I slept in a former palace!

I slept in a former palace in Lisbon, Portugal. My room had nine beds. The ceilings were very high and decorative, and my bed was near to the ceiling. You see…it was a triple bunk bed...and I slept on the top...way up high. I slept extremely well. Getting in and out of the bed was interesting. There were a series of blocks stacked on each other to climb up and down.  I shared the room with people from many countries including Germany, Belgium, Brazil, and Pakistan. The palace was huge! Certainly, it was a maze to find my room. The palace had a very old cage elevator to help me get my suitcases to the next floor. On the day, I left, I went in the cage elevator, and the elevator got stuck, with my bags and me inside it!. Two workers had to come to get me out. Somehow, I loved this place… perhaps it was because I was served fresh squeezed orange juice upon my arrival or maybe it was the strange steps to the top of my bunk.

Greek ties

Every now and then, I am inspired by the stories I hear while I am standing in line or sitting in the train, bus, or on the streets. While I was in the Athens airport, I stood in line with a Greek woman who now lives in the US. She was visiting Greece to share time with her aunts and was now headed back to the US. Family ties are strong in Greece. It was obvious. The two aunts came to the airport with their niece to escort her. Why is this strange? It was 3:30 in the morning, and they were up in years. One was 97 years old and the other aunt was in her upper 80s...to come out this time of night was a true effort. 

They probably were up all night. I have no idea how they found their way home. All I know is that family is important, and this 97-year-old woman and nearly 90-year-old woman were determined and demonstrated their heart felt ties to their niece. I was inspired by their dedication!

Silver mine! Why not?

Silver mine...how did I end up wearing rubber boots and a hard hat? Good question! The answer is not important, though. 

What is important is the experience! I have learned to look at possibilities and say why not? I stepped through the passages of the 12th century silver mine, where miners discovered silver many years ago. I climbed various levels. My boots stepped through the water, and my flashlight lit the path of each step! What an incredible memory!

Octopus for dinner

My next hostess, Isabel is energetic and fun! She is an occupational therapist that lives in an ancient Portuguese city called Viseau. 

Many people knew her as we walked along the old streets.

 We attended a folk
 dance celebration in her city. 

   Dancing venues permeated the city. We heard Scottish bagpipes, watched Hungarian dances, and sang with the Italians!

 The city center had a movie screen outdoors under the stars.

   I could see the red moon, for it was July 27, the night it would appear. This city square was full of people from all over the world. Now it was time to eat octopus. We shared a table with her friends at a quaint Portuguese wine restaurant and enjoyed octopus, excellent Portuguese red wine, and tapas.

Trapped!

It was dark! Of course it was… It was after midnight! 

I needed to catch a plane from Athens to Madrid in the middle of the night. I would not be going to bed, this night. Actually, it would be 40 hours before I would see a bed. I had already been up many hours, and I was quite tired, but I must catch a taxi…then a bus… then a plane. I closed my eyes but...

...there was no time for rest, yet. 

I needed to use the toilet at the Athens Airport. As I entered, I saw a young lady, 21 years old sitting on the floor of the airport restroom. She was crying hysterically. She could not stop crying. Her suitcase was completely open with her belongings exposed to all who entered. I asked her if I could help her. She informed me that she had just been traumatized from the fires that were spreading in Athens. Her hotel burned, and 82 people died trapped between the fire and the sea. Some of them were embracing each other before their horrible death. Many others were severely injured. It is believed that the fires were intentionally set on this very windy day. I could not imagine how awful it would be to be trapped. 

Eventually, I made my way to Madrid and a few hours later to 

Lisbon, Portugal. By this time, my energy was low… No sleep and 

no food. Yet, I must keep going. My plan is to sleep in a former palace, and I must find my way. I took an underground subway 

from the airport to the city center. When I say underground…I mean very far underground! There were at least 500 steps to get out of the subway…maybe even close to 1000…an impossible task with my luggage which one was almost 23 kg and the other not far behind. Even if I was a bodybuilder with a full nights rest, the task would be daunting! 

This is only one of many sets of stairs

 that I must carry up my bags!

I must find an elevator.… I see one, it is in the corner. It is a big elevator with a see-through glass door. There is only one elevator. There are many people entering with their suitcases. I must hurry to get in, but there are so many people! I do not know that I could fit with my bags. Before I could enter, the doors closed…not one more, could enter, including me! I must wait for the next lift, because the the elevator was packed. (I remember when I was in Munich, I entered an elevator like this with my bags, and then it filled with other people and their bicycles and luggage. I was so glad to get out of that claustrophobic box.) 

As for now, I was not happy about waiting for the next elevator, since I only had six hours of sleep in the last 58 hours, and I needed 

to lay down before I collapsed. 

Ut oh...something is terribly wrong? I hear banging, and I can see through the transparent door. The elevator is stuck. The people are trapped and panicking. I try to open the door... pushing the buttons to help them. The look of terror on their faces was heart wrenching. The trapped elevator victims were desperate. What must be done? I must find help, and so help was found. The security man tried to get the doors open but could not. I have no idea how long the people were trapped. 

I do know that now I must carry my suitcases up the flights of stairs. Somehow, I had strength to do it. I was just grateful that I was not stuck in the elevator. Yet, I am a bit trapped…500+ steps to get out from the underground...Here I come!

When you feel like you can’t take another step, obey your body! I have been in Europe one month now. I like it here. So many things to discover and explore. Each day is packed full, and my body feels the demands. As I wrote previously, my last massage was not the most relaxing. I was confident that the next one would certainly be better. Tomorrow I would be hiking on a mountain, and I have been averaging at least 25,000 steps each day. It was time for some relaxation. I did not realize that this massage would be a new experience for me… Fish… Lots of them! 

