A lot has happened

Oh hello there all,

Plaka Flea Market

So there has been so much that has happened since the last time I have posted. Too much to remember, but as Cass said, we have been without wifi since we left Athens and we just got ours hooked up here. So we had a couple more days in Athens, a long travel to Kalymnos, and our first handful of days climbing in this amazing place. So here goes trying to get it all down in one post...

So the last little bit that we had in Athens was great. We started to get the hang of getting around in such a massive city using their subway system. We went into the old part of town that sat just below all the ruins. Tiny buildings and narrow streets that showed so much character.  We listened to street performers and walked through the national gardens into the main city square. One of the things that was a must do apparently is to see the "changing of the guards" outside of the parliament building in downtown athens. These guards are on a rotation of 1 hour to just stand in front of the building with a very traditional dress uniform on. On the hour, the new guards walk in, and they do a sort of march with each other to switch out. Its been done for so long that the marble where they walk is worn down and you can see exactly where their feet go when they march. Its crazy to think how long this tradition has been done and what it means for the country. It must mean a lot since we had random people coming up to us and asking if we had made it over to see it all happen. We also hiked up to a high point to get a panoramic view of the city. It is crazy to see how far the city is spread through the valley it is built into. So much sprawl. This city had a lot to offer, but just like cities back home, I was getting stir crazy for the simple life, and to get back on the rock. To top off our adventure in Athens we went back to the Plaka neighborhood where those small streets and patios were to have a nice dinner before our long journey to the island. We sat down outside and had a huge mutiple course meal that started with a house red wine in an unmarked old wine bottle (on the house I might add). We at so many different things... and the favorite was by far the Baclava for dessert. It was nice to relax around a big meal with friends and enjoy some wine. It felt like that was really when it started to settle in that we were on our way and it was time to slow down and enjoy the things around us.

Campus board in downtown plaka

Then it was off the the real purpose for this trip... rock climbing! But first a very long boat ride. I was anticipating the worst knowing what some of the ferry rides were like that I took in Asia. I was prepared to sit on a bench outside of the boat for 12hrs until we got there. And mainly to just suck it up. I was surprised when we walked on to the port and saw all the massive ships. I guess it makes sense though when you think about how much of this country is islands and that there is so much traffic to them. Well there was no metal bench that I had to sit on for the ride. We sat in a lounge area in a ship that could be a small cruise ship. We drank coffee and ate full course meals. Of course I had more greek salad. We took off from port around 3pm adter boarding around 130. The ship was great to be on until it started to hit the late hours of the night, or should I say the early hours of the morning. I tried to fit myself oddly into chairs and benches to close my eyes for little bits of time, until we finally heard that we were getting into our port of Pothia (Kalymnos) at 5am!! Yikes that was one heck of a boat ride. Amber got sea sick at dinner, we were all over tired and ruined the days we spent getting rid of jet lag in Athens. Ryan had been in contact with the owner of the apartments what we were gonna stay at and he was told that we were gonna have a ride waiting for us at port to get us to the other side of the island were the apartments were. I had my doubts that the ride was still there considering we were supposed to port 2 hours earlier. Not to mention, how the hell were we gonna know who he or she was?! But I guess its a good thing we do not look greek at all because of host, George, found us in no time at all. And the best part... he was stoked to see us and welcome us to the island as if it were the middle of the day and it was not out of his way to wake up in the middle of the night and come get us. We all packed our bodies and tons of stuff into his little car and squeezed the doors shut. As we sped through the narrow and winding streets of the island, George started going on about how happy he was that we were here. Also bombarding us with so much information in such a motivated way. I thought to myself, I have never been that happy at 5am in my life. But for George, we stood for something... the beginning of the climbing season.

Small Elevator in Hostel

After crashing out in our beds we awoke at noon after a well needed snooze to guess what, a still super happy George. He greeted us with cake that his wife had baked for us to welcome us to the island and to their apartments. We have the run of the place. Being the only house guests we have so much attention here it is unusual. I have never been waited on in such a way. Always asking us to please make ourselves at home. And everyday when we come back from climbing; our dishes are cleaned, our beds are made, and there is usually some sort of addition to our apartment. We have had cake, and funiture, and our favorite was a coffee maker!! Every time we see George he just keeps telling us to have a good time here and relax. Not to worry about anything around the house because it will get taken care of while we are out playing on the rocks. I think I might be in heaven.

We have been here for 4 days and it feels so great to be here. The island seems to be rubbing its eyes and waking up to the season. Some shops are still closed, while some are so happy to see us walk the streets armed with our gear. Its almost a signal of good fortune since it seems that this little town we live in has one purpose and that is to be for climbers and climbing. This town holds the most incredible people I have ever met. They are so... nice. Like really nice, to the point that I do not even know how to explain it because I had to see it first hand to know it existed. Simple things like when we talk to anyone in town, they always ask how our day of climbing was, did the rain hold off, where did we go. They seem genuinely interested in this crazy thing happening around this town. I love small communities like this one. Where people help each other out, and the options are small but the hearts are big. For example, the past few days when we come back from climbing we stop at this small little market. The gentleman that works the store smiles so big when we walk in. He offers us fresh herbs for free from the island to try on our food. He tells us to wait to buy certain things so he can offer us something more fresh or better. We get caught up listening to him tell us stories and history surrounding what we are eating, where we are living, and the people around us. When was the last time you got that at the super market?! This is the kind of stuff we travel for. For the most part when it comes to the climbing part, we know what is gonna happen. These are some of the moments that really stick out in my mind at the end of the day.

Street Musicians

However!!!... Climbing. Ah, sweet climbing. Even after our long boat ride here, we were still motivated to jump right on the rocks and see what it had to offer. Even as tired as we were lugging up the steep approaches here with little sleep, It still felt so good to center myself back again by tying in and going for it. And that is what it has been since that first half day. We wake up and cook bfast and spend all day at the crag before heading back to town for a walking beer to the apartment where after a meal it is quick to pass out. The routes here and insane. So many features, and so much of it is really really overhanging. giant stalactites and tufas form some of the most wild rock I have ever climbed on. Its really a creative process to be on these routes. There is no ladder climbing here. You are all over the place. Constantly playing the game of where is the rest. So much of this pumpy climbing is taking its toll and I can feel my body being more sore every morning I wake up. But I do not see a rest day in my future soon. Not til I start falling all over 5.10's. And especially not tomorrow. After all it is Ryan's birthday. What a way to celebrate.

pull up competition on the ferry bus

just awesome

Amber sea sick

View of Telendos isand, Kalymnos

Melinda's apartments

Ok I am sure that there will be plently more to come. But I cannot keep my eyes open any longer. After a day of climbing here, you need some good sleep. Take care all