DAYS 24 and 25…..Greece the First Time

Posted on June 21, 2012 by Key West Lou

I am glad I wore clean underwear.

Wait till you read this story!

First, I could not write yesterday. Sorry. Traveling, etc. No time. Ergo, I have combined this blog to cover two days.

I am in Amorgos. Mykonos behind me. I am glad to have left Mykonos. Overall, it was not one of my favorite places.

Short of returning home, Amorgos was the only place I could get to and get out of when I wanted to. To get to Amorgos, I had to go by boat. A big speedboat. Four hundred passengers.

Because of the strong winds, there had been no boats out of Mykonos for three days. The whole world was waiting to get out.

I arrived at the boat dock one hour before departure as required. Sun boiling hot. Wind still brutal.I found a shady spot next to a building which also broke the wind.

Time came for the boat. Still no boat. However, all four hundred of us were required to form a line up to the dock. We stood there in the hot sun for another hour.

Finally, the boat arrived. We had to wait for the 400 on to get off before we 400 waiting could get on. Another half hour. In the sun.

There were a group of Asians surrounding me. Father, mother and three college age daughters. Behind me about a half dozen Asian teenagers on break. The two groups were not traveling together.

The line started moving. I had my ticket in one hand and was pulling my suitcase with the other. At some point, we were out onto the actual dock. The wind was beating us up. Extremely strong. Little needles of sand blowing into us.

I was wearing a sport shirt, shorts and sandals. And a pair of jockey shorts. The sport shirt was being worn outside my shorts.

All of a sudden, a large gust of wind hit us. The wind swooped my shirt upwards. The shirt was in my armpits and above my head. I immediately dropped the suitcase, held tight to my ticket, and raised my arms up to bring my shirt down. As my arms went up, my shorts went down. To my ankles. There I was. Standing with my arms over my head, my shirt in my armpits and my shorts down around my ankles.

Louis in all his BVD glory.

I was glad I had listened to my mother who told me to always wear clean underwear.

Everything was rapid, but seemed to be happening in slow motion.

The Asian family in front of me starred wide eyed. The father looked grim. I could not see the Asian girls to my rear.

I pulled my shorts up, shirt down. Did not even break a smile. Proceeded on as if nothing had happened.

My next story from yesterday is about a know it all who got hustled. I was the know it all.

The boats had not traveled for 3 days. The wind too strong. I drove the ticket lady crazy every two hours the third day. The winds were supposed to die down a bit and it was anticipated the boats would be able to travel the next day.

It was 9 at night. I am dealing with a hard assed middle aged Greek woman who could care less about the plight I was in. I had to get out of Mykonos.

There was only one boat scheduled for the next day. Amorgos would be the fourth stop. These boats operate like trains and buses.

She could get me a ticket/seat to the first stop. However, there was no room at the inn thereafter. Genius me said why don’t I try to influence her. I took out a ten euro bill. I slipped it towards her on the counter and said…..look again, you might have overlooked something.

Her eyes brightened as she saw the ten euro bill. As she grabbed for it, she exclaimed…..oh, yes I do have one more seat. There was one problem. I would have to change seats at the first stop. No problem!

There was a problem. It became apparent when I went to change seats at the first stop. The new seat was in section P and had a number 401. There was no section P nor seat numbered 401.

I smiled. She had hustled me!

No way was I going to get off the boat. I had a ticket, even though it was a bogus one. I went to the back of the boat and sat on the floor. There were a dozen others who must have been hustled also. We were all sitting on the floor for the rest of the trip. No one bothered us.

My third story involves Demetrius and dinner last night.

When I got off the boat in Amorgos, I was tired. The boat ride had been rocky. There was an outside cafe immediately where the boat dropped passengers off. I went and sat down. I was the only customer. It was around 7 in the evening.

I asked for a drink. Introduced myself. His name was Demetrius. He gave me a drink and some cheese and olives.

I felt sorry for Demetrius. No customers, except for me. I
said I would return for dinner.

Demetrius was a typical looking 60ish Greek Man. White haired, paunchy.

I returned two hours later for dinner. The place was packed!

When I finished my meal, I knew why. Fantastic tasting food!

It was my mother’s cooking.

I had two spectacular dishes.

The first was a mixture of zucchini, tomatoes and potatoes all cooked in a red oily sauce. Actually buried in the sauce.

The first mouthful told the story. It took me back 60 years. The same dish my mother used to make.

I cleaned up the sauce with bread. Not a drop was left on the plate.

The next dish was fried eggplant. I have not had fried eggplant since my mother passed away some 25 years ago.

Hers and Demetrius’, to die for!

My mother used to make parmigiana. I probably spelled the word wrong. On occasion, I can be a poor Italian. The first thing she did was to  fry the sliced eggplant. I always loved the fried product. My mother used to holler at me for eating it that way. It was to be part of a larger dish she was preparing.

Last night, I experienced that taste again.

I found a place to stay. Elini’s. I am in a first floor apartment. Across the street is the beach and ocean. My apartment is not a cave as in Santorini, but a quaint little white cottage. I am sitting on the terrace in front writing this blog.

Enjoy your day!

—

The U.S. Catholic Bishops Conference is giving Biden a hard time. Strange. Biden is a very religious person. Has been his whole life. An extremely good Catholic. A Catholic in more than name only.

The Catholic Church is divided as the U.S. is. There is the extreme right group as represented by the U.S. Conference of Bishops. Then  Pope Francis’ group.  A more liberal thinking one.

Since Francis was elected Pope, the Bishops group has been moving to have his powers reduced. The Bishops obstruct Francis at every turn.

The Bishops walked hand in hand with Trump. They can be characterized as having had a relationship that can only be described as submissive at best and fawning at worst. Typical Trump supporters.

Two prominent lay supporters of the Bishops are Steve Bannon and Newt Gingrich. Both far right wingers.

Bannon you will recall has one sole purpose in life. To bring down existing governments. The Catholic Church is a government.

Gingrich is a semi-important figure within the Church. Trump appointed his wife the U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican. Gingrich moves within the Vatican as Trump’s de facto representative.

The Bishops are out to get Biden. They have publicly announced that Biden is to be refused communion. Biden is a frequent taker of the Eucharist. The refusal based on one reason. Biden supports abortion.

Most Catholics do not believe the position of the Bishops is fair.

The Eucharist is a shared meal of joyful thanksgiving and not a reward for doctrinal purity. Christ included Judas at the Last Supper.

The Catholic Church has lost the younger generation. They cannot pick a fight with them. So the Bishops go after the President of the U.S. Query: If the Eucharist is denied Biden, how many other Catholics will walk away? A significant number I dare say.

Note that so far Biden has not been denied Eucharist by any priest. There has not yet been an actual confrontation.

An hypocrisy exists.

It is wrong that Church officials such as the Bishops have allowed the Church’s “pro-life” teachings to devolve into just one thing: “Anti-abortion.” They are all for Presidents and politicians who promote and expand capital punishment, are ok when programs are cut that devastate the poor, are fine with eliminating elementary health care to tens of millions of the poor, support initiatives to deny fundamental human rights to immigrants, see not problems with promotion of laws that incarcerate minorities at vastly disproportionate rates, and are ok to turn a blind eye to sexism, discrimination and misogyny as long as those officials say that they are anti-abortion.

Rafael “Ted” Cruz. Guilty of another mistake. Defecating on the people of Texas.

What occurred in 24 hours  beginning wednesday evening an example that he considers himself better than those he is sworn to represent.

Simply stated, Cruz was in Cancun while Texas was without power.

He arrived in Cancun wednesday evening at 10:30. He left Cancun at 6 the next morning to return home. In between, he realized he had made a serious error.

Upon returning, Cruz released a statement confirming he had gone to Cancun with his wife and daughters for a vacation after school was cancelled for the week and they were left without power at their Houston-area home.

Cruz’s return ticket was for saturday. He had it redone for thursday morning. His wife and daughters remained in Cancun.

Enjoy your day!

DAY 23…..Greece the First Time

Posted on June 19, 2012 by Key West Lou

I can’t wait to get out of Dodge!

In the past two days, I have been in an automobile accident and fallen two times.

The accident you already know about. The falls are another story.

I have been falling on a frequent basis this past year. Generally stub my toe going up stairs. Forget there is one or two more steps going down.

My first fall yesterday had nothing to do with stairs. Chaise lounges have become a problem, also.

Around lunch time yesterday, I was getting up off a lounge chair by the pool. Rising from low levels has become as much of a problem as the stair bit. I lost my balance in the process. Turned to grab the back of the lounge. Spun myself around to avoid falling. Still fell. Sprained my lower right back. I still am having spasms. Also must have strained something inside in the area of the appendix. Hurts getting up. I no longer have an appendix, however.

