From: Diana V Thompson [mailto:diana.thompson103@gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, September 17, 2009 11:54 PM
Subject: Kalimera!
Hello Family! Kalimera!
My limited Greek vocabulary bids you a lovely good morning from Kos Island. I've taken up residence in my new hotel right on the beach -- the fourth wall is entirely of glass, floor to ceiling view of the water. It opens onto a small balcony and I can't seem to get enough of that breeze.
I'm still recovering from my adventures on the Greek bicycle yesterday. The bike was a basic 1 gear model, weighed a ton, but cost just 3 Euros per day. I hadn't ridden a bike in ages, and there was an embarrassing 'getting the coordination thing right' period at the shop, much to the amusement of the shopkeepers. But soon I was speeding down a nice bike trail, right along the sea. I rode and rode, as far as the trail went, and all the while congratulating myself on how fit I was, that I was just flying!
But when I turned around, I had a rude awakening -- riding INTO that stiff ocean breeze I'd had at my back, well that was bit of hard work! Goodness gracious, by the time I got back to the rental place, I was hot, and sweaty, my back positively ached from the jolting ride, and my bottom was painfully sore in ways I can't even discuss. It took almost 2 glasses of excellent Greek wine to put me right again
Today I'm off on a 3 island tour aboard a historic looking sailboat. The Greek guy who sold me the ticket was extremely good looking, so I have high hopes for this adventure.
Kay - you are so right!! Makes me crazy to see people walking along with their hound wandering about off leash. It's so dangerous for the dog, for other dogs, and for people that will have to leap into action to protect them should a confrontation occur. I find little dogs (not your Chihuahuas Kay, but terriers especially) incredible aggressive. There's no way they'll win a contest with a borzoi but I find them growling and leaping at my hound's head as though they were equals. The owners will race up, grab their terrier, and then say in a pleased kind of voice "...oooo, he just doesn't realize he's not a big dog..." as though the terrier was being cute or something. I know in my heart if my borzoi hurt the terrier, which is the only way that contest would come out, who would be blamed.....
You are are also right that Dee looks better in colors other than yellow!! Dee -- I'm anxious to see the next photo, just to assure myself of your recovery.
Just called the hospital and Joey was released today. Steph is going to call Jonathan and get an update as Joe doesn't seem to be answering his cell.
Steph finally went to the doctor the other day and she has pneumonia and a sinus infection. If the antibiotics don't kick in by Saturday, she is going back to Urgent Care.
Yes Dee you do look much better but not to hurt your feelings - yellow is not your color. The fact that you escaped with no broken facial bones is amazing.
Tomorrow I finally get the new lenses for my glasses and hopefully that will help correct my eye from turning in. If it doesn't, I will just get a patch for one eye and drive with the other.
The dogs and I just got back from our evening walk at the park and did I mention that I have a fit when people walk their unleased dogs in a leash part of the park. Don't assume your dog is harmless just because he likes you. Bill can testify to that. People - RULES, RULES, RULES.
From: Diana V Thompson [mailto:diana.thompson103@gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, September 17, 2009 2:44 AM
Subject: Greetings from Kos
Hey family!
I am writing from beautiful, lucious and green Kos! The pension I'm staying in upgraded me to a suite, and I have been in the lap of luxury ever since! Such a relief to get out of the hussle and bussle of the city. Yesterday-- faced with an awkward 7 hours layover between my early morning flight from Santorini and afternoon flight to Kos, I took the subway into Athens. I had a bit of breakfast in the central square, then returned to the subway to ride out to the end of the line: the port town of Paraeus, with the romantic notion of spending the afternoon watching the ferries come and go. Unfortunately (with a vague recollection becoming crystal clear) Paraeus is a total dump! Sketchy neighborhoods and deranged characters malingering about, big square-ish boats and grumpy sailors. Honestly, I practically leaped back onto the subway and fairly flew all the way back to the airport for an interminable wait until my 50 minute flight.
But upon arrival in Kos, ah heaven! Palm trees, fancy-schmancy spa bathroom, and Greek red wine on the open veranda. And, may I mention, the best pizza I have had in years. Sated with wine and sup I slept profoundly with the balcony wide open to the island breezes. Is this a bad time to say wish you were here?
I'm in Kos for 2 more nights (transferring to a different hotel closer to the beach). I might rent a bicycle this afternoon.
I am sure Joey's recovery time is not going to be as long as predicted. He is a strong, healthy young man, and I'm sure they NEED him at his place of work.
Today is a most exciting day of the week. I go to REPAK. I am NOT sure I will win a great prize this time.
It looks like Dee will outpace Joey in terms of recovery by a long shot. The picture I saw this morning showed Diana looking less bruised. (Dee-no way are the pictures ugly but they are remarkable). I was talking to Bopcha last night that it was astonishing (at least to me) that Dee didn't scape or cut her face in the process of hitting the ground. Amazing and like Bop says: good genes.
