A NEW USE FOR PARKING GARAGES

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Today’s blog is late. Sorry. I had a 9 o’clock dentist appointment. I could not get the blog done before the dentist visit.

I was in the chair two hours.

The tune Onward Christian Soldiers runs through my mind. I keep going and going and going to the dentist. Will it ever end?

My implants did not hold during the trip. A problem. Did not let it spoil my good time, however.

The implants have been an ongoing problem.

I think we finally got it this morning. I just finished lunch and experienced no difficulty.

The hills and steps got to me on the trip. I did perseverve, however. Actually I had no choice. It was either walk up them or go no where.

By the end of the trip, I was in better physical shape than at the beginning. The hills and steps were responsible for my reconditioning. Unintentionally, I had improved my physical being.

My intent is to keep walking to keep me in shape. One of you recently wrote me and suggested a stairclimber. Key West has no hills. It is flat. I needed the up and down to keep in shape.

I did not want to return to the gym. Did not like it. Came up with a brilliant idea.

Use a parking garage!

The Key West hotels that have garages have huge ones. Generally at least four stories. Things are slow in the summer. Ergo, little if any traffic in the garages. I picked one and went. I was correct. No cars, no traffic. I walked up the four stories and then down. Up and down for an hour. The up was a good incline. Raised a sweat.

The parking garage is my solution. Until I get arrested for loiteering.

Needed to get out last night. My goal was La Trattoria for dinner. Wanted to see Kathy and Becha.

I started at the Chart Room. Packed. Not even breathing room. No one I knew. All tourists. I left.

Then to Don’s Place. Todd bartending. Jimmy at the bar alone. Joanie working selling tee shirts at the Green Parrot.

Jimmy and I had a couple of drinks together and a good talk. Jimmy reads my blog and knew every aspect of the trip. Jimmy had been in Europe in the 1980s with the service. He was personally familiar with Italy and Turkey. We had a great discussion about the various countries and peoples.

After Don’s Place, I headed over to La Trattoria.

There she was! Mistress of the bar! Kathy!

Love Kathy. Everyone in Key West loves Kathy. She had some heavy surgery several months ago and is on the mend. I got my kiss and enjoyed sharing words with her. She had a busy bar and got to me to chat in between customers.

No Becha. Night off. I was disappointed.

I was enjoying a drink and had not ordered yet. I looked up and there was Dottie. I have not seen Dottie in four years. She married and went to Mexico to live. She is back in Key West working. Her husband is in Mexico.

It was wonderful seeing Dottie again. An embrace and a kiss, of course. Then we started talking as if we had just seen each other last the day before. We continued the evening together dining at the bar.

Dottie is working at a jewelry store on Duval. She appeared happy. I am happy for her.

My beard continues to grow. It is now six weeks old. Looks good, looks bad. Have not made up my mind yet. Comments from others are interesting. Makes you look older, makes you look younger, are you cracking up, what happened, and the like.

I have no immediate intention to shave.

Enjoy your day!

LOTS HAPPENING

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I wrote yesterday that Robert was attending a one week fun trip under the auspices of the Miami Childrens Hospital for youthful cancer survivors. The group consists of about 32 kids. Boys and girls.

Saturday night they attended the Marlins game. The group received all kinds of goodies and acknowledgements. Met the players, practised on the field, one threw out the opening pitch, etc.

I write this blog and everyone things I am very computer savy. I am not.

Lisa received a picture yesterday of Robert at the Marlins game. He is standing in a line with the other cancer survivors. Some Marlin players behind them.

Lisa posted the picture on Facebook this morning. Go to facebook and see it. Search Lisa Malcom. Robert is the third from left. The one with the blond hair. The picture will touch your heart. Guaranteed.

Because I am computer inept when it comes to posting pics, I have to send you directly to Lisa on Facebook.

These children are cancer survivors. Lisa talked with the mother of one of the other children last night. The mother had visited with the kids briefly yesterday. When she came upon them, they were openly talking about having had cancer and that they could have died. They were showing each other their scars.

Robert is aware of what he went through at birth. Even though cured, he is aware it affects his life. For example, he has to be checked at Miami Childrens Hospital till he is 21. He and the family pack up the car and go several times a year. How could he not understand!

God bless these kids!