Last night, I decided to walk down to Chora for dinner. The previous two nights had been spent eating in the hotel. Pain and all, I was on my way.

My hotel is below street level. A dozen steps to the top and the street. I stubbed my toe on the last step. Down I went. Hard. Tried to break my fall. Somehow my right wrist got in the way. I felt something snap. Terrific! Just what I need, I thought. A broken wrist.

Three ladies were walking along the road nearby. They rushed over and attended to me. They looked scared. In spite of my protestations that I was alright. My right wrist hurt. I wanted to get up. I have already told you I have problems getting up from low levels. Especially the ground itself. I explained this to the ladies. Two of them helped me up.

No going down the hill to Chora for me last night!

I went into the hotel dining room instead. My friend Christina was running the shop. Told her I needed an ice bag and the Beefeater bottle immediately. Yes, my hotel is one of the few places in Mykonos that carries Beefeater. I believe they went out and bought it special for me.

I covered the wrist in ice. Poured my first gin. I wanted to be pain free as much as possible. Did not want to get involved with a hospital till I knew I really needed one. Like tomorrow morning.

Gin #2 followed soon after gin #1. Drank it a bit slower.Then went to gin # 3. Drank that one even slower.

By this time, between the ice and gin, I was feeling no pain.

I had no appetite. Offered my thanks and headed off to bed.

This morning told the tale. No break, fortunately. Wrist swollen. Hurts. No discoloration. Back spasms worse.

About twenty years ago, I rented a house on Block Island for a couple of weeks. The whole family came! They were sleeping everywhere!

Block Island is off the coast of Rhode Island. A terrific summer vacation place. Sun, beaches, clams, lobster, etc.

One morning my father and I were walking in town. I noticed that his head was always down as he walked. I asked him why. To see where I am stepping…..so I do not fall. He was starting to fall a lot around that time.

There was a problem in looking down all the time to see where to step and avoid a fall. He was bumping into people constantly.

I watched. My father started to get mad. He said these people are impolite. They keep bumping into me. I told him it was he who was causing the problem. He could not watch his feet and see where he was going at the same time. He refused to accept my judgment. But that is what was occurring.

I have started to have falling problems about the same time as my father did in his life. Though I am not yet at the stage where I always watch my feet. I will concede however it might help to watch them when I am going up and down stairs.

There is a point to this story about my Dad. Maybe more about me. I am my father’s son. And proud of it in spite of the adverse circumstances awaiting me.

I was up at noon. Felt pretty good. Spasms still there. Wrtist still hurting.

This is my last day in Mykonos. Hopefully. The boat people told me they are not sure the boats will be going to Amorgos tomorrow because of the continuing weather. However, they suggested a back up. Crete! Great! My Facebook friend Jimmy Brown lives on Crete. I would love to hook up with him.

I did not want to stay in bed my last day in Mykonos. I headed for Elia Beach. First time I had been there. The nicest of the three beaches I have visited. Horseshoe shaped. Towering cliffs on each side. Beautifully clear water.

And it is that kind of place! Nudity on the agenda big time!

I have eye strain.

Tonight my last meal in Mykonos. It is to be Nikos again. I was there three nights ago and loved the place. It was lamb shank buried in greens covered in a thick lemon sauce.

I who always had to know precisely where I was going, when I would arrive, where I would stay, etc. am taking everything in stride this trip. I am not sure which island tomorrow. Nor do I have a reservation at any hotel. The two islands are accustomed to travelers like me knocking on their door looking for a room.

I have changed.

Enjoy your day!

—

Today is definitely May Jonson’s last day. My understanding is the library is looking for May’s next diary.

A few closing thoughts.

Loved following May in her diary for two years. So have many others. Her diary also provided an inside view of Key West 1896-1897.

As earlier shared, May never got to marry “her love” Everest. She met a Naval pharmacist and married him. They traveled far and wide with the Navy. His last port of call was in the Philippines. They decided that before returning to Key West, they would take a trip around the world. Which they did.

Everest became a prominent person. His place of employment was Miami. Never picked never picked up on that in the diary readings. At some point, Everest and his brother opened a store in Miami. Then several more.

Everest became head of the Chamber of Commerce. Then Mayor. He served as Miami Mayor several times.

Learned something else. School in Key West must have been only mornings. May was always home for lunch. Lunch actually was dinner during those times.

I, as well as many others I am sure, are hopeful more of May’s diaries can be found. Our time with her has been delightful and informative.

Rush Limbaugh died yesteryear. He was 70.

He became the voice of the conservative right during his years of broadcasting. Most of his comments were to the extreme right.

I cannot recall an instance I agreed with him. Never the less, I respected his right to share his views. As I would assume he would mine.

I have always considered those I disagree with to be the “indispensable opposition.” Contrary voices must be heard. There is always an alternative point of view.

Though my disagreements were vehement, I respected his right to share his views.

I also am not speaking adversely about the man. He is dead. I am one of those who believe persons should only speak good of the dead. Let the dead lie.

Not everyone agrees with me, however. Some pretty harsh comments in the past 24 hours.

Limbaugh has been referred to as “The Bigoted King of Talk Radio.”

“A bigot and a misogynist who saturated America’s airways with cruel lies and conspiracy theories for decades, transforming the GOP in the process.”

“Men like Limbaugh are the enemies of all good people; all decent people.”

Recall Mark Anthony standing over Caesar’s body: “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears; I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him. The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones.”

The Canadian blogger Ian Welsh: “Rush Limbaugh escapes the hell-world he created.” He was “one of he most important people in creating the modern right, driving deregulation and spreading hate and racism.”

If money is a measure of a man’s success, Limbaugh was very successful. In 2018, Limbaugh was the second highest paid radio host. His earnings $84.5 million.

Tuesday fast food workers struck in 15 states demanding a $15 minimum wage. Included in the fast food businesses were McDonald’s, Burger King, and Wendy’s.

Something I never knew. What happened to the casket John F. Kennedy had been placed in in Dallas.

On this day in 1966, the casket used to carry the body of John F. Kennedy from Dallas to Washington was parachuted into oblivion.

The casket was blood stained because of the magnitude of Kennedy’s head wounds. The family decided a different casket was required for Kennedy to lie in State and be buried in.

The original casket was initially stored in a secure Washington warehouse.

At the family’s request, the casket was disposed of by the Air Force.

The casket was filled with sand bags, encased in a solid pine box, following which 40 holes were drilled into the structure, bands with metal banding tape used to encase the pine structure, and finally the structure was fitted with parachutes.

A C130 transport plane flew 100 miles into the Atlantic to a specific point where the water was 9,000 feet deep and away from shipping lines. The ensemble was dropped softly into the water because of the parachutes and sank immediately.

The President lies in Arlington National Cemetery where The Eternal Flame burns at the head of the President’s grave.

Enjoy your day!

DAY 22…..Greece the First Time

Posted on June 18, 2012 by Key West Lou

I am never going to get out of Mikonos!

The Greek gods are working against me.

First, I wanted to go to Fourni. No way. The boat to Fourni had been discontinued. I decided to stay in Mykonos a few extra days.

Tomorrow, I was planning on leaving for Amorgos. Someone told me there is a monastery worth seeing. The monks provide water and food to visitors through a hole. The monks never see nor speak to anyone from the moment they enter the monastery. Also, Amorgos is considered one of the prettier of the small islands.

I went down to get my boat ticket for Amorgos this morning. Down by the waterfront. I wanted to leave tomorrow. No boat to Amorgos today or tomorrow. Everything cancelled. Even planes. The weather.

Strong winds today. The kind we get in Key West when the water breaks against the White Street Pier and splashes 20-30 feet high. I was on the waterfront this morning. Ten feet from the water. Hitting the beach and shooting up and over all nearby. Including me.

I am becoming knowledgeable about Mykonos weather.

When I first arrived, it was hot and humid. No breeze at all. The last three days big winds. No humidity.

Natives tell me that is the way the weather is this time of the year. Three days humid. Then three days of wind.

I also started hearing that today’s wind is unusual for June. It is September wind.

Who knows? I just want to leave Mykonos. I have been here too long. It is not my type place. Too touristy for me. Key West is mild by comparison. The flavor and grandeur for which Mykonos is known was in the 1960s and 1970s. Gone. Today’s tourists are wannabes to that life style.

A great place to visit for a few days and leave.

Wednesday is my scheduled departure day now.

Yesterday was Paradise Beach. The place I had been seeking. All my desires were satisfied. I saw it all! I was a little embarrassed. I never showed mine.

Stayed in last night again. Dined in the hotel’s dining room.

I have been eating Greek food for more than two weeks now. I yearned for something else. I enjoyed a huge portion of spaghetti bolognaise.

