Journal Update/It's All Greek to Me/May 26, 2007
Video 1: Fantasy / Earth Wind and Fire
Video 2: Somewhere Over The Rainbow-What a Wonderful Life /Israel Kamakawiwo'Ole
Main Page/ B-52's/Roam
6/16/05-7/17/05 Day One / Blackalicious (dedicated to G.H. / JES CHILL'N)
7/18/05-10/18/05 Trip Hop Acid Jazz&Trance / Aphex Twin/Outside Kick Ass Violin
8/14/05-10/29/05 JUST A MOMENT / Sunny and The Sunliners featuring JESSE GARCIA (my dad)
10/29/05-2/20/06 ABRA MOORE / Taking Chances
3/11/06-5/29/06 Eva Cassidy / American Tune
4/1/06-5/19/06 Frank Sinatra / Young At Heart
6/16/06-8/25/06 The Different Story (World of Lust and Crime) / Peter Schilling
10/14/06-2/01/07 Straight On / Heart (For Sara)
Yasou and Kalamera (Hello and Good Morning),
Take me back! I want to be there. It’s a pleasure to write this update as I’m able to be taken back to just a couple weeks ago to a
place that has already so quickly become somewhat of a dream.
Was I really just there? I swear it is a reality I completely allow myself to emerge into, anything else outside of that realm is quickly
forgotten. It’s back to this reality today! Not that this one is such a bad one to be in. I’ve got nearly a 2 month paid holiday in the U.S.
to look forward to and a move to London at the end of August. No, none of this sounds bad at all and I’m getting excited about it.
But…it’s nice to get away sometimes; to places you can really emerge yourself into and sort of just disappear. Greece does that to me.
It has twice before and going back I already knew it was going to give me something valuable that I carry with me always. It’s difficult to
explain it in words exactly. I’ll do my best.
Has it already been 5 years since my last visit? I can tell you…going back sometimes has been what’s gotten me thru some of my most
difficult times of living. It’s been my one salvation. It’s a place; a culture, filled with something that has been drawing me back since my
1st visit with Kat and Danny 6 years ago. It is a place for me that never changes in a life so full of change; it is a place that seems to
stand still in time. And here, I’m able to immediately find an inner peace I sometimes loose in everyday living life.
Each experience has been completely different. Different places I visit, different people I share the experience with…but there is a
sameness I come back to! I can only describe that feeling as something internally. It’s familiar.
I’ve traveled far and lived in lots of different places and have gained many wonderful experiences along the way. Greece remains a
place that has a familiarity that I can honestly say is like coming home.
It’s Friday the 4th of May and I’m up early as usual and way excited to begin this journey. Henri and I take the train into Amsterdam to
catch our flights. I am anxious! We’ve committed ourselves to a week long sailboat trip not knowing exactly what to expect. Ready as
we’ll ever be I guess! The weather is supposed to be a lot cooler than what we ended up with.
I’m looking forward to the familiar things I remember from my past trips. Like staying at the Adams Hotel in the Plaka with a close-up
Acropolis view.
We arrive just in time for the last subway train into the city and walk the last few blocks. Everything looks familiar but it’s been 5 years.
We get lost and ask for direction from a group of friendly locals. As I remembered, the hospitality I have received in this country is
quickly shown in how they respond to help us, making a phone call to the hotel and then walking us the couple blocks to point us in the
right direction.
The room I had requested was already taken but we ended up with a much better room (big enough for an entire family) with a balcony
large enough to hold a wedding party on and a good side view of the Acropolis all lit up. Henri and I were quite pleased and we decided
to drop our stuff off and in the late hour (already past midnight) find a place where we could properly toast (Yamos=Cheers) ourselves
into the moment! After a couple Yamos we decided to turn in so we could begin our day of exploring early enough.
Waking up with the Acropolis view is awesome! Breakfast is a simple typical Greek one of toast, honey and jam and coffee and orange
juice. The day is already going to be a beautiful and warm one (about 10 degrees warmer than the predicted forecast I read). Most of
our day is spent doing a little light shopping and some sight-seeing before having a nice lunch (Gyros and Mythos beer) and catching
the tram to Kalamaki marina to find our boat.
We leave early enough to allow room for error. We finally find where we are supposed to catch our tram and not sooner than we board
it do we find ourselves going right thru the heart of Athens city packed like sardines for the entire ride out. That part I do not enjoy! My
backpack (which even though I pack light enough) suddenly weighs a ton when you’re being pushed around. But I can say I know what
it must feel like to be a sardine.
We weren’t so clear where exactly we were to find our boat and I am a bit panicked when I realize I don’t even have a phone number to
call if we are lost. We get off at a marina stop past the one we were supposed to get off at and we search and finally find where we are
supposed to be. I forget the Greeks really have a lax way of dealing with stuff and are actually very organized in a way that most of us
aren’t used to.
Only to find out all the rushing to make sure we arrive on time and not miss our boat turns out there is no hurry at all, we don’t sail until
the next morning. Irina (from Belgrade , Serbia ) is the only other passenger that has already arrived. We’re all in the same boat ha-ha
all clueless!
Turns out our original Greek skipper has broken an arm and they’re sending in another to arrive sometime in the middle of the night.
The boat is being cleaned when we arrive and we just trust to leave our bags at the check in table and told we can board the boat in an
hour or so. Henri and I pay cash and I’m asked if I could sign on as a 2nd skipper for port authority officials and sign the official
documents as an experienced skipper that knows how to sail….NOT!!! We go have a coffee and look for Irina.
We meet an hour later on the boat and are quickly whisked away by employees of Kavas (Sailboat Company) to pick out our provisions
for the trip. We have no idea what to purchase. The 3 of us get into a vehicle and taken to a liquor store where we decide quickly on
plenty of water, wine, beer and ouzo (we make our purchases and told to just leave it on the floor and it will be taken back to the
boat…now get this, there are other boats set for sail the next day with other groups of people and other piles of purchases sitting there
on the floor).
We are then directed and walk to another store to pick out food items. Hell, we have no idea what to get and aimlessly run around the
store with our baskets for several moments before deciding on our purchases of what we consider to be important (coffee; toilet paper
and breakfast stuffs for the immediate following day). We still have the skipper and the 2 other woman from L.A. to think about as we’re
deciding what we’ll need to get us started.
We’re then put in a cater truck with our purchases of provisions and taken back to our boat where the earlier purchases of water and
booze are already waiting for us to load up. We’re told we’ll leave the next morning and make ourselves at home on our boat. We’re
showed in a brief introduction how to flush our toilets, turn on lights etc. Everything seems a bit chaotic but really it’s the Greek way of
organized as it all seemed to be coming together.
The accommodations are small as I had expected but because there are fewer of us than capacity Henri and I end up with our own
rooms (this was nice…Henri wouldn’t have to put up w/ my snoring). Irina, Henri and I go out for a nice dinner and acquaint ourselves
further at a seaside restaurant and I order my 1st batch of fresh Kalamari…mmmmmmm!
It’s already late when we arrive back on the boat and we celebrate with a bottle of wine and then off to bed…still not knowing what to
expect the next morning. We had been told our new skipper would arrive sometime around 2 a.m. Henri was awake to greet the (turns
out to be) Dutch skipper that just flew in from Netherlands (Remco) as he shouts out if the boat he was getting on was the right one.
I think I’m the 1st one up (not unusual) and waiting for someone to show me how to light the stove pilot for my coffee. I meanwhile do a
personal journal entry mostly writing about not yet having my coffee.
There’s rumor of delay of our departure as we are still waiting the arrival of the 2 L.A. women but Remco says we can leave anytime and
arrangements are made to meet them on the island of Aegina at the City of Aegina port (they were flying in from Berlin later and to take
a fast ferry to meet up with us). Bon Voyage!
We set sail (after coffee of course and a very cold shower at the marina. It is again another beautiful and warm day arriving Aegina
somewhere late afternoon. The 4 of us celebrate (Remco’s tradition upon reaching and docking the boat) with a nice cold beer (just a
finger full for Irina, her usual request any time we were drinking…but is that lengthwise or weight wise Irina???).
We must have had lunch on the boat that afternoon because I really don’t remember eating again until much later after exploring the
streets a bit and then deciding on a taverna filled with Greeks and the freshest and best tasting seafood I think we all agreed to be the
best of the entire trip. Don’t get me wrong…we had lots of really good food but this one stands out! How could you go wrong if it’s full of
Greeks right? We had and ordered many fresh seafood items the 4 of us shared.
I know you’re supposed to wait an hour before going swimming but Remco led the pack for a swim off the boat right there in the marina.
Henri and I take off for some more exploring and to purchase what is supposed to be the best damn pistachios grown in Greece . They
are pretty good!
When we get back to the boat Irina has gone to meet the L.A. girls at the fast ferry. We greet the additions of Kelli and Estela with a
bottle of wine, acquaint ourselves with the beginnings of many more Yamos to come and they’re off now to grab some food. I remember
crashing and didn’t hear them come back aboard later.
We are all very lax about a plan and in agreement to set sail the following morning for our next destination of Vathi on the island of
Methana . I’m up early to journal and with coffee made for everyone waking up.
There’s not much of a wind but we manage a sail without using the motor for a short period. It’s interesting learning which ropes to pull
in and let loose to make that happen (remember I’m supposed to be an experienced skipper here ha-ha). We find ourselves at a
secluded bay, anchor and go for a nice afternoon swim. The water is cold but the sun is warm and it feels great! We play here a while
before taking off and reaching Vathi.
It’s not the prettiest of all the ports/marinas we see but it is small and quaint and with one taverna, making it our only choice for food and
drink. The actual town of Vathi is up in the hills and all but Remco decide to go explore the countryside looking for it and any other
sights, only to give up the effort after taking at least 3 different routes but never reaching our destination (whatever that was supposed
to be).
We finally ended up at the shoreline of a little beach and one by one we all just end up back at the boat ready for an ouzo sunset
(Remco got us into the habit) and some food. We again order different things to share. We agree the food is ok here but compare it to
the previous night. Here I am introduced to a Metaxa (a sort of after dinner brandy like drink and another of a Remco tradition). It’s
rather strong and should be sipped.
We decided to leave for Hydra early the next morning so we all pretty much turned in after good food and drink. Waking up to yet
another beautiful day, Remco was up early enough that he, Henri and I prepared the boat to sail and off we were, just as the girls are
waking.
I’m looking forward to Hydra as friends Kat and Danny had been there before and it had been highly recommended. This island had no
motor vehicles on it whatsoever. We arrived early enough to have a quick food lunch of Gyros (really good ones from another of Remco’
s recommendations) and an excellent double ice cream cone (pistachio and some sort of berry). Yumm!!!
The harbor was full when we arrived so we had to anchor on the noisy side (full of tavernas and dance clubs) with hopes of getting a
quieter spot later. By this time Henri was becoming a pro in anchoring for us. I stayed away from it. After lunch the girls went shopping
and Remco took the time for his studies (he had chosen to take the trip over classes for the week) while Henri and I opted for the long
walk up the hills to a monastery.
Of course we forget to take water with us and maybe half way up we meet a young group on their way down that tell us we still had quite
a long way to go but that it was worth the effort. We continue our walk and at times I’m thinking we should go back…that maybe it’s not
worth it (I think Henri is thinking the same but neither of us verbalizes it). Along the way though we take our time and stop to rest. We
see a mule and farming and then hardly anything of civilization…but looking back down at some of the most spectacular views, then
some ruins and still no monastery in site.
Literally gasping for air by the time we reach the top we discover a gate and the back way into the monastery. We have to laugh.
Somewhere we had taken a wrong turn I guess. After the long journey up there was no way we were going to miss out on seeing what
we had walked all this way for. So we went in.
It was worth the walk (and a water jug full of cool water waiting for us), we took pictures to prove we were there and left a donation for the
offerings we took made by the monks themselves. We walk back down…more photo opts.
We found Remco reading and ready to take a spot on the other side of the harbor so we prepare to move the boat. We see the girls
(they are still happily shopping as they already have been and tell us they’ll meet us on the other side).
Henri and I decided on a swim on a beach area not far from the boat that looked and felt great after our long walk. We didn’t see the
girls again until the 3 of us guys decided to go out to dinner without them (figuring they were going to shop till they dropped).
Looking quite tan and holiday like Henri runs into them looking for cigarettes and we make a plan to meet them down the road for drinks
within the hour. Just in time for the beginnings of another ouzo sunset. From there we all walk to the suggested taverna Remco had
recommended for a nicer finish to the sunset and a pretty good dinner we again shared with one another.
A great dinner, some more drinks and a nice walk back to the boat. This night a game of Charades was started by Henri who may I say
was quite enthusiastic about it. I didn’t really feel like participating other than watching but it was quite funny to see them all into it
(especially Henri...he could enter some world wide competition I think…he had all the rules down and really into it. Funny though to
observe the differences in language, culture etc. and very visible from my stand point to see and hear it take place. Maybe it was the
ouzo but it was quite entertaining. It really sort of become he and Kelli going back and forth with the guessing and acting it out. I think
Henri might have continued playing all night.