Sloan and I worked long and hard yesterday morning. Our early Sunday was committed to organizing the 600 pictures taken on my trip. Soon some will be exhibited in epilogue fashion. Not all 600. That became clear yesterday. We have decided on showing the best 50. We are still getting down to that number. If 50 does not do it, I will figure some way of showing more. You shall not miss the good ones.

Walked big time again. After Sloan and I had finished. Longer than the previous day. I must keep it up! That last comment sounds sensual. Not meant to be. Sounds good, though.

There are many tourists in Key West. I am pleased. Both tourists and merchants are happy. This is a good time to visit Key West. Prices are generally half off. Meals 2 for 1. A bargain.

I spent a lot of time at the Plantation Coffee House. Reading the Sunday newspapers and sipping coffee. Both Theo and Diane were there. A hard working couple. Pleasant people.

There were several tourists seated in one area. They were chatting about the weather. The topic of discussion was whether it was going to rain yesterday. It was around one. The sun was bright and hot. Few clouds. The morning had been the same. They were convinced it would not. One of them even said he checked everything out on the internet and he was certain that it was going to be a dry day.

I wanted to tell them how wrong they were. I did not want to bust their bubble, however. It rains every day in Key West in the summer. it is our rainy season.

Sure enough around four, the deluge came. Torrential rain.

Chickens have been a problem over the years in Key West. Several years ago the city fathers paid someone to remove the chickens. Chickens are some sort of an endangered species in Florida. They cannot be killed. They must be captured, properly crated, and sent to a chicken farm somewhere in northern Florida to enjoy the rest of their days.

Key West hired a chicken catcher. He was to receive $20 per chicken. The caging and trucking expenses north were to come out of the $20. The chicken catcher did not last long. He quit. Said he could not make money. The chickens still rule the streets of Key West.

Yesterday’s Key West Citizen had an interesting article. Somewhat related.

Page 2 of the Citizen daily publishes historical events. The paper calls it Today In Key West History. One of the items mentioned occurred 100 years ago. It involved the city and county commissions getting together at a special meeting to combat what apparently was a problem at the time. The bubonic plague. Heavy stuff. The two commissions voted to pay anyone who would help to eliminate the rodents who caused the problem. Five cents per rat, one cent per mouse. Dead or alive.

Hemingway Days start to day. Run through Sunday. One of the big events is the Hemingway Look A-Like Contest. It is held annually at Sloppy Joe’s. Now that I have a beard, all of seven weeks old, I considered entering. On second thought, I realized I am not ready. The beard needs to grow more. Perhaps next year.

I feel good. The jet lag seems to have gone. However, I layed down again yesterday afternoon at 4 for a short nap. Did not wake till 9. Screwed up my game plan for the night. It was to have been dinner at the bar at La Trattoria and visiting with Kathy and Becha. Perhaps next week.

Enjoy your day!

ROBERT AT MARLINS GAME LAST NIGHT

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Robert’s day yesterday! He was at the Miami Marlins game with all the frills. He got to play on the field before the game, received a hat and jersey, met the players, etc. A big night for Robert.

His appearance at the Marlins game came about strangely. I have told the story before. It would be remiss not to tell it again.

Robert was born with cancer. Cancer of the liver. Babies are not supposed to be born with cancer. It is an after birth acquired illness. Only .007 per cent of new births come into the world with cancer.

Unfortunately, Robert was one of them.

In the first eight days of his life, Robert had two major surgeries to remove the cancer. He spent many days in the hospital. The hospital was Miami Childrens Hospital.

I was there as this terrible tragedy played itself out. Fortunately, everything turned out well.

Miami Childrens is one fantastic place. Big like a collefge campus. Many building. Thousands of people daily moving about. The best doctors in the world for kids. Miami Childrens tries to/does cure many illnesses.

I believe Miami Childrens Hospital and God saved Robert.

Robert is now 8. Maturing well. Healthy.

Miami Childrens started something last year which has been continued this year. A one week trip for the children they treated who now are cancer survivors. It is a big trip. Robert not only attended last night’s Marlins game first class, he also will visit Disney World, swim with the dolphions and do many other wonderful things.

Miami Childrens says the reason they do this is to celebrate the lives of those they have saved. The comment is further to the effect…..we treat so many and so many do not survive.

That is why Robert was at the Marlins game last night. I am glad he was there. Thrilled. More because he is alive and well and could do it.

