empty. I spoke with Gab and I teased him. He didn't like it so I stopped. He thinks I made-out with Stuart. I cleared that up with him, don't know if he believes me. Ah, who cares! One of the busboys is making out with this girl in the Palladium (the lights are opened as it is the end of the night), her skirt is up to her waist and he's slaping her half naked butt. No respect for themselves. This place makes people loose respect for themselves as they make out anywere in front of anybody. It's sad! This place is totally corrupted. I can't wait to leave this place forever. There are things more fun and important in life than drugs, sex and alcohol. I was talking with this girl about greek man and ugly old man that would follow me around and Stu said:"What about ugly young man!?" It's awful that he shall think that of himself. This guy from Toronto started to talk to me outside the Palladium, he was nice.
Tuesday, August 23rd 2005
Tonight is Andrew's last night so I have to go to the Palladium. Andrew got drunk and is now sleeping, he's supposed to be working now. I was very hungry so I went up to get food on my way, I stopped at the Palladium. Frank was fighting with a guess, he gave him a punch in the face which sent the guy flighing on the floor, looked like it came right out of a movie scene. I can't stand violence. i went outside and told Stuart. I hate violence. Afterwards, some of the boys were really mad and I saw Frank yelling at them outside for over an hour. I left the place as I couldn't stand all that violence. I went to the reception bar to get something to eat. On my way back I met Cody, the guy from TO I was talking to last night. We took a long walk and talked alot. He's really nice and not a sex addict drunky. He's bright. Tomorrow, he's going to the Quad safari with his friends as it is Dana's last day, she wants to do it, Denisa as well. I hope Cody'll come to H-I to see me afterwards.
Wednesday, August 24th 2005
It's past 7pm and Coby hasn't past yet. 8pm time to go eat. Still no Coby. I just came back from Dinner, as I was leaving H-I, I saw Coby who just got here, he walked with me to the Paladium. Tonight is Coby's last night in Greece so he's going to Kerkira with his friends.
These busboys are unbelievable! I was hanging with the Polish boys as they were playing pool with a mexican (Eloy), when I went to talk to Justin asking him if all is OK since last night. It seems to me there's some tension between the busboys. Justin told me to ask Stuart as he thinks I made out with him. I don't care what these guys think. I told him I didn't have sex with Stuart so he went to ask him and Stuart said no. Justin left really quick. I went to see him later asking him for an apoligy for calling me a liar. He then claimed that Stuart told everyone we did it and he said Stuart only denied it then 'cause I was there. What a bull of crap. Then, Justin asked Ty if I had sex with Stuart, what the hell! What Ty has to do with it, oh yah of course Ty was there as well (being really sarcastic). Maybe I'm wrong and I did it with Stuart, someone gave me a tinted (rape pill) drink and they all had sex with my body. The freeky part is that I wouldn't be supriced. Scary!! Justin's an Ass! Whatever! It's not worth it. None of these guys matter. Thank god I'm leaving this evil place soon.
I went back to H-I and felt relieved to talk to Denisa soon after, Coby arrived and made me fell better. It's nice to talk with a guy who's not obsesed with sex. It's sad he's leaving tomorrow. Ah well! I sure hope we keep in touch.
Thursday, August 25th 2005
Woke up at 8:30am I went to get my pay for last Saturday, it was closed. I went to eat breakfest as I could smell the pancakes on my way up. I spoke with Costa as the H-I building is goin to close soon, so I asked to work in the beach kitchen after that. I don't want to work at the main reception with Dina and David. I went back up to get money. Door still closed. Went up to reception to see if Coby's there, Kerry says they just checked out and left for breakfest. Went back down, stoped to get money. Door's open, weeee! Drank tea with Coby. Second goodbyes. Time to go to bed! Saw Denisa, she wanted me to accompany her for breakfest and whom do I not see again Coby. He was leaving later finally, he needed to sleep so he went on the beach. I took a picture while he was sleeping.
Denisa replaced me for awhile, I sleeped 'till 4:20pm, swam, ate. I saw Vito he's one who got yelled at by Freaky Frank. Frank pushed Rob and now Rob can't walk, his ankle's twisted. I finally got to see Rob, this is awfull. Frank should get fired for that. He's dangerous! He enjured one of "his" employees.