Christina is in charge of the dining room. She does a top notch job. Great service, great food and the right touch with personal amenities.

Christina is 35 years old. Looks 25. A short lovely blonde. Fair skinned. A single mother of a 4 year old boy.

I asked Christina where she works in the winter. Mykonos is a summer town. Closes down for the winter months. She says she can always find work somewhere in Mykonos in the off months.

A hard worker. A talented person. I wish her well.

The Greek election. Yesterday. I called it right. The euro supporters won. It was close. The euro people got 29 percent of the vote. The non-euros 26 per cent. Several other minor parties grabbed anywhere from 12 per cent of the vote downward.

Twenty nine per cent is not enough to control. A coalition is required. It is anticipated the winners will form the coalition with the party who got 12 per cent of the vote. Still not enough to make a majority. However, under Greek law the party receiving the largest number of votes automatically gets an additional 50 seats in the national legislature. That puts the euro people over the top. A crazy country!

Forget what you read in the papers and on TV today. This new government is not going to work. The Germans have already suggested they might ease some of the time payment dates. But that is it! The big hard dollar payments still remain. Greece will not be able to make them. The new government and the euro will fail. I give it three to six months.

To put it all in proper perspective, this election is not even a band aid. Some one took a rag and merely brushed the blood aside. A very temporary solution to an ongoing aggravating problem.

I noticed yesterday that many of the older Greek homes have what I thought was some religious design on each house. All alike. A bunch of small triangles set in a large square. The square sits on one of its points. There apparently is space behind the openings. I noticed the newer buildings did not have the design. My initial thought was that whatever it was was intended to keep evil spirits away.

I was wrong. The triangular openings were for doves.

At one time there were many white doves flying above Mykonos. Predatory birds discovered the doves and came in large numbers to feed upon them. This was many years ago. The citizens of Mykonos enjoyed and favored the doves. Ergo, as homes and buildings were constructed, these triangular openings became part of the construction. The doves could fly inside and evade the predator birds.

It must not have worked. I have seen no doves in my time here.

Terri White makes national news again! She was selected by GO Magazine as one of the 100 Women We Love. Take a look at the 6/15/12 edition of the magazine. A terrific pic of Terri and a concise litany leading to her success.

I survived yesterday’s hit and run. Woke this morning with a swelling half the size of a golf ball on my arm. No pain.

I have a pretty good tan. The sun is strong in the Greek isles. Much stronger than Key West. Between walking around and a bit of sun bathing, I am getting dark. Very dark.

I have only shaved once in the four weeks I have been gone. I look pretty bad. I apologized to one woman I met for having such a sloppy growth. She thought it looked sexy. I may never shave again. I wonder how I will look if I do not shave the balance of this trip. Another three weeks.

Enjoy your day!

—

Moving up to mid February 2021, a lot is happening everywhere.

Texas has been hit with a major snow storm. Power outage greater than ever before. Texas  was not ready for it.

Texas’ major power company, serves 26 million people. The company says it may take a month to get everything and everybody going.

At the moment, Texans at each other’s throats with blame. Heads will role.

Some believe it is climate change. I do also.

When it comes to weather generally in recent years, the only consistent has been and will continue to be unpredictability.

Texas’ present deep freeze has presented an unseasonable demand from residents trying to heat their homes. The demand has stripped Texas’ energy supply.

Following are some happenings not previously considered when a winter storm of the Texas magnitude hits.

People are dying of carbon monoxide poisoning trying to heat their homes by running their cars inside their attached garages.

Thousands of COVID-19 vaccine doses are at risk of spoiling.

Crops planted ahead of the spring harvest are dying under the snow and ice, burdening farmers already struggling after years of Trump’s trade wars.

Texas is not the only place where snow rarely falls that is getting buried this week.

Athens.

At the moment, snow is blanketing Acropolis. The snow fall heavy. The Acropolis and Parthenon looked strange under snow in the photos I have seen.

Athens is not generally cold in the winter. You recall my friends that owned the cave dwelling I lived in on Santorini closed their facility for the winter. Santorini too cold. However, Athens generally not. If so, my friends would lock up their Athens home and take a 1-2 month vacation somewhere in the Caribbean.

The snow which fell on Athens and continues today is heavy and freezing. Many highways around Athens are closed.

Ferry service in the 800 Greek isles is like bus service in the U.S. Ferry service has been cancelled. As have all flights in and out.

Two major automobile accidents. One involving 800 vehicles. The other 600.

Not a good time to be in Athens. Note however the extreme cold and snow was not expected.

I mentioned a few days ago Trump had come out on top in his second impeachment trial. Worry not, I explained. He will have his Las Vegas as O.J. Simpson did.

In fact, over the next two years Trump is going to be buried in all kinds of lawsuits no one has heard of as yet.

The first one hit yesterday. Bennie Thompson is a Democrat Representative from Texas. He has joined with the NAACP in filing suit against Trump, Giuliani, Proud Boys and Oath Keepers.

The suit a civil one for money damages. Compensatory and punitive. A violation of the Klu Klux Klan Act of 1871 claimed. The suit has to do with the defendants’ interference with Congress’ certification of the Electoral College count.

The Klu Klux Klan Act is intended to protect Black citizens from violence and intimidation. The grounds set forth in the Complaint are basically the same as those made by the House Managers in the Impeachment trial.

Trump may have to pay in the end. He also has another expense he was rarely confronted with while President.

There is a law that where a President is named in a law suit while President, he is entitled to be represented free by the Department of Justice.

The free ride is over. Trump is no longer President. He will have to pay private counsel to defend him in the lawsuits sill pending and those that will now come.

I mentioned yesterday that I was not in favor of Biden’s Child Tax Credit in the stimulus bill. Too much money going out to certain individuals. The size of the government dollars to each recipient will easily discourage many from returning to work.

There is a benefit to the Child Tax Credit, however. It is projected it will cut poverty by 54 percent. Five million children will be removed from the poverty classification.

Jared and Ivanka seem to have closed out there public White Hose careers on a positive note.

First, they purchased a lot on Billionaires Bunker near Miami for $31 million. Note, an empty lot. House till must be built. It was reported last week in some federal statement they were required to file that their gross earnings for last year was $120 million.

There is more.

They have no where to live till a home is built. They are presently renting in top of the shelf Arte Surfside near Miami Beach on a yearly rental. Not cheap. A 4 bedroom condominium unfurnished rents for $39,000 a month. A 3 bedroom furnished $60,000 a month.

When they both went to work for Donald in the White House 4 years ago, things were financially tough. Especially for Jared. Very high debt.

The $1 a year White House job worked out for them. Look at how much they are now spending and take into account the $120 million jointly earned last year.

All earned while on the White House payroll.

The shame of it all. Florida Governor DeSantis is being touted as Presidential timber for 2024. Amazing. He is totally incompetent. Danced 100 percent to Trump’s tune. Florida is not in the best of shape.

Apparently, it no longer requires competent people to run our country. Don’t say it cannot happen. Trump got nominated and then elected. Surprised everyone. Incompetency rises to it highest level with regard to recent political leaders.

Jim Brown. A fine individual. On top of which regarded as one of the best professional football players ever.

Brown played exceptional football while at Syracuse University and with the Cleveland Browns. In 2002, The Sporting News recognized him as the greatest professional football player ever.

Why do I write of Brown? The Syracuse connection a partial reason. However Brown had left Syracuse by the time I started in 1957.

The primary reason is Brown’s age. His birthday is today.  The man is 85. Louis is 85.

I end with May Johnson.

My information re her diary publication soon coming to an end has not been precisely accurate. I recently said her last diary entry would appear February 18.

Today is the 17th. No May diary entry.

I hope the Citizen can work problems out and return her very interesting 1897 life style to us.

Enjoy your day!

DAY 21…..Greece the First Time

Posted on June 17, 2012 by Key  West lou

Today could be the most significant day in history since the close of World War II. The Greek elections are being held.

The issue boils down to whether the Greeks want to continue operating with the euro as money or would they prefer a return to the drachma. I have talked with many since I arrived in Greece. I am getting divergent opinions.

Yes, I saw grown men and women spit on the ground when they heard Merkel’s name at a protest rally in Athens. That is not all of it however. I have found the bankers and very affluent support continuing with the euros. Why not. They are doing terrific under it. Making money!.

Then there are the small businessmen. They are struggling. They want a return to the drachma like yesterday. They also want out of the European Union.

Then come the people. The Jims and Janes on the streets. Those going to work every day to put food on the table. They feel the oppression of the euro. But I suspect they will not vote in large numbers. They claim it is too late. The Mafia is controlling everything.

I find it surprising that people still revert to the Italian wrongdoers of old to blame. I think they do not really mean Mafia per se. What I sense is that they believe that government has been bought by big business. Believing that, I suspect most will not vote. Simply because they believe their votes will mean nothing. The banks and big business will control in the end no matter who wins.