My morning yesterday started with foolishness. Cracked me up.

I had showered and dried off. Went to deodorize. I had purchased deodorant in Italy. Figured I would use it. A big can. Had anti-arrossamento printed on it. I assumed that had something with deodorizing.

Lifted my arm and gave it a shot. It was not deodorant. It was shaving cream. All over my arm, side of my body and beyond. The beyond was the the glass enclosure of the shower and the floor. A mess.

I looked in the mirror. Smiled. And said aloud…..You asshole!

The trip helped. I am physically in better shape that when I left. Much better shape. It was the hills and steps. I want to improve on my condition, if I can. Walking big time is my goal. I did yesgterday. Walked twice the distance I normally would when I did walk. In the mid day sun. Other than being soaking wet at the conclusion, I was A-OK.

Stopped at Coffee Plantation on Caroline afterwards. Had a late lunch. A toasted bagel with cream cheese and a bottle of water.

Owner Diane was there. She came over to say hello and welcome back. She reads this blog and my weekly column in KONK Life. A nice person. We chatted a bit about the trip. She and her husband Theo hope to make a trip to Italy some time soon.

Sloan due here later in the morning. We are going to work on the Epilogue to my trip. Over 600 pictures to be organized and shown very soon.

Enjoy your Sunday!

A BUSY FRIDAY

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Good morning!

A lovely Saturday to you!

It rained big time yesterday. All day. This is Key West’s rainy season. However not as much as yesterday. Normally, it rains once a day around one in the afternoon for 10 minutes.

I was driving home at one point and it started pouring. Heavy. Like I almiost could not see. It started on the boulevard and continued on US 1. I turned into Key Haven. Went 100 feet and noticed everything was dry. It had not rained in Key Haven where I live. This is not an uncommon happening. Many times Lisa will telephone to warn me not to go out. The rain was too heavy. I ask…..What rain? It would be raining in Key West, but not Key Haven.

A humid Friday morning yesterday. Heavy. Felt like you could cut it with a knife.

My morning was busy.

My first stop was the dentist. My cell phone was broke and I wanted to make an appointment. For my teeth, not the phone. I see the dentist Tuesday at 10. My implants screwed up on the trip again. My teeth do not stay in.

Then it was to KONK Broadcasting to do my internet show. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. The show was good. A bit of a travelogue, followed by a segment of news commentary. I was pleased to be back doing the show. I had missed it.

KONK Broadcasting is on the third floor of an old renovated building in Key West. Actually, it is in a very well done remodeled attic. There are two flights of steps to KONK. Many and steep. Prior to the trip, I had to pause at the first landing to catch my breath. When I reached the top, I had to pause again.

Yesterday, I moved up those two sets of steps like a young kid. Easy and swift. No concern. No getting winded. The trip had helped me in this regard. All those hills and steps I complained of in Italy and Greece had conditioned me a bit.

My cell phone was not working. Ergo had to stop at Dr. Leffert’s office to make an appointment. My little finger on my right hand is infected at the tip. Swollen. Reddish. Looked pussy. It got cut getting a manicure in Athens ten days ago. An appoinment was made for one o’clock.

The next stop was Verizon. My man there is Diego. He swiftly took care of the problem. It was not the phone. It was me. I did not know what I was doing.

Then to Walgreens. I had picked up one of my prescription drugs the day before. It was not correct. I had a new prescription that Walgreens had already filled and failed to cancel the old one. The mistake had cost me $134, even with insurance. I am in the doughnut. A screw job in and of itself.

Got my $134 back. Had to wait 15 minutes for the manager to do it. An inconvenience. Walgreens never learns. They are inconsiderate to their drug customers. Long lines, waiting. With all the money they are making off prescription drugs, they could hire another two people and not even feel it off their cash flow.

Back to Dr. leffert’s office. Yes, I had an infection. She told me what to do. I will do it as well as taking an antibiotic. My pinkie will be well in short course.

I needed to publish a column on Amazon Kindle. Did. The title: Life Begins First Day of a Woman’s Last Menstrual Cycle. A bit confuing. You havve to read the title a couple of times to fully grasp it. There was no other way for me to say it.

Arizona is anti-abortion. They have a new law designed to shorten the time within which an abortion may be performed. They passed the law just to cut two days off the time frame. In order to do it, they had to disregard and manipulate medical science and natural law.