Just got back from the Paladium as I got inside, Justin saw me and tried to meet me at the stairs, I was faster. He called me, I stoped and turned around. He asked me how I was. I told him I still want an apoligy. He didn't say a thing. Jerk! Whatever!
Friday, August 26th 2005
Shit! Dina called at 8pm asking me to come up at reception 'till midnight. I don't want to work at the top reception. I was really hoping to work at the beach kitchen.
Saturday, August 27th 2005
This sucks! I got woozy again and Stephanie (one of the girls at the reception) took me to the doctor. I got a shot of something and I'll be getting some medication. Great! (sarcastically) Dina just “yelled” at me. She says I should leave and that she’s fed up of me and Denisa and blah blah blah.... Anyways, she’s a bitch. Things are so bad here, it’s horrible. I think the Pink Palace is going down. The busboys are getting it the most. Dr. Georges (the boss) is making a scene at the disco throwing glasses and asking this guy to leave the place. He’s drunk, just like most of the time. Justin’s having a bad night, I offered him my ears. I changed room this morning and the good news is, I’m with Denisa.
Sunday, August 28th 2005
All day, this little girl from Canada with Dr. Georges were bragging about the “28hrs” blojob she’d given him. Dr. Georges gave her and her friend 2nts free. Talk about hooking! Rob hasn’t been smiling much lately. Understandably, since Frank injured him. I think I’ll go see him with a pizza, beer and movies. It’ll do him some good.
Monday, August 29th 2005
Woke up late. The busboys get off tonight as there’s no one at the club tonight. It’s Vito’s last night, some of the guys are going to “town”. Denisa went to get a pizza for me. Real food! Finally!
Tuesday, August 30th 2005
Boring Day! It’s quite empty so there’s not much to do. Justin’s mom called, she sounds nice, it’s a pitty that Justin’s an Ass!
Wednesday, August 31st 2005
Today, I woke up early. I went to the beach and took a walk on the boardwalk. There’s not many people around as we’re entering low season. I want to dye my hair redish again. The coper blond is not so nice. The “town” is a small street with barely enough space for 2 cars. Thank god there’s no Hummers here! It’s a nice day like every other. Took a swim and sunbathe as I haven’t had the chance lately.
Rob is leaving tomorrow. Tonight, I’m brigning my DVD player to his room and we’re gonna watch some movies. Oh so cool! My package just arrived. Finally, clothes that fit. I lost so much weight that my pants and skirts are falling. Got also new DVDs to watch.
What a night! Rob has been impressing me, for awhile. He’s a good bright guy, tho he doesn’t give that image. As I got to his room, there was classical music playing and he was studying. We watched a documentary about this guy who’s famous in the States. It was pretty interesting. We then watched Ray, but Ren came asking Rob to come drink with him as it is their last night. Rob and I went tho Rob didn’t want to drink, he felt like he had to. It sucks! I’m wearing my pj. He really suprises me. I’m bored here. This guy’s like talking shit and telling me how good looking I am and how he wants to “bang” me. He seems nice but he’s soooooo full of it. Rob is goin to bed so I went back to his room to pick up my DVD player and stuf.
Went back to talk with Patrick. Patrick told me that he spoke with Rob today and they talked about me. Apparently, Rob likes me alot and cares about me. I went to take a walk, then I went to my room. Patrick and “that guy” (which I “affectionately” nicknamed Dickhead) got here. We talked and that’s about as far as I’ll go for tonight.
Thursday, September 1st 2005
I’m tired of waking up late, I really gotta get myself to get up early to do stuff. Spent most of my day waking up Justin so he doesn’t miss his mom’s phone call. She called an hour late (missed on time difference). She’s so sweet! Spoke with Gab. Oh, so cool! So funny! David told me my mom called. So I when I picked up I was like “Salut..... M’man?!” and the lady on the other end was like “It your second mom!” I had no clue whom it was until she said “It’s Mrs Whitaker!” So funny, she’s a sweetheart!
Friday, September 2nd 2005
Just got a call from a customer who was like: “ Hi, this is Eric from Canada!” they’re 10 and they need transportation and then I heard him say something about Quebequer and I started speaking french to him he was so suprised: “Tanbarnak!” he said. It was cool. I can’t wait for them to get here. They’re arriving at 8:30pm I’ll be doing the intro. OK! I just gave the intro to 10 Quebecois and 2 Aussies. It was nice and bad. Some girl didn’t want to leave her passport and cried about it. Things are better now, they went to eat dinner and they’re at the reception bar. It’s PARTY! A couple got engaged right now down at the beach. Eric keeps on yelling : “Champagne!”