The next morning we had picked up some fresh bakery items (a nice assortment of cheese pies and other assorted sweet and non-
sweet breads) and had yet another one of our big breakfasts while we were at sea. Our destination this day, the port of Poros ! Here
we are to loose one of our crew.
This island had few motor vehicles allowed on the island but was nice getting around on the back streets here exploring the quieter and
quainter part of the culture. Each island held its own special beauty and treasures. I try to capture a bit of it in the photos but really you
have to experience it.
We walked to a nearby beach that was nice and shared our last hours with Estela (who we were to leave off at the fast ferry later that
afternoon back to Athens to catch an early morning flight for a visit to see friends in Madrid), playing on the beach, collecting sea glass,
pottery, and rocks.
I think we were all feeling her absence later as we looked for a place to eat dinner. It had been so well rounded with the 6 of us that
even after the princess was no longer with us physically, she was certainly still with us in spirit. We had a nice dinner quiet (I had some
kind of lamb thing baked in foil with 2 cheeses over potatoes…really Yumm) and an ok sunset view here! .
We all agreed it’d be much nicer to spend the night at a quiet bay nearby instead of the Poros port with its nightclubs right there in front
of us. This was a nice choice. We hadn’t taken the boat at night before. It was a bit tricky seeing exactly where we were going.
We found a spot in the darkness (and the only night time shot of Poros all lit up in the distance…my camera takes great day shots but
not so good night shots…but this one looked a little artistic enough to throw in).
We had to double anchor the boat (so it didn’t just float away) Remco is the only one who braved a night swim we had all talked about
possibly participating in (actually Kelli initiated it earlier as a skinny dip) but that night was just a bit too cool and well, Remco went in but
was quickly out again (and Kelli was already in bed).
Another good night’s sleep and an even more secluded bay destination for an afternoon swim and a late lunch of…finally
Irina…spaghetti! I helped a little but it was her idea and motivation that presented us with our 1st home cooked and rated one of our
best meals together (minus of course, Estela).
We got a late afternoon start from that nice secluded bay we didn’t want to leave and headed back to Aegina where we were going to
dock at the fishing port of Pedika . This island had a view shape of the hills of a Greek Goddess which we had a better view of as were
coming into the port (not sure of the name but if you look for it in my pictures somewhere, you’ll see a full shaped woman lying on her
back, her breasts erect to the sky and one knee up. Pretty kewl but then Irina and I were seeing shapes of woman suddenly everywhere
we looked. It’s kind of like looking at clouds and seeing and making out the shapes and power of suggestion.
We caught the beginnings of the sunset while we were still on the boat but managed to get anchored and to a nice sunset view taverna
for our regular Ouzo moment. This night is when we got a couple black mail shots of Irina. I have no need to black mail this nice person
at this time so that’s all I’ll say on the subject. I’m sure she’ll remain a very nice friend always. How’s that saying go…whatever happens
here stays here??? Those of who were there…we know!
We had several ouzos here and continued with more at the restaurant Remco suggested for dinner. He is well known all over from
previous sails and the sailboat company/name Kavas also very well known. I don’t remember what I ate. Outside of few superbly
memorable meals they were all good to me. I love Greek cuisine! Every food we ate on the boat for breakfast and lunch were all simple
mainly consisting of nice breads, cheeses, fruits and olives.
The one picture I took of our boat was taken at this port (not to be confused with the antique looking sailboat I snapped somewhere on
the waters). I capture it docked blending in with few other sail boats and mostly fishing boats. It is a boat sufficient for a nice cruise.
Well equipped and spacious enough with 2 bathrooms (make sure you take out the toilet paper before showering in its small space).
Everyone sort of slept in that Friday morning…not late but later than we had been getting up. Me, well…I slept in too but was still up a
good 2 hours before everyone else. It’s ok. I do prefer it that way…my alone time, coffee and journal. I’ve been out of that habit lately
but this trip inspired me to record my days to some degree.
We were to be back at the Athens port by 5 p.m. We treated ourselves to a nice breakfast at the same place we had dinner. Decided to
make one last secluded Bay stop for an afternoon swim before heading back. You could feel that we were all feeling the ending of some
really great thing. We had all just experienced something with complete total strangers that we either had an expectation on or didn’t
know what to expect, something that’s not an every day sort of thing.
We all just came across a good deal for a sailboat cruise and went for it! I’m glad we did! I believe we had to be of some kind of same
mindedness to have taken the adventure in the first place. This is what draws all of us together and I’m fortunate to have made the
choice to do this trip along with the others who happened to do the same.
We caught the best sail without motor during those last hours on the way back to Athens . We caught a nice breeze and cruised at a
nice pace for a while…feeling what an experienced and seasoned sailor must feel. Understanding the sheer high of sailing wind blowing
thru my hair (ooops I mean beard) Ok yes, corny songs have been made referring to sailing but…you get the idea (almost used one of
them for the video but Kelli and I already wore them out on the love boat)!
Arriving at the Athens port you can suddenly feel the hustle and the bustle of the city we had left behind us, closer to going back to our
real lives. We have our last ouzo together, one last dinner and it’s back to packing on the boat and one last night to sleep on the boat.
We woke to only the 3 of us. Henri, Kelli and myself! Both Remco and Irina had early flights and shared a bus ride to the airport
sometime in the middle of the night while I snored away. It was strange waking to their empty spaces. I had a quick journal entry coffee
moment before taking off to the airport myself.
Kelli and Henri joined me for the bus ride to the airport so they could leave their baggage and go enjoy Athens for the rest of their stay.
This is where we parted.
Me, I still had a few days left in Santorini. I arrived at noon (45 min. flight) and it was cheap enough to take the quick cab ride into Thira
instead of waiting an hour for the bus.
I hadn’t shaven all week (I got ok with it…actually had some compliments so I can’t bad mouth him for shaving himself at least once on
our trip…my shaving is much more of a self-ritual and really doesn’t take me long at all as long as I have hot water,a sink to shave in
proper lighting, and preferably alone…none of which I wanted to attempt on the boat). Its sort of like when you go camping and you
know everyone is smelling like campfire and looking scruffy anyway. you just go with it!
I looked forward to arriving to familiar accommodations, being greeted by Maria and Laura as I walk up (down) thru the old town of just
steps and narrow streets (no motor vehicles in this part of the town) a hot shower, a shave, some food (Laura offered to make me an
omelet) and a Mythos beer to celebrate my own arrival. Ahhhhh…back again!
5 years? Doesn’t seem like it. I enjoy the whole day/night to myself, a visit to see Jeanne (one of my greater influences on travel and
Greece ) at Tropical (my favorite taverna where she’s a barmaid). Yes…this is a perfect way for me to soak up the sailboat experience
(grief a little), be with one self and enjoy the familiar surroundings I was again seeing.
It holds great memories for me from the very 1st time I’m sharing it with Kat and Danny 6 years ago on that same terrace overlooking the
view on the caldera. I don’t believe in accidents and everything that happened to us on that particular day happened for a reason (it
kept us there for the remainder of our holiday for 7 days when we were only planning on 2) and is what has brought me back now twice
more.
Each time I’ve come back to Greece I’ve experienced seeing a new place but have always made it a point to come back here to
Santorini. It’s for the same reasons. It remains for me that place that is untouched by time somehow…if only in my own mind it appears
to be just as I left it. And still, one of the best sunsets I've ever experienced unsurpassed as I'm watching it go down into that deep blue
water with the volcano view.
Everyone in Santorini comes together like they’ve never seen a sunset before and cheers when it goes down into the ocean. For some I’
m sure it may very well be their 1st sunset and certainly one of the most spectacular most will ever see. It's an event.
I anticipate and wait for the arrival one of my best friend Jason and his travel mate Kevin who I greet at the steps to the old town Sunday
evening just before sunset. I haven’t seen Jason in a couple years (last time was Berlin )! We decide to watch the amazing sunset from
Tropical so I can introduce them to Jeanne and after the sun sets we go back to a restaurant I had found earlier for my lunch of the
ultimate Greek salad with tomatoes grown in the volcano’s rich soil that you can only find on this island. Dinner was equally superb w/
rack of lamb in traditional Greek spices.
We made it a reasonably early night and turned in so that we could get an early start 1st thing Monday morning. We choose to rent a
vehicle and I mapped out our day ahead of time to places of interest I had been to before as to make use of our only full day in Santorini
together. We had our breakfast of toast, honey, and jams, cappuccino and juice and began our journey.
First we went to one of my favorite beaches… Red Beach ! This beach is awesome. Took several pictures (you’ll be able to tell the
uniqueness of this beach right away with its red and white sand sitting in a cove well worth the walk over the red rock surrounding it), a
great place for a swim.
Next we went to Vlychada Bay Beach with its black and white sand. Lot of picture opts here of this beautiful marvel of great sand
formations of white. You can’t help but want to snap at every unique formation, each with its own shape as if someone sculpted the
sand. Too awesome!!!! And another great swim of the day. I felt sadness that was inevitable for me as we left this beach. I knew it
were going to be the last one I’d be in submerged in for a while and certainly a while before I’m back there again.
I always have a hard time leaving the ocean. I had to have been a beach bum in a previous life and I desire to be one in this one. Give
me a beach!
So many other nice beaches I would have liked to have gone back to but I’m glad on the choices we made for the day. We drive to the
other end of the island to Oia for our last sunset. We arrived early enough to make a reservation (needed for the sunset crowd that will
fill this terrace).
Killing time…Jason and Kevin mostly shop the really nice shops of Oia while I just sort of watch. It was entertaining to say the least. I’m
not a shopper at all! Oia is situated on the caldera at a high point with remains of a castle. There’s a lot of winding stairs to private
homes and some cave houses built right into the cliffs. I like coming here for a few hours but still prefer Thira for my home base (loyal to
those that 1st welcomed me on the island).
I actually had a pizza this last night remembering it to be good from the last time I was there…I’m such a creature of habit when I like
something! I did my usual ouzo with the sunset, a ritual carried over from the days before with the gang on the boat.
We get back to Thira early enough and park the jeep where we assume is safe before heading back to Tropical for a little nightlife. You
can never really tell what’s going to be there (being a tourist spot it’s surprisingly filled with quite a few younger locals and a scatter of
different energies from whoever happens to be on the island at any given moment…so you just never know (a whole boat of kewl people
might have just showed up and providing it’s energy).
We picked a good night (maybe it picked us). The energy was good! They even played the music I requested (and owned more than
just the 1 Depeche Mode music selection the whole city of Eindhoven seems to own). Here I met and connected with Helen (owner of
Pegasus Art where upon our departure the next morning purchased a few of the special gifts I wanted) whom Jason and Kevin had met
on one of their shopping expeditions. She’s just one of those souls you come across and feel like you’ve known them a long time. We
all danced and drank into the wee hours!
Morning came way too soon. It’s our last morning here. I am anticipating the day and feeling anxious while I begin a quick journal entry
but stop writing to share a quality moment with Jason and a cappuccino! Our day starts off nicely but is quickly changed with the
following events we simply had no control over.
We are asked by another guest if we know anything about a strike affecting the ferries? We’ve heard nothing and I think nothing of the
conversation. Meanwhile, Jason and Kevin go back to where we parked the jeep just as it was getting ticketed. No way around that and
it was to be taken care of immediately and a mood was set upon their arrival back to Porto Carra for check-out.
Hugs and kisses to Maria and Laura and we climb back up the stairs to the city to catch our cab to the airport. We’re to spend our last
afternoon/evening in Athens before catching my early flight out at 8 a.m. on Wednesday.
We’re at the airport in 15-20 minutes and come to find out right away that the strike we had earlier heard about has affected and
grounded all flights in Greece . So…we have to deal with that and there are a lot of people all in the same situation.
The only possible way off the island is by ferry (those are still running although we’ve heard all public transport in Athens including taxis
have been halted in this strike (turns out it is some political thing). We’re still not sure if and when we will be able to get off the island. It’
s not at all a bad place to be stuck but I’m already thinking about missing my flight in Athens and well, everyone is a little stressed not
knowing if we will have a seat on the ferry.
We find that there are 2 ferries we can choose from. We can purchase tickets for the slow ferry (leaving about 2 hours before the fast
one and about a 9 hour ride back to Athens arriving around midnight) or take our chances on getting seats on the fast ferry (about 5 ½
hours and arriving about 10:30 p.m.). No one had any information on the fast boat and the ticket office wasn’t yet opened. We could
take our chance but if the boat was full…we’d be stuck in Santorini for the night.
After several phone calls from Jason’s U.S. mobile and at the last minute (I was about to just go ahead and purchase a ticket on the slow
boat) we managed to find out they had plenty of room (the ferry company had quickly taken out a 2nd boat to profit from all the folks who
now weren’t able to get off the island by plane…smart thinking).
It wasn’t a bad ride. We sat in 1st class and ate and drank wine and caught a little zzzz’s. I snapped pictures from the boat as it made
stops in Ios and Paros (not to be confused with the Saronic Island Poros…Paros was the 1st cyclade island Kat, Danny and I stopped
and stayed on for 2 days 6 years ago). I catch 1 last surprising sunset off the fast ferry as we glide on top of the water.
I already decided it would be best for me to go to the airport from the port as I didn’t see the point of going into the Plaka the few short
remaining hours lugging around my baggage (I was originally going to put in a locker for the day).