An interesting column.

I am getting better with the jet lag. However at 4 I was tired. I intended to go out for dinner. Layed on the bed for a short nap. Woke at 9. Too late to go out. Stayed in.

Tom Dixon lives in Buffalo. He is a Key West snow bird. Owns property here. He wrote me toward the end of my trip and said that the jet lag was not as bad flying back. He was right! It is no where as heavy as the initial trip to Italy.

Enjoy your day!

KEY WEST LOU LEGAL HOUR RETURNS

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The Key West Lou Legal hour is back. This morning. Ten my time. World wide. www.konkbroadcasting.com. Join me! I am going to do a little rerun on the trip, together with some thoughts on Obama healthcare, Penn State, and Romney’s tax returns.

Jet lag was bad yesterday. Very bad. An all day event.

The blog took me almost four hours to do. My mind and fingers were slow and not working together. I slept four hours in the afternoon. The sleep of the dead. When I woke it was 5:30. The sun was up. It was shining through the window. What the hell was the sun doing up so early? I thought it was morning. It took my mind a few seconds to realize it was supper time.

Dinner was at Lisa’s. My belated birthday dinner. Robert and Ally sitting on each side of me. No Corey. He is diving off Key Largo this week.

Hopefully, today will be better. I am sure it will be. It is now four days I have been back.

A short blog today. I did not do much yesterday. Ergo, I have little to report.

Remember to join me for my internet show this morning.

Enjoy your day!

AVALANCHE KILLS SIX NEAR CHAMONIX WHERE I WAS TWO WEEKS AGO

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My sleeping is all screwed up. Still feeling the effects of jet lag. I am into day 3. Yesterday was not bad. I thought I was on the mend. Today, I feel like a brick wall fell on me.

I was shocked when I read the news on the internet this morning. There was an avalanche in the Alps near Chamonix, France. Six killed.

I was there two weeks ago.

I stayed a week in a valley that sits half way up the Alps. An Italian town. Courmier. A half hour drive away is Chamonix, France. Chamonix is in the Alps, also. I spent two days in Chamonix.

The Alps are big! Bigger than anything I have ever seen!

The vally was in/on Mont Blanc. Mont Blanc is not one mountain. It ia range of mountains consisting of eight or eleven peaks. I cannot recall the exact number. One of the peaks itself is called Mont Blanc. The Mont Blanc peak is the highest in the Alps and Europe. The third highest peak is Mont Maudt. Some people were attempting a climb to the peak on Mont Maudt. An avalanche occurred which killed six people.

I recall that each of the Molnt Blanc peaks was covered with humongous ice glaciers. One morning when I woke and stepped outside, the glaciers and a good part of the mountain top wrere covered with a snow which had fallen during the night. As I was driving into Chamonix that morning, I noticed the temperature was 11 degrees C., which is something around 29 degrees F. At the time I was at least a mile below the peaks. So cold it was and cold enough to snow.

It was Lori time yesterday. Did I need a haircut!

For the past two years, my head has been shaved. While on my trip, I did not get a haircut. My hair was shooting out all over the place when I sat in the chair yesterday. I told Lori….I want the keep the hair. She trimmed it accordingly. Looks terrific!

Lori wanted to trim my beard a bit. It is now six weeks old. I was hesitant. It is not full grown yet. I had her only tidy up the neck portion.

I look like one of the Smith Brothers. How many of you remember the Smith Brothers?

Had lunch with two of my favorite people. Robert and Ally. They picked I Hop. While I enjoyed two eggs and toast, Robert devoured a Philly cheesesteak sandwich and Ally a huge cheeeseburger. God bless young appetites!

Tomorrow Rolbert goes to Miami Children’s Hospital for his semi annual check up. Then Saturday he is off on a week’s vacation under the auspices of Miami Children’s as he did last year.

Robert was born with cancer of the liver. He had two major surgeries the first eight days of his life. At Miami Children’s Hospital. Robert survived. Miami Childen’s and God saved him.

Last year Miami Children’s started a program to take those saved on a fantastic one week vacation all over Florida. Robert enjoyed it. He returns this year for another such trip.

Robert still sees the same doctors who worked on him during those early days. When one doctor was asked why the trip, the docotor explained…..we lose so many…..we want to celebrate in a happy fashion those saved.