Sense a similarity with the USA?

Germany could ease the pressure. Germany is making money with the euro. Germany has become in effect the banker for the rest of the euro nations. Which includes Greece.

Germans as a people tend to be anal. Black and white. By the book. Greeks on the other hand go with the flow. They take everything in stride. Are not as serious about things as they probably should be. Like money.

Germany is in a position of power. The third time they have so been in less than 100 years. The Kaiser in 1914 and Hitler in 1939 were two instances. Germany felt it was omnipotent. Two world wars resulted.

This Germany/Greece thing is a war that is erupting. Except this time it is with money instead of bullets. Each can have a devastating effect. This euro thing can result in a world wide recession of a sort never before experienced.

I have a suspicion. It is based on what I have experienced and read over the past three weeks. I believe the euro people will win. Why? Because they will vote. They are doing well as indicated hereinbefore under the euro. The people on the street appear to have already given up. They will not turn out in the numbers necessary to throw out the euro and return to the drachma.

I cannot wait till later tonight to see if I have called this correctly.

The trip caught up with me yesterday. I have been at this three weeks. All of a sudden I was tired. Dead tired.

I walked into town and had lunch. Something I have not done since arriving. I then sat in the shade at the sidewalk cafe where I had lunched and watched the world walk by.

Eventually, I got back to my hotel. And my bed. I slept the afternoon away.

I was still tired when I woke. Opted to remain at my hotel and dine in its dining room. Glad I did. A great meal! The service unusually spectacular. I am staying at a small hotel. I have gotten to know everyone. This was the first time they had the opportunity to show me what they could do. They wanted to show me, to please me.

And please me they did! I won’t go through all the specifics, except to relate that the meal was heavy with tomatoes, olives, cheeses and oil. Dessert was a Greek chremboule. Two gins. Beefeater. One of the few places in Mykonos that stocks it. And a shot of something after dinner on the house.

I could not thank them enough.

I was up and out early this morning. Needed a manicure and pedicure desperately. The last ones were more than 3 weeks ago.

I had to walk away from town up the highway about a quarter of a mile. A beautiful salon for nails and massages in a small strip mall. I was their first customer. Everyone sitting around. Ergo, I had three ladies working on me at one time. One on the toes and the other two each had a hand a piece.

A good job! I was pleased.

I asked them if they had voted. They said no. I asked if they were going to vote. They said no. Why, I asked. Mafia!

Not a bright response, but that is the way it is. Again, I have heard that same response many times over the past three weeks.

Now for the fun part of this morning.

I got hit by a car.

There are no sidewalks. The driving lanes are narrow. Drivers speed constantly. The only place for pedestrian traffic is on the edges of the road.

I was in an area that had a three foot stone wall running on both sides of the highway. Between the road edge and the wall was two feet. No more.

I was casually walking down the road against traffic. Staying in my little two feet. All of a sudden this guy came around a curve. There was no oncoming traffic. He had a good fifty feet after the curve to see me. He never tried to avoid me. He clipped my right arm with his passenger door mirror. I went flying over the wall. I looked up to see the car speed away. The driver had to feel the impact and hear its sound. The thud was loud.

I was concerned. The last thing I want is to be sick in a foreign country. There was no one around who saw or could help me. I eventually got up. My right arm beneath the elbow was sore. As was the right side of my neck.

I walked back to my hotel with no difficulty. It has been about two hours since the event and all I am experiencing is pain in the two areas I complained about. I lucked out.

So far on this trip I have survived three earthquakes and one auto accident.

I still have three weeks to go.

A beach day again today. Paradise Beach. The one two days ago was Super Paradise Beach. Two separate beaches. One old, one new. I am going to the older one today.

Enjoy your day! And be careful as you walk.

—

Lindsey Graham was John McCain’s close friend for years. They were as two peas in a pod. Thought wise.

Then McCain died. Soon Graham had a new buddy. Donald Trump. How he could jump from McCain to Trump I find difficult to understand. The two men were as different as night and day.

Graham in recent years has been evidencing bully tactics. Increasingly tries to convey a tough guy image. Does not impress me. A Donald Trump he is not.

Key West is a community with a heart. Even back some 50 years ago.

It was announced on this day in 1973 that the military had accepted the offer from the City of Key West giving all returning Vietnam prisoners of war a one week vacation in Key West, their families included.

The weather has consistently gone from bad to worse in recent years. Sometimes a hurricane, or tsunami, or snow storm, etc.

To me it is a reflection of climate change/global warming.

The snow storms across the country have been significant. More than normal. Most bigger and longer lasting.

The past week’s snowstorm blanketing a third of the nation is an example. The storm is attributable to an arctic blast which is bringing with it historic winter weather.

I am confused. A few days ago I reported May Johnson’s diary would cease reporting in a few days. Shared with you some information regarding May and her future life which supposedly would never get reported.

Yesterday, no May diary. I assumed her diary reports had ended. Commented to that effect.

I was wrong. May’s diary entry for this day 1897 is in this morning’s Key West Citizen.

I was uncomfortable with reporting her diaries entries were going, gone and now have returned. It was back to the telephone with calls to people who should know.

May’s diary has a last day for publication. Two days hence. February 18.

The diary entry today consistent with previous ones. She reports her very busy day each day. The one thing  she never reports in any detail is her processional life.

May is a school teacher. She never provides details re her teaching. Her comments are generally limited to “went to school.”

Makes me wonder if she enjoyed her chosen work. I recall no entry were she talked about the kids she taught.

Whatever.

Enjoy your day!

Key West has always had a connection of some sort or another with Cuba.

The two islands are neighbors. A mere 90 miles apart. Many Cubans immigrated to work in Key West cigar factories which made cigars from Cuban leaves. Key West has always been supportive of the Cuban people’s desire for freedom. Many Key West residents today are of Cuban descent.

The first battleship of the U.S. was the U.S.S. Maine. On this day in 1898, the Maine exploded in Havana harbor. Two hundred sixty crewmen were killed.

The cause of the explosion at first was unknown. A U.S. Naval Court of Inquiry sat in session at the Custom House in Key West and took testimony regarding the possible cause of the explosion.

The Custom House construction had only recently been completed. The Custom House conducted and owned by the U.S. government at the time. Today privately owned by the Key West Art and Historical Society.

The Court of Inquiry determined the Maine had been blown up by a mine. However, the Court did not attribute blame to any nation or purpose.

Cuba was owned by Spain at the time. Public sentiment rapidly grew against Spain. Vengeance was called for.

It did not take long for war. The Spanish-American War began in April 1898. Within 3 months, the U.S. had decidedly defeated the Spanish.

In August 1898, an Armistice was signed officially ending the War.

The cause of the Maine explosion was always questionable. In 1976, a team of American naval investigators concluded the explosion was caused by a fire that ignited ammunition which was upon the Maine. Neither a mine nor sabotage was involved. A war had been fought in 1898 for no legitimate reason.

Greed was the motivating factor.

William Randolph Hearst blamed Spain for the explosion. He had no facts to suppport his theory. His purpose was solely to sell newspapers. He claimed Spain responsible for that reason.

It was the first time “yellow journalism” reared its ugly head in the U.S. Other newspapers took up the Hearst position also. “Remember the Maine! To hell with Spain” became the cry.

Two hundred sixty crewmen were killed in the Maine explosion. Some of the injured were treated in Havana hospitals. Others, in Key West hospitals.

Most of the dead wee buried in Arlington National Cemetery. However 19 who had been treated in Key West and died, were buried in the Key West Cemetery. A grand stone sits by their graves. A statue of a U.S. sailor holding an oar stands upon the stone.

The grave site is visited by many tourists. Additionally each year, a ceremony is held on February 15 acknowledging and honoring the war dead. The military is always involved. Many Key Westers are part of those paying homage.

Key West has never forgotten.

Sonali Kolhatkar on 2/8/21 wrote an article in Counterpunch as to a means to solve inequality. The title: It’s Easy To Fix Inequality: Tax The Rich.

Makes sense. Doubt it will ever occur in the extreme.

The cry for such is greater today that ever before. Elizabeth Warren has been a major force since her election to the Senate in 2016. Bernie Sanders has always been a proponent of such. Now add to the two the progressives that have in recent years been elected to Congress.

Biden sees the handwriting on the wall.  He has begin leaning more to the left. Understandable. The desire to abolish inequality is almost a religious one. Biden also understands progressives helped him get elected.

Were you aware: Elite news outlets are working overtime to try to block families from getting the $2,000 survival as they were promised. The beltway media is manufacturing consent for the position.

Convoluted economic theories are coming from every corner that the $2,000 is not healthy for the country. The theories being expounded by certain economists and the affluent rich.