Jason and I had already said our goodbyes at the boat. We had earlier met a nice couple traveling with their daughter at the Santorini
port traveling from Wisconsin and they too were going to the airport so it was decided that we’d share a cab ride over. Why can’t I
remember their names? Dana was the daughters name but her mother (my age) and I kept one another good company the entire
night. Oh well, I have their emails and they’ll hopefully read this update and email me their names. If it’s not written down I forget (Dana’
s name is in her email address and I quickly relate her name to a few other Dana’s I know).
It’s a long night but I’m finally checked in and flying back to Netherlands . Holidays are over. But I’m still feeling the magic especially
while I write this long update. If you’ve gotten this far you are truly interested and I appreciate your efforts. I do this as a way for me to
remember and share it with those of you interested to know s’up in this adventurer’s life. I think the pictures are worth looking at and
the update itself gives you an idea of what those are all about.
But truly…you have to experience it for yourself! No picture is going to capture the moment quite like the experience (unless maybe
those of us who have experienced it). To those... I hope can savor the moment long enough in a day when time is getting away from us
and we’re caught up in the hustle and bustle of life. Take a moment and relive it thru the pics I share with you. Thru the videos and
music selections Wesley and I have carefully taken the time to piece together from 2 different time zones.
To those who have shared the experience and to those that would like to sign up for next years trip…climb aboard!!!
My next adventures are my last weeks here in Eindhoven , a planned trip to Ghent , Belgium and a couple months back in the U.S. (6-8
weeks July/August)
At the end of August…Alex and I will join Heather already making up our new digs in London . Stay tuned for more to come and an
update again sometime in June.
YAMOS and LOVE, Jes
Video 1: Fantasy / Earth Wind and Fire
Video 2: Somewhere Over The Rainbow-What a Wonderful Life /Israel Kamakawiwo'Ole
Main Page/ B-52's/Roam
6/16/05-7/17/05 Day One / Blackalicious (dedicated to G.H. / JES CHILL'N)
7/18/05-10/18/05 Trip Hop Acid Jazz&Trance / Aphex Twin/Outside Kick Ass Violin
8/14/05-10/29/05 JUST A MOMENT / Sunny and The Sunliners featuring JESSE GARCIA (my dad)
10/29/05-2/20/06 ABRA MOORE / Taking Chances
3/11/06-5/29/06 Eva Cassidy / American Tune
4/1/06-5/19/06 Frank Sinatra / Young At Heart
6/16/06-8/25/06 The Different Story (World of Lust and Crime) / Peter Schilling
10/14/06-2/01/07 Straight On / Heart (For Sara)
Yasou and Kalamera (Hello and Good Morning),
Take me back! I want to be there. It’s a pleasure to write this update as I’m able to be taken back to just a couple weeks ago to a
place that has already so quickly become somewhat of a dream.
Was I really just there? I swear it is a reality I completely allow myself to emerge into, anything else outside of that realm is quickly
forgotten. It’s back to this reality today! Not that this one is such a bad one to be in. I’ve got nearly a 2 month paid holiday in the U.S.
to look forward to and a move to London at the end of August. No, none of this sounds bad at all and I’m getting excited about it.
But…it’s nice to get away sometimes; to places you can really emerge yourself into and sort of just disappear. Greece does that to me.
It has twice before and going back I already knew it was going to give me something valuable that I carry with me always. It’s difficult to
explain it in words exactly. I’ll do my best.
Has it already been 5 years since my last visit? I can tell you…going back sometimes has been what’s gotten me thru some of my most
difficult times of living. It’s been my one salvation. It’s a place; a culture, filled with something that has been drawing me back since my
1st visit with Kat and Danny 6 years ago. It is a place for me that never changes in a life so full of change; it is a place that seems to
stand still in time. And here, I’m able to immediately find an inner peace I sometimes loose in everyday living life.
Each experience has been completely different. Different places I visit, different people I share the experience with…but there is a
sameness I come back to! I can only describe that feeling as something internally. It’s familiar.
I’ve traveled far and lived in lots of different places and have gained many wonderful experiences along the way. Greece remains a
place that has a familiarity that I can honestly say is like coming home.
It’s Friday the 4th of May and I’m up early as usual and way excited to begin this journey. Henri and I take the train into Amsterdam to
catch our flights. I am anxious! We’ve committed ourselves to a week long sailboat trip not knowing exactly what to expect. Ready as
we’ll ever be I guess! The weather is supposed to be a lot cooler than what we ended up with.
I’m looking forward to the familiar things I remember from my past trips. Like staying at the Adams Hotel in the Plaka with a close-up
Acropolis view.
We arrive just in time for the last subway train into the city and walk the last few blocks. Everything looks familiar but it’s been 5 years.
We get lost and ask for direction from a group of friendly locals. As I remembered, the hospitality I have received in this country is
quickly shown in how they respond to help us, making a phone call to the hotel and then walking us the couple blocks to point us in the
right direction.
The room I had requested was already taken but we ended up with a much better room (big enough for an entire family) with a balcony
large enough to hold a wedding party on and a good side view of the Acropolis all lit up. Henri and I were quite pleased and we decided
to drop our stuff off and in the late hour (already past midnight) find a place where we could properly toast (Yamos=Cheers) ourselves
into the moment! After a couple Yamos we decided to turn in so we could begin our day of exploring early enough.
Waking up with the Acropolis view is awesome! Breakfast is a simple typical Greek one of toast, honey and jam and coffee and orange
juice. The day is already going to be a beautiful and warm one (about 10 degrees warmer than the predicted forecast I read). Most of
our day is spent doing a little light shopping and some sight-seeing before having a nice lunch (Gyros and Mythos beer) and catching
the tram to Kalamaki marina to find our boat.
We leave early enough to allow room for error. We finally find where we are supposed to catch our tram and not sooner than we board
it do we find ourselves going right thru the heart of Athens city packed like sardines for the entire ride out. That part I do not enjoy! My
backpack (which even though I pack light enough) suddenly weighs a ton when you’re being pushed around. But I can say I know what
it must feel like to be a sardine.
We weren’t so clear where exactly we were to find our boat and I am a bit panicked when I realize I don’t even have a phone number to
call if we are lost. We get off at a marina stop past the one we were supposed to get off at and we search and finally find where we are
supposed to be. I forget the Greeks really have a lax way of dealing with stuff and are actually very organized in a way that most of us
aren’t used to.
Only to find out all the rushing to make sure we arrive on time and not miss our boat turns out there is no hurry at all, we don’t sail until
the next morning. Irina (from Belgrade , Serbia ) is the only other passenger that has already arrived. We’re all in the same boat ha-ha
all clueless!
Turns out our original Greek skipper has broken an arm and they’re sending in another to arrive sometime in the middle of the night.
The boat is being cleaned when we arrive and we just trust to leave our bags at the check in table and told we can board the boat in an
hour or so. Henri and I pay cash and I’m asked if I could sign on as a 2nd skipper for port authority officials and sign the official
documents as an experienced skipper that knows how to sail….NOT!!! We go have a coffee and look for Irina.
We meet an hour later on the boat and are quickly whisked away by employees of Kavas (Sailboat Company) to pick out our provisions
for the trip. We have no idea what to purchase. The 3 of us get into a vehicle and taken to a liquor store where we decide quickly on
plenty of water, wine, beer and ouzo (we make our purchases and told to just leave it on the floor and it will be taken back to the
boat…now get this, there are other boats set for sail the next day with other groups of people and other piles of purchases sitting there
on the floor).
We are then directed and walk to another store to pick out food items. Hell, we have no idea what to get and aimlessly run around the
store with our baskets for several moments before deciding on our purchases of what we consider to be important (coffee; toilet paper
and breakfast stuffs for the immediate following day). We still have the skipper and the 2 other woman from L.A. to think about as we’re
deciding what we’ll need to get us started.
We’re then put in a cater truck with our purchases of provisions and taken back to our boat where the earlier purchases of water and
booze are already waiting for us to load up. We’re told we’ll leave the next morning and make ourselves at home on our boat. We’re
showed in a brief introduction how to flush our toilets, turn on lights etc. Everything seems a bit chaotic but really it’s the Greek way of
organized as it all seemed to be coming together.
The accommodations are small as I had expected but because there are fewer of us than capacity Henri and I end up with our own
rooms (this was nice…Henri wouldn’t have to put up w/ my snoring). Irina, Henri and I go out for a nice dinner and acquaint ourselves
further at a seaside restaurant and I order my 1st batch of fresh Kalamari…mmmmmmm!
It’s already late when we arrive back on the boat and we celebrate with a bottle of wine and then off to bed…still not knowing what to
expect the next morning. We had been told our new skipper would arrive sometime around 2 a.m. Henri was awake to greet the (turns
out to be) Dutch skipper that just flew in from Netherlands (Remco) as he shouts out if the boat he was getting on was the right one.
I think I’m the 1st one up (not unusual) and waiting for someone to show me how to light the stove pilot for my coffee. I meanwhile do a
personal journal entry mostly writing about not yet having my coffee.
There’s rumor of delay of our departure as we are still waiting the arrival of the 2 L.A. women but Remco says we can leave anytime and
arrangements are made to meet them on the island of Aegina at the City of Aegina port (they were flying in from Berlin later and to take
a fast ferry to meet up with us). Bon Voyage!
We set sail (after coffee of course and a very cold shower at the marina. It is again another beautiful and warm day arriving Aegina
somewhere late afternoon. The 4 of us celebrate (Remco’s tradition upon reaching and docking the boat) with a nice cold beer (just a
finger full for Irina, her usual request any time we were drinking…but is that lengthwise or weight wise Irina???).
We must have had lunch on the boat that afternoon because I really don’t remember eating again until much later after exploring the
streets a bit and then deciding on a taverna filled with Greeks and the freshest and best tasting seafood I think we all agreed to be the
best of the entire trip. Don’t get me wrong…we had lots of really good food but this one stands out! How could you go wrong if it’s full of
Greeks right? We had and ordered many fresh seafood items the 4 of us shared.
I know you’re supposed to wait an hour before going swimming but Remco led the pack for a swim off the boat right there in the marina.
Henri and I take off for some more exploring and to purchase what is supposed to be the best damn pistachios grown in Greece . They
are pretty good!
When we get back to the boat Irina has gone to meet the L.A. girls at the fast ferry. We greet the additions of Kelli and Estela with a
bottle of wine, acquaint ourselves with the beginnings of many more Yamos to come and they’re off now to grab some food. I remember
crashing and didn’t hear them come back aboard later.
We are all very lax about a plan and in agreement to set sail the following morning for our next destination of Vathi on the island of
Methana . I’m up early to journal and with coffee made for everyone waking up.
There’s not much of a wind but we manage a sail without using the motor for a short period. It’s interesting learning which ropes to pull
in and let loose to make that happen (remember I’m supposed to be an experienced skipper here ha-ha). We find ourselves at a
secluded bay, anchor and go for a nice afternoon swim. The water is cold but the sun is warm and it feels great! We play here a while
before taking off and reaching Vathi.
It’s not the prettiest of all the ports/marinas we see but it is small and quaint and with one taverna, making it our only choice for food and
drink. The actual town of Vathi is up in the hills and all but Remco decide to go explore the countryside looking for it and any other
sights, only to give up the effort after taking at least 3 different routes but never reaching our destination (whatever that was supposed
to be).
We finally ended up at the shoreline of a little beach and one by one we all just end up back at the boat ready for an ouzo sunset
(Remco got us into the habit) and some food. We again order different things to share. We agree the food is ok here but compare it to
the previous night. Here I am introduced to a Metaxa (a sort of after dinner brandy like drink and another of a Remco tradition). It’s
rather strong and should be sipped.
We decided to leave for Hydra early the next morning so we all pretty much turned in after good food and drink. Waking up to yet
another beautiful day, Remco was up early enough that he, Henri and I prepared the boat to sail and off we were, just as the girls are
waking.
I’m looking forward to Hydra as friends Kat and Danny had been there before and it had been highly recommended. This island had no
motor vehicles on it whatsoever. We arrived early enough to have a quick food lunch of Gyros (really good ones from another of Remco’
s recommendations) and an excellent double ice cream cone (pistachio and some sort of berry). Yumm!!!
The harbor was full when we arrived so we had to anchor on the noisy side (full of tavernas and dance clubs) with hopes of getting a
quieter spot later. By this time Henri was becoming a pro in anchoring for us. I stayed away from it. After lunch the girls went shopping
and Remco took the time for his studies (he had chosen to take the trip over classes for the week) while Henri and I opted for the long
walk up the hills to a monastery.
Of course we forget to take water with us and maybe half way up we meet a young group on their way down that tell us we still had quite
a long way to go but that it was worth the effort. We continue our walk and at times I’m thinking we should go back…that maybe it’s not
worth it (I think Henri is thinking the same but neither of us verbalizes it). Along the way though we take our time and stop to rest. We
see a mule and farming and then hardly anything of civilization…but looking back down at some of the most spectacular views, then
some ruins and still no monastery in site.
Literally gasping for air by the time we reach the top we discover a gate and the back way into the monastery. We have to laugh.