I slept yesterday afternoon. I am letting my body call the shots.

I did go out around 5. I wanted to see my friends.

First stop was Don’s Place. No Don. For whatever reason, he did not even play golf yesterday. Kurt, Herschel and Herschel’s brother were there.

Kurt generally wears a bushy white beard. He said I needed some trimming. He agreed with Lori. Herschel has some hair on his face. He thought mine looked good.

My next stop was the Chart Room. Home coming time!

Emily bartending. Love Emily. One of the nicest and sharpest people I know. She reads this blog every day. Knew my trip intimately.

Captain Peter was there. Peter is not into computers. Does not own one. He knew I was in Europe. The other Chart Roomers kept him up to date regarding the trip.

Captain Peter has been everywhere in the world. He is British born. Now an American citizen. Has been to Greece, Italy and France. He chatted with me for a while about the Greek isles he has visited.

The Captain was excited. He had purchased a van while I was gone. Took me out into the parking lot to show me. It gives him a land place to sleep when he is not on his boat. The boat is moored two miles out. Some nights it is difficult to find. I fear Peter is going to end up in Cuba one of these days.

Sheila greeted me with a hug and kiss. She keeps up with the blog daily, also. Sheila drives one of Ed Swift’s conch trains.

David came in. Good to see him, also. A loyal reader. He wrote me several e mails commenting on the blogs while I was away.

The newlyweds arrived. Sean and Katherine. Just returned from their honeymoon two days ago. Both happy and rested. I owe them a dinner and wedding present. Next week.

While they were luxurating on a Caribbean beach, an announcement was received that Sean had won some sort of junior type Pulitizer Prize for an article he wrote. Sean is a newspaper reporter.

Tourists Mark and Kimberly at the bar. They were taking in the conversation about my trip. They joined in.

Mark and Kimberly are from Columbus, Ohio. A great place! I did legal work there as a young attorney.

Mark works for Ford. Kimberly is a school teacher. Mark a Republican. Kimberly I am not sure. However, it was evident she was an unhappy trouper. Ohio’s Governor had tried to cut back on some of her teacher benefits.

Mark and I got into it briefly on a friendly basis. Kimberfly kept telling her husband to be quiet. He was not and I was not. We had a polite exchange. This is their third year in Key West. They have stayed at the Pier House each time. They are becoming locals.

Then it was early home to bed. Jet lag ruling the evening.

I learned from Herschel that our bocce team did not make the playoffs. We ended up in 5th place. Need to be in the top 4 to qualify for the playoffs.

There is bocce disconnect. Some teams/players are upset with each other. As a result there is no bocce banquet/party scheduled.

Who would think people know of Watertown? A city in the northern part of New York. About 80-90 miles from Utica. I mentioned yesterday that I had run into Ryno. I said he used to live 14 miles away from me in Watertown. I must have been screwed up from the jet lag. It is Waterville. A ton of you corrected my misstatement. Thank you.

I am back as regards my internet show, also. The Key West Lou Legal Hour. Friday at ten in the morning my time. Worldwide. Join me. Besides hearing my enlightning words, you can see my new beard.

i am going to touch on many topics tomorrow. Including Greece and the euro. As I reprted in the trip blogs, the problem has the makings of a World War III. It is incindiary. I was there and personally observed the feelings. I plan on sharing some trip highlights, also. It should be an interesting show.

Enjoy your day!

FIRST DAY BACK

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Yesterday, I looked like a homeless man coming out from under the bridge in the morning. Ravished! Could not make myself look good. Did not feel good. Did not care. The condition is called jet lag.

The first thing I did was the last two days of my blog. The travel blog. Today, back to normal. I shall miss the travel portion. However, I am glad to be home and writing again about the mundane things in my life.

In my Key West wanderings yesterday, I missed something. Something I saw on an almost daily basis in Europe. Clotheslines full of wash. Things do look better howeverr without the wash hanging outside.

There is one thing I definitely do not miss. The computers. European computers have different key pads. Italy was the worst. Many letters were not where they are on American computers. @ was different on Italian and Greek computers. Both in different places. These thingst made doing the blog at least one third longer in time. So many mistakes to correct!

Epilogue comming. I have a double disc of over 600 photos. Doing it beyond my capabilities. Need Sloan. We will start in the next couple of days.

