DAY 15…..Greece the First Time

Posted on June 11, 2012 by Key West Lou

I never intend to climb anything higher than a bar stool in the future.

Today I did the volcano. Rather, I tried.

The volcano was too tall for me. I was too old for it. In two weeks, I shall be 77. I felt it today.

Boated over to the volcano island with about 60 others. A short ride. Peaceful.

The volcano is an island obviously open at its top. A large crater. The goal of all of us was to reach the top and look in. I was anxious to see the wrath of God or the eyes of the devil or whatever. I saw none. I never made it to the top.

I started the journey to the top at the front of the pack. Shortly, I was at the end. Then I was part of the stragglers. Then I was THE STRAGGLER. Finally my group was a speck up ahead.

I was tired! Simply said.

My legs were heavy. Very heavy. From the knees down to my feet. My chest kept feeling full. I was breathing, but not normally. Interestingly, my heart did not pound like crazy.

I stopped about a dozen times. Drank lots of water.

The path up was narrow. Dirt and all size lava rocks. Staying erect was a problem on occasion.

The island was one mass of lava. Hundreds of peaks. Pointed. If I fell of the path, I would have been impaled on one of them.

I made it about two thirds the way up. Then I said no more. I had had it.

The walk down was a strain, also. I would have thought it would be easy. I took a wrong turn at one point and ended up on a narrower trail. Like two feet wide. Again, if I fell, impalement was my destiny. Sliding on the dirt and lava was more of a problem going down than it was up.

I finally made it to the bottom. I felt as exhilarated as if I had made it to the top. I climbed on board the boat, found a shady spot and stretched out. My thoughts were isolated to one. F–k everybody! I know. It does not make sense.

The trip guide told us before we started up the hill that the volcano was still alive. It was emanating energy through the ground. We would feel it in our bodies and become energized. Didn’t work for me.

A ride to the volcano springs was next. The springs were part of a cove. When we were thirty meters off the cove, the boat captain announced he was parking there. Anyone who wanted to experience the warm spring fed cove waters could dive off and swim for it. His final admonition was return when I blow the horn or you will be left here. I could not tell whether he mean it.

Immediately ninety per cent of the boat rose, stripped to their bathing suits and dove! It was then I realized that those ninety per cent diving into the water were all young. Thirty tops. No wonder the trip up seemed easy for them.

It was a long day. We were then taken to a small island that was one of the break off islands that occurred when the volcano had its major eruption. Fifteen hundred years before Christ!

Forgive me, I do not recall the name of the island. Very few inhabitants. Three small restaurants beach side. A bunch of donkeys if you wanted a ride up the island’s hills.

I had one drink and lunch. No gin. Ouzo. Grilled squid. Huge grilled shrimp. And some other things.

The restaurants all cook outside. Not on grills as we know them. They actually grill on large stove type operations. The cook is king. He makes you aware of it by his actions. A good show.

Then back to Santorini.

I wanted to flop on the bed and sleep. But first I had to clean up. I was filthy from the lava dust. All over. I have yet to experience a normal shower here. The showers are those hand held jobs. I sat in the tub, turned the water on and let it clean all the muck off me. I even wore my sandals into the tub. They were the most dirty and I was too tired to remove them.

That is it for today! I am shot! Hope you have enjoyed your day!

I enjoyed 2 extensive trips to Greece over a period of two years. I especially enjoyed how 2 of the blogs turned out. Each interesting in its own fashion.

One is The Volcano which you just read. The other is Flora. I actually think Flora might be the better. It touches a person’s soul.

It was 7 or 8 years ago, I wrote Flora. Not sure if my first or second trip. Keep an eye out for it. Yes, I plan on following Greece the First Time with Greece the Second Time.

I have a ton of photos. Trying to locate them the problem. As and when I do, they will be shared with you.

Day 1 of the Impeachment trial yesterday. The Democratic presentation was well done. The Trump camp’s much to be desired. Trumps attorneys were terrible. I am qualified to make the observation. They “argued” Trump’s position like attorneys out of law school 2 years.

The tally was 56-44. Trump’s impeachment was deemed Constitutional.

Now on to the trial on its merits. Regardless of the proof , its quality and presentation, Trump will not be found guilty of the impeachment charge. Not because he is truly Innocent. Rather because the vote will be political and the Republicans have the numbers. Note that 67 votes, not a mere majority, is required for a guilty verdict.

The term might is right is a familiar one. Defined it means that a person’s view of right and wrong is determined by those in power. Winners win. The Republicans have the votes. They will win on Trump’s behalf.

Might is right is also the credo of a totalitarian regime. Trump comes to mind. That which he was seeking to turn the U.S. into. In four years, Trump has become all powerful. Persons who have power are able to do what they want because no one can stop them.

Even moral righteousness in most instances cannot with stand the  onslaught of might.

Trump and the Republican Party’s might is diminishing. Not there yet, however. Guaranteed it will come. Via the American way. The ballot box!

I did it again last night. I fell. Around 1 in the morning. Between my bedroom and master bathroom. Did a number. The worst fall yet.

Doubt I broke any bones. However in 3-4 days I am going to be purple in several areas of my body. It always happens. I am on blood thinners and the coloring is inevitable.

My poor face. Took a major hit. I expect a black eye and 1/3 of the side of my face to badly color. Going to look terrific! It takes forever for this type bruising to disappear.

My left arm wrist to elbow damaged. Thought the wrist might be broken. Dos not appear to be so. Discoloration already begun. Red going to purple. Both knees will likewise be purple.

I know. Where was the cane? I tend not to use it in the house. If I sense I’m going to fall, there is always a wall, piece of furniture, etc. to grab onto. I grabbed the wall last night. My theory proved false.

Getting old is a whole new world.

Enjoy your day!