Don't Give Up On Me, Baby

Wowza.

Here it is…the middle of summer…and life has been moving at BLAZING speed lately.


We went to Europe.

We came back from Europe.

We went to Florida.

We haven't come back from Florida - yet - but will one of these days.

I've been running. Still.

I've been going to baseball games. Still.

And I have an upcoming 10-day adventure to Orlando.


I REALLY want to write of our amazing adventures in Europe, but right now, I'm trying to go through the 5,936 photos that I took.

Seriously.

I took THAT many.


Because, really, just ONE photo of the Eiffel Tower, for instance, isn't enough. I MUST HAVE 436 PHOTOS OF THE EIFFEL TOWER.

With a 'selfie' thrown in for good measure.



Complete with a creepy photo bomber.


I know some of you are anxious for the adventures to begin, and you're probably thinking, "Oh photos, schmotos…who needs pictures??!! Just get to the amazing, hilarious, educational and informative stories of all the places you visited, already."


Um, I will. Get to it, that is.

Pinky promise.

Stay with me, and don't give up on me.

It's coming.

How I Almost Ended Up in Italian Jail

After spending the last two weeks languishing in the Mediterranean (okay - we really didn't languish - it was a fast-paced, hectic trip...but I've always wanted to just be able to SAY that I "languished in the Mediterranean"), I am back home...and trying to get caught up on the blog, photos, housework, etc.

I intend to fully blog about our adventures, because trust me...we certainly had them. Adventures. Because, if you know me at all, you know that Adventure is my middle name.

Before I get down to it, I thought I would give you a teaser...this adventure relates the story of how I almost ended up languishing in Italian jail. For years. I hope you enjoy The David Story:

A 12-night cruise through the beautiful Mediterranean, and Day #3 brought us to Florence....and here's where IT happened.

Picture this: I am at the Accademia in beautiful Florence, along with hundreds of other barbarians - oops, I mean "tourists" - to view some of the most beautiful art in the world...and to see "The David" - Michelangelo's masterpiece.

Security was tight...after waiting in a short line outside (even with our pre-purchased tickets), we were finally able to enter, after going through a metal detector.

We are on a limited time schedule, so we rush inside the museum and immediately turn left, knowing that's where The David is located, with the intention of then backtracking - if time permits - to see some of the other museum's treasures.

And there before is is The David (and yes, capitalization is important here - because it is THAT awe-inspiring.) We soak it in, along with the hundreds of other barbarians...and the crowd is hushed, as if speaking alone could somehow diminish the beauty of what is in front of us. It will truly bring tears to your eyes, the first moment you see it.




After a good 10 minutes of absorbing The David, I casually look down at my purse, slung over my shoulder, and that's when I see it: a rather curious-looking, innocuous-seeming, black thingy. A button, if you will:



Well. This is curious. I have no idea what that thing is. It appears to be a garage-door opener....? But why would I have a garage-door opener attached to my purse? And it's certainly not MY garage-door opener. So, if not mine, who's??? (These are the thoughts that are going through my head at this time. Scary, I know.)

Uh-oh. What if it's NOT a garage door opener? What if...gulp...a terrorist attached a curious-looking, innocuous-seeming black thingy to my purse, hoping I would push the button - and I inadvertently blow up The David??!!!!

(I told you my thoughts were scary. I've seen too many movies, apparently.)

I quickly find my 12-year old daughter, and whisper to her, "What IS this thing?"

Now...human nature being what it is, people can't resist pushing a button when they see it. Mickey immediately starts reaching for The Button - as if to push it - and I recoil instantly, hissing, "DON'T push it!!! We don't know what it is - it could be dangerous!!!!!"

We puzzle over The Button, but not coming up with any definitive answers, decide to take it to the higher authority on all-things button-related: The Hubby.

We track down Hubby on the other side of The David, and show him The Button.

"What IS this?", both Mickey and I implore...desperately seeking answers at this time.

And before I can react, Hubby immediately reaches over and pushes The Button. Of course he does.

Immediately, a piercing 180-decible (okay, I exaggerate a bit on the decibles, but it SEEMED that loud at the time) alarm starts SHRIEKING in the hushed museum...and all heads swing towards me. And whatever the heck is making that God-awful sound.

And within a second, I realize what this thing is. It's a personal panic alarm - something I had bought years ago and had forgotten that I even owned (I travel sometimes in some scary places - it seemed a good idea at the time to have something...just in case. However...I realize the Accademia is not the case.)

What do I do at this time? I do what any smart-thinking, level-headed person would do.

I freak out.

Frantically, I'm pushing anything I can find on "The Button," desperately imploring my Hubby, "Make it STOP!!!!!" - in between cries of, "OH MY GAWD - WHY DID YOU PUSH IT?????!!!!!!!"

Hubby and I are both tugging my purse back and forth, each desperately trying to find the mechanism to make this thing shut up. And the darn thing WILL NOT STOP. Shriek, shriek, shriek...it goes on and on and on, like a bad nightmare that won't end.