I lost some weight on the trip. Thought I did. Only 5 pounds. But, 5 pounds is 5 pounds. It was the hills and stairs. Not the food. I ate everything. My stomach is down. More than 50 per cent. Again, the hills and stairs.

Unpacked a bit off and on yesterday. Plain did not feel like doing it. Have more to do today. Need to get Anna over. I have a ton of dirty clothes. The longer I was away, the less I washed.

Need a couple of naps during the day. Went to sleep at 7 last night. Up now at 3. I stayed up as long as I could last night.

Needed a manicure. Saw Tammy at Lee Nails. She did not like my beard! Crushed me! The first one who did not. Even my daughter Lisa liked it. Tammy said it made me look older.

Tammy followed my blog day by day while I was on the trip. Made me feel good.

The cupboard really was bare. Anna had cleaned out the refrigerator. I had to go to Publix. I only got half of what I needed. No fruit. My head was screwed up.

Ran into Ryno as I was pulling into the Publix parking lot. Ryno is one of Key West’s premier radio people. Every day for several hours. Ryno started me out on radio at KONK three years ago. He was the station engineer. He is from Watertown, N.Y., about 15 miles from my hometown of Utica. A sweet person.

I rolled the window down and we chatted a bit. He referred to me as the globe trotter. He was reading the blog, also. Thank you, Ryno.

I need a haircut. I have hair for the first time in years. Growing out every which way. I am going to keep some hair. Needs trimming bad, however. Even Tammy said…..Get a haircut!

My appointment with Lori is 10:15 this morning. I should look beautiful and ready for my Key West world afterward.

Two stops definitely today. Don’s Place around 4. Then the Chart Room at 6. Then I will really be back!

When I left Key West, the sun was shining. Little, if any, rain. I return two months later and Key West is into the rainy season. Night and day. Pouring outside right now. Thunder and lightning over the ocean. Nothing like ocean lightning at night! It joins you in bed.

Enjoy your day!

DAYS 43 and 44

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I am back!

In lovely humid rainy Key West!

Truly, there is no place like home. My pillow and mattress. My bathroom. My comfort and comfort factor.

There is a movie called Independence Day. One of the Quaide brothers is in it. The crazy one. I think Randy. At the end of the movie, Quaide opts to fly his plane into a huge war vessel from outer space. One that has been destroying earth. He knows there is a nuclear bomb stuck in an opening to the air vessel. As he aims his plane for it in order to destroy the enemy and of necessity himself, he shouts with a smile on his face…..I’m back! That is how I feel.

Good does not accurately describe the trip. It was trerrific! Two months in three foreign countries. What could be better!

This is a two day blog. Sunday, my last full day in Novara. Monday, my trip home.

I tried to do the blog yesterday in Atlanta between planes. Too tried. No way could I do it.

Sunday was full of last minute details.

Terrific lunch! A fresh fish. Broiled whole. A bit of oil.

Shopped. For Robert and Ally. Found a lovely white shift dress for Ally. It matches the one I bought for Lisa in Athens. Found a great bathing suit for Robert. I never bought anything for Corey or Cameron. Saw nothing that turned me on. They will get my best wishes and an apology.

I spent a portion of Sunday afternoon reading a couple of English newspapers. British. Hard to come by. I love reading and missed it a lot on the trip. Not enough English material available.

Then a Sunday afternoon nap. Followed by packing. Always a pain.

I was surprised that my bags were less full than when I left. I could not have become such a great packer in such a short time. This morning I received an e mail. I left a lot of stuff in the apartment in Novara.

Some observations I would like to share with you. Some previously mentioned. However, worth mentioning again.

When I was preparing to leave for the trip, many people told me to be careful. Europpeans did not like Americans. I did not know what to expect.

They were all wrong. One hundred per cent. The Greeks and Italians I met all loved me and Americans. They want to know more about us. They want to live here. Two asked me to take them with me when I returned. They were serious. This is the land of milk and honey from their perspective.

In Greece, Italy and France all one hears music wise are American songs. Sung in English. In Greece where I spent about four weeks, I only heard Greek tunes 3 times. Never in Italy or Greece. They are American crazy!

They like Americans on a personal basis, also. They sought me out for conversation purposes. They have an unending interest in us and our ways.

Greeks work hard. Harder than most. Harder than the Italians.

