Our Big Fat Greek Experience

     We had an amazing time visiting Greece and a few of the Greek Islands. Right outside our hotel was a little flea market with local fruits and vegetables, used clothing, new clothing, and every little trinket you could possibly think of to take home as souvenirs. 

      Everywhere you walked in the city, we came upon old ruins that had been left to be discovered. 

      While exploring downtown Athens, we came across in the middle of the city a little cat sanctuary located by some old Greek ruins. 

   

       Athens had many foods from different cultures from around the world, from Turkish kebabs, fresh Greek salads, and amazing Italian pasta dishes. 

    Nothing like having lunch with an amazing view of the Greek Pantheon. 

       On our last day we decide to do a tour of a few Greek Islands from a local tour company. 

      The ship cruise provided us an amazing lunch with drinks of our choice, as we sailed to three different Greek Islands to explore.

        On our first stop we found a nice little mom-and-pop local restaurant by the sea and had some amazing fresh seafood with a view you would die for. 

         Enjoying some amazing homemade Greek wine for only €3 for a large carafe. Yummy goodness!!!!

       Carla decided to join a family and their celebration at a small Greek restaurant located right on the sea. 

                          OPA!!!!!!

        I think if we all had swimsuits and it was a lot warmer, we would've jumped in that sea. But instead took this picture by the beautiful ocean and thinking to ourselves how we don't want to leave this beautiful island. 

      If we could do it all again we would spend more time on the islands exploring the little quaint towns that are located by the beautiful Greek oceans. What a fantastic way escape from everything.

      While on one of the islands I found this little shop that sold local Greek wines and of course I had to buy a bottle to take back home with me. Not a bad find for only €8. 

     I just fell in love with Poros Greek island with all of its beautiful colored boats of blue. 

      You know what they say "while in Rome",  but I wasn't expecting to release the crackin while I was in Greece. I wasn't sure if I should eat it or if I should let it loose. 

     It was a sad goodbye when we left the islands, because we knew that it was the end of our wonderful European trip. But it was one of the best experiences and adventures that we have ever had, something we will never forget. Good food, good wine and great new friendships made along the way. Life is good for these gypsies! 

........Onto the next adventure!

ANOTHER YEAR OF AGELESSNESS

     I have to remember we are all at different stages in our lives and me being 40 something, my life choices are going to be different then a 30 year old. For me it's not all about me looking like a rock star anymore…..having the best butt or having the cutest BF.  I'm so much more focused on having a fulfilling life with amazing adventures, living a healthy life, being as fit as I can be without killing myself, finding and keeping GOOD friends, finding a life partner who I am happy with and compatible with, not spending tons of money on makeup and useless clothing items, saving my pennies more for travel adventures that will have me remembering them on my last days on this earth, and getting closer to my spiritual self. My priorities have changes over the years and right now I feel more comfortable in my skin then I have ever felt. It feels good to step back and actually see the whole picture and feel at peace with my life.  

      

               Here are a few ways to live a happier life

1. Eat better and excersise at least 3 times a week.

2. Take up yoga and meditation to distress your life.

3. Buy less, recycle what you don't use, and buy used whenever possible

4. Live below your means.....who needs a sports car at this time in your life anyways?

5. Make time to become a better friend by being supportive and there during the bad times and not just the good times. 

6. Excepting people for who they are, no one is perfect and waiting for perfection will lead to a lifetime of disappoinment. 

7. Get a hobbie you will enjoy as you age that will keep you busy and less lonely at times. 

8. Build a bucket list and each year make sure you check something off of it, whether big or small. Just do it!!!!!!

BELLA ROMA

          Our first big must see was to go see the Pope at the Vatican, because it's the thing to do while in Rome. We were lucky to be able to see the Pope inargurate new priest to the church. We had planned the right day to go and we weren't the only ones there, about a thousand other onlookers were there to see the ceremony happening that day. 

       

            Rosaries from the Vatican 

     To make it easy to see everything in a short time and not have to walk everywhere, we did the hop on hop off red bus for €25, and it was worth it. I recommend it for those with a few days to visit any city. You can hit all the major sites in one day. Just saves you a lot of time in the end. 

                

                      Rome's City Square 

           The Colosseum is amazing to see in person. Not so much on the outside during the time that we visited because of the scaffolding all around it, but going inside to see were the Roman gladiators once battled each other. You can buy your tickets online before you go in order to not wait in line and the Red hop on, hop off bus will drop you right at it's doorsteps. How convenient is that!   

        The Trevi Fountain was probably my favorite landmark to see in Rome. It just sits in the middle of the city surrounded by apartments, restraurants, and stores. It's funny to see how the city has just grown around this beautiful structure. 

       Throwing our pennies into the fountain to wish for a return trip to Rome.

         

       Those girls look like they belong on the streets of Rome!

      Seeing we were in Rome for a whole week, we had time for a day trip to Naples. I wanted to get a Naples pizza like Julia Roberts did in "Eat, Pray, Love" and see if it was as good as she made it out to be. Mmmm, let's just say I had better pizza in Rome. Nothing seemed to be working out in the food department for me over here in Italy. 

     I'll have to say that Naples is beautiful though. Next time I'd stay a few nights in this liitle town. It's only an hour away from Rome and pretty easy to get too. The seafood is amazing here and you can pretty much get any kind of seafood pasta that you want. Nothing better then looking out onto the clear water with a glass of vino. 

