Heading Back from Cabo…

Although my intent was not to only post when on vacation – somehow, the best pics come that way.  I spent the last week in Cabo San Lucas (not to be confused with its sister town San Jose Los Cabos), at a beautiful resort.  Real easy to get lazy…

Despite being a self-proclaimed beach bunny, this was my first time swimming in the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez (they meet at El Arco!).  The waves are like nothing I’ve never seen and the water is like getting into a warm salty bath (that’s a good thing). 

Below are some pics of the waves on “Divorce Beach” which is opposite “Lovers Beach.”  I kayaked across the bay (with the help of my guide David) to get here. 

New York, New York

Just when I think that I have had it with the city, I see something that makes me appreciate it. Prime example. Sunday evening, I came out of the subway — after being thoroughly grossed-out by some subway water that plopped on my head while walking on the platform — and saw this.  Rarely does my camera replicate what I recall, but, I guess this time I got lucky.

 

Empire State Building

 

 

 

Empire State Building II

Anyway, the person that I was meeting (was this a date?, if so, I had fun) teased me because I looked like a tourist.  Luckily, he didn’t see me actually volunteering to take pictures for some tourists about 5 minutes before his arrival…

Stormy Weather

Inclement weather seems to be following me around these days.  While laying in bed this morning, trying to convince myself to go to the 10:30 Total Body Conditioning class, the building started shaking with wind (you see why the earthquake didn’t phase me).  My first concern was for the little men who are doing work outside of my 13th Floor apartment.  But then, I looked outside.  What I saw was completely worth ditching the gym and grabbing my camera. 

 

Stormy Weather

The little men ran for cover once the sky looked like this…

 

Stormy Weather II

Photo Painting

 

 

Harlem Before the Rain

A painter I will never be, but I discovered a trick — only to be performed during storms while trying to avoid going to the gym.

And now, for the photo painting…

 

Photo Painting

Home Again…

From moonlight in Santorini to moonlight in Harlem.  I am not going to get depressed that I am back home (repeat it enough and it will come true).  Even if I get a little depressed, can I really complain?  

 

Nighttime at 409

 

 

 

 

Nighttime from 409

Talking to Mom and Dad

I had to leave the club to talk to mom and dad the other night. . . and had the pleasure of looking at this scene while I spoke. 

Something New…

I’ve been lazy posting.  A couple of nights ago, the movie “Something New” was on — those who have seen it can get the *wink, *wink, *nudge, *nudge of that movie coming on while I am here.  Of course, totally lost on Thomas.  But, we did try something new and went to a different beach and restaurant.  There was no cell phone service, so it was a rare day of silence.  Of course, when we got back, all hell broke loose, but that’s another story…Anyway, here are some pictures of the Something New beach…Pigdalia (I believe is the spelling).

Cast of Characters…

While I am a bit funny about posting faces, I figure, here is an exception as I’m sure my family and friends (the only people who visit this site) are a bit curious about who I am actually with on a daily basis.  I’ve made some new friends and will include pics of them later.  Note — if you are ever worried about traveling alone (I was a little)– give it two days and all will be well.  Still trying to work out this picture rotate thing…

Me – Relaxing…Finally

Thomas – smiling at a beautiful girl…

Yiannis – Rolling A Cigarette

Another Yiannis

Hara

Andreas

Thora

Billy

Me – working

The Earth Moved!

Sunrise in Santorini

Sunrise in Santorini II

It really did — http://www.ana-mpa.gr/anaweb/user/showplain?maindoc=6634170&maindocimg=6241764&service=96.  There was an earthquake in Rhodes – which is fairly far from Santorini – but strong enough that I felt it just after watching the sunrise.  So to set the scene – I am on the second floor balcony (it’s a wraparound so very sturdy),  watching the most beautiful sunrise and very seriously contemplating life (and the vodka shots and kir royales that I probably should have turned down). Thomas is laughing at me because he wakes up to this sunrise every day so it’s no big deal (although once it came up, even he had to admit it was beautiful).  All of a sudden the house starts  to shake.   Fools that we are – we start laughing (not running).  Guess you know who not to look to for help when disaster strikes.

It wasn’t scary – actually I didn’t even think it was an earthquake - I automatically thought it was the subway.  Then I remembered, no subways in Santorini.  Anyway – I’m ok.  I have pics of the sunrise, which I of course forgot to upload, so check this post tomorrow, same time.

A Big Story

Ironically, my only wireless Internet access in Santorini is from Chilli’s Beach Club.  So, I have had the rare pleasure of sitting in a beachclub, with a laptop having people laugh at me!  While I promised that I would not write about work here – it constantly amazes me that here I am, during my vacation, working pretty damn diligently to fix something that other people (not my colleagues, thankfully), just simply did not do (and, to be blunt, lied about doing).  Yet, I somehow still manage to feel guilty for being on vacation and not coming back to fix it.  Crazy, right?!   At least, however, I’ll derive pleasure in submitting my international cell-phone bill on this one…

At the same time, the club had its own drama.  Whenever something bad happens, Thomas calls it “a big story.”  I know there is probably a better phrase that I can tell him to use, but there is something about a fairly serious grown man calling a problem “a big story” that is kind of cute/intriguing to me.  Anyway – he hasn’t had too much time to tease me about doing work because he’s been dealing with his club’s big story(rowdy off-duty police officer at the club got angry that he was not allowed in).  Note to self and anyone traveling to the Greek Islands - do not go to jail in Santorini on a weekend, they have to find a judge (“court-man”) and transport you to another island.  There is also another note about going to the hospital, but I’ll save that for a post in which I can actually post a pic of the hospital.  All is well now, and everyone is happy/free, so I suppose the teasing will now begin.

I keep forgetting to bring my camera connection to the beach so my pictures are a bit behind.  I’ll leave you with my favorite meal at Chilli’s – I don’t feel like I’m home until I have spaghetti carbonara  (random, but I swear it’s the best in the world)  – which I have attached below. I have not, however, figured out how to rotate the pic, but, you get the idea.  Note how they have set up a little table by our beach chairs for food — what a life…

Carbonara on the Beach - Welcome Home Nikol