Other than pure greed, I cannot understand why any group already well healed would push to deprive those less fortunate of a few extra dollars.

An interesting article on the issue can be found in The Daily Roster 2/9/21.

Lindsey Graham has been drinking Trump’s Kool-Aid. A day does not go by when he does not make some declaration that places him in Trump’s arms.

I find this interesting. Actually shocking. Recall Graham and John McCain were best of friends for years. McCain dies and suddenly Graham is on Trump’s bandwagon.

I am still in Mykonos. A place I disliked on day one grew on me.

—

DAY 20…..Greece the First Time

Posted on June 16, 2012 by Key West Lou

Yesterday was one terrific day!

I went to a great beach during the day and an extremely good restaurant in the evening.

The beach Super Paradise Beach.

My day began with the drive to the beach in a rented car. An experience.

Mykonos is hills. Up and down. The beach about 15 miles of driving to reach. The usual narrow roads, accidents waiting to happen, sharp curves, etc. The last mile of the drive was the worst and strangest I have ever experienced.

The last mile…..the phrase itself is the connotation I seek to convey. The last mile is straight down. With a couple of tiny curves. When I say straight down I mean that. It was like the first drop on a large roller coaster. I thought the back end was going to flip over forward. And the car and I in a serious accident. The car was not made for such a steep decline. The car’s center of gravity would not have been able to handle it.

I was concerned. With God as my co-pilot however, I made it to the bottom.

The trip was worth it. In front of me a beautiful parking lot and huge building. Super Paradise!

As I was turning the car off, I noticed the gas tank was on empty. I suddenly realized I had never put gas in the car. When I received it, it had half a tank. It was gone! When I ran out going back up the hill, and I would run out, the car would slide back down or whatever.

I had no recollection of having seen a gas station in my 15 mile drive. In fact, I had no recollection of ever having seen a gas station in Mykonos.

The solution was simple. I was on vacation. A rented vehicle out of gas was not my concern. It was the rental company’s. I left Super Paradise Beach several hours later by cab. When I got to my room, I telephoned the owner. A small rental company. The car was due back today.

I expanded the problem to him. Told him I did not want to run around getting a gallon of gas, going back to the car, etc. I acknowledge it was my fault. What could we do?

A gentleman. He said you have to return the car with the same amount of gas as when you took it. I said I knew. If it is empty, you owe me half of a tank. A tank full is 60 euros. I will charge you 25 euros. A good deal! I expected get screwed on the pick up and return portion, however. He explained he had to get gasoline, have someone drive him to the car, and then he had to drive it back. Time and people. It was coming. I could sense it. At least 50 euros more. That will cost you an additional 10 euros, he said.

A deal.

That is how the car problem was resolved.

You have to see Super Paradise Beach. Super it is!

I have never seen anything to compare to it.

A large semi circular beach. Clean sand. Clear water. 280 chairs. 140 beach umbrellas. Great lounging chairs. Like lying on a mattress.

A bar. Huge. Egg shaped. One of the biggest I have ever seen. Open air. A large dining area to the left. Outside. A food concession area. Self service. All kinds of great food. Provided in the automat fashion of old. Lift the glass door and take out what you like. To the right of the bar on a high podium of sorts, the DJ. All under a concretion roof.

Amazing! A money maker without question! Super Paradise goes till 4 in the morning.

We need a place like this in Key West. I have it all figured out. Don Manaher of Don’s Place to run it. He has the genius. Take the quiet end of Smathers Beach. Close it off. Build a similar but smaller facility. Clothing optional. A gold mine!

An example of gold mine is the $15 per two chairs charged for the lounges. Do the math. A gold mine in itself. Of course, the place is not full every day.

I finally found a topless beach. About 75 per cent of the women. All ages. Coupled with thong bottoms. A fantasy come true.

My search for total nudity also satisfied. Though I am not certain satisfied is the correct description.

A young mother was with her two children. A girl about 3 and a boy about 1. Both naked. A pervert I am not. However, that is the closest I have come to total nudity on this trip.

I tell you about this mother and her children for a special reason. Follow me.

I happened to look out into the water. There was Mom standing waist deep. One breast exposed. Junior enjoying his lunch.

Later, I happened to turn over on my lounge. Who was on the lounge directly behind me? Mom and the two kids. Junior was still eating. Mom decided the meal was over. She took her fingers and gently removed her nipple from his mouth. He was not finished. He would have none of stopping. With one set of fingers, he grabbed onto the nipple and shoved it back in his mouth. And chomped away till he was done. Junior was calling the shots in this regard. Not his mother.

A couple of months ago I reported on my internet show of a breast feeding lawsuit recently resolved. The situation gigging rise to the lawsuit occurred somewhere in the northeast. Perhaps Vermont or New Hampshire. A young mom was seated on a regional jet waiting for take off. Her child was hungry. She was breast feeding the child. The attendant said you will have to stop…..some of the other passengers might be offended. The woman refused and she and baby were removed from the plane.

This happened in 2008. The mother sued. The case recently settled. The settlement included a written apology from the regional carrier. A written apology also from the CEO of the big airline. And an undisclosed amount of money. The CEO said in his letter of apology that his airline was breast feeding friendly and that all mothers should be so aware. Come breast feed your child on one of our planes any time!

As it should be.

I played tourist. Enjoyed a couple of pina coladas while lying in the shade of the straw umbrella over my lounge. Later in the day, I was hungry. Tried out the food place described earlier. The food a winner!

I had grape leaves stuffed with rice and big white beans. The big white beans a separate dish.

I have gotten into grape leaves on this trip big time. The beans looked good in their glass cage. Big ones. Covered in an appealing red sauce. So I went for the beans also!

The beans a winner! Tender. It was the sauce however that made them so good. A red sauce with a lot of oil mixed in. Crushed basil leaves and I do not know what else thrown in. The sauce was so good that after I finished, I took bread and wiped the dish clean.

I left before 5. The partying starts at 5. Someday perhaps.

Several people told me to eat at Nikos. A Greek restaurant. Old. It is tiny and in the midst of the big ones on the Chora waterfront. I tried Nikos last night. Superb!

I enjoy lamb shank. The best lamb shank in Key West is served at La Trattoria. Comes standing up buried in a base of gnocchi.

Last night’s lamb shank came buried in greens cooked in a lemon sauce. Equal to La Trattoruia. I was thrilled with the meal!

Sorry to have been a little long today. Good things take time to tell.

One more item. D 15 was the story of my ill fated attempt to climb the volcano. It is being reprinted in next week’s KONK Life. Ask your friends to read it. I think it’s funny.

Enjoy your day!

Trump won for the second time yesterday. The man is unimpeachable! He has one problem, however. People such as he get their just due at some later time.

So it will be with Trump. He has too many criminal and civil matters hanging over his head. In due course, he will be litigating them. Probably more than one at a time. Justice delayed will not be justice denied in his instance. He always has Las Vegas!

Recall O.J. Simpson. Many thought he was guilty of killing his wife and her boy friend. Yet he was acquitted. Thirteen years later Simpson was tried on criminal charges in a separate matter in Las Vegas. He was found guilty and sentenced to 33 years. He was paroled after 9.

Trump will get his.

Trump has his guardian angel. The one that comes from below. He played his most devoted supporters for suckers and insulted the intelligence of the rest of the American people.

Trump support by Senators and Representatives was nothing less than an abdication of responsibility.  Such abdication invites more lawlessness from Trump or those who follow who are of his ilk.

This episode in U.S. history carries a clear message. We cannot sit on our asses and turn our backs on national terrorism. It has come out of the shadows. It must now be defeated.

Fire should be fought with fire. The country cannot sit idly back and do nothing or very little. All out war is required.

Or, what happened January 6 will occur again. At a time when the terrorists will be successful in overturning the government.

No negotiation with terrorists. The necessary must be done. Intelligence and force the weapons. Wipe them out! Otherwise the Cruzes, Grahams, Hawleys, and Rubios will become America’s leaders.

Poor Ashley Judd. The movie actress and activist. She is going through an experience that would be even too much for a movie.

Judd almost lost her leg in the Congo. At the moment, she is in an ICU unit in South Africa.

Judd’s leg was “shattered” when she tripped on a fallen tree on a pathway in the jungle. She was walking fast and did not see it.

It took 55 hours to get her from the jungle to an operating table in South Africa.

She initially was stuck on the ground where she had fallen for 5 hours. Her leg was “badly misshapened.” Those with her had Judd biting on a stick. In between “howling like an animal.”

She was eventually taken to a trauma unit on a motorcycle while holding the top part of her broken tibia together.

Judd says during these times: “I was at the edge of my edge.”