Somewhere we had taken a wrong turn I guess. After the long journey up there was no way we were going to miss out on seeing what
we had walked all this way for. So we went in.
It was worth the walk (and a water jug full of cool water waiting for us), we took pictures to prove we were there and left a donation for the
offerings we took made by the monks themselves. We walk back down…more photo opts.
We found Remco reading and ready to take a spot on the other side of the harbor so we prepare to move the boat. We see the girls
(they are still happily shopping as they already have been and tell us they’ll meet us on the other side).
Henri and I decided on a swim on a beach area not far from the boat that looked and felt great after our long walk. We didn’t see the
girls again until the 3 of us guys decided to go out to dinner without them (figuring they were going to shop till they dropped).
Looking quite tan and holiday like Henri runs into them looking for cigarettes and we make a plan to meet them down the road for drinks
within the hour. Just in time for the beginnings of another ouzo sunset. From there we all walk to the suggested taverna Remco had
recommended for a nicer finish to the sunset and a pretty good dinner we again shared with one another.
A great dinner, some more drinks and a nice walk back to the boat. This night a game of Charades was started by Henri who may I say
was quite enthusiastic about it. I didn’t really feel like participating other than watching but it was quite funny to see them all into it
(especially Henri...he could enter some world wide competition I think…he had all the rules down and really into it. Funny though to
observe the differences in language, culture etc. and very visible from my stand point to see and hear it take place. Maybe it was the
ouzo but it was quite entertaining. It really sort of become he and Kelli going back and forth with the guessing and acting it out. I think
Henri might have continued playing all night.
The next morning we had picked up some fresh bakery items (a nice assortment of cheese pies and other assorted sweet and non-
sweet breads) and had yet another one of our big breakfasts while we were at sea. Our destination this day, the port of Poros ! Here
we are to loose one of our crew.
This island had few motor vehicles allowed on the island but was nice getting around on the back streets here exploring the quieter and
quainter part of the culture. Each island held its own special beauty and treasures. I try to capture a bit of it in the photos but really you
have to experience it.
We walked to a nearby beach that was nice and shared our last hours with Estela (who we were to leave off at the fast ferry later that
afternoon back to Athens to catch an early morning flight for a visit to see friends in Madrid), playing on the beach, collecting sea glass,
pottery, and rocks.
I think we were all feeling her absence later as we looked for a place to eat dinner. It had been so well rounded with the 6 of us that
even after the princess was no longer with us physically, she was certainly still with us in spirit. We had a nice dinner quiet (I had some
kind of lamb thing baked in foil with 2 cheeses over potatoes…really Yumm) and an ok sunset view here! .
We all agreed it’d be much nicer to spend the night at a quiet bay nearby instead of the Poros port with its nightclubs right there in front
of us. This was a nice choice. We hadn’t taken the boat at night before. It was a bit tricky seeing exactly where we were going.
We found a spot in the darkness (and the only night time shot of Poros all lit up in the distance…my camera takes great day shots but
not so good night shots…but this one looked a little artistic enough to throw in).
We had to double anchor the boat (so it didn’t just float away) Remco is the only one who braved a night swim we had all talked about
possibly participating in (actually Kelli initiated it earlier as a skinny dip) but that night was just a bit too cool and well, Remco went in but
was quickly out again (and Kelli was already in bed).
Another good night’s sleep and an even more secluded bay destination for an afternoon swim and a late lunch of…finally
Irina…spaghetti! I helped a little but it was her idea and motivation that presented us with our 1st home cooked and rated one of our
best meals together (minus of course, Estela).
We got a late afternoon start from that nice secluded bay we didn’t want to leave and headed back to Aegina where we were going to
dock at the fishing port of Pedika . This island had a view shape of the hills of a Greek Goddess which we had a better view of as were
coming into the port (not sure of the name but if you look for it in my pictures somewhere, you’ll see a full shaped woman lying on her
back, her breasts erect to the sky and one knee up. Pretty kewl but then Irina and I were seeing shapes of woman suddenly everywhere
we looked. It’s kind of like looking at clouds and seeing and making out the shapes and power of suggestion.
We caught the beginnings of the sunset while we were still on the boat but managed to get anchored and to a nice sunset view taverna
for our regular Ouzo moment. This night is when we got a couple black mail shots of Irina. I have no need to black mail this nice person
at this time so that’s all I’ll say on the subject. I’m sure she’ll remain a very nice friend always. How’s that saying go…whatever happens
here stays here??? Those of who were there…we know!
We had several ouzos here and continued with more at the restaurant Remco suggested for dinner. He is well known all over from
previous sails and the sailboat company/name Kavas also very well known. I don’t remember what I ate. Outside of few superbly
memorable meals they were all good to me. I love Greek cuisine! Every food we ate on the boat for breakfast and lunch were all simple
mainly consisting of nice breads, cheeses, fruits and olives.
The one picture I took of our boat was taken at this port (not to be confused with the antique looking sailboat I snapped somewhere on
the waters). I capture it docked blending in with few other sail boats and mostly fishing boats. It is a boat sufficient for a nice cruise.
Well equipped and spacious enough with 2 bathrooms (make sure you take out the toilet paper before showering in its small space).
Everyone sort of slept in that Friday morning…not late but later than we had been getting up. Me, well…I slept in too but was still up a
good 2 hours before everyone else. It’s ok. I do prefer it that way…my alone time, coffee and journal. I’ve been out of that habit lately
but this trip inspired me to record my days to some degree.
We were to be back at the Athens port by 5 p.m. We treated ourselves to a nice breakfast at the same place we had dinner. Decided to
make one last secluded Bay stop for an afternoon swim before heading back. You could feel that we were all feeling the ending of some
really great thing. We had all just experienced something with complete total strangers that we either had an expectation on or didn’t
know what to expect, something that’s not an every day sort of thing.
We all just came across a good deal for a sailboat cruise and went for it! I’m glad we did! I believe we had to be of some kind of same
mindedness to have taken the adventure in the first place. This is what draws all of us together and I’m fortunate to have made the
choice to do this trip along with the others who happened to do the same.
We caught the best sail without motor during those last hours on the way back to Athens . We caught a nice breeze and cruised at a
nice pace for a while…feeling what an experienced and seasoned sailor must feel. Understanding the sheer high of sailing wind blowing
thru my hair (ooops I mean beard) Ok yes, corny songs have been made referring to sailing but…you get the idea (almost used one of
them for the video but Kelli and I already wore them out on the love boat)!
Arriving at the Athens port you can suddenly feel the hustle and the bustle of the city we had left behind us, closer to going back to our
real lives. We have our last ouzo together, one last dinner and it’s back to packing on the boat and one last night to sleep on the boat.
We woke to only the 3 of us. Henri, Kelli and myself! Both Remco and Irina had early flights and shared a bus ride to the airport
sometime in the middle of the night while I snored away. It was strange waking to their empty spaces. I had a quick journal entry coffee
moment before taking off to the airport myself.
Kelli and Henri joined me for the bus ride to the airport so they could leave their baggage and go enjoy Athens for the rest of their stay.
This is where we parted.
Me, I still had a few days left in Santorini. I arrived at noon (45 min. flight) and it was cheap enough to take the quick cab ride into Thira
instead of waiting an hour for the bus.
I hadn’t shaven all week (I got ok with it…actually had some compliments so I can’t bad mouth him for shaving himself at least once on
our trip…my shaving is much more of a self-ritual and really doesn’t take me long at all as long as I have hot water,a sink to shave in
proper lighting, and preferably alone…none of which I wanted to attempt on the boat). Its sort of like when you go camping and you
know everyone is smelling like campfire and looking scruffy anyway. you just go with it!
I looked forward to arriving to familiar accommodations, being greeted by Maria and Laura as I walk up (down) thru the old town of just
steps and narrow streets (no motor vehicles in this part of the town) a hot shower, a shave, some food (Laura offered to make me an
omelet) and a Mythos beer to celebrate my own arrival. Ahhhhh…back again!
5 years? Doesn’t seem like it. I enjoy the whole day/night to myself, a visit to see Jeanne (one of my greater influences on travel and
Greece ) at Tropical (my favorite taverna where she’s a barmaid). Yes…this is a perfect way for me to soak up the sailboat experience
(grief a little), be with one self and enjoy the familiar surroundings I was again seeing.
It holds great memories for me from the very 1st time I’m sharing it with Kat and Danny 6 years ago on that same terrace overlooking the
view on the caldera. I don’t believe in accidents and everything that happened to us on that particular day happened for a reason (it
kept us there for the remainder of our holiday for 7 days when we were only planning on 2) and is what has brought me back now twice
more.
Each time I’ve come back to Greece I’ve experienced seeing a new place but have always made it a point to come back here to
Santorini. It’s for the same reasons. It remains for me that place that is untouched by time somehow…if only in my own mind it appears
to be just as I left it. And still, one of the best sunsets I've ever experienced unsurpassed as I'm watching it go down into that deep blue
water with the volcano view.
Everyone in Santorini comes together like they’ve never seen a sunset before and cheers when it goes down into the ocean. For some I’
m sure it may very well be their 1st sunset and certainly one of the most spectacular most will ever see. It's an event.
I anticipate and wait for the arrival one of my best friend Jason and his travel mate Kevin who I greet at the steps to the old town Sunday
evening just before sunset. I haven’t seen Jason in a couple years (last time was Berlin )! We decide to watch the amazing sunset from
Tropical so I can introduce them to Jeanne and after the sun sets we go back to a restaurant I had found earlier for my lunch of the
ultimate Greek salad with tomatoes grown in the volcano’s rich soil that you can only find on this island. Dinner was equally superb w/
rack of lamb in traditional Greek spices.
We made it a reasonably early night and turned in so that we could get an early start 1st thing Monday morning. We choose to rent a
vehicle and I mapped out our day ahead of time to places of interest I had been to before as to make use of our only full day in Santorini
together. We had our breakfast of toast, honey, and jams, cappuccino and juice and began our journey.
First we went to one of my favorite beaches… Red Beach ! This beach is awesome. Took several pictures (you’ll be able to tell the
uniqueness of this beach right away with its red and white sand sitting in a cove well worth the walk over the red rock surrounding it), a
great place for a swim.
Next we went to Vlychada Bay Beach with its black and white sand. Lot of picture opts here of this beautiful marvel of great sand
formations of white. You can’t help but want to snap at every unique formation, each with its own shape as if someone sculpted the
sand. Too awesome!!!! And another great swim of the day. I felt sadness that was inevitable for me as we left this beach. I knew it
were going to be the last one I’d be in submerged in for a while and certainly a while before I’m back there again.
I always have a hard time leaving the ocean. I had to have been a beach bum in a previous life and I desire to be one in this one. Give
me a beach!
So many other nice beaches I would have liked to have gone back to but I’m glad on the choices we made for the day. We drive to the
other end of the island to Oia for our last sunset. We arrived early enough to make a reservation (needed for the sunset crowd that will
fill this terrace).
Killing time…Jason and Kevin mostly shop the really nice shops of Oia while I just sort of watch. It was entertaining to say the least. I’m
not a shopper at all! Oia is situated on the caldera at a high point with remains of a castle. There’s a lot of winding stairs to private
homes and some cave houses built right into the cliffs. I like coming here for a few hours but still prefer Thira for my home base (loyal to
those that 1st welcomed me on the island).
I actually had a pizza this last night remembering it to be good from the last time I was there…I’m such a creature of habit when I like
something! I did my usual ouzo with the sunset, a ritual carried over from the days before with the gang on the boat.
We get back to Thira early enough and park the jeep where we assume is safe before heading back to Tropical for a little nightlife. You
can never really tell what’s going to be there (being a tourist spot it’s surprisingly filled with quite a few younger locals and a scatter of
different energies from whoever happens to be on the island at any given moment…so you just never know (a whole boat of kewl people
might have just showed up and providing it’s energy).
We picked a good night (maybe it picked us). The energy was good! They even played the music I requested (and owned more than
just the 1 Depeche Mode music selection the whole city of Eindhoven seems to own). Here I met and connected with Helen (owner of
Pegasus Art where upon our departure the next morning purchased a few of the special gifts I wanted) whom Jason and Kevin had met
on one of their shopping expeditions. She’s just one of those souls you come across and feel like you’ve known them a long time. We
all danced and drank into the wee hours!
Morning came way too soon. It’s our last morning here. I am anticipating the day and feeling anxious while I begin a quick journal entry
but stop writing to share a quality moment with Jason and a cappuccino! Our day starts off nicely but is quickly changed with the
following events we simply had no control over.
We are asked by another guest if we know anything about a strike affecting the ferries? We’ve heard nothing and I think nothing of the
conversation. Meanwhile, Jason and Kevin go back to where we parked the jeep just as it was getting ticketed. No way around that and
it was to be taken care of immediately and a mood was set upon their arrival back to Porto Carra for check-out.
Hugs and kisses to Maria and Laura and we climb back up the stairs to the city to catch our cab to the airport. We’re to spend our last
afternoon/evening in Athens before catching my early flight out at 8 a.m. on Wednesday.
We’re at the airport in 15-20 minutes and come to find out right away that the strike we had earlier heard about has affected and
grounded all flights in Greece . So…we have to deal with that and there are a lot of people all in the same situation.
