A taste of the Jersey Boys

Forgot to add this. Enjoy!

Jersey Boys

OK, I didn't leave my last blog entry on a very high note, so here is a happier topic. While in London, England, we went to see the Jersey Boys. My review of the production: If you haven't already seen it GO AND SEE IT. It is fabulous. Although it had been playing for 2-1/2 years, there wasn't an empty seat in the house. And the audience was stamping their feet, clapping their hands and some were even singing. At the end of the production, I didn't see a face that wasn't smiling.

The Dirty Dozen

I know this can get to be too much, what with chemicals on our food (i.e. The New Dirty Dozen), chemicals in our household cleaning products, chemicals on our household furnishings (i.e. your rugs, drapes, couches), but the latest one that I have been viewing is in our everyday cosmetics.

Here is an exerpt from the Suzuki Foundation:

"Some of the ingredients in beauty products aren't that pretty. U.S. researchers report that one in eight of the 82,000 ingredients used in personal care products are industrial chemicals, including carcinogens, pesticides, reproductive toxins, and hormone disruptors...."

It goes on to list what they call the Dirty Dozen, a list of 12 chemicals, why they are used and what harmful effects they can possibly have on humans (which I took into my washroom and found that all the products I have contain at least one of them!!!!!). To read the findings of this foundation, Click Here . They also suggest a sensible approach to stocking your shelves with safer products ... take the list to the store when replenishing your stock and choose wisely.

Brooke also showed me this site, cosmetics data base, in which you can research the products you currently use. We were surprised to find that just because a product is very very expensive, cost doesn't necessarily raise the safety factor.

I know I sound like doom and gloom, but I believe it is better to be informed so we can make better choices for ourselves, our families and our planet.

The Hockey Game

They are at it again. While I was travelling, the McLean Girls sang the national anthems at the Cannucks hockey game. In case you missed the game, here they are on Youtube.

A Journey's End

This year's fashion previews directly from London, England ... fake fur is IN this winter, from coats to boots to hats to purses. If it is fake fur wear it and you will be ahead of the styles in North America!
Also IN is the ked's rubber toed running shoes, from the regular cheap ones to designer $$$$ ones.

It is fun to see what is on the 4th Plinth in Trafalgar Square. Went to visit the National Gallery and of course wandered through the square. By the way, they are dissuading people from feeding the pigeons which cause a huge mess on everything in and around the square. Large money fines if found feeding the pigeons. Back to the 4th Plinth. If you have not heard of it, check out this site: click here . While on the site don't forget to click on the HOME page where you can vote on the next piece of art to be displayed on the Plinth. I've already voted but won't tell you which I picked.

Above is a section of Trafalgar Square with the National Gallery in the background.

And more England pics, just to prove I was there.

Is that a new Beatle crossing Abbey Road???? This photo is for Jennifer who talked me into partaking in this very touristy venture, then was too ill to watch me live on the web cam. So Little Jennie, this one is for you.

Ya Sas Greece

Our last day in paradise. Here are my thoughts,

THINGS I WILL MISS:
*the weather, lots and lots of sun and little little little rain
*the beaches - no matter where we travelled there
was a beautiful sandy (and sometimes pebbley) beach near-by
*the SEA, the feeling of the water caressing my skin, the temperature:perfect for swimming, the crystal clear water in which you can always view the sea bed ever so clearly, even in port
*Kalimera, Ya sas, to legariosmo parakalo, (this last, even though I didn't really like receiving the bill, loved asking for it and feeling the words rolls right off my tongue
*afternoon Ouzo
*local wine - loved the taste and the price (2 euro 80 for a litre, albeit in a plastic bottle)
*the olive oil, served with every meal
*the patisseries, baklava etc.
*fresh baked bread
*yoghurt and honey - every morning for breakfast - the best in the world
*the Cretans who kept giving us treats, tiny sweet green grapes, cheese, raki, wine - the gifts never stopped