Florida is a Covid nightmare. Governor DeSantis’ fault. He is inept and at the moment out of control. He is opening some places where the vaccine can be given. Supermarkets and drug stores. However, few if any have the vaccine.

The Governor speaks with pride when he tells of the many sites where one can be inoculated. He forgets to share there is little or no vaccine available.

All at a time when Florida’s coronavirus numbers are skyrocketing.

Syracuse beat Boston College yesterday 75-67. Syracuse’s record now 12-6.

March Madness is around the corner. I doubt Syracuse will play in the big tournament. Unfortunate since Syracuse had the manpower this year. Exceptional players. They rarely were able to come together for a whole game.

Day 2 in Mykonos is my report for today. I changed my mind from yesterday. I began liking Mykonos on Day 2.

DAY 19…..Greece the First Time

Posted on June 15, 2012 by Key West Lou

What a difference a day makes!

My first night on Mikonos I went to the action area. The Chora. Old Mykonos by the waterfront.

My first night was two nights ago.

I reported yesterday that I did not like Mykonos. Too many people. Too much hustle and bustle.

I went back to Chora. Deserted compared to the evening before. Small crowds. Easy to get around. Restaurants basically empty. No one rushing you.

Why the change? I asked around. A simple reason. The night before there were three large cruise ships dumping their passengers off. Last night, no cruise ships.

I sat at an outside cafe the first night by the water. A large place. Expensive. Just watching the people and drinking. Not eating. All the tables were full with cruise ship people eating. Spending big dollars. Last night I was the only person sitting at the same outside cafe. Still only drinking. The owner and staff fell all over me. Glad you returned, anything you want, etc.

Business is tough. It is the euro situation. A major election Sunday that will determine the economic future of Greece for the next 20 years. It could also determine the subsequent rise and fall of the euro.

The local merchants were available to talk with me last night. One retailer told me his business was down 70 per cent in the last five years. The restaurant owner where I was taking up space said his business was down 40 per cent.

They all speak with fear in their eyes. They all hate Germany and Merkel. For two reasons. Germany is the only nation eating big time under the euro. Greece hurting the worst. The other reason is World War II and the Nazi domination of Greece.

After last evening, I started liking Mykonos. So much so that I may be staying a few extra days. Fourni comes into the decision making process, also.

Again, the difference a day makes. Fourni excites me. I wanted so to visit Fourni and spend some time there. Like a couple of weeks. That is how good I thought it would be.

I have no firm schedule. I was told that Fourni was a short 2 hour speed boat ride from Mykonos.

I went to buy my speed boat ticket yesterday. No boat to Fourni. They discontinued the run a couple of months ago.

Alternative ways. I could fly to Athens. From there fly to Somos. Stay overnight in Somos. Take the morning boat from Somos to Fourni.

I want to see Fourni badly, but not that bad. Too much time and too expensive.

There are no flights to Fourni from Mykonos.

I took a walk down to the waterfront. Chatted with several fisherman. Small boat owners. Would they take me to Fourni with their boat. About a 4-5 hour trip in a small boat. All said no. Too dangerous and too long. We never even got to money.

So it is Mykonos for a few days.

The electric power goes off occasionally in Key West. Yesterday the water went off in Mykonos. A frequent occurrence I was told. No water for six hours! Key West power is never off that long.

Apparently a pipe broke somewhere. I, and I assume most other vacationers on the island, were all greased up from sunbathing and no way to remove it. When the water did come back on after six hours, it was rusty for another half hour.

I was not upset. Only sticky. Happenings such as water breaks come with island living.

I finally found Terri White’s old stomping grounds last night. The piano bar she worked in several years ago. I tripped upon it. A small two foot long sign over a door on one of the alleys said Piano Bar. In I went. The place opened up into a large bar and dining room. Overlooking the water.

I met Nikki, Terri’s friend who owns the bar. I met his partner. If his family was there, I would have met each and every one of them. That is how it is in Mykonos and the rest of Greece.

It was 7. I wanted to hear Bobby Peaco play. Not till 10. Said I would return. Doubting that I would as that generally is my bed time.

Nikki was obviously pleased with Terri’s successes over the past few years. He spoke of her and it constantly.

Mykonos has to be dengue fever paradise. The mosquitoes got in my room last night. I finished the evening with at least a dozen bites.

Super Paradise Beach was my destination yesterday. I never made it. I lay by the hotel pool. It was quiet and soothing. The breeze perfect. The water the right temperature. Why leave.

Perhaps today.

I enjoy doing this blog daily and the other things I do. Yesterday, I published a new article on Amazon Kindle. Title: Unpaid Taxes. A portion of the article deals with the Greek unpaid tax problem. No one likes to pay taxes period. No one pays taxes if they can help it in Greece. This is one of the problems affecting the euro in Greece.

When there is an election, no one is pursued or prosecuted for unpaid taxes. The vote is more important than the tax dollar! When finally apprehended and charged, the individual still is not too concerned. Tax Court cases take 7-10 years to finalize.

I will try again for Super Paradise Beach today. Tonight, I have no idea.

Enjoy your day!

DAY 18…..Greece the First Time

Posted on June 14, 2012 by Key West Lou

Mykonos. Nothing to compare it to. Perhaps a bit like the Jersey Shore, Coney Island or Jones Beach of old. Trying to be the Hamptons, but not quite making it.

Hordes of people! More than I can describe. All on holiday. Tourism is the major industry. The only industry.

Besides the original natives, way back in history there was an influx of Egyptians and Phoenicians. There are many wind mills. Known world wide as Mykonos’ landmark.

The name of the island is Mykonos. The name of the principal town is named Mykonos, also. Unusual.

Chora is the place to be in Mykonos. It is a special area of the town. A neighborhood unto itself. Stone buildings built close together. Narrow streets between them. Very narrow. Like 3-5 feet. The buildings were built close together many years ago to protect them from the sea and its storms. Today those alleys/walkways are the playground of Mykonos. Stores, bars, restaurants and I do not know what permeate the area.

These alleys of Chora go every which way. Like a maze. Easy to get lost.

Little Venice hangs on the ocean side of the Chora. It is called such because its houses literally hang over the sea. At least the balconies do.

I find three differences between Mykonos and Santorini.

One unquestionably is the weather. The humidity on Mykonos is a killer. The evening brings no relief. Breeze. What breeze? There is little, if any. Whereas Santorini had no humidity, was hot by day and cool by night. A sweater or jacket was required in the evening. Air conditioning not used. Open a window or door and sleep comfortably under a blanket.

It is said the difference in humidity, etc. between the two islands is the height of each. Santorini is high and buildings are on top of the cliffs. Mykonos is relatively low. Hills. Gradual, however.

Only about 100 miles separates Mykonos and Santorini. Mykonos is to the north of Santorini and normally would be cooler. Though it is not.

A second difference is the number of people visiting each island. Mykonos is jam packed. An avalange of people arrive daily. Every nationality visits and works on Mykonos. I would describe the crowd last night in the Chora area as being just slightly less appearance wise as Times Square on New Year’s Eve.

Santorini has significantly fewer visitors. Comparatively speaking, I would estimate Mykonos has more visitors than Santorini by 30-1.

The final difference is in the atmosphere. It is in the air. Everyone whoops it up on Mykonos. Party time till the wee hours of the morning. Santorini is in bed by 10. The streets are totally empty by 11.

Life begins between 10 and 11 in Mykonos. Last night as I was walking to my hotel away from the Chora, tons of younger people were walking in the opposite direction. Towards the Chora. The ladies dressed. Dressed! Like in minis, knee length and other size dresses. Heels. Tall. Made up for a night on the town.

I felt sorry for the ladies. The humidity was so heavy I could see their make up starting to run.

By the way, I was walking up to my hotel at 10 while the younger ones were going downhill into the Chora to begin their evening. A difference between the generations.

I had dinner last night in the Chora. Overlooking the sea. The restaurant was Antonia’s. Just like in Key West. Key West’s Antonia’s puts out a better product, though I did enjoy my meal. A lamb casserole.

After dinner, I was off to find the Montparnasse. It is a piano bar. The only piano bar in Mykonos.

Donna and Terri suggested I stop there. Terri sang there at one time. They told me the owners were a Judy and Nikko. Terri said tell them of our relationship and be prepared to be treated royally.

I never did. I could not find the place. It is in one of those alleys I described earlier. I asked three knowledgeable Mykonos citizens where it was. Each knew. Each sent me to a different place. Each was wrong. By this time, the humidity had gotten to me and I said screw it.

Bobby Peaco, who played and sang at the Keys Piano Bar, is playing at Montparnasse now. I was looking forward to seeing him again. I was also looking forward to boozing it up a bit. Did not occur because this man could take the heat no more.

Perhaps tonight.

