February 6th, 2014 / Sarah Bullen
So we arrived after a mammoth 2-day journey. 8 hours in Dubai airport (never again it wasn’t terrible as we slept, but just too long). Then a changeover in Athens. By that stage nerves were frayed, we had 60 mins and I had a list of admin so long. Get Greek sim card, load airtime, charge ipad, call house ownerget Jude some birthday presents. Screaming match with Ruby killed those plans.
Airports are quite hard with kids as they are terrified you are going to loose them so I got none of the above done.Then we land in Lesbos.. Freeeeeeezing. It was getting dark and I wanted to stay the night in the capital but the house owner was leaving the next morning so we had to drive the 2 hours.Got the tiny Hyundai, squeezed the bags in, signed the waver that said I will pay for any tyres I pop. And off we went. Driving on the right side of the road with serious sleep deprivation. The kids thought it was hilarious. But then Jude saw all the old buildings and burst into tears. He didn’t realise it was a OLD place. He wanted to go home to Hout Bay. He wanted his gogo.Fortunately he cried himself to sleep quite fast and Ruby and I navigated through the pitch dark and tiny villages and winding roads.We navigated wrong and ended up in a village 25kms past our destination.
Desperate, and freezing I tried to get my SA cell working again. Then I had the bright idea - reboot the phone. Viola ! I called Theodore the owner and told him where we were and that we are not driving a second more and we were spending the night. He laughed and told me to drive back and find him.I realised why - not a single word of English, tiny fishing village. No lights. Ruby crying, Jude thank God still asleep. We turned around, GPS on and we found the road.
Then a blowout (ok ok hit a rock in the middle of the road). In the mountains, no signal at all. We flagged down a car and got a ride to where there was signal. I called the house owner and said - come and fetch me RIGHT NOW.He did.
So that was just GETTING THERE.
So here we are in a tiny little village called Erresos. The house is lovely. It is apparently a MANSION according to Greek standards. This means central heating, 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms (I use that term loosely as its hand showers and a loo).We have wireless and a TV (only Greek channels).
The iPads are a life-saver as the kids are connected, skyping friends and family. Last night Jude and Josh played some computer game online with eachother - or tried.
We know a few people so I have met them all for coffee and they are all friendly and so lovely and welcoming.
Food is really limited in choice. There is really only stuff that grows locally which is quite challenging. Tomatoes, onions, cucumber, aubergine, potatoes. Feta and olives. Local cheese and eggs. Yesterday Ruby and I went shopping at the butcher. Hanging there was one carcass of unknown origin (unless you are some sort of farmer). Three old Greek ladies with no teeth manning the meat. After about 20 mins of charades and animal noises I walked away with a big CHUNK of meat ( 8 euro). Luckily the cafe owner could identify it as beef (ah that is why the old lady was making moooo noises and doing chewing actions - I thought it was because she had no teeth).
The rest of the shop items do not really get sold in shops. They get sold off bakkies that drive around all the villages. They call out on a loudspeaker what they are selling and you buy. Which is fine if you speak Greek but we have no idea what they are selling so I send the kids running to look every time we hear them. Ah - toilet paper (pic below). There are two algemene handelaars that stock most cupboard stuff.
The first morning I woke up to find Ruby missing. I could see she had changed out of her PJs so I realised she hadn’t been snatched. Deep breathing. Then about 20 mins later she arrived back. She had taken some money, walked to the village square and bought me a coffee and Jude a hot chocolate !! Very brave though all the winding little roads. She was so excited about her independence.
Anyway the kids are in heaven. The freedom of being able to just walk anywhere is exciting to them. They are still a bit nervous and last night we walked back after a dinner on the square and they were edgy in the dark.
I am working so balancing trying to keep the kids busy and getting work done. It will be easier when we get into a system and they get a tutor. Today I drive to a town with a bank to open a bank account. Here there is one ATM and everyone only takes cash.
There is a yoga class I am doing and there is a fabulous Norwegian bodybuilder who is giving ‘fitness classes’ which involved serious core exercises, sit ups, push ups. I did my first one yesterday and woke last night feeling as if I had been hit by a train. Sore. Stiff.In the middle of the class the door opened and in walked Jude in his swimming costume soaking wet. They had been swimming (or as they claimed they had fallen into the sea!). There was a collective gasp from the ladies. Swimming is not really done here in mid winter. The sea is not as cold as CT but the air is about 5-10 degrees.
Anyway we are just settling in. Change of pace.
Change of life.
It’s fun and very very different to our usual lives.
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