The only possible way off the island is by ferry (those are still running although we’ve heard all public transport in Athens including taxis
have been halted in this strike (turns out it is some political thing). We’re still not sure if and when we will be able to get off the island. It’
s not at all a bad place to be stuck but I’m already thinking about missing my flight in Athens and well, everyone is a little stressed not
knowing if we will have a seat on the ferry.
We find that there are 2 ferries we can choose from. We can purchase tickets for the slow ferry (leaving about 2 hours before the fast
one and about a 9 hour ride back to Athens arriving around midnight) or take our chances on getting seats on the fast ferry (about 5 ½
hours and arriving about 10:30 p.m.). No one had any information on the fast boat and the ticket office wasn’t yet opened. We could
take our chance but if the boat was full…we’d be stuck in Santorini for the night.
After several phone calls from Jason’s U.S. mobile and at the last minute (I was about to just go ahead and purchase a ticket on the slow
boat) we managed to find out they had plenty of room (the ferry company had quickly taken out a 2nd boat to profit from all the folks who
now weren’t able to get off the island by plane…smart thinking).
It wasn’t a bad ride. We sat in 1st class and ate and drank wine and caught a little zzzz’s. I snapped pictures from the boat as it made
stops in Ios and Paros (not to be confused with the Saronic Island Poros…Paros was the 1st cyclade island Kat, Danny and I stopped
and stayed on for 2 days 6 years ago). I catch 1 last surprising sunset off the fast ferry as we glide on top of the water.
I already decided it would be best for me to go to the airport from the port as I didn’t see the point of going into the Plaka the few short
remaining hours lugging around my baggage (I was originally going to put in a locker for the day).
Jason and I had already said our goodbyes at the boat. We had earlier met a nice couple traveling with their daughter at the Santorini
port traveling from Wisconsin and they too were going to the airport so it was decided that we’d share a cab ride over. Why can’t I
remember their names? Dana was the daughters name but her mother (my age) and I kept one another good company the entire
night. Oh well, I have their emails and they’ll hopefully read this update and email me their names. If it’s not written down I forget (Dana’
s name is in her email address and I quickly relate her name to a few other Dana’s I know).
It’s a long night but I’m finally checked in and flying back to Netherlands . Holidays are over. But I’m still feeling the magic especially
while I write this long update. If you’ve gotten this far you are truly interested and I appreciate your efforts. I do this as a way for me to
remember and share it with those of you interested to know s’up in this adventurer’s life. I think the pictures are worth looking at and
the update itself gives you an idea of what those are all about.
But truly…you have to experience it for yourself! No picture is going to capture the moment quite like the experience (unless maybe
those of us who have experienced it). To those... I hope can savor the moment long enough in a day when time is getting away from us
and we’re caught up in the hustle and bustle of life. Take a moment and relive it thru the pics I share with you. Thru the videos and
music selections Wesley and I have carefully taken the time to piece together from 2 different time zones.
To those who have shared the experience and to those that would like to sign up for next years trip…climb aboard!!!
My next adventures are my last weeks here in Eindhoven , a planned trip to Ghent , Belgium and a couple months back in the U.S. (6-8
weeks July/August)
At the end of August…Alex and I will join Heather already making up our new digs in London . Stay tuned for more to come and an
update again sometime in June.
YAMOS and LOVE, Jes
Main Page Music Selection: SUGARITE / ABRA MOORE
6/16/05-7/17/05 Day One / Blackalicious (dedicated to G.H. / JES CHILL'N)
7/18/05-10/18/05 Trip Hop Acid Jazz&Trance / Aphex Twin/Outside Kick Ass Violin
8/14/05-10/29/05 JUST A MOMENT / Sunny and The Sunliners featuring JESSE GARCIA (my dad)
10/29/05-2/20/06 ABRA MOORE / Taking Chances
3/11/06-5/29/06 Eva Cassidy / American Tune
4/1/06-5/19/06 Frank Sinatra / Young At Heart
6/16/06-8/25/06 The Different Story (World of Lust and Crime) / Peter Schilling
10/14/06-2/01/07 Straight On / Heart (For Sara)
My Journal Update April 20, 2007
Top of the morning to ya,
Sorry no new pictures to post but there will be plenty to view next update after my holiday in Greece ! My music selection kinda takes me
along my mood of the moment, another new Abra Moore song to be on her forthcoming album. Enjoy!
Since last update I’ve celebrated another birthday. Yeah another year wiser they say! Most of the time I feel the same as I always
have. There are a few new unwelcome signs that do remind me that I’m not 21 (maybe that’s what they mean by wiser?) I’ve been
blessed with good genes and if I don’t mind saying so myself still look pretty damn good in my jeans! Okay, nuff said on that!
Birthdays are no big deal here in Netherlands for most where I agree the special day I was born should be celebrated every day of the
year anyway. That’s kind of the idea I have while I’m still celebrating the whole astrological month and sometimes on to the next.
Though I do have my own beliefs in the astrological that while it’s the time of the year I was born I kinda like to acknowledge it and want
everyone I know to help me acknowledge it. Hey, I’m alive I rock your world!
Okay so if I’m forgotten about most of the rest of the year it’s always nice to be remembered at least one day/month out of the year. I
forget almost everybody’s exact birth date rounding it off to the month at best! And it helps that most of my friends are on my birthday
reminder so I get a couple of those email reminders because of those cobwebs that seem to sometimes get thicker in my brain. Still
even then…I tend to not get around to the actual date greeting. That’s more procrastination though, I think. I’m real good at that!
So, what’s a happening in my world these days? 2 pretty big things about to happen. First there’s my trip to Greece . It’s been a long 5
years since my last visit and out of any of the places I’ve ever had the great pleasure to experience, Greece still ranks as my favorite. It’
s one of those places I wish I could share with everyone I know just once. I tried to get together an adventure that would bring at least 8-
10 of my closest friends together on a sailboat sailing the Greek Islands .
Circumstances (mostly distance, schedules and cashola) wouldn’t allow for that to happen quite the way I had visualize and hoped for.
So…somewhere along the line I had to compromise the exact dream for whatever the universe has in store for me instead. The idea to
share it on a boat with 10 of my friends is certainly still very much a dream I hope to fulfill someday. I’ve altered my thoughts instead to
what is able to happen in the here and now.
It’s all working out the way it’s supposed to I think. My friend Henri and I will fly to Athens May 4th. (check out the site)
http://www.charterayachtingreece.com/Kavas/CabinCruises-Saronic.htm
The following day (after a few hours of sight seeing in Athens…Henri’s 1st time to Greece) we’ll board an 8 person yacht and sail the
Saronic Islands off Athens for 8 days along with a skipper and 6 people we haven’t met yet. Each time I’ve been back to Greece I’ve
had the opportunity to see something new. This charter will allow me to see a part of Greece I’ve never seen in a relaxed pick our own
course kind of way.
I’ve allowed for a few extra days after the cruise to get back to my favorite island, Santorini. Here I’ll be meeting up with one of my best
friends, Jason from Florida to witness a couple of the most awesome sunsets I’ve ever seen. I’m sure there will be many photo opts on
this trip so stay tuned for the next update to see what Wesley and I have put together for you.
It’s pretty much all that’s been on my mind these last few weeks; it’s hard to think about anything else. As the time draws nearer and
already signs of summer weather (while you were having some crappy still winter-like weather it happened to have hit 80 plus here). It
was unusual for this time of year to have hit those highs but certainly welcomed. This week it’s been back to more normal spring-like
weather temps mostly in the 60’s.
I’m sure once I’m back from Greece and when that reality fades behind the volcano like the sunset I’ll be forced into thinking more about
what’s happening in the not so distant future. My mouth/teeth work for instance (total procrastination for now with Greece as my
priority), and moving to London ! I’m in neither one of those realities at the moment and frankly don’t want to be. I’m aware that I have
to get shit done and that things are about to change but for now…ouzo on a freak’n yacht sailing the Greek Islands sounds the most
appealing of the moment.
I’m excited about London , enough to go with it! But it’s not first on my mind so I’m not going to elaborate on those feelings until I’m
ready to share more. For now, I just tell ya we’re moving there this summer. Yeah, this is my job and I like my job so I go with my job…it’
s called relocating.
It’ll happen sometime after Alex is finished with his school year here (early July) and a couple weeks back to Texas for a visit (and more
than likely my dental work still yet to be decided after “ GREECE ”)! I so need to be in Greece (who doesn’t). I think it will be a good
thing before the upheaval of my creature of habits here in Netherlands and on to that next chapter of uncertainty.
Am I open to it? You better believe it…at least it is in the ways I’ve set up my life to be able to be doing exactly what I’m able to be doing
right now!!! I didn’t say it was easy or I liked it all the time. I’m just able to do it because…
…get this, I can!!!
Hope everyone is doing alright. I know I lack sometimes keeping in touch with the bunch of you with a personal email but it’s just easier
to keep up with so many all at one time here. I hope you continue to enjoy the site. It doesn’t at all mean you can’t drop me a line and
catch me up on your life, not everyone has a blog or a webpage I can keep up with you at. If you do have one please send me a link.
There are some of you I miss and never hear from. It really might pay off to keep in touch. You have a free place to stay unless I don’t
remember you (hahaha).
Yamos, Jes
6/16/05-7/17/05 Day One / Blackalicious (dedicated to G.H. / JES CHILL'N)
7/18/05-10/18/05 Trip Hop Acid Jazz&Trance / Aphex Twin/Outside Kick Ass Violin
8/14/05-10/29/05 JUST A MOMENT / Sunny and The Sunliners featuring JESSE GARCIA (my dad)
10/29/05-2/20/06 ABRA MOORE / Taking Chances
3/11/06-5/29/06 Eva Cassidy / American Tune
4/1/06-5/19/06 Frank Sinatra / Young At Heart
6/16/06-8/25/06 The Different Story (World of Lust and Crime) / Peter Schilling
10/14/06-2/01/07 Straight On / Heart (For Sara)
My Journal Update April 20, 2007
Top of the morning to ya,
Sorry no new pictures to post but there will be plenty to view next update after my holiday in Greece ! My music selection kinda takes me
along my mood of the moment, another new Abra Moore song to be on her forthcoming album. Enjoy!
Since last update I’ve celebrated another birthday. Yeah another year wiser they say! Most of the time I feel the same as I always
have. There are a few new unwelcome signs that do remind me that I’m not 21 (maybe that’s what they mean by wiser?) I’ve been
blessed with good genes and if I don’t mind saying so myself still look pretty damn good in my jeans! Okay, nuff said on that!
Birthdays are no big deal here in Netherlands for most where I agree the special day I was born should be celebrated every day of the
year anyway. That’s kind of the idea I have while I’m still celebrating the whole astrological month and sometimes on to the next.
Though I do have my own beliefs in the astrological that while it’s the time of the year I was born I kinda like to acknowledge it and want
everyone I know to help me acknowledge it. Hey, I’m alive I rock your world!
Okay so if I’m forgotten about most of the rest of the year it’s always nice to be remembered at least one day/month out of the year. I
forget almost everybody’s exact birth date rounding it off to the month at best! And it helps that most of my friends are on my birthday
reminder so I get a couple of those email reminders because of those cobwebs that seem to sometimes get thicker in my brain. Still
even then…I tend to not get around to the actual date greeting. That’s more procrastination though, I think. I’m real good at that!
So, what’s a happening in my world these days? 2 pretty big things about to happen. First there’s my trip to Greece . It’s been a long 5
years since my last visit and out of any of the places I’ve ever had the great pleasure to experience, Greece still ranks as my favorite. It’
s one of those places I wish I could share with everyone I know just once. I tried to get together an adventure that would bring at least 8-
10 of my closest friends together on a sailboat sailing the Greek Islands .
Circumstances (mostly distance, schedules and cashola) wouldn’t allow for that to happen quite the way I had visualize and hoped for.
So…somewhere along the line I had to compromise the exact dream for whatever the universe has in store for me instead. The idea to
share it on a boat with 10 of my friends is certainly still very much a dream I hope to fulfill someday. I’ve altered my thoughts instead to
what is able to happen in the here and now.
It’s all working out the way it’s supposed to I think. My friend Henri and I will fly to Athens May 4th. (check out the site)
http://www.charterayachtingreece.com/Kavas/CabinCruises-Saronic.htm
The following day (after a few hours of sight seeing in Athens…Henri’s 1st time to Greece) we’ll board an 8 person yacht and sail the
Saronic Islands off Athens for 8 days along with a skipper and 6 people we haven’t met yet. Each time I’ve been back to Greece I’ve
had the opportunity to see something new. This charter will allow me to see a part of Greece I’ve never seen in a relaxed pick our own
course kind of way.
I’ve allowed for a few extra days after the cruise to get back to my favorite island, Santorini. Here I’ll be meeting up with one of my best
friends, Jason from Florida to witness a couple of the most awesome sunsets I’ve ever seen. I’m sure there will be many photo opts on
this trip so stay tuned for the next update to see what Wesley and I have put together for you.
It’s pretty much all that’s been on my mind these last few weeks; it’s hard to think about anything else. As the time draws nearer and
already signs of summer weather (while you were having some crappy still winter-like weather it happened to have hit 80 plus here). It
was unusual for this time of year to have hit those highs but certainly welcomed. This week it’s been back to more normal spring-like
weather temps mostly in the 60’s.
