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Markets in Athens

Our central location is good for provisioning. Less than ten minutes walk north is Kallidromiou Street, site of the Saturday Farmers Market. The market sells only fruits, vegetables, and fish, a nice change from “farmers markets” that emphasize tshirts and jewelry. The produce is beautiful. We returned home vowing to take the shopping trolley withContinue reading “Markets in Athens”

Exarchia, an Athens neighborhood

Our apartment is not far from Exarchia Square, the center of the neighborhood of the same name. We didn’t select our apartment because it is here, though we wanted to be centrally located. Now that we’re in this zone of Athens, we are discovering our surroundings have quite a story. The first thing you noticeContinue reading “Exarchia, an Athens neighborhood”

Mar. 6, Melina Mercouri Day

I am old enough to remember Melina Mercouri, famous Greek actress. She is best known to Americans as the star of Never on Sunday, for which she won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1960. Mercouri is remembered for her political activism and as the first female Minister of Culture and Sport, a postContinue reading “Mar. 6, Melina Mercouri Day”

Athens O’clock–We arrive!

We arrived in Athens after as seamless a journey as possible. It’s a long way from Eureka, and we were glad to have made the hop from the Arcata-Eureka airport to San Francisco on the day before our flight. Our long leg went from San Francisco to Frankfurt, Germany, when I stopped looking at theContinue reading “Athens O’clock–We arrive!”

We are going to Greece! Πάμε Ελλάδα!

I’ve been using Duolingo to learn a bit of Greek. It’s been fun to learn the letters and how to read the words. I am SO SLOW at reading, though, I don’t think I will be able to do more than say please, thank you, and where’s the bathroom. I have learned a number ofContinue reading “We are going to Greece! Πάμε Ελλάδα!”

Eureka, a land made of water

Eureka is known for Humboldt Bay, yet the entrance to the huge, shallow bay was so narrow that it was not recognized by Spanish and Russian explorers sailing up and down the Pacific coast of North America in the era of European exploration. The channel between land and sea was discovered by Josiah Gregg andContinue reading “Eureka, a land made of water”

Weekend in Mendocino

The sun, moon, and earth are aligned only at the new moon or the full moon. When this happens in combination with the earth’s closest approach to the sun (winter) the gravitational effects of all these bodies are combined and produce king tides. The high tide is above normal levels, and the low tide asContinue reading “Weekend in Mendocino”

In the Rain

I wouldn’t have driven all the way to Santa Rosa from Eureka (150+ miles) without a good reason. My doctor’s appointment could not be put off, and Jonathan did most of the driving. I took advantage to stare out the window at the mist and rain and take a lot of photos. We did notContinue reading “In the Rain”

Spring or Storm?

January first the new year comes in whether or not we’re ready. We’ve been out walking most days, as the weather forecast is for strong winds and heavy rain later this week. It’s been cold for this region, low 50s, high 40s during the day and occasional frost at night. This is nothing compared toContinue reading “Spring or Storm?”

A Happy Humboldt Holiday

It was a wonderful weekend. Our youngest daughter Lillian and her husband Neil flew out of Chicago before the big winter storm hit. They arrived in Eureka on Dec. 22, completing our family group. Amanda and Jim finished cleaning up after Monday’s earthquake, Lyra finished up pre-holiday work, and we were ready to celebrate. OnContinue reading “A Happy Humboldt Holiday”