THINGS I WON'T MISS:
*see through toilet paper
*sandpaper towels
*their driving habits: beeping horns, tailgating, double/triple parking, fast, fast driving and passing on curves
*finding nowhere safe to walk without the possibility of being run over, even on a sidewalk
*road systems that are too narrow to accommodate two (small) vehicles, never mind a vehicle and a tour bus
*showers with hand held wands and no shower curtain
*souvenir shops
*shop hours - close between noon and 6 PM and other times if they feel like it

Paros

We made it to Paros. This is the island that is next door to our favourite Naxos. We just took the long way around. Above is the Church of 100 doors. Ninety nine are visible. The 100th door is hidden and will be made visible when Istanbul comes once again under Greek rule. (we weren't suppose to take photos in this church, so I hope nothing untoward happens to me for this!)

Cats, cats, cats and more cats. Where ever you look and especially wherever you eat there are cats. One tried to hop up on our table the other day to help himself. They seem to be a way of life here.

Order a cup of coffee and you never know what you'll get. This was our cup of Greek coffee during our rest stop this morning.

Get off the ferry in Paros and this windmill is the first thing you will see. It is in the middle of the roundabout. It holds the tourist info office which as this time of year is closed. Mid October is the time all the shops, restaurants, tavernas and hotels are on the down-swing. A good time to be saying good-bye to a lovely island.

Next stop, London, England. (Culture shock?? maybe)

Crete

The huge Anik Lines Ferry took us on an overnight journey from Crete to Pireus. We landed in the wee hours of the morning to catch an early ferry to our last island - Paros.

We have seen fabulous sunsets. This particular one from the beach in Paleochora.

Ah Paleochora, the last time I visited was 1972. As was Matala, it is much different today although the beach is still beautiful, the people friendly and the outdoor cinema still operating!!! In 1972 it showed the movie 1/2 on a tree trunk and 1/2 into the night sky. In 2010 it showed Zorba the Greek on a white wall they had built which was a vast improvement, although the film broke three times and had to be repaired before continuing. It was so much fun under the stars!

The roads in Crete - fabulous. The ones we drove were all paved and two lanes. The National Road in the north of the island is the pride and joy of the people. The major roads leading south are large, with good signage and lots of room to drive. What a pleasure!

From Iraklion to Chania. If I didn't know better, I would think we were in Venice!! The old port is very Venetian and very friendly. While in Crete, I cannot remember a meal where were were not given a bowl full of tastey green grapes, a hunk of cheese, a bowl of yoghurt and always a wee carafe of raki. The people of Crete are most generous.

When you see this, you definitely know you're in Chania!

For Kayla

Yes Kayla, I am lucky and since you have studied Knossos at university, here are a couple of photos I took while there. It was very impressive, very large (and very hot that day). Enjoy!

On the Move

In our favourite restaurant in Matala, Sirtaki, right on the beach. Our waiter and friend (Fierry) took this photo with the caves lit up in the background. After dinner we were given (as a treat) goats cheese, grapes and raki. Raki is a raunchy wine made from the grapes that have already been squeezed to make wine, so you can imagine the taste. But after a shot or two you are smiling and enjoy more!



Such a typical scene, I just had to add it.
These are the tavernas where the best Greek coffee is made.

And speaking of the best Greek Coffee, here is the lady that makes the absolute best in our opinion. She is in the wee town of Voron where there is a fabulous museum. We had a few laughs with her and her friend although we couldn't speak Greek and she couldn't speak English.

If you ever drive by and see this sign, stop! This is her cafe and she does make the best coffee.

So Debbie tripped in Matala, where she was 37 years ago, and now it's my turn. We are now in Paleochora in the south of Crete where I was 38 years ago. As for both of us, we couldn't recognize the villages today. I did revisit the outdoor cinema though. 38 years ago I watched a movie which was shown 1/2 on a tree trunk and 1/2 into the night sky. Today, they have a white wall on which to show the movie. Lask night we watched Zorba the Greek. How apropo!