     As a side trip from Naples, Carla talked us into seeing Pompeii located about an hour away. We had hired our own private taxi driver to drive us around Naples, so he gladly drove us out to see this amazing village that was destroyed by a volcano eruption and covered in ash in 1500 BC. We had two hours to see this city that would really take you days to walk through. 

     As we prepared to leave Rome after an amazing week, we decided to make a farewell dinner for some friends we had met in our "women's only" hostel. (Carla loves to says it was a lesbian hostel, but I don't think they were all lesbians really) So we went out to buy some fine Italian ingrediates to make some pasta alfredo and a salad with fresh green olives, and a side of Italian bread. Nothing better then to cook for your new friends. Of course we had a few bottles of vino to enjoy with each other, your in Italy after all. 

  

    Our last night in Rome with great new friends! 

    Oh how I fell in love with Rome....except for the pasta! Maybe we just didn't find the right cafe or chief to cook us the perfect pasta dish. How disappointed we were. The only thing I found that I loved in Rome was the pizza and the vino! I think I drank my way through Italy holding a bottle of red wine at my side. I'm sure that's how the Italians do it. I know it is! 

    So in the end just make pasta and not war, but make your own at your hostel and skip the cafés here in Rome. Very disappointing! 

GAUDI AND TAPAS

    We were excited to see hot Spanish guys and eat our fill of tapas when we got to Barcelona and boy we were not disappointed at either! First we had to check into our hip hostel we had booked through Hostelbookers.com though.

   The Generator hostels are some of the best hostels to stay in if you are traveling with a large group or trying to travel on the cheap. We had an amazing time at this huge artsy fartsy hostel in Barcelona. Hip bar that stayed open til 2am, a restaurant with great food, and places to kick back around every corner. I highly recommend them for anyone traveling overseas. 

   Just walking the quant little streets of Spain, picking up some gelato and people watching is an enjoyable experience believe me. Everyone in Spain was dress so hip, as if they had stepped out of a magazine. Makes you want to go shopping for a new wardrobe. We picked up a new scarf while we where there to blend in a bit.

   Barcelona is famous for several buildings built by Gaudi, a famous architect from Spain. He created buildings as Gothic art located around the city of Barcelona. He's work is beautiful to see in person. Nothing in the world looks like what he designed here. His work is a must see while you are visiting. 

     This Gaudi building was located not far from were we stayed. This part of Barcelona is called the "Gothic" area of the city. 

       You'll find something wonderful around every corner while you are here, a quant little cafe, a square full of people feeding pigeons, boutique shopping stores, amazing architectural buildings, and maybe even an erotic museum. 

     A beautiful little square we find while walking Barcelona, Spain. Weather was nice and warm.....no jacket required today! 

    Sometimes you really should ask before you order something on the menu in a foreign country, and this was one of those times. The cute little quail eggs on potatoes looked tasty, but what was on top of that was interesting. We got to taste some BRAIN with this French tapa that we ordered. Interesting taste and texture to say the least. Not my favorite thing to eat! 

       Spain has some of the best cappuccino around and we drank our fair share of it while we were here. Gets you through a long day of exploring and can be found at every cafe, street vendor, and restraurant. Yummy for for tummy! 

  

     Barcelona has a nice marina and some beautiful beaches to go for a stroll after you have had a nice cup of cappuccino or a nice glass of vino. Spend a day just relaxing by the water is what a vacation is all about. Make sure to learn to take it easy like the Europeans do, because after all you are on vacation. 

     We had one sunny, beautiful day here in Barcelona and we took full advantage of it. Listened to some music being played by local musicians,  while taking a stroll by the water......Nothing better! 

    I have falling in love with cheese and fresh cut Jam'on! 

      Yes you know we found it and concurred it......The Erotic Museum of Barcelona! Interesting find while walking around town and you just have to go in a take a peek. 

      We got whipped into shape at the Erotic museum.......Whip it, whip it good! 

     Gustov Klimt, one of my favorite painters of all times. This was a replica, but was a pretty good one because I asked our guide if it was the original one. I guess it would be kinda weird it being in an Erotic museum huh? 

    I am in love with TAPAS! I think we should all serve tapas as dinner, with of course some nice wine. Being served smaller portions of different things, really let's you try out all kinds of different dishes. We got to eat some tasty dishes while we sipped on delicious Spainish wine. Definently one of my favorite things we did while visiting here. 

   What's not to love about a tapa bar?!?!? They are pretty much everywhere you go and you just want to sample a little bit of everything. 

     It's a must to try the traditional dish of Spain.....Paella! They serve it many different ways here. How can you go wrong with saffron rice, you just can't. 

    This church is another creation of Gaudi, but was being repaired while we were here. I was told the repairs will be taking place for many years to come, so don't exspect it to be finished anytime soon. Still a beautiful piece of artwork that you must not miss out on seeing. Gaudi was truly a genius! 

Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família (1852-1926)

      Overall Barcelona was an amazing place to see on our Europe Trippin. With great wine, great food like tapas and Italian pasta, amazing Gothic buildings, beautiful beaches, and the well dress beautiful people everywhere you go. I will be back for some more soon!