Louis-Simon nous a amenés du champagne a la réception. Ils sont cool! Il y a 4 couples et 2 célibataires. J’ai fait mettre du Beau Dommage et tout l’monde étaient content. Après l’travail, je suis restée avec eux. C’était super! Avoir tout s’monde la pour parler l’québécois. Demain, ils partent pour 8 jours en bateau. Trop cool!
Samedi, le 3 septembre 2005
Les Québécois partent aujourd’hui L Bah! C’était l’fun des avoir. « Champagne » Étant à la réception, j’ai la chance de connaître tout’l’monde. Y’a trois Australiens qui me font rire, l’un d’eux a des sucettes dans l’cou et ils m’ont dit que c’est l’un des autres qui l’a fait. Je les taquine tout’l’temps à cause de ça. Trop drôle! Celui qui a les sucettes est plutôt charmant. C’est aberrant! Mon patron est à la réception depuis 1hr sans pantalon. Il n’est pas croyable! C’est affreux! Justin est fini, il s’est endormi dans le bateau du booze cruise. Cet endroit est mal foutu. Patrick vient d’arriver avec l’œil mal amancher, du sang plein le visage et beaucoup de bandages. Il a eu un accident. Je suis incapable! J’en ai marre! Depuis qu’il sait que ma chambre est proche de la sienne, il vient me déranger tout les jours. Il est souvent saoul et il devient très désagréable. La je n’en peux plus, j’ai hâte qu’il parte et de partir moi-même. Il me reste 2 semaines et demi. Ce soir est suppose être le Toga party mais il n’y a pas assez de monde pour. Chu aller au Palladium pour voir si Denisa y est. Les « amoureux » d’Australie sont la. Pas vrai! Ils font le toga party, ça doit être Dr. Georges qui a insiste. Il est tellement saoult! Il y a peut-être 25-30 personnes ici, surtout des employés. Tim (l’un des Australiens « gay ») et moi sommes parti avant la fin, on en avait marre.
Dimanche, le 4 septembre 2004
Aujourd’hui, je ne suis pas dans mon assiette. J’chu arrivée en retard au travail et j’ai pas l’gout d’être ici. Chu juste écœure! J’en ai plein l’cul d’icite. 2 semaines et demi. Isabelle est chez sa grand-mère, ma mère a un mariage et Gab ne me rappelle pas. Il y a 2 bus boys qui partent demain matin alors qu’ils étaient suppose partir plustard. J’ai pris un Breezer (peu d’alcool - ils mettent une paille dedans et calle la bouteille le plus vite possible) avec eux et d’autres collègues de travail. Oui, j’ai bu un breuvage alcoolise. Lorsqu’il y a des personnes qui arrivent, parfois je prends du Ouzo avec eux.
Lundi, le 5 septembre 2005
16 jours, il reste 16 jours avant que je parte. Tout’l’monde part avant moi Gab et Justin partent le 8 sept., Géraldine le 12, Kerry le 15, les autres je ne le sais pas. Je pars le 21, je dois partir de la Grèce. Je vais soit me rendre Athènes avec Denisa, prendre un avion pour Londres et me rendre à Paris ou prendre un avion de Corfu pour Londres et ensuite Paris. Je dois faire étamper mon passeport. Denisa va me rejoindre plus tard. Il pleuvait lorsque je me suis levée ce matin alors, je me suis recouchée.
Mercredi, le 7 septembre 2005
Je n’ai quasiment pas dormi mais c’est pas grave. Denisa ronflait fort. Je dois arranger mon transport pour Londres et la France. Je ne suis plus blonde! Je suis tellement content de ne plus l’être. Par contre, la couleur est un peu bizarre. Un genre de roux-orange. Skip, Gab et Justin partent demain et ils vont tous au resto avec d’autres employés. Je fini à minuit et je vais les rejoindre après. C’est cool tout’l’monde ici ensemble, nous sommes dans un resto au « village ». Tout d’un coup, tout’l’monde est humain et ce n’est plus un « bordel » mais un rassemblement de collègues de travail qui partage un souper. J’aime cette atmosphère. Je suis bien tout d’un coup. Tout’l’monde part et les choses ne seront plus pareils. Ces choses sont déjà différentes. J’adore atmosphère qui m’entoure en ce moment. Tout’l’monde se parlent et il y a beaucoup de bruit mais il y a quelque chose de serein dans cette cacophonie. Je ne voudrais être nulle part autre en ce moment. Je sens mon cœur battre et le coin de mes lèvres monter. Je me sens très bien.