I’m sure once I’m back from Greece and when that reality fades behind the volcano like the sunset I’ll be forced into thinking more about
what’s happening in the not so distant future. My mouth/teeth work for instance (total procrastination for now with Greece as my
priority), and moving to London ! I’m in neither one of those realities at the moment and frankly don’t want to be. I’m aware that I have
to get shit done and that things are about to change but for now…ouzo on a freak’n yacht sailing the Greek Islands sounds the most
appealing of the moment.
I’m excited about London , enough to go with it! But it’s not first on my mind so I’m not going to elaborate on those feelings until I’m
ready to share more. For now, I just tell ya we’re moving there this summer. Yeah, this is my job and I like my job so I go with my job…it’
s called relocating.
It’ll happen sometime after Alex is finished with his school year here (early July) and a couple weeks back to Texas for a visit (and more
than likely my dental work still yet to be decided after “ GREECE ”)! I so need to be in Greece (who doesn’t). I think it will be a good
thing before the upheaval of my creature of habits here in Netherlands and on to that next chapter of uncertainty.
Am I open to it? You better believe it…at least it is in the ways I’ve set up my life to be able to be doing exactly what I’m able to be doing
right now!!! I didn’t say it was easy or I liked it all the time. I’m just able to do it because…
…get this, I can!!!
Hope everyone is doing alright. I know I lack sometimes keeping in touch with the bunch of you with a personal email but it’s just easier
to keep up with so many all at one time here. I hope you continue to enjoy the site. It doesn’t at all mean you can’t drop me a line and
catch me up on your life, not everyone has a blog or a webpage I can keep up with you at. If you do have one please send me a link.
There are some of you I miss and never hear from. It really might pay off to keep in touch. You have a free place to stay unless I don’t
remember you (hahaha).
Yamos, Jes
Main Page/VIDEO Music Selection: BIRTHDAY SONG / ABRA MOORE
Past Entries (Click the Links above for viewing!)
6/16/05-7/17/05 Day One / Blackalicious (dedicated to G.H. / JES CHILL'N)
7/18/05-10/18/05 Trip Hop Acid Jazz&Trance /Aphex Twin/Outside Kick Ass Violin
8/14/05-10/29/05 JUST A MOMENT / Sunny and The Sunliners featuring JESSE GARCIA (my dad)
10/29/05-2/20/06 ABRA MOORE / Taking Chances
3/11/06-5/29/06 Eva Cassidy / American Tune
4/1/06-5/19/06 Frank Sinatra / Young At Heart
6/16/06-8/25/06 The Different Story (World of Lust and Crime) / Peter Schilling
Update: March 18, 2007
Howdy Ya’ll,
Elegem van az oltonybol! Vegre felvehetem a kedvenc noi ruhhaimat!
I have no clue how to pronounce that and I’ll leave it to you to figure out the translation. Wonder if anyone reading this (besides
Hungarian) will get it (there’s a prize of free trip to Budapest )!
Hahaha just joking…hahaha!
L.O.L. they’re just words so no worries (I got them from a phrase section of a tourist magazine). The only phrase I learned and used
during my holiday was koszonom (thank you) pronounced kuso-nom. There are all kinds of symbols I’m unable to translate from my
laptop indicating pronunciation of the language itself.
And I thought Dutch was a difficult language!
Already…the trip there seems more like something someone else did. But, I was really there (I have pictures to prove it). Wesley’s idea
to put them together in a short film with music is brilliant. I say…take a moment for yourself, go grab a beer or a coffee, double click on
the video (for that full screen effect), turn up your sound and enjoy the new music of Abra Moore (check her website for updates on her
forthcoming C.D. release) while checking out the visuals!
http://myspace.com/abramoore
http://abramoore.com/
Originally I was to go on this holiday with my friend Mitch (with Alex off on a school ski trip I simply had to use the time to go somewhere).
Honestly, I would have never thought of Budapest on my own (it came as a suggestion from Heather after she had heard it to be a great
place to check out).
Flights were cheap enough on get this…Whizz Air and I found a kewl apartment to rent for only 44 euros a night (awesome space with
full kitchen and separate living and bedroom areas...ideal if sharing with a mate).
Mitch had to decline on his travel plans and I decided to go it alone at the last minute. I’m glad I did! I wasn’t going completely blind
even though I didn’t know the language or the currency (the Hungary Forint is the currency still being used). My good friend Robert in
Berlin hooked me up with a contact he knew from there.
Petya (aka Castro Jr.) couldn’t have been a more perfect host during my visit, taking any free time he could make for me to give me a
much richer experience (kinda does look like a relation to Castro huh??? Check him out in the video).
Here I was a stranger in his land yet…there I already had a friend! What better way to experience my days in Budapest than with
someone that could truly take me off the beaten path beyond the tourist aspect and give me a better sense of the culture!
He takes me on a journey I think I would have otherwise missed out on taking the time to show me and explain in his best English (and
they all think they don’t speak it well enough it seems but I say koszonom many times over for your attempts of my language and
Sajnalom (sorry) pronounced shy-nah-lom for knowing none of yours.
As usual and not appearing to look like a tourist I’m reluctant to pull out the camera often times but forced myself to take some pictures
of sites appealing to my eye. I couldn’t tell you half of what I saw even with a guide in front of me. Unless I’m writing it down right then at
the moment I seem to forget names and places to attach to what I’m snapping pictures of.
I can tell you my accommodations were on the Pest side of Budapest (the larger part of the city) that is divided by the Danube River .
Many of the pics are taken with views in and from Castle Hill (on the Buda side…full of hill country), The Parliament and Varosliget (City
Park) at the Vajdahunyad Castle (home to the Agricultural museum on the Pest side…more flat), and in the old village of Szentendre
(about a 45 min. train ride).
Most every part of the city can be reached by underground, trolley or bus in one of the most efficient mass transit systems I’ve ever seen
good at any hour of the day in no more than 20 minutes (the city is spread out with a population of nearly 2 million people and the
system is used by the majority! Austin could sure use and learn from this highly functional system.
Budapest has all but exhausted the number of superlatives that can reasonably be applied to any world-class city. Not surprisingly,
though, most of them still apply. It’s the physical beauty of Budapest -both divinely created and manmade-that sets it aside from other
cities of Eastern and Central Europe .
Straddling a gentle curve in the Danube River , Budapest is flanked by the Buda Hills on its west bank and what is essentially the start of
the Great Plain to its east. Architecturally, it is a gem, with baroque, neoclassical and Art Nouveau architecture to satisfy most anyone.
With parks brimming with attractions, museums filled with treasures, pleasure boats sailing up and down the scenic Danube bend,
Turkish-era thermal baths (I wanted to go to one of these but here, a perfect example of not wanting to experience this on my own) and a
nightlife throbbing until dawn most nights, the Hungarian capital is one of the Continent’s most do-able cities.
And did I mention the food and drink of this country is awesome (unlike the Dutch they aren’t at all afraid to use spice)! If you get a
chance you have to try the yagameister like stuff called Unicum (bitter 40%). There’s a version for the less timid/for the ladies called
Unicum Next (sweeter).
I learned and saw quite a lot for the short time I was there and no regrets for having chosen to go it alone. I’m graciously thankful in
having a real Hungarian show me around/advise me but I know I would have done and seen more during the times Petya wasn’t
available had I had a travel mate.
Except for one or 2 days while I was there I couldn’t have asked for better spring-like weather. My jacket was too warm and I could
mostly get away with wearing a t-shirt under it! In fact…it’s been spring-like weather here in Eindhoven also…well, up until this weekend
it was anyway…it’s suddenly winter-like and wet (very un-motivating). Here I thought it was spring! Fooled again!
The only thing feeling a bit spring-like is the fact I have a birthday coming up. Next week the 24th of March. I’d be lying if I said I don’t
want it to be celebrated, quite the contraire. I just have my own more intimate way now of bringing in my new year.
Of course I want everyone to remember (or be reminded by my hints…HINT HINT) that at sometime during the Aries month I want to be
recognized in the form of some kind of special attention. I tend to treat myself extra special in surrounding myself with those I want to
share my time with and doing some special things I might not do at any other time of the year.
Sure…I love surprises…but hell, be creative if you’re gonna surprise me. It’s nice to be genuinely surprised and it doesn’t even have to
break ya at the bank! So…this year you can say my trip to Budapest was kind of a beginning to my birthday month. I’ll be joined by my
friends Henri and Mitch for a dance party in Amsterdam the actual day of.
I’m still planning my trip back to Greece in late April as a sort of a belated birthday celebration (the weather is much better and it’s still
long before tourist season begins). More on that as it now becomes front-line priority in planning mode. Any of you who already have a
passport from the U.S. and have expressed an interest in this trip need to let me know A.S.A.P.
I’ve got some more interesting news for ya on Jes the Adventurer concerning a move to London this summer (this will take place after a
brief visit back to my native home-land in July). But I think I’ll wait until the next update to go into more detail/developments on that one.
Thanks to Jerry and Colleen’s recent visit to the area and the requested American goodies they brought along for my own personal
consumption (I need more hot sauce).
And while you’re at it (go grab another coffee/beer) feel free to further explore the pages on this website that will continue to take you on
a visual and sound journey behind the several links.
Egeszsegedre (Cheers) pronounced ahgay-shay-gedray , Jes
Past Entries (Click the Links above for viewing!)
6/16/05-7/17/05 Day One / Blackalicious (dedicated to G.H. / JES CHILL'N)
7/18/05-10/18/05 Trip Hop Acid Jazz&Trance /Aphex Twin/Outside Kick Ass Violin
8/14/05-10/29/05 JUST A MOMENT / Sunny and The Sunliners featuring JESSE GARCIA (my dad)
10/29/05-2/20/06 ABRA MOORE / Taking Chances
3/11/06-5/29/06 Eva Cassidy / American Tune
4/1/06-5/19/06 Frank Sinatra / Young At Heart
6/16/06-8/25/06 The Different Story (World of Lust and Crime) / Peter Schilling
Update: March 18, 2007
Howdy Ya’ll,
Elegem van az oltonybol! Vegre felvehetem a kedvenc noi ruhhaimat!
I have no clue how to pronounce that and I’ll leave it to you to figure out the translation. Wonder if anyone reading this (besides
Hungarian) will get it (there’s a prize of free trip to Budapest )!
Hahaha just joking…hahaha!
L.O.L. they’re just words so no worries (I got them from a phrase section of a tourist magazine). The only phrase I learned and used
during my holiday was koszonom (thank you) pronounced kuso-nom. There are all kinds of symbols I’m unable to translate from my
laptop indicating pronunciation of the language itself.
And I thought Dutch was a difficult language!
Already…the trip there seems more like something someone else did. But, I was really there (I have pictures to prove it). Wesley’s idea
to put them together in a short film with music is brilliant. I say…take a moment for yourself, go grab a beer or a coffee, double click on
the video (for that full screen effect), turn up your sound and enjoy the new music of Abra Moore (check her website for updates on her
forthcoming C.D. release) while checking out the visuals!
http://myspace.com/abramoore
http://abramoore.com/
Originally I was to go on this holiday with my friend Mitch (with Alex off on a school ski trip I simply had to use the time to go somewhere).
Honestly, I would have never thought of Budapest on my own (it came as a suggestion from Heather after she had heard it to be a great
place to check out).
Flights were cheap enough on get this…Whizz Air and I found a kewl apartment to rent for only 44 euros a night (awesome space with
full kitchen and separate living and bedroom areas...ideal if sharing with a mate).
Mitch had to decline on his travel plans and I decided to go it alone at the last minute. I’m glad I did! I wasn’t going completely blind
even though I didn’t know the language or the currency (the Hungary Forint is the currency still being used). My good friend Robert in
Berlin hooked me up with a contact he knew from there.
Petya (aka Castro Jr.) couldn’t have been a more perfect host during my visit, taking any free time he could make for me to give me a
much richer experience (kinda does look like a relation to Castro huh??? Check him out in the video).
Here I was a stranger in his land yet…there I already had a friend! What better way to experience my days in Budapest than with
someone that could truly take me off the beaten path beyond the tourist aspect and give me a better sense of the culture!
He takes me on a journey I think I would have otherwise missed out on taking the time to show me and explain in his best English (and
they all think they don’t speak it well enough it seems but I say koszonom many times over for your attempts of my language and
Sajnalom (sorry) pronounced shy-nah-lom for knowing none of yours.
As usual and not appearing to look like a tourist I’m reluctant to pull out the camera often times but forced myself to take some pictures
of sites appealing to my eye. I couldn’t tell you half of what I saw even with a guide in front of me. Unless I’m writing it down right then at
the moment I seem to forget names and places to attach to what I’m snapping pictures of.
I can tell you my accommodations were on the Pest side of Budapest (the larger part of the city) that is divided by the Danube River .
Many of the pics are taken with views in and from Castle Hill (on the Buda side…full of hill country), The Parliament and Varosliget (City
Park) at the Vajdahunyad Castle (home to the Agricultural museum on the Pest side…more flat), and in the old village of Szentendre
(about a 45 min. train ride).