When I go to get a massage in a foreign country, it is not clear what to expect. OK, this is what happened to me...I was taken to a 

wash area to clean my feet. Next, my feet 

were placed in an aquarium, so that the little fish could polish my feet. It’s a rather strange feeling to be nibbled on by lots of fish. After this, the aromatherapy massage took place in a beautiful environment. I loved it! Now it’s time to go on another hike!!

Passionate Greeks!

My Big, Fat, Greek Wedding is a movie that portrays great passion for family, culture, dance, and food! I could not imagine these dramatic ways until, last night, when I went to a Greek dance party with a couple of Greeks! The music could be heard throughout the neighborhood. I felt included the minute I entered the terrace…Food, drink, dance, and, laughter radiated the atmosphere. Within seconds, I felt myself pulled to the dance floor… Dancing Tango,  then Cha Cha, then Salsa, then  Bachata, then Rumba, then Swing, and then, of course Greek style dancing. The atmosphere was fun with a variety of music. I could not understand Greek, but I could feel the passion of the Greeks. Excellent! Bravo!

Island Life! I slept in a cave and ate dandelions!

Yes, I slept in a cave on an island!

 I often do not have Wi-Fi...so here are a pics to give you an update.  I an alive and quite well. The fresh air and activity are good for me! Today, I ate dandelions for lunch, too! Maybe that has given me extra energy!

Near My Roots! Hamburg, Germany!

Near my roots… Hamburg, Germany! My great grandfather on my father side was born south of Hamburg and traveled to and from Hamburg to America many times. My mother’s family originated from northern Germany, too! So when I arrived, I felt right at home. 

After I left the hippie's house, I took a train to the station. Somehow I missed my stop to the main station and had to manage my luggage through a series of train stops… Exhausted… Another very short night. I am not sure when I will get rest. The train ride was four hours to Hamburg. I closed my eyes once I got to Hamburg, and walked along the harbor.

The weather was perfect… The warmest summer in years and the people knew it! There was a beautiful tree-lined walking path and bicycle path. The experience was  refreshing. I walked six hours and eventually found my new host's apartment… Pulling my luggage through the city streets and cobblestone roads. As I walked, I met a couple of people and asked them  directions. The man offered his drink to share with me. I graciously declined, but I found his generosity 

as a kind gesture.

I was quite pleased that I had managed to find my next host's home in such a large city. I rang the bell, but there was no answer… Oh no… I called his cell phone… No answer! Several neighbors helped me store my bags and tried to make connection with my host. Eventually my host and I connected at about 8:30 PM. Rather late… But I was so thankful 

that we connected. He carried my bags up 94 stairs to his apartment. The shower was my first need, then food. The interesting 

psychologist and I arrived at an Italian 

restaurant at about 11:30 PM. Eat now? Why not. There is no pattern or scheduled in my 

life these days. He slept in an attic with a pulldown door. The music in the apartment with delightful jazz. I slept well but not long enough. It’s a good thing he prepared a breakfast including ginger. I believe this root is  keeping me going!l

My new host is a hippie!

Whenever you experience a surprise event… Ask yourself a few questions: 

What  is happening? 

What must I do? 

What can I learn from this? 

The Happiest Place in the World!

Yes, I traveled all the way to Copenhagen to discover why this country has been voted as the place where people are the happiest. My host was very active. We walked and bicycled for hours and then climbed another 94 steps to his apartment. He lived next to many embassies...Spanish, Chilean, British, American and many, many more! When I ate breakfast, I looked out the window to the British Embassy. My host was very knowledgeable and gave me an amazing tour of Copenhagen. I loved all the physical activity and cooking, too! We went to the market for fresh fish.

My journey is challenging but not overwhelming.

There are many people who speak English in Europe, and there are many people who don’t speak English in Europe. I seem to find the ones that don’t…especially when I am lost. Sometimes I can’t help but just laugh! There have been so many profound moments on this journey… Sometimes the moments are quite simple, yet make me wonder.

When I was in Germany, I contacted one of my hosts by cell phone and let them know when I would be arriving. The husband told me that his wife would meet me at the station, the train station. I asked what she looked like so that I could identify her. The man replied, she has dark hair and is 1 m 70. I wondered still how I would identify her.

On another topic, the minute people discover that I am from America, they ask me about Trump. Did you vote for Trump? Do you like Trump? Do you know Trump? The general idea that I get from many Germans is a correlation with Nazi and him. In France, the sentiments are less harsh, as I saw many advertisements stating that Trump was good for France. No matter what the view, Trump is a name strongly known throughout Europe. 

I am meeting so many people. One of my hostess belongs to a hiking club, and the members came over for a visit. I enjoyed hearing them converse in German. They speak so fast; I am amazed they can understand each other.


In Trier, the oldest city in Germany, I met a woman in one of the stores. She told me her greatest gift is her positive nature.
 
 At one of the train stations, I met a nurse who went out of her way to help me find my way. So many kind people on my journey.

I have had many inquiries from the locals about my journey. They seem to be surprised when I tell them no hotels are involved. 

A few nights ago I stayed with a journalist and a psychologist. He likes to make people laugh and uses humor in his writing. At the same time, he delivers a message.

Everywhere I go I learned:

1. There are good people all around.

2. It takes energy to do what I’m doing… Navigating trains, language, adapting to new people and environments...Constant stimuli at least 18 hours daily.