Greeks try to make a buck when they can. Their season is 6 months. They work 6 months. Seven days a week. Twelve hours a day. I did not meet one Greek who did not work that shift. The Greeks understood you have to make it when you can.

The Italians must have enough money. They close from 12-3. Nothing is open on Sunday. Including restaurants. Saturdays are slow business days also, in the sense that little is open.

Greeks and Italians hate Germans. Both got screwed over by Germany in World War II. The feeling still exists. That is why Merkel’s Germany is so disliked by Greeks and Italians. World War II was only 65 years ago. Recall how we still fight the Civil War in the United States and that war has been behind us more than 150 years.

Of the three countries visted, each had its own unique personality. The people each different. I liked the Greeks the best. Warm. The Italians are stand offish. The French snobbish. They think their s–t does not stink.

I could not sleep Sunday night. I had to rise at 4:30 to drive one hour to Milan to be at the airport and check in 2 hours before flight time. In Europe, if you do not check your bags 2 hours before, the bags do not get on the plane. You are told this by the airlines constantly.

I was up at 4:30. I slept little worrying that I might not wake timely.

It was a pleasant drive to Milan. No traffic to speak of.

The Milan to Atlanta Delta flight was 10.5 hours. A long time. I read one whole Girshom novel, 2 English newspapers and a Time magazine. Plus watched a movie. Time moved quickly for me.

I had a 5 hour lay over in Atlanta. A killer. I started falling asleep in the airport. I kept fighting the sleep for fear I would miss my plane.

Lisa and the grandkids met me at the Key West airport. A grand feeling to see them! Robert and Ally ran to hug and kiss me. They had both made a welcoming home card for me. It was wonderful to see Lisa, also. Robert and Ally were in their pajamas. It was past their bed time.

I finally got to bed at 11 last night. Slept two shifts of 2.5 hours each. Otherwise wide awake. I figure I have at least 5 days of jet lag with which to deal.

Customs in Atlanta was a big deal. A lot of it. Europe no where as thorough as we are.

There was a young man in front of me. He was stopped 3 times and questioned. One time the dog sniffed his bag. I thought he was dead there. He got through. Till the end. Then security came over and took his passport and him.

My shaved head now has hair. Short, but obvious. I am going to keep it. However, a trim needed which I hope I can get from Lori today.

I grew a beard. Well, lets say I am trying. I have not shaved in over 5 weeks. I think I look gritty. Everyone including Lisa likes it. I will live with it for a while. What I love about the beard is that I do not have to shave. I have always hated shaving.

DAY 44 is the end of the story of my trip. As said before, I am back. Tomorrow the blog will return to normal. And shorter. I had to write long blogs on the trip to be sure I shared everything with you.

There will be an epiloque of sorts. In one to two weeks. I took or had taken over 600 pictures. I want to put some together and share them with you. Things like Louis and the volcano, the monastery steps, and the like.

Who knows, there might be a book in all this.

Thank you for bearing with me through this almost seven week trip. Love you all!

Enjoy your day!

DAY 42

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The honeymoon is over!

I return to Key West tomorrow. Monday, not Tuesday as I thought. Fortunately, Lisa picked up on my error. She Skyped me yesterday to tell me I was going to have missed my plane if I left Tuesday.

On a trip as I have experienced, days of the week and dates get screwed up. Intermingle. Are not important.

As a result of which, a person can miss a return flight home!

My today – Sunday – now changes. No Milan. No Leonardo Da Vinci. Instead rest and packing.

I am in Novara. Drove here from Camogli yesterday afternoon. A two hour drive. Thruways all the way.

Strange traffic for a summer Saturday afternoon. None. Just me and a few other cars.

It is the cost of gas and high road tolls here in Italy.

The other vehicles on the road all passed me at 125 miles per hour. Crazy!

The clothesline saga continues. Eevry town and hamlet I drove by…..there they were! Clothes hanging ouside windows and on front porches. Even here in Novara, a classy city.

Lisa Skyped me in the afterfnoon. Fortunately. Otherwise, I would have missed my plane tomorrow. Got to see and chat with the grandkids and son in law Corey. I could tell I am really missed. A nice feeling.

Last night was another birthday dinner. My Morrocan friend Miriam cooked for me. And several others as well. A dinner party.

We started with a good champagne. During dinner, Beefeater was substituted for me. A thoughtful gesture.