The stones constituting the walkway in the Chora alleys interested me. I was told they have been there forever. They reminded me of the stones making up the Apian Way. Thirty years ago when in Rome, I visited the Apian Way. The roads were constructed of larger stones than in Mykonos. The same stones which the Roman chariots traveled over. Back before the birth of Christ. The Mykonos and Appian Way stones were similar, except in size.

Mykonos is definitely a tourist town. The prices 25-50 per cent higher than Santinori. Gin on the rocks was 50 per cent higher. For Gordon’s! I did not find this gouging on Santorini.

Today the Super Paradise Beach. I have been assured by many it is one of the world’s finest beaches. I am looking for to experiencing it.

The bottom line is Mykonos is a terrific vacation place. For many from all over the world. It is not my cup of tea, however.

The Greek election is Sunday. Very significant! The result will have world wide impact.

I compare this election to Governor Walker’s recent recall election in Wisconsin. I thought surely he would have been beaten. He was not. Walker has now set the trend to be followed for the next ten years at least in the United States.

In Greece, the issue is the euro or back to the drachma. From what I have experienced in Athens and Santorini, the populace wants back to the drachma. Except for my friend and recent landlord Nikos. He wants to stay with the euro. Nikos represents the affluent. The others I spoke with the more common people. A Wall Street / Main Street battle all over again.

No one is talking politics on Mykonos. The locals are too busy making money. The tourists too busy having a good time.

Sunday will tell the story.

Joanna is my savior! Her grandfather built the hotel I am staying in some fifty years ago. Her uncle now owns it. She manages the place.

Joanna is some place in her twenties. Industrious. Charming. Ever so helpful. You have to understand my cell phone is down, wi-fi does not work that often here, and Louis needs a computer to do his blog.

I explained my problem to Joanna when I checked in. She said no problem. You will use mine as long as you are here. So here I am, sitting at her desk, punching away.

An international hotel chain should look at Joanna. Her experience is in the blood. She would make a great acquisition.

Enjoy your day!

The impeachment trial is winding down today. The guilty/not guilty vote will be taken.

Trump will be exonerated as in the first impeachment trial. He is teflon. Nothing sticks to him.

I listened to this morning’s closing arguments. One observation. Trump’s lead counsel (whose name I cannot recall  at the moment) from Philadelphia is a slime. One lawyer to another.

He was a disaster the first day. Came back yesterday. Disgraced himself today.

The Republican Senators were laughing at times during his delivery. Not because of the quality of his presentation. Rather, because of the manner of his attack on the Democratic Managers.

In a real court room, he would not have gotten away with it. The judge would have cut his testicles off immediately.

Don’t let me hear I am a Democrat and a poor loser. Not the issue. The attorney was an embarrassment to his profession. Garbage is garbage.

The funny thing is the attorney did not have to conduct himself in the fashion he did. It has been obvious from day one that Trump could not be convicted. The votes were not there.

Great golf this weekend. The Pebble Beach Golf Tournament.

Pebble Beach consists of three courses. One is closed down for repairs. The other is Spyglass.

I have played Spyglass, also. A tough round. Not as difficult as Pebble Beach itself. However bad enough.

Spyglass is like playing golf in the woods. Narrow fairways. Woods all around. Tall thin trees with branches almost to the ground. A mishit and a player is in the woods in bad shape.

I am impressed with Jordan Spieth’s play. He did well in last week’s tournament. He was leading a the end of the third round. Didn’t have it on the final 18.

He was leading yesterday at the end of the second round with a -12.

I hope he can continue the excellent play. He has had a couple of bad years.

Islamorada is in the mid keys. A 1 hour 45 minute drive from Key West. Old. Fun places, however.

The motels are generally old. Vintage 1950s. Clean. Located right on the ocean beach.

It is the bars and restaurants that make Islamorada a place I enjoy. For lunch, Loreli. On the gulf side. Great sandwiches and people. Pleasant atmosphere.

Dinner in the evening The Islamorada Fish Company.  I sometimes go two evenings in a row. On the gulf side also. Stone crabs the specialty of the house. Enjoyed with a great vista view from a huge round deck sitting out over the gulf.

Islamorada is also known as the Fishing Capital of the World. Real fishermen go there to enjoy the sport.

Islamorada is a typical Key. U.S. 1 running down the middle of the Key.

Traffic over the years has obviously gotten heavy. People seeking many of the keys south of Islamorada. Crossing U.S. 1 from one side to the other can be dangerous. Patience required. If you have any smarts, you wait till crossing is easy. Many deaths and bad injuries the result of those who do not. Accidents are many.

The State decided an overhead bridge was required for pedestrian travel in order to avoid accidents from occurring. The Islamorada Council did not want it. The  State announced it was cancelling construction.

Everything will remain as it was.

Baseball great Ted Williams was an avid fishermen. In the early 1960s, he purchased a magnificent home on the ocean side. The fishing boats are on the gulf side. Most everything is on the gulf side.

Williams sold his home in 1988. He said at the time that he decided to sell it when he had to wait to cross U.S. 1.

Traffic has always been problem. Worse today, of course. However with a bit of patience, not a problem.

May Johnson’s diary entry was not in the Citizen this morning. Has final publication arrived? Seems so. Hopefully her further diaries will get “translated” and we all will have the plea sue of following her again.

Enjoy your day!

I had a physical problem the past two days. I danced around it on the blog. The facts were not all in. Now they are and I share what could have been a disaster with you.

I had difficulty sleeping tuesday night. It was around one in the morning and I was sitting up in bed watching TV. The lights were off.

All of a sudden, I saw a shadow moving across the floor. Knew right away what it was. A cockroach. Key West is built on a bed of cockroaches.

Flipped on the light, put on my crocs and went after it.

We arrived at the same time in the door jam between the bedroom and bathroom. I lifted my right foot and came down hard. When I did, I fell hard to the right. My head hit the door jam, the TV, 2 tables and the tile floor.

I had other problems which have now developed into heavy purple bruises.

As is typical with older persons, I could not get up. Took me a half hour.

Looked at the roach. Dead! I got him!

Once I got on the bed, I slept well the rest of the night.

I woke in the morning with a head that felt I had drunk too much the night before. Could not be. I do not drink any more.

I take a water pill every day. I have heart problems and the water pill keeps my blood thin.

Ten year ago when I started the blood thinner pill, I was told if I ever banged my head hard, I should see a doctor immediately and get a cat scan of my head. If there was a bleed in the brain, surgery is immediate.

My primary told me to go directly to Urgent Care and get a complete work up. I did.

Cat scan of my head done.

Doctor returned with the result. The scan had been sent out to a radiologist.

The report indicated there might be a problem. The problem to be feared is a brain blood leak. There was something the radiologist saw but could not identify.

The doctor caring for me in Urgent Care scared the hell out of me. She immediately leaped into there is no neurosurgeon in Key West, looks like surgery is required, helicopter will get you to Miami in 1 hour 15 minutes, etc.

I could not believe what she was telling me. I had her explain again simply and directly. Her impression was I had a leak and had to deal with it.

I looked at the radiologist’s report. Looked fine, except he saw something he could not identify. He suggested a cat scan the next day.

I told to schedule the cat scan for tomorrow. The last thing I wanted or needed was brain surgery.

Returned at 8 yesterday morning for the additional brain scan. The result was I was fine in effect: “No acute intercranial hemorrhage, midline shift or mass effect.”

I was immediately relieved. Frankly, I was scared I was going to need brain surgery for the bleeding. I felt like the weight of the world had been lifted from me.

I had a different doctor the second day. The one who had given me the “bad news” the day before was off.

I got home and realized I was exhausted. The affect on me mentally must have been terrific. The exhaustion was total.

The only humorous event was the second day when a nurse was taking my blood pressure, etc. I had said when I first came in the day before that I fell stomping on a cockroach and killing it. The whole office knew my story by the second day. Apparently they considered it humorous. I did not.

Anyhow, she said something I did find humorous. She said…..It’s karma.

If anyone is interested, I did kill the cockroach.

Could be the last day of the Impeachment trial in Washington. It is the defense’s day.

The Democrats did an excellent job of presenting their case. Trump’s lawyers blew it the first day.

Today might be described as the lawyers/Republicans day. And the trial will be over. The Senate vote could take place today.

The exceptional job performed by the Democratic managers was unfortunately to no avail.

The Republicans are too scared to oppose Trump. They fear Trump and his terrorist insurrectionist friends. Not only would many lose their positions in the next assured to occur primary, I suspect they fear for their lives and the lives of their families.

Trump and his followers had no reservation about killing Pence and Pelosi.

I spent yesterday afternoon flipping from one channel to another. The Pebble Beach golf tournament and the Impeachment trial.

Hole 7 was shown on the screen many times. A tough par 3 downhill into wind and ocean. The only hole I excelled on when I played the course.

