Tonight, according weather forecasts, was the coldest night of the winter. I went running this morning before sunrise. I was up to speed fast, just to stay warm.
The temperature in the picture (top right corner) is in Fahrenheit. 14 Fahrenheit = -10 Celsius.
I ran at a lower temperature only once, in Flagstaff, at -14 C. I did run at 40 C, in Laughlin, Nevada.....
Feb 22: Athens - Amsterdam
Brought the "Athens" luggage to my friend Hara. Cleaned the apartment, met with Helena's (the owner of the appartment) friend who came by to collect the house keys.
Took the subway to Monastiraki at 16.00 (not busy), and there changed to the airport metro (very busy). And waited at the airport until 19.00 when I could check in at Transavia. And waited some more until boarding at 20.15. A 3 hour flight and now I am waiting a lot more for the first train from Schiphol to Groningen. I was on the internet at the Starbucks until 02.00, but they are closing. The only thing open is the Burger King. It is too cold here at Schiphol to take a nap, I am taking frequent walks inside. At 05.00 A lot of people going to terminals, And a lot of most stores (Albert Heyn) were opening. The train left at 06.04. Very quiet ride to Groningen.
Feb 21
Sunshine in the morning. I went to the laundry mat to laundry. "Cleaver Wash" on 55 Ipirou Street between Acharnon and Arestoteles. 9 Euros for washing and drying, all I had to do was bring, and then pick it up 90 minutes later. Tomorrow cleaning the apartment and leave for the airport about 16.00hr. Feb 20
Good that I went to the coast yesterday, because it rained today. Running shoes wet again....As I am flying out of Athens on Thursday, I organized my luggage that goes with me, and suitcase that stays at my friend Hara's apartment. Feb 19
It was cloudy but dry and about 17 degrees. Took the tram to Palmyra this morning.
From Syngrou Station the tram goes to Nea Kosmos, south to the coast. From there you can go towards Voulis (did that in the past) and today I went towards Piraeus. The tram goes as far as the Olympiakos football stadium, to go to the Piraeus port you have to take the metro from there.
I got off at the Palmyra stop
A boulevard runs along the beach. A park on the right. Free food!
Busy today, a holiday.
Million dollar yachts
Took the metro to Thissio station. Lots of people and lots of vendors.
Karagiosis (Classic Greek puppet)
Feb 18
Went running at 07.00 am, at the end, taking the subway back to Omonia, lots of people in the metro, going to church, and some teenagers dressed up, with face paint. Is it Halloween today?
Anyway, At 12.00 I'm on my balcony, sunbathing or falling asleep, I'm good with whatever happens.
Feb 17
After two days of Dutch weather, sunshine again. That is why I am here....
Oranges are cheaper now than in January. From 69 cent to 49 cent per kilo.
Feb 15
It started to rain last night, and continued all day today. I ran, getting wet, which is oke, but my running shoes and socks were are also wet, which I didn't like....
I have 2 tours this year, also staying in Las Vegas, I'm going to buy 2 pairs of running shoes in the Nike outlet store. A new pair of shoes I will use 1 year for running, 1 year for walking and then they go in the trash. Feb 14
I have been reading Science Fiction since I was 13.
Still reading it, authors like: Roger Zelazny, Jack Vance, Tim Powers, Ursula LeGuin, John Varley.
A robot video! Feb 13
Robert Crumb, american graphic artist, now living in France.
Feb 12
Tragedy at the Grand Canyon in Arizona
It happened with a helicopter from the Papillon sightseeing company leaving from the Las Vegas airport to the West side of the Grand Canyon. Landing on the bottom near the Colorado river is still allowed there (It is Hualapai Indian reservation land). Strong winds were the cause of the crash.
Helicopters taking of from the South rim (at the Tusayan airport) have very strict flightt patterns (not allowed to go down into the canyon). Feb 11
"How to make" Cheese videos!
Feb 10
The only "tourist" thing I have done in Athens this winter has been going to the Archaelogical museum. In the past 4 years I have been to the top of Lykabettou, to Keramaikos, Piraeus twice, and the Agora Museum, the Akropolis museum and the Akropolis once.
Do I want to live in Athens permanently? No.
I would prefer an island with a small house in walking distance to a port where I would have a small sailing boat. It does not even have to be an island, but water and a boat, yes.
That way of life is what I had when I was a kid in Holland.
Feb 09
Cloudy today, oh well....
In Norway Got talent, a 9 year old girl sings Billie Holliday.
Feb 07
My life in Athens is fairly routine: every second day running, go to bed and get up early, reading and, when the weather is good, sunbathing on the balcony, grocery shopping..
On the internet I am following the FISA court application scandal which involves the Justice Department, the FBI and the Democratic Party. It is astonishing that important people can act so stupid....
Feb 06
View from the Plaka of Lykabettou (where I lived in 1973)
Feb 05
Stayed home yesterday. Cloudy, but warm and dry. This morning I ran the route I did 2 days ago, but reversed, 3 miles total, the first 2 miles just under 18 minutes...pretty good.
It took me 3 weeks to realize that from my balcony I look out on houses in the next street, and that street is the "red light" district of Athens. Except the lights are white.
There are always men outside talking loudly between 03.30-04.30 in the morning. Wakes me up.
Feb 03
It rained last night, but around 07.00 it stopped.
I ran 2.5 km uphill, and then I ran out of energy. I walked the rest to the Panormou market. I came back with big bags of oranges, apples and tomatoes.
Some music videos
The temperature in the picture (top right corner) is in Fahrenheit. 14 Fahrenheit = -10 Celsius.