Most every part of the city can be reached by underground, trolley or bus in one of the most efficient mass transit systems I’ve ever seen
good at any hour of the day in no more than 20 minutes (the city is spread out with a population of nearly 2 million people and the
system is used by the majority! Austin could sure use and learn from this highly functional system.
Budapest has all but exhausted the number of superlatives that can reasonably be applied to any world-class city. Not surprisingly,
though, most of them still apply. It’s the physical beauty of Budapest -both divinely created and manmade-that sets it aside from other
cities of Eastern and Central Europe .
Straddling a gentle curve in the Danube River , Budapest is flanked by the Buda Hills on its west bank and what is essentially the start of
the Great Plain to its east. Architecturally, it is a gem, with baroque, neoclassical and Art Nouveau architecture to satisfy most anyone.
With parks brimming with attractions, museums filled with treasures, pleasure boats sailing up and down the scenic Danube bend,
Turkish-era thermal baths (I wanted to go to one of these but here, a perfect example of not wanting to experience this on my own) and a
nightlife throbbing until dawn most nights, the Hungarian capital is one of the Continent’s most do-able cities.
And did I mention the food and drink of this country is awesome (unlike the Dutch they aren’t at all afraid to use spice)! If you get a
chance you have to try the yagameister like stuff called Unicum (bitter 40%). There’s a version for the less timid/for the ladies called
Unicum Next (sweeter).
I learned and saw quite a lot for the short time I was there and no regrets for having chosen to go it alone. I’m graciously thankful in
having a real Hungarian show me around/advise me but I know I would have done and seen more during the times Petya wasn’t
available had I had a travel mate.
Except for one or 2 days while I was there I couldn’t have asked for better spring-like weather. My jacket was too warm and I could
mostly get away with wearing a t-shirt under it! In fact…it’s been spring-like weather here in Eindhoven also…well, up until this weekend
it was anyway…it’s suddenly winter-like and wet (very un-motivating). Here I thought it was spring! Fooled again!
The only thing feeling a bit spring-like is the fact I have a birthday coming up. Next week the 24th of March. I’d be lying if I said I don’t
want it to be celebrated, quite the contraire. I just have my own more intimate way now of bringing in my new year.
Of course I want everyone to remember (or be reminded by my hints…HINT HINT) that at sometime during the Aries month I want to be
recognized in the form of some kind of special attention. I tend to treat myself extra special in surrounding myself with those I want to
share my time with and doing some special things I might not do at any other time of the year.
Sure…I love surprises…but hell, be creative if you’re gonna surprise me. It’s nice to be genuinely surprised and it doesn’t even have to
break ya at the bank! So…this year you can say my trip to Budapest was kind of a beginning to my birthday month. I’ll be joined by my
friends Henri and Mitch for a dance party in Amsterdam the actual day of.
I’m still planning my trip back to Greece in late April as a sort of a belated birthday celebration (the weather is much better and it’s still
long before tourist season begins). More on that as it now becomes front-line priority in planning mode. Any of you who already have a
passport from the U.S. and have expressed an interest in this trip need to let me know A.S.A.P.
I’ve got some more interesting news for ya on Jes the Adventurer concerning a move to London this summer (this will take place after a
brief visit back to my native home-land in July). But I think I’ll wait until the next update to go into more detail/developments on that one.
Thanks to Jerry and Colleen’s recent visit to the area and the requested American goodies they brought along for my own personal
consumption (I need more hot sauce).
And while you’re at it (go grab another coffee/beer) feel free to further explore the pages on this website that will continue to take you on
a visual and sound journey behind the several links.
Egeszsegedre (Cheers) pronounced ahgay-shay-gedray , Jes
| Title: Jes Does Budapest (CLICK TO PLAY and double click the video for a full size view!) |
| I'll have a "Quarter Pounder" ! |
| Click the pictures above to view my latest adventures! |
Main Page/Video Music Selection: I'm In Touch With Your World / The Cars
10/14/06-2/01/07 Straight On / Heart (For Sara)
6/16/05-7/17/05 Day One / Blackalicious (dedicated to G.H. / JES CHILL'N)
7/18/05-10/18/05 Trip Hop Acid Jazz&Trance /Aphex Twin/Outside Kick Ass Violin
8/14/05-10/29/05 JUST A MOMENT / Sunny and The Sunliners featuring JESSE GARCIA (my dad)
10/29/05-2/20/06 ABRA MOORE / Taking Chances
3/11/06-5/29/06 Eva Cassidy / American Tune
4/1/06-5/19/06 Frank Sinatra / Young At Heart
6/16/06-8/25/06 The Different Story (World of Lust and Crime) / Peter Schilling
Journal Update June 23, 2007
Hey All,
To catch ya’ll up to par I’ll be landing on U.S. soil July 2 for a couple months! Yup…I’ll be back in Texas (and whatever else may come
up), mostly dividing my time seeing friends in Austin and family in Ft. Worth before our big move to…
Well, it’s supposed to be London but there seems to have been some delays (red tape/bureaucracy crap) in filing the correct papers for
Heather to be working in the U.K. legally that may possibly change the outcome at the end. For now we’ll just have to wait and see. For
those of you that keep referring my last year and a half here in The Netherlands as Amsterdam (instead of Eindhoven) may very well get
it right if we instead end up there instead. I guess anything is possible. I’m along for the ride…my job as au pair to Alex takes me to
wherever they end up. So…it’s either or!!!
I just got used to the idea of moving to London (really didn’t think about it so much until after Greece ). Last weekend Alex and I met up
with Heather there so that he and I could see the place she had already picked out. Really kewl digs and a great neighborhood.
Somewhere in the video is a picture of a sunset on The Thames River basically right outside our front door (I will refer to this as our new
home until I know otherwise).
The kitchen is something I’ve missed here in Eindhoven and where I find it sometimes the challenge as well as lack of desire to create in
my current kitchen (kinda takes the fun out of baking when using a small microwave/ confectioners oven…I can only make 8
snickerdoodles at a time). I would definitely enjoy working in this kitchen (or another like it)!
The flat itself is a much smaller space than what we have here but quite cozy and I am pretty sure Alex and I have the bedroom thing
worked out (the one I want is on the kitchen side of the house…go figure)! The hood is full of great pubs and restaurants right there on
the riverfront….so yeah, I could get used to it. Heather and I were overjoyed when we stopped into the neighborhood convenience store
and right away saw familiar items we have missed here in The Netherlands. Sometimes it’s just the little things.
I realized while I sitting there having a beer with Heather on the riverfront that the language I was hearing wasn’t Dutch (but it sounded
foreign) oh wait, they speak my language (with a British accent). I could actually understand the conversations going on around me.
Kewl! Nothing at all wrong with Dutch but not knowing the language it was suddenly a treat to recognize something I’m familiar with and
hear in general public)!
I’ve been procrastinating on everything I need to get done to organize myself for the 2 months in the U.S. and the move. You can bet I’ll
be busting butt in this last week here! I have been enjoying some quality time with friends just taking it as it comes mainly (and making a
few new ones along the way). I’ll pack at the last minute I already know myself. And what more do I need in Texas this time of year but a
few t-shirts, some shorts and my bathing suit right? Oh yeah…and Stroopwaffles for those few selected that already placed their orders.
Last night (very spur of the moment) I took off to Amsterdam (the hour and a half it takes by train from Eindhoven ) with the same friend I
went to Ghent with a couple weeks ago, Johan! He’s great to go do something like that with (check out the video of the pics I took mostly
in Ghent as well as the website link to explain best what I’m snapping pictures of).
Although Christophe (new friend c- him looking very tour guide like in the video) was a most excellent and informative guide of this
romantic city with a great energy that he grew up in (I forget way too quickly all the info coming towards me to reenact a word for word
account of his great guidance…I’m certain the Ghent link will help). He dedicated his entire day to take us thru medieval Ghent and the
best places to eat, drink and club (mmmm Belgian pancakes and ice cream cones and well, Belgian beers speak for themselves).
There’s nothing at all quite like being shown a place by someone that knows it. I’m telling you it’s the best and just takes a little internet
networking before going to your destination. I’ve made great new friends this way and seen things way off the beaten path as well as
other great hook-ups (like free places to crash)! Ghent was a great and memorable experience for sure. By the way you’ll see the
spelling for it Gent (Dutch) or Ghent (Belgian). I’ll pronounce both (or rather try) when I see ya!
Tomorrow I’ll dump a load of clothes (still purging) I’m getting rid of (yes…to a Dutch guy my size can you believe?) to my friend Paul in
the city of Breda (you may remember some of his art from last year we had posted for ya (Paul Sixta’s Works). Then spend I’ll spend my
Sunday afternoon in Den Bosch (a close by village I’ve been told is worth checking out) with Ramon (Mr. Dutch Bar-B-Q himself). I’m
sure I’ll have some photo opts that will end up in a later update.
Yeah…at this time it’s totally just taking these final moments here as they come with those that it works out with in the moment. There’s
plenty of great new friends I’ve made and some I haven’t reconnected with again and of course I’d like to see them all. But my belief in
having a special connection…the ones that are supposed to stay in touch…they will (even if I have to initiate it…I have those kinds of
friends consistently that happen to appreciate it). Besides… London , Amsterdam , Austin , Greece holidays…I’m sure to get a visitor or
2 somewhere at some time. I’ll hound ya till you do!
Stay in touch…if anything for the mere fact of the hook-up benefits you have wherever you come and visit me. Everywhere is reachable
and the effort to stay in touch worth my time! Sure there’s plenty too that are just going to loose touch but I’ve been fortunate with even
many of those that pop back up a decade later…surprise surprise!!!
I’m obviously looking forward to going back to the area to see old friends, make some new ones and do some familiar things (Ruta Maya;
tex-mex food; bluebell ice cream; 80’s retro at Elysium; Hippie Hollow)! It’ll be a bit strange coming back and being a visitor. It’s kinda
nice knowing I don’t have to prepare and sale a condo this time. It’ll just be quality time chill’n…all except the dental crap I have to get
done while in Ft. Worth but not going to think about that one right now.
My old mobile number is still in existence and will be activated during my entire stay on that side of the pond (July 2-Aug 28)! Pop me
over an email and I’ll make sure those of you that would like it (it’s the same one I’ve had for years so check to see if you might have not
yet deleted me already).
To those of you I won’t be seeing for a little while I’d like to thank for making my life here in Netherlands , a most memorable experience.
I don’t take friendship lightly as most of you that have known me some years are already aware of. Every one of ya’s is significant no
mater what the contribution he or her has made in my personal life.
I’m very much looking forward to my U.S. visit and seeing those of you (as many as I possibly can) that I just gotta see again! Ya’ll know
who you are! Do I really have to tell ya? Get ready for yet, another “good time” He’s back!!! Good times; good times!!!
Be sure to drop me a line with your info as I might not have it updated (especially since I know some of you may have changed phone
numbers since I left) in the next few days so we can make use of the time I’m around them there parts…every moment will be accounted
for! I’ll need help being in contact because well, I don’t want to spend 2 months on the phone making calls (LOL…most of you know I’ll
be in contact if I at least have your number).
Take a peek at Wesley’s main pages and beyond…never know what you’re going to find behind one of those links. Enjoy the journey
and the forever changing new music choices and pictures we take the time to share with our friends.
Much love, peace and to your health…until the next time (across the pond where it’s a hell of a lot hotter than it is here today)!
Always, Jes
10/14/06-2/01/07 Straight On / Heart (For Sara)
6/16/05-7/17/05 Day One / Blackalicious (dedicated to G.H. / JES CHILL'N)
7/18/05-10/18/05 Trip Hop Acid Jazz&Trance /Aphex Twin/Outside Kick Ass Violin
8/14/05-10/29/05 JUST A MOMENT / Sunny and The Sunliners featuring JESSE GARCIA (my dad)
10/29/05-2/20/06 ABRA MOORE / Taking Chances
3/11/06-5/29/06 Eva Cassidy / American Tune
4/1/06-5/19/06 Frank Sinatra / Young At Heart
6/16/06-8/25/06 The Different Story (World of Lust and Crime) / Peter Schilling
Journal Update June 23, 2007
Hey All,
To catch ya’ll up to par I’ll be landing on U.S. soil July 2 for a couple months! Yup…I’ll be back in Texas (and whatever else may come
up), mostly dividing my time seeing friends in Austin and family in Ft. Worth before our big move to…
Well, it’s supposed to be London but there seems to have been some delays (red tape/bureaucracy crap) in filing the correct papers for
Heather to be working in the U.K. legally that may possibly change the outcome at the end. For now we’ll just have to wait and see. For
those of you that keep referring my last year and a half here in The Netherlands as Amsterdam (instead of Eindhoven) may very well get
it right if we instead end up there instead. I guess anything is possible. I’m along for the ride…my job as au pair to Alex takes me to
wherever they end up. So…it’s either or!!!
I just got used to the idea of moving to London (really didn’t think about it so much until after Greece ). Last weekend Alex and I met up
with Heather there so that he and I could see the place she had already picked out. Really kewl digs and a great neighborhood.
Somewhere in the video is a picture of a sunset on The Thames River basically right outside our front door (I will refer to this as our new
home until I know otherwise).
