Cats Like Turkey – We Have Proof!

Just outside of Izmir, Turkey are the ancient ruins of an Ionian Greek city called Ephesus. While many people visit this site on an annual basis, the real residents are cats…lots and lots of cats. Well fed cats who will pretty much eat anything food-related given to them except for apples (from what we saw others feeding them).

Greece was a Riot…and a Washout

Well, we were supposed to head to Athens. Unfortunately, there was some sort of major labor strike going on there that included rioters who were setting the city on fire & doing other bad things so we diverted to Iraklion on the island of Crete instead.

We did get to see the city, visit some ancient ruins & do some shopping in Crete… all during a torrential, horizontal downpour. We’re thinking that Greece just might be a do-over someday soon.

Click on the picture below to view the Greece album:

Greece Or click here to go directly to the album

A Greek Unorthodox Nativity

The people on the island of Crete have a long tradition of making due.  While the island is largely considered the birthplace of one of the first advanced civilizations, it is a bit isolated from the rest of Greece and its closest neighbors of Egypt and Italy.  This has resulted in a very creative approach to even the most traditional of Christmas decorations.

Take the Nativity scene captured here as an example…

Sure, the core elements are here.  In the manger Mary, Joseph, the LBJ and even the wise men are all in attendance.  However it is very difficult to acquire some of the tributes and/or gifts.  Gold is readily available; as is the sometimes-elusive Frankincense.    Myrrh unfortunately is nowhere to be found.  So the cretins (is that really what they call themselves?) have found the next best thing to Myrrh.  Look closely!  Yep… it’s Mir, the Russian space station.  In the Nativity, this is represented by the small Space shuttle wedged in between the right-most wise man and the sheep.

Nothing says Merry Christmas better than shuttles and sheep.

Rome wasn't built in a day but a bunch of students tore it down in an afternoon

As we were driving into Rome we learned that protests were scheduled in the heart of the city. Although they were to be peaceful ones to protest the government raising university tuition, it was recommended that we avoid certain parts of the city.

Well, the Italians must have a different definition of what a “peaceful protest” is because things turned into a full-fledged riot roaming through Rome. Police were wearing riot gear & were shooting both tear gas & smoke grenades. Stores had broken windows & other damage done to them, cars were set on fire, etc. The riots pretty much shut down the city; making it challenging to get around. We did our best to avoid the major ugliness but did get caught in the immediate aftermath.

While unfortunate, the riot didn’t completely ruin our sightseeing of the ruins and we were able to get out of that area safely…  We saw the Coliseum, the Spanish Steps, the Pantheon, a Christmas Market in Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain and the Flaming Garbage Truck of The Ancients (ok, this last one might have been due to the riot). 

Click on the picture below to view a slideshow of our Rome adventure!

Rome 2010 Or click here to go directly to the album

Barcelona 2010

We’re jet lagged so the pictures have to do the talking for us. Click on the picture below to view the entire album.

Barcelona 2010 Or click here to go directly to the album

Thanksgiving Weekend @ Walt Disney World

WDW Thanksgiving Weekend 2010

Our Next Adventure!