Thursday, May 03, 2007

See, I Am Not Dead

I have a lot to catch up on and originally I thought I would put it all in one post, but after I got finished writing the Crete post, I decided to break it up. My trip to Crete…it was fabulous, although I didn’t do much. Crete, from what I can tell, is a beautiful country. I stayed in the town of Rethymnon, which is about a 90 minute drive from Iraklion. It is a port city and has a lot of mixed history from the Roman, Greeks, Turks and oddly enough, the Germans. I walked into town everyday just to get some exercise because the trip was half board, which I have found is an extremely dangerous thing. I mean, really a breakfast and dinner buffet, free of charge?! Anyway, the town was small and charming and the people were lovely.
Crete is really famous for feta cheese, olives, honey, mushrooms, goats, mythology, certain herbs, and its history. All the stores catered these areas of interest. I came back with a ton of olive based skin and hair care products, honey and olive oil.
I went shopping and exploring the two days it rained and was cold; the other days I spent lying by the beach or the pool. I know, it seems really boring, but I NEEDED the sun. The hotel was great and the people who worked there were really nice and helpful and not Greek! One of the women was Dutch and the other was German. I think Crete probably attracts all sorts of people.
I had two exceptional experiences while I was there, one good and one, well, rather strange.

The strange thing happened my first day on the beach. I was lying out, reading a book when I man walked up and asked if he could lay by me. I didn’t know what to say, so I think I said something like, “Um, sure, ok.” He practically laid down on top of me. I tried to be politely rude to show him he was unwelcome, but he kept talking, asking me such questions such as, “Are you married; do you have a boyfriend; would you like to go out tonight; how long are you going to be here, etc?” I tried to get rid of him by telling him I was on vacation with my boyfriend and I was just waiting for him….that didn’t work. After about 5 minutes of chitchat, he wanted to rub oil on me and I thought, well I don’t want to print what I thought, but it wasn’t a nice thought. I told him I didn’t need any oil. This seemed to appease him for about two seconds until he grabbed my bum a few times and said something about giving me a massage. That really made me uncomfortable and there was nobody else on the beach to help or intervene, so I turned over and started gathering my things up in order to make a quick getaway. He started moving around too and I just happened to glace over and he was very graciously showing me his manhood. I remember saying, “Ah Jesus!,” before getting up and practically running back to the hotel. However, in retrospect, I wish I had pointed and laughed.
The second thing was fantastic! I met a woman at a restaurant. She was my waitress; we just started talking and she invited me to her house for dinner one night. I half expected not to hear from her, but she called me a few days later and invited me to her house for dinner. It was fantastic. She prepared a feast. I think we ate for four hours. We had the best conversations; she told me all about the myths and history of the island and her family. I was really, really pleased to be in invited and that I said yes! Usually, I wouldn’t do something like that, but it turned out to be a great experience. I have to send her a “care” package from Paris as a thank you.

All in all, I loved Crete! It was beautiful and the people were fantastic. I hope I can go back someday when the water is warmer.

12 comments:

cara said...

oh i just finished reading a novel called "The Island" by Victoria Hislop that was took place in the 30s and 40s on Crete. i never knew that the Germans controlled the island for a while during WWII. (i put the book on bookmooch.com if anyone wants to mooch it from me. hint, hint.) :)
i can't believe the situations you find yourself in Angela, and yet i can because i've been in similar ones unfortunately. that guy sounds so gross. as i read what you wrote i got so mad that these sort of things never seem to happen to boys. i hate it that some men see women as something to do whatever the hell they want to. there is a large segmment of the world's population that sees "American women" as easy just because of how Hollywood portrays us. gah! it pisses me off. sorry for the little rant.

i'm really glad that guy was relatively harmless and that mothing worse happened. and it seems you didn't let it ruin your holiday. would you recommend Crete for a vacation destination? would you go back, even with so many other choices out there?

Unknown said...

Cara-I know; I run into that "You are American and therefore must be easy attitude" all the time.

Yes, I would certainly go back and see more of the island. I was pretty boring this trip, but after reading a few articles and books about the island, I wish I had seen more of it.

Pardon My French said...

Glad you are alive; I figured you were just living "the life" in Paris (and Crete). Lucky girl! Except for that weirdo, of course.

hellomelissa said...

crete, except for the male unit part, sounds wonderful! i'm glad you had the ultimate vacation. relaxing yet educational, too.

Elizabeth Tarney said...

What an amazing trip except, of course, for the pervert. Glad you had a great time - the pics are great!

Lotus Reads said...

Angela, I loved your post...it reminds me so much of why I love to travel alone. Most people think I am nuts to want to travel solo, but that's the only way one gets to meet other people. Your encounter on the beach unerved me a little, but how cool you found a friend in the waitress...nothing like having a good ol' local to really "get" the place,no?

Great pictures, too! So happy to have you posting again!

savvycityfarmer said...

This sounds fabulous...can't hardly believe the beach story....what a forward guy

Lisa Johnson said...

I love your post! Wonderful pictures and too bad about the creepy guy. I had a somewhat similar incident on the beach in Puerto Rico with a guy who seemed to have a foot fetish. It's great that you were invited to dinner. And all the honey and olive oil products must be wonderful!

blueVicar said...

Stories of foreign lands...and then back home again. And that guy? Creeps even in Crete...

Meilleurs voeux!!

Anil P said...

If only the good and the bad came in equal measure, most trips would be salvaged.

Just me said...

Sounds like you had a good time....for the most part.

I am glad that you are ok. What an asshole that guy was! If that ever happens to you again, kick 'em in the balls and run like hell!

Nice pics!

Madame K said...

Angela-I just stumbled across your blog.

Jeeez, nothing entertaining ever happens to me in Crete! Although at the time I bet you didn't think it was entertainment.

I'm glad you didn't let the weirdo spoil your trip!