Where is Derek?

Okay so after 5 days of waiting, an electronic transfer from Japan finally got to me. I was sweating bullets because I was down to 6 euros and the last day of my stay in Rhodes before I was homeless and penniless. Why does this always happen when you are under the most stress. Usually in Japan a bank transfer takes 5 minutes and it takes 2 days max but this time it took 5 days. Unbelieveable! I am glad this is over but I learned about how people who care about you will do everything possible to make sure you are okay. Thank goodness, I was able to stay at my friend Yannis house for two nights or else I dont know what I would have done.

I effing hate Japanese Banks. They are so anal about everything and something as simple as a bank transfer is an overly complicated matter. Because of this foolishness, I am stressing out because it has been four days since I was able to get money and now I am stranded at my hotel with 20 euros to my name. This is no way to travel and I cant believe that something that is so easy to do in Japan is being such a pain in the ass when I am abroad. I am tired, very tired of this bullshit. I had to borrow 50 euros from my friend who was hosting me in Crete to get to Rhodes and now I am on an island where I dont know anyone and I only have 20 euros to my name. If a tranfer doesnt work in two days then I seriously dont know what I will do. It is a torturous waiting game I am playing on such a beautiful island.

My goodness, I moved from Paraga beach to Paradise beach aka euro trash beach. It was like euro MTV spring break and The Jersey Shore rolled up into a feces ball. I stayed at the Paradise Beach “Resort” aka the shithole concentration camp. Thanks goodness for the good people I met at Paraga because without, Woz, Emma, Des, Sam and Kat (the Aussies) and Mark, Theresa, Gabriel, Oliver and Ann (the Canadians) I would have hated my time in Mykonos. Actually, I did enjoy walking around Mykonos town and riding quads around the island and my day trip to Delos but the beaches at night were filled with 20 somethings in bg groups and t was hard as a single person to meet people. If it wasn’t for the hostel I would seriously have found it difficult to make new friends. Mykonos is very clicky if you know what I mean. I made a mistake with my ferry ticket and I will not be able to go to santorini today but I will go tomorrow afternoon. I will lose a day but it cannot be helped. At least I am in good company. Tonight I drink!

Delos as a sidetrip was nice, btw. I would definitely recommend it. I have stayed 4 nights which is way too long. 2 full days would be enough. Oh btw the other night I hung out with the Aussies who had a Greek friends take us out and have drinks at their apartment, that was very nice.

So looking forward to leaving Mykonos.

Write y’all tomorrow from santorini hopefully.

D

My hostel is a dump but things were interesting because they put me in an 8 person dorm with 7 girls. All Brazilian and Aussie and all were doing a gap year. Everyone seemed pretty cool, we went out for a cafe and hit the beach. My room seriously is a dog pound though, I am glad I bought a silk sleeping bag in Vietnam because I will need that filth shield to protect me from the bugs and what not. I spent the day at Paradise Beach and Super Paradise Beach and then the day in Mykonos town, walking around, seeing the windmills, drinking coffee in Little Venice and eating. Later tonight, is Benni Benassi at Cavo Paradiso, it should be a great party. No sleep tonight.

Day 2 in Athens was really relaxed. I visited the Plaka again and took pictures. Later in the afternoon, I met up with an old friend from my study abroad trip to China, Sevi in Athens and had something to eat and drink. Sevi was near her final trimester and it was nice to see her again. Time was short but it was nice seeing Sevi again.

Later in the evening, I met up with an ex co worker named Chavis and we walked around Monastiraki and the surrounding area, waiting for Chavis’ cousin to arrive. Once Chavis’ cousin, Lauren arrived we went to the Acropolis and did touristy things until having drinking in Psiri. Sorry this post is short but I am waiting for a ferry to Mykonos. I will update these posts with pictures and more stories of the day as I have more time.

Next up Mykonos.

Well after 25 hrs of travel, I finally made it to Pella House in Athens, Greece. This hostel is really conveniently located in Monastiraki which is in the heart of the city. I arrived at 1pm, really weary but I still ventured out to the surrounding areas, first going to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Parliament building to see if any riots were happening. Nothing was happening but I did see a lot of police walking about.

After that I walked around the Plaka towards the Acropolis and back to the hostel. I will update this page with photos as I get back.

The Plaka was very touristy near Ermou Street but as you walk up the hill towards the Acropolis, you find little streets and alleys, just like you see in the movies.

The Acropolis, quintessential Greece, was amazing but due to reconstruction efforts, there was scaffolding everywhere, ruining any photo op. But impressive none the less.

For my first meal in Greece, I just hit up a Greek fastfood place called Goody’s which sold me a gyro with a big portion of fries and mustard with a drink for less than 5 euros. For dinner, I went to my hostel’s bbq party on the roof over looking the acropolis. Not a bad first day.

Tomorrow, I will meet one of my friends from my China study abroad trip, Sevi and later in the evening, a friend from Japan, Chavis.