By now, everyone within a mile of The David can hear this thing, and I am waiting for Accademia security to show up at any second, throw me to the floor, slap handcuffs on me, and whisk me off to Italian jail, where I will languish for months, if not years.

After what seemed like hours, but was more like a matter of seconds, I take my purse and I run. I'm not sure where I'm running to at this point, but I wanted to run far, far away...and so I run towards the exit of The Accademia. Meanwhile, every person in the museum is staring at me - some in curiosity...some in horror...some in confusion...and I can see the questions on their faces:

"Is she stealing something?"

"Did she get too close to The David and set off an alarm??"

"Is SHE a terrorist and is going to blow this place up???"

I rush through the museum and end up in the gift shop, where finally - miraculously - the panic alarm ceases panicking...although I certainly have not. My heart racing, my hands shaking, my palms sweating...I pace back and forth, near tears...waiting for security to follow me and begin the certain-interrogation that is to come, on what exactly just happened.

And guess what?

Security never came.

Nope. Not one official with the museum approached me. In fact, the only people who DID approach me was a Mother/Daughter who followed me out of the museum to the gift shop, walked over, and said, "What the heck WAS that??!!"

And as I related to them what had just happened, that was the first time I got to tell The David Story, as it has now been officially dubbed by my family and will live on in infamy.

I am thankful that no one was hurt. And that I didn't make CNN News that night. And that I'm not languishing in Italian jail.

Lessons learned:

Don't carry panic buttons into museums.

Don't push buttons that you don't know.

And panic alarms certainly work - because I certainly panicked.

Peace.

Random Musings

Random musings on a Tuesday afternoon...




...I am totally in love with Sanuk flip-flops. I got my first pair of Sanuks about a year ago, in a little beach shack in Ft. Myers. Being somewhat flip-flop challenged my entire life, I was skeptical that I would like them...but I have to say - I am HOOKED. So much so, I am now a faithful customer on their web site...and my latest purchase, my "Get Lei'd" casual shoes, are like walking on clouds. If you love laid-back shoes, that are eco-green and comfortable, then check out Sanuk.




...The recent "Hatfields & McCoys" saga on the History Channel sucked me in. Six freakin' hours...but six hours of Kevin Costner and Powers Boothe? Yum. Anywho, not only was the television special riveting, it now has me reading more into the famous family feud; my latest Kindle choice is "Blood Feud: The Hatfields and the McCoys: The Epic Story of Murder and Vengeance" by Lisa Alther. Good stuff.




...Bee stings suck. Especially when one is minding one's own business, like floating in a swimming pool. I guess it's part of the perils of summer...and I'm just thankful that I don't appear to be allergic to them; just annoyed by them.




...I'm a bit late to the party on this one, but I am in love with the Nike+GPS application on my iPhone. I had the "original" Nike+GPS gizmo, where you had to put the little sensor in your running shoe. Hated it - mainly because I don't like Nike running shoes, so it was somewhat worthless. This newer application doesn't require a separate sensor, and it is very user-friendly. I am totally geeking out seeing my runs mapped out, along with my pace....Too cool.




...Two weeks from today, our family will be boarding a plane, on our way to Europe for a two-week vacation. Spain, France, Italy, Turkey and Greece...to take in history, architecture, culture, and food. It will be nice to finally be in the "enjoyment phase" rather than the "planning phase"...as the planning has been well over a year now.




...Two weeks from yesterday, I will be reaching a milestone birthday. A half-century old...wow. It's very true that although the body may age, the mind stays young, so I don't FEEL like I'm getting older. Although when I creak and hobble sometimes, my body tells me otherwise.


Off to enjoy the rest of my Tuesday afternoon...and staying away from angry bees who don't like humans sharing their swimming pool...

Peace.

Opa!

If there's one thing I am not lacking, it's kefi.

Yup - my kefi is very evident lately - which is a good thing, because if you've lost your kefi - then what's the point, really?

And what is kefi?

Passion...enthusiasm...zest for life.

Kefi.

Greeks have kefi. They have that passion...that enthusiasm...that zest for life.

And tonight, we celebrated our family's familial kefi by indulging in some delicious Greek food at a local restaurant, where belly-dancing, plate smashing, and ouzo abounds.

Although in the spirit of full disclosure, I should state here that I, personally, did not abound in belly-dancing, plate smashing or ouzo. Not only did I not abound, I didn't even partake. Although I was certainly tempted - especially the ouzo.

The food was delicious...we began with a shared appetizer of Saganaki, which is a flaming cheese served with pita bread. Yes - it's served flambe, which my kids thought was pretty awesome.

The cheese was hot, delicious and ooey-gooey...and we snarfed it up in no time.

For dinner, we each got something different...

...12-year old daughter enjoyed her Kotopoulo Riganato, otherwise known as broiled chicken seasoned with lemon and oregano...