Thursday, September 8th 2005
Justin and Gab are leaving today. It’s sad! Ah well, I’ll see them again sometime, I hope. They got my e-mail. What? I can’t believe it (actually yes I can)! Dr. Georges just told me it’s my last day of work today. Wow! OK, I guess this was expected. They hate me. I hope I can stay 2-3 days to do the Quad safari and some sight seeing. Bitch! Dina said that if I want to stay, I have to work but I wont get paid what a load of crap. Well, I have to leave tomorrow. I was planning on goin directly to London to get my passport stamped after my “term” since it would’ve been 3mths in the Shengen but now that I have time, I’ll go to Italy and get to London from there. There’s a ferri to Brindisi tomorrow night it leaves at 12:45 and gets to Italy in the morning. I’ll go to Rome for a couple of days.
Friday, September 9th 2005
There’s so much I want and have to do today; I have to say goodbye to everyone, I have to do my luggage, plan my trip, take a shower and the bus to the port at 9pm, I want to go to La Grotta (Rob told me I have to go at lease once before I go and I want to eat lunch in a small village where no one speaks english. I feel a bit deorientated as this was unexpected and sudden.
There are 4 neederlanders here and one of them over heard me say I was leaving, we spoke for awhile and he offered to take me to La Grotta as he and his friends had rented a car. I couldn’t refuse his offer. I had to go to my room and then, I would meet them at a pool bar down in the “village”. Just got the lamest musaca at the pool bar for 5,80 Euros. Jan-Kees and I went to La Grotta, it’s beautiful. We “visit” (that’s the word he uses for chatting, weirdo!) and swam, it was really nice. He’s nice and I see he likes me. I had a feeling he did a couple of nights ago when I was dancing at the Paladium. He’s obviously older them the regular crowd here. He’s really tall and skinny, I feel so small!! It is refreshing to not think about work and have no other worries then catching the bus at 9pm. It’s funny how we both have different backgrounds and was of living but don’t get on eachothers nerves about it. He’s a 37 year old materialist lawyer and I’m a 23 year old care free “gipsy”. Oposits attracts. He’s charmin and treats me like a woman, it feels great! We’ll be talking or he’ll be asking me a Q and he’ll randomly ask me if I’m cold or uncomfortable. So sweet and attentionate!
We went back to the Pink Palace or Sex Palace (as I like to call it) so I can do my luggage and take a shower. Took me an hour and a half to do my luggage, I left some stuff and Denisa and I promissed eachother that we’ll meet in Paris in a couple of days. Great! We’re still goin to see about picking grapes. I took a shower in Jan-Kees’s room as we don’t have hot water in our room anymore. I got 250 Euros plus the 250 Euros I took (50Euros/week), in total, I was paid 500 Euros as I should’ve been paid 580 Euros (80 Euros/week x 7 2 days). That’s crap! I didn’t get to say bye to Lisa and Katerina (maids at H-I). Ah well, not much I can do.
The neederlanders picked me up and we’re goin to Kerkyra (Corfu town). Jan-Kees and I are goin to the restaurant but we’re droping the 3 others first. We went to get my ticket and then we went to a restaurant on top of a hotel. The view is magnificent, with the light rock music playing, this is pretty romantic. Wow! Never had this setting before. It’s nice and weird at the same time. So unusual to me. We ate some fried cheese as an entree and I got spagetti with seafood, it was delicious. Gotta luv seafood! From here, you can see the planes land and leave from the airport. Nice! We then went to take tea in an outdoor terrace. I feel a bit sad that I have to leave in such a hurry. Ah well, that’s life! Well, it’s time to go, I had a great time today and I’m sure gona use that invitation to Amsterdam sometime (soon I hope).
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