Wake up call at 7:15 am. “Ring, ring.” “Hello?” “Wake up.” “Thanks.” “Click.” Breakfast at hotel. There are the 2 cutest kittens around, no mom, but certainly lots of human affection. 1st site was Phaistos, brutally hot even at 9 plus in the morning. Next saw Aghia Triada mansion, heard and saw snake slithering away. Final site, Kommos, grand building right next to the sea. First seaside resort? Lunch and beach at Malata. Had stuffed tomatoes, not bad but not very filling. Didn’t particularly feel like beach at 2 pm and with only 1.5 hours, so walked around with T and S, looking for postcards, looking at souvenir shops. Eventually went to Café Panoramica for strawberries at 600 Dr! each. Didn’t go beach but went to the pool, just a tad warmer than yesterday. Tanned a little, hung around, writing postcards (Mk’s)… Egypt is being dangled tantalisingly in front of me, 4-6 days for $700-800, everything (airfare, food, accommodations included) after this course. Don’t see Egypt in my near future, certainly not with Dr M. Don’t think that we can reach the critical mass of 14 students though. Dinner at relatively cheaper TABEPNA down the road. 1100 for gyro. Pop music! Depeche Mode, Proclaimers… Somewhat inappropriate, but what the heck, I do miss music. L and As were doing this most entertaining mock seduction dance, twirling around pillars, eye contact… We were offered free raki, Cretan moonshine rumoured to be up to 180 proof. Though not THAT strong, still had quite a kick. Took just half a shot. N tried to teach me belly dancing but I couldn’t quite make it. R was clowning around (3 shots of raki). M was getting plastered. Left after a while.
[2 maxims: It could be worse. This is as good as it gets.
It’s not cool to be shocked. The only way to do that is to be cynical about everything.]