So yesterday was a busy day Stacy and I along with her son Colin went to the farmers market in the morning and then we ventured out to the big mall outside of Athens. This mall which is called "The Mall" was built for the Olympics in 2004 and sits right next to the main Olympic Complex which has been sitting empty since the Olympics ended. It is actually really sad. The mall is just like a mall in the US put without department stores. They had about 3 stores of shops. We just walked around and didn't buy anything we just wanted to see what it had and how to get there. Oh they did have a Hooters which made me laugh.

On the way home we tried to take a quicker and shorter route back via the light rail versus the metro. This proved harder than we imagine. We needed to head towards the airport so we got on the train that came to the airport platform. Well this train went up one stop and then reversed itself and took us back to where we had just left. So we got off the train and waited for the next train to come to that platform, confused but still determined to complete our mission. Well then a train came to the opposite platform which goes to downtown Athens and this women on a loudspeaker keep saying "airport, airport" in Greek. We had made it our plan to follow all the people with luggage because we assumed they were going to the airport so we got on the train on the opposite platform which said it was headed to Athens and prayed. Well believe it or not that train actually did go to the airport and we made it home safely. Now if that whole sequence of events was confusing to you imaging what it was like for us. Stacy and I decided that we are in Athens and what makes sense elsewhere does not work for the Greeks so you just have to go with it.

Today I cleaned our house. There is so much dust in Athens and we have hardwood floors so you really have to sweep and dust at least every other day to keep up. Then I ventured to the supermarket about 0.5 mile down the hill on my own for the first time. It was fine except it seems either the service is really bad at that store or just for me. The women sat and talked to her friend for 3-4 minutes instead of checking me out. Then I walked up the hill to the bakery and that was fine I only had to say 2 please and point to what bread I wanted. Oh no whole wheat bread here either.

David picked up the modem today for our Internet. Everyone has told us that there is a 50% chance that it will work when you plug it in. If it doesn't work that is when the 2 month waiting period begins until they get someone out to fix it. We are holding our breath and praying that it will work the first time.

Tomorrow is a national holiday in Greece, Όχι Day. Όχι Day according to Wikipedia is the celebration of the Greeks refusal to yield to the powers of the Axis in 1940. There are all kinds of banners and Greek flags everywhere. No idea what you do on Όχι Day but if we figure it out I will let you guys know. I know it probably means nothing will be open so our planned shopping trip to find rugs will not be happening.

Well all for now I need to get home. Hopefully I will be writing you all from home with my own Internet tomorrow but no promises. Oh we also have the big Embassy Halloween party tomorrow night, I will let you know how that goes.

Love from Athens....