Pickies to begin. Too many to describe. All good.

Then humus. Not the kind you buy in the supermarket and scoop onto a plate. Miriam made the humus from scratrch. Ground the checi beans herself.

The entre was spiedini. Small pieces of beef on a stick. Miriam also prepared some sort of wheat dish mixed with very tiny pieces of tomato and covered with just enough oil.

There was a touch of Lebanese to the meal.

Miriam exceeded herself with the birthday cake. Made by her from scratch, also. A cheesecake covered with blueberries and gelato. Of course on top 77 candles. One big 70 years old one and 7 tiny one year ones.

Everyone sang Happy Birthday! Just like in the U.S.

I was pleased with it all. My special thanks to Miriam.

Today I have to get ready for tomorrow. I will leave Novara about 6 in the morning. I have a one hour drive to the Milan airport. Then many hours in the air till I set down in Key West just after 9 in the evening.

Enjoy your Sunday!

DAY 41

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I am doing this blog in Camogli each morning from some sort of travel office. The office provides internet rental service. The place is always crowded. However, I have not seen one person buy anything except me. Six euros of computer time each morning.

After completing yesterday’s blog, I took a walk. Down strange streets and alleys. The alleys are not bad. It is the stairs. Everywhere. Italians must have strong hearts!

I was tired after the walk. Took a nap. Ended up sleeping most of the afternoon away. It is very humid here. It contributes to my tiredness.

I found a Don’s Place in Camogli, Italy. A French cafe on the waterfront. Why Don’s Place? A tanqueray on the rocks was only 4 euros. The cheapest anywhere else in Camogli at least 8 euros. Many 10 or 12. And then there is Portofino where it cost me 17 euro for a gin and tonic.

The owner is a nice guy also. Don again. He spoke English. Was married 5 years ago in La Hoya. Knows Los Angeles and San Diego well. His in laws live in California.

Most bars give you something to eat with a drink. Generally a small dish of potato chips. This guy put out chips, nuts, 2 types of small pieces of pizza, green and back olives soaked in oil, carrot sticks and I cannot recall what else.

What a bargain to drink at this particular French cafe!

Dinner afterwards was with some people I had met earlier in the day. We dined at a very nice out door restaurant which jutted over the Mediterranean. Dinner was by candlelight.

Camogli’s beach is a horseshoe. To my left while dining was a hill. Some of the trees and some of the rocks were bathed in lights. I could see nothing else. Turns out there are hotels hidden behind the trees and the lights were provided by the hotels.

To my right was the length of the beach with a large Church at the end. The Church was all lite up. Beyond the Church, I could see the lights of Genoa.

My appetizer was cod in milk. I have no idea why I ordered it. I am glad I did. It was good. The cod was neither dry nor salty. The meat actually flaked off onto your fork.

For dessert, I had cannoli. Two of them.

Cannolòi must have been a poor man’s dish. I can remember my Mother frequently making them when we lived third floor front on Jay Street. She had hard wood rollers. Looked like hot dogs. She prepared the dough from scratch. Then stretched the dough around the wood forms. They were then dropped into a pan of boiling oil.

When they came out and were cooled, she stuffed the shells with ricotta somehow sweetened. They were good!

I had them again last night and remembered my Mother. Quite frankly, the ones I had last night were no were as good as Mom’s.

I happened to mention to the people I was with that it was my birthday. They bought my dinner.

I return today to Novara. A couple I met have invited me to dinner. The wife is the Moroccan I have mentioned previously. I have been told there will be a cake, also. This should be one great meal! The woman is a professional chef.

Clotheslines again. I am hooked on them.

I failed to mention yesterday that I saw the same thing in Portofino. Yes, very rich Portofino had clothes hanging out windows of very expensive condo buildings and private homes. Not as much as elsewhere. Maybe one or two windows or porches every 3-4 buildings.

I hope to get to Milan over the weekend. Other than flying in, I have not really seen it. There is a Leonardo Da Vinci painting that has been recommended to me.

Many have inquired where are the pictures? No pictures? There are a ton of them. I have two discs of 300 each.

My computer talents are limited. Getting the blog out each morning on this trip has been a task. Pictures too! No way could I have handled it.

I plan on issuing a followup to my DAYS with a couple of days of pics. I am going to try to group and label them so you can fit them in to the experiences shared with you.

Enjoy your day!