999 Steps Up, 999 Down!😬
Last night after dinner, we walked along the waterfront in the warm evening air. It was very pleasant and I carefully pushed away any thoughts of the cold weather we would return to. Live in the moment…live in the moment..,
This morning we woke early in our really nice little apartment. A definite upgrade over the prior place, but more pricey. We sorted out a cash deal with the owner which reduces the price by €35 and will cover our dinner tonight.🙂 The price reduction also evens out our adjustments in accommodation costs yesterday.
Today my day started right! My first cup of tea in three days. And it was leaf tea in a proper pot. I knew today was going to be a perfect day!
After a nice breakfast we walked down to the waterfront to start a walk I’d heard about on YouTube. It was beautifully calm this morning.
We completed the boardwalk at a rocky beach that we would return to in the late afternoon for a swim. There was a dirt trail that continued and Annemarie gave me the thumbs up to continue. It was really lovely.
Today the flowers caught my eye. Pure delight and simplicity!
We walked on for a while and after checking in with Annemarie I headed back alone.
I had decided to head up what is locally known as the 999 Stair Climb which leads to the fortress. In 2003 when Erin and I enjoyed Napflion, we decided against the climb and I’ve sort of regretted it ever since. This time I was determined (and probably fitter). One can drive to the top of Palamidi Fortress, but to climb the 999 steps seems healthier. So off I went,
As I climbed I experienced many thoughts including; how stupid am I to do this?; is this going to be worth it?; this is just like the LOTR when Frodo, Sam and Gollum climbed into Mordor through Sheba’s Lair; and, are we there yet?? I always have random thoughts when I walk alone.
And is the climb worth it? Absolutely!!
At the very top of the back (south) end of the fortress I find a doorway that seemingly leads into oblivion, where I sit and just take it all in and let my thoughts wander where they will. I’m joined by an Israeli couple in their mid-50’s with children, and as usually happens we chat for a time about a few of the things that are happening in both our worlds. Such an interesting conversation. As with many couples they have differing opinions about politics and world events. She thinks that Trump has saved them. Her husband thinks Trump is insane and points out that Biden and prior presidents have been supportive of Israel. They both think that the world is against them. I change topics and we talked about an Israeli couple that my sister and I travelled with for a time in 1975 in Switzerland and across northern Italy. We were hitchhiking and they (also a brother and sister) picked us up in their wealthy uncle’s Volvo. They had no idea how to drive the high Swiss mountain roads or the high speed Italian Autostrada. So I drove, under the guise of teaching the younger brother how to drive such challenges.😅 His driving was absolutely frightening! We got out in Venice and by chance we bumped into them two months later in London coming out of the long-running stage play The Mouse Trap. They told us that a couple of days after they’d dropped us that they had a bad accident and totalled their uncle’s car. They were both ok. Luckily it was a Volvo!😬
I told them that I badly wanted to travel to their country and also to Jordan, but that I would wait until things settled in their country. They told me that it was safe now and that if I came that they would protect me. They meant it nicely, but our differing perspectives and experiences generate equally different realities. They were used to working during the days and then spending their nights in bomb shelters. We agreed that their lives are sometimes lived much like present life in many Ukrainian cities. It was my most interesting conversation on this trip so far.
Anyway…
Views from the descent.
I returned to the apartment to meet Annemarie and we headed out for a light lunch and a swim.
We arrived to swim and the sky changed.
The wind came up and suddenly I didn’t feel a whole lot like swimming. Annemarie was less put off, but then she was wearing swim shoes to cross the pebbles and stones that cut into your feet.😱 She is much braver than me and loves swimming much more than I do. The beaches on Kos and Crete are sandy, so I’m saving myself!😂
Time for a shower and then dinner! Dinner time is after 7:30 here.
Have a nice Monday holiday Canada!🇨🇦
Geoff🍷
PS. My buddy Rob told me that it was 4° at home this morning!🥶
