It's my Name Day!

I lived two days as Cretan. Well, likely many more then that, but for two days it was official in Heraklion, Crete. Addam and I flew into Chania on Monday morning from Athens, dreading a 3 hour bus ride to our stay on the other side of the island. Neither of us were able to sleep on the bus, but the route was along the coast, and the winding road offered one gorgeous, picturesque view after another. We got situated in a the very nice Studio Manos (hostel), with a room to ourselves. I bought a new, red bikini, and we headed to the beach:)

We just took the closest beach entrance, across the street, and saw the sign for Heaven. Obviously we would continue in that direction. We parked ourselves on the free thatched beach chairs, and ordered up some more Greek salad and beers. After some sun and lots of wind, we left to take a walk around town. Some more souvenir shopping, (one store was £1.50 for everything!), and later we had some great lamb and swordfish at the restaurant our host recommended. The next morning, Addam left for Santorini.

After an egg and bacon breakfast (I tried the Greek coffee too, it was awful), I went back to heaven to soak up some more sun (yes, I'm using lots of sunscreen). ANOTHER Greek salad, if it ain't broke....and after a few hours, I packed up and checked out and headed to the spa:) I got a desperately needed pedicure and haircut, and a facial just cause. The manager gave me lots of discounts and let me use the jacuzzi, sauna, salt water pool, and hamam for free, because she was in a good mood on her name day. When I mistakenly wished her a happy birthday, she explained that Christians have something they celebrate called a Name Day.

That evening I flew to Edinburgh, Scotland, slept long and well when I arrived, and boarded a bus to Glasgow the next morning. I dropped my stuff with my latest hostess in Glasgow, and headed toward New Cumnock and the Afton Water. I got on the wrong train, haha (everything's in English), and had to take a pricey cab to make sure I made it. I did. He dropped me off right at the river bank.

I couldn't believe it, I smiled so big and laughed aloud to myself when I reached it. What a moment! It's always good to feel the feeling you get when you've done something you wanted to and said you would...but really, and here's the corny part, I had traveled across the world to meet this river whose name was such a big part of my identity. Without whose origin, I would have been someone else...and it just amazes me how things are connected, and I'm grateful that I know that and that I had the means and love around me to be here. So I decided, it's my name day.

Now off to Nottingham, first class;)