The kitchen is something I’ve missed here in Eindhoven and where I find it sometimes the challenge as well as lack of desire to create in
my current kitchen (kinda takes the fun out of baking when using a small microwave/ confectioners oven…I can only make 8
snickerdoodles at a time). I would definitely enjoy working in this kitchen (or another like it)!
The flat itself is a much smaller space than what we have here but quite cozy and I am pretty sure Alex and I have the bedroom thing
worked out (the one I want is on the kitchen side of the house…go figure)! The hood is full of great pubs and restaurants right there on
the riverfront….so yeah, I could get used to it. Heather and I were overjoyed when we stopped into the neighborhood convenience store
and right away saw familiar items we have missed here in The Netherlands. Sometimes it’s just the little things.
I realized while I sitting there having a beer with Heather on the riverfront that the language I was hearing wasn’t Dutch (but it sounded
foreign) oh wait, they speak my language (with a British accent). I could actually understand the conversations going on around me.
Kewl! Nothing at all wrong with Dutch but not knowing the language it was suddenly a treat to recognize something I’m familiar with and
hear in general public)!
I’ve been procrastinating on everything I need to get done to organize myself for the 2 months in the U.S. and the move. You can bet I’ll
be busting butt in this last week here! I have been enjoying some quality time with friends just taking it as it comes mainly (and making a
few new ones along the way). I’ll pack at the last minute I already know myself. And what more do I need in Texas this time of year but a
few t-shirts, some shorts and my bathing suit right? Oh yeah…and Stroopwaffles for those few selected that already placed their orders.
Last night (very spur of the moment) I took off to Amsterdam (the hour and a half it takes by train from Eindhoven ) with the same friend I
went to Ghent with a couple weeks ago, Johan! He’s great to go do something like that with (check out the video of the pics I took mostly
in Ghent as well as the website link to explain best what I’m snapping pictures of).
Although Christophe (new friend c- him looking very tour guide like in the video) was a most excellent and informative guide of this
romantic city with a great energy that he grew up in (I forget way too quickly all the info coming towards me to reenact a word for word
account of his great guidance…I’m certain the Ghent link will help). He dedicated his entire day to take us thru medieval Ghent and the
best places to eat, drink and club (mmmm Belgian pancakes and ice cream cones and well, Belgian beers speak for themselves).
There’s nothing at all quite like being shown a place by someone that knows it. I’m telling you it’s the best and just takes a little internet
networking before going to your destination. I’ve made great new friends this way and seen things way off the beaten path as well as
other great hook-ups (like free places to crash)! Ghent was a great and memorable experience for sure. By the way you’ll see the
spelling for it Gent (Dutch) or Ghent (Belgian). I’ll pronounce both (or rather try) when I see ya!
Tomorrow I’ll dump a load of clothes (still purging) I’m getting rid of (yes…to a Dutch guy my size can you believe?) to my friend Paul in
the city of Breda (you may remember some of his art from last year we had posted for ya (Paul Sixta’s Works). Then spend I’ll spend my
Sunday afternoon in Den Bosch (a close by village I’ve been told is worth checking out) with Ramon (Mr. Dutch Bar-B-Q himself). I’m
sure I’ll have some photo opts that will end up in a later update.
Yeah…at this time it’s totally just taking these final moments here as they come with those that it works out with in the moment. There’s
plenty of great new friends I’ve made and some I haven’t reconnected with again and of course I’d like to see them all. But my belief in
having a special connection…the ones that are supposed to stay in touch…they will (even if I have to initiate it…I have those kinds of
friends consistently that happen to appreciate it). Besides… London , Amsterdam , Austin , Greece holidays…I’m sure to get a visitor or
2 somewhere at some time. I’ll hound ya till you do!
Stay in touch…if anything for the mere fact of the hook-up benefits you have wherever you come and visit me. Everywhere is reachable
and the effort to stay in touch worth my time! Sure there’s plenty too that are just going to loose touch but I’ve been fortunate with even
many of those that pop back up a decade later…surprise surprise!!!
I’m obviously looking forward to going back to the area to see old friends, make some new ones and do some familiar things (Ruta Maya;
tex-mex food; bluebell ice cream; 80’s retro at Elysium; Hippie Hollow)! It’ll be a bit strange coming back and being a visitor. It’s kinda
nice knowing I don’t have to prepare and sale a condo this time. It’ll just be quality time chill’n…all except the dental crap I have to get
done while in Ft. Worth but not going to think about that one right now.
My old mobile number is still in existence and will be activated during my entire stay on that side of the pond (July 2-Aug 28)! Pop me
over an email and I’ll make sure those of you that would like it (it’s the same one I’ve had for years so check to see if you might have not
yet deleted me already).
To those of you I won’t be seeing for a little while I’d like to thank for making my life here in Netherlands , a most memorable experience.
I don’t take friendship lightly as most of you that have known me some years are already aware of. Every one of ya’s is significant no
mater what the contribution he or her has made in my personal life.
I’m very much looking forward to my U.S. visit and seeing those of you (as many as I possibly can) that I just gotta see again! Ya’ll know
who you are! Do I really have to tell ya? Get ready for yet, another “good time” He’s back!!! Good times; good times!!!
Be sure to drop me a line with your info as I might not have it updated (especially since I know some of you may have changed phone
numbers since I left) in the next few days so we can make use of the time I’m around them there parts…every moment will be accounted
for! I’ll need help being in contact because well, I don’t want to spend 2 months on the phone making calls (LOL…most of you know I’ll
be in contact if I at least have your number).
Take a peek at Wesley’s main pages and beyond…never know what you’re going to find behind one of those links. Enjoy the journey
and the forever changing new music choices and pictures we take the time to share with our friends.
Much love, peace and to your health…until the next time (across the pond where it’s a hell of a lot hotter than it is here today)!
Always, Jes
| Title: I'm in Touch With Your World Click here to explore more of Ghent! |
Main Page Music Selection: ILLEGAL SMILE / JOHN PRINE
10/14/06-2/01/07 Straight On / Heart (For Sara)
6/16/05-7/17/05 Day One / Blackalicious (dedicated to G.H. / JES CHILL'N)
7/18/05-10/18/05 Trip Hop Acid Jazz&Trance /Aphex Twin/Outside Kick Ass Violin
8/14/05-10/29/05 JUST A MOMENT / Sunny and The Sunliners featuring JESSE GARCIA (my dad)
10/29/05-2/20/06 ABRA MOORE / Taking Chances
3/11/06-5/29/06 Eva Cassidy / American Tune
4/1/06-5/19/06 Frank Sinatra / Young At Heart
6/16/06-8/25/06 The Different Story (World of Lust and Crime) / Peter Schilling
Journal Update-Saturday/August 11, 2007
Howdy All (From Austin Texas),
Just a quick update. I arrived on U.S. soil July 3rd and have been enjoying my U.S./Texas summer tour ever since. Pretty much not a
dull moment after safely delivering Alex w/ his grandparents at the airport. It had been a very long day after leaving early morning the
previous day from Eindhoven. Being greeted by my lifetime friend, Duane w/ my favorite grocery items at hand was a most welcomed
sight.
The first thing I go and do is set off the security alarm at Kevin's house where I was going to be house-sitting those 1st couple of weeks.
Guess I was already half asleep (what w/ the going on 24 hours I'd been up) trying to get the cover off the darn box as I desperately tried
to get to it with the alarm code. Duane came to the rescue but...not before the alarm had already gone off. Good thing the police officer
that came out trusted I was ok to be there.
The weeks following so far have been great! I have been hanging out with a new friend, J.R. ("who shot J.R.?") for most of my holiday.
He and I have clicked so well that he came back to hang out some more.
I've seen several friends already, have many more to see, spent a couple weeks in Ft. Worth/Dallas area visiting both family and friends
(and that dreaded dental work I needed to get done for now wasn't so bad) and have played in the lakes and other great Austin
swimming holes (the area having had an abundance of rain this year has it's lakes and creeks at an all time high), and finished that
"been putting off like 3 years I think" piece of art (an addition to existing works by Chris Gunn...check out his site).
http://www.chrisgunn.net/
Bit sore today after near 4 hours of intense pain in that area of my back but well worth that sacrifice (c-pics).
Some things changed at zero hour before leaving Netherlands for this holiday and so we're not going to be moving to London after all. I
was in transition with making that move and feel confident I would have adapted. I'm in that place where I'm open to whatever the
universe has in store for me...I'd have gone with it and adjusted to my new surroundings just as I've done before.
There was a relief though...I'll have to be honest...when Heather told me she'd decided to stay in Eindhoven (The Netherlands) I was
overjoyed with the great news and felt relieved that a choice had been made and going on holiday didn't have to be spent wondering
what London had in store...not a bad thing...but now all I've had on my mind is I'm totally enjoying my time here but going back to my own
bed and my own familiar surroundings soon enough. And that's just nice to know since it's been my home near 2 years (I'm hearing a
picked up again southern dialog in myself while I'm typing and re-reading it out loud...kinda funny, they'll for sure know I've been in
Texas when I get back home).
I've still got a bit over 2 weeks left here. Gonna continue with holidays in best possible form (seeing friends, dancing some more 80's
retro @ Elysium and having others appreciate the art they can easily view on my back I don't get to see so often)...and try not to allow
things like laptop drama stress me out to the point I allowed it to do so. Which brings me to the moral of the selected song of choice.
Listen to the words (I just needed to be reminded is all).
Enjoy the new music and picture selections and stay tuned for some more sometime soon after I'm back in Eindhoven.
See Ya'll Soon
Love and Peace, Jes
10/14/06-2/01/07 Straight On / Heart (For Sara)
6/16/05-7/17/05 Day One / Blackalicious (dedicated to G.H. / JES CHILL'N)
7/18/05-10/18/05 Trip Hop Acid Jazz&Trance /Aphex Twin/Outside Kick Ass Violin
8/14/05-10/29/05 JUST A MOMENT / Sunny and The Sunliners featuring JESSE GARCIA (my dad)
10/29/05-2/20/06 ABRA MOORE / Taking Chances
3/11/06-5/29/06 Eva Cassidy / American Tune
4/1/06-5/19/06 Frank Sinatra / Young At Heart
6/16/06-8/25/06 The Different Story (World of Lust and Crime) / Peter Schilling
Journal Update-Saturday/August 11, 2007
Howdy All (From Austin Texas),
Just a quick update. I arrived on U.S. soil July 3rd and have been enjoying my U.S./Texas summer tour ever since. Pretty much not a
dull moment after safely delivering Alex w/ his grandparents at the airport. It had been a very long day after leaving early morning the
previous day from Eindhoven. Being greeted by my lifetime friend, Duane w/ my favorite grocery items at hand was a most welcomed
sight.
The first thing I go and do is set off the security alarm at Kevin's house where I was going to be house-sitting those 1st couple of weeks.
Guess I was already half asleep (what w/ the going on 24 hours I'd been up) trying to get the cover off the darn box as I desperately tried
to get to it with the alarm code. Duane came to the rescue but...not before the alarm had already gone off. Good thing the police officer
that came out trusted I was ok to be there.
The weeks following so far have been great! I have been hanging out with a new friend, J.R. ("who shot J.R.?") for most of my holiday.
He and I have clicked so well that he came back to hang out some more.
I've seen several friends already, have many more to see, spent a couple weeks in Ft. Worth/Dallas area visiting both family and friends
(and that dreaded dental work I needed to get done for now wasn't so bad) and have played in the lakes and other great Austin
swimming holes (the area having had an abundance of rain this year has it's lakes and creeks at an all time high), and finished that
"been putting off like 3 years I think" piece of art (an addition to existing works by Chris Gunn...check out his site).
http://www.chrisgunn.net/
Bit sore today after near 4 hours of intense pain in that area of my back but well worth that sacrifice (c-pics).
Some things changed at zero hour before leaving Netherlands for this holiday and so we're not going to be moving to London after all. I
was in transition with making that move and feel confident I would have adapted. I'm in that place where I'm open to whatever the
universe has in store for me...I'd have gone with it and adjusted to my new surroundings just as I've done before.
There was a relief though...I'll have to be honest...when Heather told me she'd decided to stay in Eindhoven (The Netherlands) I was
overjoyed with the great news and felt relieved that a choice had been made and going on holiday didn't have to be spent wondering
what London had in store...not a bad thing...but now all I've had on my mind is I'm totally enjoying my time here but going back to my own
bed and my own familiar surroundings soon enough. And that's just nice to know since it's been my home near 2 years (I'm hearing a
picked up again southern dialog in myself while I'm typing and re-reading it out loud...kinda funny, they'll for sure know I've been in
Texas when I get back home).
I've still got a bit over 2 weeks left here. Gonna continue with holidays in best possible form (seeing friends, dancing some more 80's
retro @ Elysium and having others appreciate the art they can easily view on my back I don't get to see so often)...and try not to allow
things like laptop drama stress me out to the point I allowed it to do so. Which brings me to the moral of the selected song of choice.
Listen to the words (I just needed to be reminded is all).
Enjoy the new music and picture selections and stay tuned for some more sometime soon after I'm back in Eindhoven.
See Ya'll Soon
Love and Peace, Jes
| Summer Days |
