Good Morning

I wake up around 09:30 to tell Jeremiah goodnight, and then go back to sleep for another hour, waking up at 10:30. After eating breakfast and getting ready for the day, I decide to go on another photo walk. I start to notice how much my hair loves the air here - probably due to higher humidity than back at home in Colorado. I decide to take the rare selfie for my floofy hair.

Photo Walk on the Boardwalk

I lock up the VRBO, head down the stairs, and out the gate, walking toward the Aegean Sea. I turned right yesterday, so today I choose to turn left.

Several more restaurants line the boardwalk - the Greeks sure know how to eat! There's a larger pier down this way that looks like one that people drive their cars onto, as many of them are parked on it. I sit down on a bench to take a break and enjoy the sunshine when a boat pulls up to the pier. I watch as people board it, and then the boat disappears down to the right. Must be some kind of ferry, I decide.

The breeze feels so nice sitting here, but I stand back up and continue walking. I happen upon a plaza area with a fountain in the middle. There's little kiddie rides here as well, and of course, more restaurants. A stray dog runs out from one of the restaurants and comes right up to me. I crouch down to her level, and she just sticks her face in mine looking for pets. I, of course, oblige. I start scratching her head, her ears, move on down to her ribs, telling her she's the best girl, and she is just panting with joy. I decide I'm going to call her Thessa (like Thessaloniki). She starts looking distracted, so I stand up, fully expecting her to leave my company. She follows me on my walk, staying by my side, until I get to a point where the beach changes. It goes from public beach area to private. It's like she knows she's not allowed there, so she turns around and starts walking back.

I don't walk back with her. I sit on a bench, enjoying the sun and the breeze again. It's beautiful. It feels so healing. My face is turned up toward the sun, my eyes are closed and I'm soaking it all in when my lower right leg feels something brush up against it. I turn my gaze that direction and there's a gray cat just rubbing on my legs saying hello. He meows at me for attention. I pat the bench next to me, and he hops up, rubbing his head on my hands and my shirt. I am loving the attention, and so is he. I dub him "Niki". Thessa and Niki. Thessaloniki. Get it? I know, I'm so creative.

I stand up, leaving Niki behind, which makes my heart ache a bit. I promise him I'll be back. I start to make my way back to my VRBO. Niki stays by the bench, and it makes me wonder if that's his territory. As I walk way, I turn back, and a young man is petting him now. "Good, good." I think to myself.

I find myself back at the plaza with the fountain, and Thessa comes bounding up to me with a friend. Thessa immediately flips over onto her back and I give her belly rubs. Her friend bumps my arm wanting affection, and I decide to call her Lolo. Thessa-Lo(lo)-Niki. Ha.

Thessa and Lolo take off after getting a healthy portion of pets, scratches, and belly rubs from me. I stand up, dust my knees off from kneeling on the ground, and continue my walk back. I stop for coffee at a place called Alexandros. The place is charming, and I'm greeted with "Yah sas" (Γεια σας). I order a latté with double espresso and a slice of apple pie. The lady behind the counter is very kind, and is excited to practice English with me. I, in turn, practice a few Greek words with her.

I finish my walk back to the VRBO, happily sipping on my coffee. I'm so glad to have met the strays, and I found a cute coffee shop! Plus, the coffee is yummy. You can't go wrong with yummy coffee.

Good Night

I eat my apple pie as soon as I get inside, and oh my gosh, it's delicious. I'm definitely returning to Alexandros. For dinner, I make pasta with spinach, mushrooms, and chicken, and then I start work for the evening. I video chat with my husband before calling it a night, surrendering to sleep shortly after my head hits the pillow.