Vacation in Review, Day 9 - Sochi, Russia

We spent the day in Sochi Russia.

 Sochi is site of the 2014 Winter Olympics.

We went to check out the Olympic Village.  

 All around Sochi there is LOTS of construction going on, but it sure seems like there is MUCH to do.

 Will they be ready?

There isn't much of an infrastructure.

 However, construction is not my first thought.  Russians need to brush up on their hospitality.

If they are going to host the WORLD, they need to be more friendly to visitors!

This is also where Sharon and I got a surprise crash course in Squat toilets.  That blog is up next!

Eating my way through Boston

I spent the week in Boston for work, and some of the people I was working with were huge food buffs.
They easily talked me into trying lots of local food.

Flatbread Pizza: I found this to be the best Pizza, I've ever hard.

http://www.flatbreadcompany.com/2007Home.htm
__________ __________________

UpperCrust Pizza:  Local favorite, but I liked Flatbread better
http://theuppercrustpizzeria.com/

Bedford Farms: ICE CREAM!
http://www.bedfordfarmsicecream.com/

Roberts Maine Grill:  Yes, I went to Maine too - I love Maine
http://www.robertsmainegrill.com/

Mikes Pastry: Have a cannoli!
http://www.mikespastry.com/

Greek Corner:  I love, love, love Greek Food!
http://www.greekcorner.us/index.html

Vacation in Review, Spice Bazaar and Grand Bazaar in Istanbul

  I bought Turkish Apple Tea to bring home.

 

Hooka Pipe?

 Along with carpets, pottery is also popular.  The is quartz - was nice, but expensive.

Vacation in Review, Istanbul Mosques

We saw quite a few mosques while in Istanbul.  While I tried to be respectful, after the first one or so - I had a hard time listening.

They were impressive and we took off our shoes and Sharon and I covered our heads....

But after awhile we explained to the local (that we had hired) that we really wanted to see something more of Istanbul

Yes, it is true that I had Starbucks in Istanbul.  It wasn't for the coffee, it was for the "city mugs" that I wanted to give as gifts.  But really, who can go into Starbucks and not walk out with some? 

Yes, those of us from Seattle don't really care for Starbucks, but after living in DC now - it's often the best I can get. 

Wasn't a great day for taking pictures, dark and drizzly. (Which is a common theme of this trip)  Guess that is the risk you take when you go off peak.

We did good for Daisy

Daisy went to her new home yesterday.  It was a bittersweet day.
It's hard to say good-bye to another good dog, but we found her a great home.

Daisy came to us quite scared and in need of socialization. Not used to being in the house and all the manners that go with that.  She's made huge progress in the time we had her and even snuck into my heart.

We considered keeping her, but I'm just not ready. I work and commute and am emotionally unavailable to what she deserves.

Congrats to Daisy and her new dad Fred.  She's a good girl and we miss her.

Vacation in Review, Let the cruise begin

The itenerary of our 2 week cruise.

This was on a small ship with some overnight stays.

As many of you have heard, the places around the Black Sea were never on my list.  In fact .... some of these places scare me.

When planning this trip with our friends Sharon and Jerry ... I was reminded that it's not always about me.  What? Well... when did THAT start?

It's off to a great start, because we just got upgraded to a suite.  We had purchased a mid-range veranda, and were HAPPY to be upgraded.

We got a walk in closet, more space, a bigger deck, and a two room bathroom.  SCORE!

On our first night on the ship we were awaked to an alarm.

After a few awful sirens the captain came on to tell us that this was a fire alarm as there

 WAS A FIRE IN THE LAUNDRY ROOM

He then requested emergency personal to the laundry room.

As I consider panicking, I try to think about how far out to see we are already - should I get up and get dressed?  How long do I have before the boat sinks?  Is it cold out?  Where is my life jacket?

About a 1/2 hour later we were told the fire was out - and all was well.

Yeah right... could you wait and tell me there is a fire 30 minutes before I have to jump?

Vacation in Review, Day 6 - Seattle friends

On Sunday we were still in Athens and met up with Sharon and Jerry for the rest of our trip.

The 4 of us (well the two of us) have been planning this trip for more than a year.

It was so great to see them. 

One last stop in Athens for me was The Zues Temple.

While I'd seen it before, I needed to go again and have a moment by myself to reflect on the things that had changed in my life since I was last here.

It's a nice cloudy Seattle kinda day.

You can see the Acropolis in the background

Goodbye Athens... you are my favorite city.

Vacation in Review, Athens Meat Market

5 years ago when Spenser and I went to Athens ... I HAD to take my son here.

Why do you ask?


Well as Americans we are so distant from our food, that we forget that an animal gave it's life for us.

I wanted him to know that his food was once a life.


The way that we treat our animals for food in the United States is awful.  Feed lots are awful. We should at least be willing to give the animals that feed us a decent life while they are growing for our dinner plate.


I've made the pictures small so not to shock anyone.  Click on the picture to see them bigger

This market takes place everyday in a run down barn like structure, that is more than 100 years old

 

Wow... the USDA would have a field day here.  Yet the US food is more unsafe than many other non third world countries. 

Why is this?

Vacation in Review, Day 4 - Athens

 

I have spent a few weeks in Athens, so we just wanted to hit the sights for Roger.

The Acropolis Rock

The Acroplois from Socratis prison

 

This is the flag at the top of the lookout on top of the Acropolis. 

 

On top of the Acropolis next to the Parthenon is Erechtheum. The 6 lady marbles are not original and have a history of theft by the British.

 

The Acropolis at night.

The Temple of Hephaestus (in the Ancient Angora) from the Acroplois

 

A Greek sidewalk

Me saying "Why are you taking a picture of me?"