July 12 - Athens

Sitting in an internet cafe in the 90 degree heat drinking Greek coffee.  We arrived here last night after a 10 hour train ride from Thessaloniki.  We are staying with Kathy's family and visiting or being visited by all the many relatives.  Although the news tells us that Greece is in bad shape financially, the activity in the city is just as hectic and busy as the last time we were here in 2006.  The public employees have had to take pay cuts and everyone's taxes have gone up, but it was unavoidable since both individuals (via credit cards) and the government (through deficit spending) have been spending more than they earn for a number of years.  But, the Greek spirit is still as free and fun loving as ever.  We will be moving around to different locations and taking day trips to islands nearby for the time being until I leave on August 4th, and Kathy will be here until September 30th, spending most of her time with her family.  Will add more posts when I have time.