...19-year old son knoshed on a Chicken Kabob, which was seasoned exactly the way he liked it...

...22-year old son went traditional with the Gyro Plate...

...Hubby went for the Pork Chops, which I wouldn't have thought of as "Greek" - but they were delicious...

...and I went for something new and different, the Dolmathes, where were grape leaves stuffed with ground beef topped with an egg lemon sauce. Delicious - especially the lemon sauce.

After dinner, we came home and popped in "My Life in Ruins" in the DVR, which is a delightful romantic comedy set against the stunning backdrop of beautiful Greece.

A great Greek night...celebrating our kefi.

Sometimes, it's fun to step outside our box...our comfort zones, if you will...and explore new foods...new cultures...new ideas. My kids were hesitant at first, but they all came away this evening with something they liked.

Their kefi was renewed.

Opa.

The Greek Mystery is Solved!

The Greek mystery is solved!

If you remember last week, I blogged about receiving an email from a tour guide we used a year ago while in Corfu, Greece - and he said in the email that he had met tourists on the street who had a copy of my European blog...which just shocked the heck out of me! If you don't remember, click HERE and read that entry.

It's been intriguing to wonder who those tourists were...and today? The mystery is solved!

I received the following email today from "Drama Queen Jackie" - who had found my blog last year on CruiseCritic.com...Jackie just returned from her Western Mediterranean cruise, and sent this to me:

"We just got back from our Med cruise and you were so right! It does go by way toooooo quickly. I hope you can make sense out of this email because I am still very jet lagged.

Just wanted to let you know that we used the same tour company as you while in Corfu, Greece. Our driver was Spirious. As we were driving by another taxi tour I noticed your driver, Dimitris. I said very casually........"Oh look! It's Dimitris!"

Our driver looked very surprised. I guess he was wondering how in the world does this American from Louisiana know Dimitris. We all had a good laugh after I explained to Spirious that I had read your blog & that was how I recognized the tall redhead.

At the next stop, Spirious told Dimitris that I recognized him from a past client's blog. My husband thought it was a good idea to show them the pages of the blog (yes, sometimes I carried parts of your blog with me when we toured) where Dimitris was in the picture.

Dimitris seemed very pleased and sentimental. He said he remembered you & was going to send you an email. He also kept a couple of the pages of the blog that referred to him and the one with the picture.

I sure hope you don't mind; I thought I would give you a heads up that he might send you an email. It's a small world sometimes.

Thanks so much again for your blog and all the great info. Maybe you should write travel guides. Anyway we all enjoyed reading it! I'll have to check your blog from time to time to see what your travel adventures may bring in the future. Who knows? It may come in very handy again!"

So now we know the rest of the story...of how my blog ended up in the streets of Corfu...

It IS a small world, after all! Props to Jackie for clearing up the mystery - and Jackie, you're welcome to visit here anytime for future travel adventures....I have trips to Guatemala, Florida and Russia scheduled in the next few months - and who knows where I may be if hurricanes start hitting the Gulf....(yikes - I hope not. Now that I'm a Florida property owner.)

Peace.

I've Gone International!

So yesterday, I received a very interesting email....

First, some background....A year ago at this time, Hubby and I were cruising through Europe, where I captured each day in a rather detailed blog entitled "Adventures in Europe". Click HERE if you want to peek at that separate blog - complete with lots and lots of photos. It really WAS an adventure - and I tried to capture as many details as possible in my writings....

There is a cruising website entitled "Cruise Critic," where my blog address has been mentioned frequently by posters as a must-to read for anyone doing the same cruise that we did. It's not unusual for me to get 1-2 emails a month from someone with questions after reading my blog - and I'm always happy to help with tips, advice, etc. for their upcoming cruise.

Yesterday, I received an email from Dimitris, our fantastic tour guide that we used while touring the beautiful island of Corfu, Greece. Dimitris is a character, and you should click here and read about our day with him - it was one of the highlights of our trip.


Dimitris last year on a stop on our tour....

Anywho, Dimitris said that he discovered my blog "at random" from people in Greece who've read my story. He then mentioned that he had been doing a tour, and he saw people looking at him "weird"....there was a paper in one of the people's hands, and it was a copy of my blog. Get OUT!

So...there was someone...in the streets of Corfu...holding a printed copy of my blog. Again, GET OUT!

HOW AWESOME IS THAT??!!!

I was telling Hubby about it last night at dinner, and I said, "So, obviously, I've been published."

He looked at me like I'd just grown 3 heads...and I calmly said, "Well...think about it...if someone has put my blog on paper, then that can be considered 'published.'"

Duh. And published internationally, at that.

Authors are known to do book tours...I'm thinking of doing a "blog tour" - and including Europe, of course. I obviously have a fan there...somewhere...on the streets of Corfu, Greece.

Peace.

Summer Afternoon in Venice

A new series...Wordless Wednesday...using my own photographs to speak for themselves...

This photo is: "Summer Afternoon in Venice."