Pebble Beach looked magnificent. Fairways and greens perfect. Flowers and foliage likewise.

Everyone wants to play Pebble Beach. Lousy golfers like me and and better ones also. The operators let everyone play 10 months per year. Pack foursomes close on the course. During those 10 months, I doubt they keep the course up as they should.

However in the two months before the tournament, the course is closed down. No one can play. The course is brought back during those two months.

Today, February 12. A day of some historical importance. More than normal.

Joseph “Bum” Farto was the Fire Chief of Key West back in the early 1970s. In addition to his fire duties, he ran drugs and operated a prostitution ring.

Those were the days in Key West!

Farto was caught and tried in federal court. Found guilty of 3 drug violations. Sentenced to 31 years in jail.

In the federal system, one sentenced to jail has a period following the sentencing before actually being jailed. The government feels such a person should have time to put his affairs in order.

On the day Farto was to check in to begin his 31 years, he disappeared. Backed out of his driveway and disappeared. There was and still is talk that a truck and car blocked his vehicle.

Farto has never been seen since. Some refer to him as the Jimmy Hoffa of Key West.

It was on this day in 1976 that Farto was sentenced.

Today appears to be the day Trump will be found guilty or not guilty. A significant day in history also involving another President.

On this day in 1999, Clinton was acquitted by the Senate in his Impeachment trial.

Abraham Lincoln was born on this day in 1809. He was born in  poverty in a one room rural cabin, the son of a farmer.

One more. Coincidental?

On the same day in 1809 that Lincoln was born, the National Association of Colored People was founded. The helper and the helped born the same day.

DAY 17…..Greece the First Time

Posted on June 13, 2012 by Key West Lou

Goodbye Santorini!

Hello Mykonos!

I shall miss Santorini. I truly enjoyed it. I must return.

It was a big fast speed boat ride to Mykonos. About 250 people on board. Comfortable, large, air conditioned, food available, etc. Two and one half hours with three stops before reaching Mykonos.

Mykonos lovely. The same as Santorini. Except no cave homes.

I seem to be into God this trip. The flavor of Mykonos is such that I expect to see Jesus Christ walking around. The buildings, rocks and foliage produced, for me at least, that feeling.

The hotel so so. But very nice people running the place. Greeks seem generally nice. For example, I just arrived and I am sitting behind the admission desk using the personal computer of one of the employees. She became aware I needed one and offered it.

Something new.

You cannot put toilet paper in the toilet. It will plug the system. You must put it in the waste basket.

Ugh!

This was a problem for some in Santorini. But not where I was staying.

It is definitely going to be a problem here. Not just new, different.

The reason for no toilet paper down the toilet is twofold. I made an investigation.

First, the sewage system is ancient. Not back to Christ, but apparently not far removed. Old pipes. Small pipes diameter wise.

The second reason makes sense also. All sewage on the island goes into one huge receptacle. It is in effect a lake of the material. Once there, it is chemicalized, etc. Toilet paper screws up the process. Makes the sewage too thick to properly treat.

The toilet paper problem is something most of us did not know. I know I did not. Now we are all aware of it and why.

Tonight, I am going into downtown Mykonos. The back alleys and by ways. I need some serious drinking, music, and hell raising. Something not available on Santorini.

Enjoy your day!

DAY 16…..Greece the First Time

Posted on June 12, 2012 by Key West Lou

I was dead last night! The volcano did me in!

I did yesterday’s blog till 8 in the evening. Then I satisfied a need. For whatever reason, I had a desire for a chocolate milkshake. Yes, they sell them in Oia. It was delicious!

I was back in my cave by 9 and soon sound asleep. The sleep of the dead. The volcano responsible therefore.

I have been in Santorini longer than planned. I was to leave last Saturday. Put it off to Sunday. Then to today, Tuesday. Now, tomorrow. I definitely will be leaving tomorrow. Wednesday.

Destination Mykonos.

Going by boat. Speed boat. So called. Probably a big boat as yesterday. Makes three stops before reaching Mykonos.

I do not have a place to stay. Unusual for me. I am normally a planner. But this trip is loosey goosey. I am told to worry not. A lot of places to stay in Mykonos. Not yet the season.

Donna and Terri wrote me. We have friends in Mykonos. She told me a bar to go to. Terri sang for the owners in New York. Bobby Peoscue, probably spelled his name wrong, is playing piano there. He worked the place where Terri sang when she first came to Key West.

Loosey goosay not working in Mykonois. I am only staying three nights. I am anxious to move on to Fourni-Korseon. In English, Pirate’s Cove.

Fourni, as it is so called, is a very small island with a very small village. Only one bar. Serves the same one meal all day.

The attraction of Fourni is its expatriates. Writers, musicians, entrepreneurs, etc. I am told my time there will be enjoyable and well spent. The expatriates look forward to the few guests who arrive to visit their island

I do not know how long I will be in Fourni. Perhaps a couple of weeks. Where, then? I am thinking Morroco or Portofino. I have met many Morocco natives on this trip. They make their homeland sound interesting. Although a Muslim country, the people dance to their own tune. Women dress as in the USA. Mini skirts in vogue. Men and women walk the streets hand in hand. The young well educated. A fun place.

They speak of interesting historical places. Like Casablanca, the Casbah and the like. Shades of Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman and Tony Martin. Even Frank Sinatra. I saw Sinatra in person at the Paramount Theater on stage in 1943. My father took me. I was 8 years old. This young kid, skinny, with a big bow tie sang. The movie running with the live Sinatra was The Casbah with Tony Martin. The recollection fixed in my mind.

China is starting to tickle my fancy. I have met many Chinese here in Santorini on vacation. All interesting. All mysterious.

Portofino is a must. Have to get everything worked out. Decision time later. I have the time.

The Greek language is difficult to absorb. I have mentioned the katini I dined at three evenings. The one at the base of a lava cliff on the sea. I thought the place was a katini. In my mind, a canteen. The sign said Katina. Turns out Katina is the family name of the persons owning the restaurant.

The name of the place turns out to be Fish Eatery. However that is in English. The sign in Greek reads YapotaBepva. I am staying on the island of Santorini. The name Santorini is on the sign, also. In Greek. It read Eantopinh. Do you wonder why I make mistakes in translation?

Some interesting tidbits about Santorini.

The locals dress in black. Men and women alike. All black. The men wear black jeans and black tee shirts who work on the boats. How they stand the heat, I do not know.

Oia wakes up at 9 in the morning. Before then, the locals are busy sweeping in front of their stores, otherwise cleaning up, doing pre- opening tasks. They talk with each other. Not a precise description. They yell. A hundred feet away, they communicate in loud tones. Reminded me of the Italian neighborhood in Utica where I grew up.

Comes 9, everything goes silent. And stays that way til the next morning.

Water a problem. As everywhere. Santorini is a small island. No wells. Water is brought in by tanker. Some in large vats, some in bottles. It is said it is better to drink bottled water as the tanked water is not so good.

Everyone has water problems. Key West brings water in also. Except Key West gets it by pipe from Miami.

There are two super markets on the walk above the caves. Not really super markets, though so called. Really small grocery stores stacked with every conceivable thing.

I have been going to the one closest to me. The owner cheats. No matter how many times I buy the same thing, it is always a different price. By as much as 3 euros.

No cable TV here. Antennas like in the 1960s on rooftops.

Electric power via solar panels. One on each house. More on hotels. Each the size of a door. With a small tank behind each one. Not covering the entire roof as we are being told in Key West. As I understand it, solar panels in the U.S. are cheap. It is the labor that is costly. But we cover the entire roof in the U.S. Someone should look into the Greek concept.

You pay for bread in a restaurant. A small basket is anywhere from 1 euro to 2.5 euros. The bread sucks. The only food in Greece I have not enjoyed. It all tastes the same no matter where you eat. Bland with a soft/hard crust.

On the other hand, other type baked goods are delicious. Like the breakfast rolls I enjoy each morning.

Santorini is a vacation place. The season is the summer months. However, the island is open for business from April 1 to November 1. Otherwise, closed down. It gets very cold here in the winter.

Locals work 7 days a week. Some from 9 to 9. Others different evening hours. Hotel workers from 7 to 9. These are all morning to night times.

They do not complain. This is their time to make it. An industrious people.

It is now June. The weather is warm by day. Very warm. Absolutely no humidity. I have not sweat once no matter what I was doing. Evenings are cold, however. A sweater or jacket required. They tell me it remains that way in July and August.

So much for today. Chat with you in the morning.

Enjoy your day!

Today’s blog small pieces of information re Santorini. Tomorrow I leave for Mykonos.

Today only the blog as written in 2012. I have some tests at 8. Need to get ready.

Enjoy!

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!