Poor Joey. Six months!! That is a LONG time to be off one's leg. I also went to the hospital in a car when I broke my elbow, but I think an ambulence would be a better idea. My broken elbow told me about every bump and curve on the road although I was able to dangle it in the air. It wouldn't be so easy to protect a broken hip. If nothing else, the folks in the ambulence could have helped ease the pain.
Seems that dear sweet Tory's adventures will be continuing today from the island of Kos. I've heard of Kos, but I don't know much about it. Tory will enlighten me I'm sure.
Joey will be in the hospital until Friday. He is renting a hospital bed so he can remain downstairs. He is already getting therapy and learning to walk with both crutches and a walker. It will be about 6 months before he will be able to put full weight on that leg. His spirits are good but he didn't get to the hospital in an ambulance, he went in a car and when he tells about the pain from his hip and being put in the car it makes you a believer that you don't want a broken hip.
Found a reel mower at Amazon.com for a good price and pushed on a button expecting to fill out more information but got nothing and then realized that I was on Tiffany's Amazon page the the amount was probably going to hit her bank account. I immediately called Tiffany to get her passwood so I could cancel the order My heart was in my throat. When I got on the page showing her orders - there it was and it was going to be mailed to her apartment in Tacoma. I hope the cancellation worked or I will be putting money in her account to cover it.
Diana's face does seem to be healing at a remarkable rate. Good genes. I am so envious of Tory's trip - as always what an experience.
Gave the dogs some pork last night and they have had the runs all day and I have been shampooing carpets all day. I should have known better. When I wasn't cleaning carpets, I was fighting the ongoing battle of the dandelions. I pulled two large buckets and some blackberries and all this from a rock yard.
What a tremendous accounting of your injury. I marvel at your descriptions as revealed by the photo's you have been so good to share. It is all so amazing, your spirit, your rapid healing, the changes, day by day. Carry on!! It is inspiring.
Today I took my Boniva, the once a month pill for my bones. I have twenty minutes to go before I can lay down or eat. The rules say wait one hour. It is really hard to do. I watched the downfall of the Lehman Brothers as related on a program on the computer. I really didn't know who they were.
I love Tory's tales of her adventures. All these news items make my waiting time pass more quickly.
From: Diana V Thompson [mailto:diana.thompson103@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, September 15, 2009 6:26 AM
Subject: Four Wheeling Whee!
Hey Family,
Right after breakfast today I scooted over to the rental shop I'd scoped out yesterday and rented myself a four wheel ATV. I'm not sure what the shop owner tought of me as a customer -- he had to show me how to start the thing three times before I could get it right -- but once I got it figured out, he took off the brake and I flew out of his shop on my wheelie #3. What a blast! I was a maniac on that thing.
First off, the streets were already crowded with tour buses, taxis, smart cars, mopeds, motorbikes, and other ATVs like mine, plus pedestrians and occasional mules. And typical me, I seemed to be going slower than everyone else on the road (except maybe the pedestrians and the donkeys) but I was in no hurry. I took that thing all over the island, not bothering with a map -- how hard is it to get lost on an island? I paused for a break at a sparsely populated beach, waded into the surf, and got quite soaked. The sand was black and sparkly, lava rock. Later I pulled over at a random taverna for a light lunch of tzikiki and bread-- absolute heaven. When my tailbone and shoulders couldn't take any more of the road, I turned the thing in. I have GOT to get me one of those things.
Tomorrow I return to Athens on the morning flight, and late that afternoon catch a short hop to the island of Kos-- right off the Turkish coastline.
The swelling has drifted down to my neck, so I am still not pretty, but it's better every day. Guess I'll start watching the ground from now on.
Thanks for the sympathy, Sandra. My theory is that I am such a speedy runner that my momentum made the injury much more severe than if I had been a slow poke. (Not true, of course, but it could be true!)
I am so glad KC and Tom are home again. Bet the Zoiboyz and girl were happy to see them!
Loved reading Tory's entries!
Poor Joey! Keep us up to date on his recovery, Kay.
From: Diana V Thompson [mailto:diana.thompson103@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, September 14, 2009 4:52 AM
Subject: Greetings from Santorini Island
Hey Family!
I am arrived safe and sound in Santorini! It was an early morning flight and I'm a pretty tuckered puppy. But the island is full of energy so I think I won't be lazing around for long. There are tourists on foot everywhere, competing in the narrow cobblestone streets with mopeds, ATVs, delivery trucks, and tour buses. The pace is frenetic, but in slow motion-- it is so crowded, it's not uncommon for the foot traffic to overtake the wheeled.
There's tons to see and do, but so far all I've accomplished is a long morning walk through town and a lazy nap to cool my sweaty brow -- and it is HOT. Tomorrow I'm determined to rent an ATV and hit the beach, see what the Aegean Sea feels like, tickling my toes. I'm curious to see how blue it is, and whether Greek fishies nibble on the tourists and natives alike. Stand by for the results of my scientific inquiry
Murray reminded me in a note today of how much I remember visiting Greece, when Mom, Murray and I traveled a month on Eurrail. That was over 20 years ago and it still makes Greece feel somehow familiar, comfortable.
