Nafplio: Hey, I just met you and this is crazy, but I love you, so can I stay here, maybe?

Corinth Canal: a crucial site for the trading world. Those in control of the canal charged hefty tolls in order to cross. Large stone slabs were installed so that ships could be dragged through its narrow expanse.

Ohhh yeeees!

Today, we made a three and a half hour excursion from the bustling city of Athens to the INCREDIBLE seaside city of Nafplio. On the way, we made a quick pit stop at the Isthmus of Corinth where the Corinth Canal is. It was a stomach dropping sight to be sure. We spied am advertisement for bungee jumping off the bridge, and of course, us being the crazy, wild oat sowing college kids that we are, we were all dying to try it. However, much to our chagrin (and most likely to our Professor's relief) the shop seemed to be closed. We are making a return trip that way, so Mom, don't breathe easy yet.



Nafplio boldly wears the signatures that its previous conquerers (Frankish, Venetian, and Turkish) have emblazoned upon its architecture, culture, and traditions. A delightfully whimsical city of a tasteful melding of cultures, it possesses the power to bring tears to one's eyes with its beauty.

The Mediterranean climate eliminates much of the need for dryers.

Before going the hotel (our home base for the next nine days), we drove to Palamidi Fortress, perched on the hills (999 steps to the top) that overlook the city of Nafplio. We received an abridged history lesson about the Fortress from Professor Hutton and then were free to explore as we wished and take some fantastic photos.

A view of Nafplio from Palamidi Fortress.

Another stunning view of Nafplio (and my finger).

Inside the Palamidi Fortress. It is quite a labyrinth in there!

Bourtzi--a castle situated in the harbor of Nafplio

A view of the beach from Palamidi Fortress.

The glory of Nafplio.

The tiny door to get to the cell--about three feet tall.

At one part of Palamidi's history, the fortress was a prison. We were able to enter and explore the cell of hero of the Greek Revolution Theodore Kolokotrones. It made even the most adventurous of us feel a little claustrophobic.

The sign pointing the way to the cell.

In the dark, dank cell, very happy we didn't have to stay in there for an extended period of time.

Inside the church.

A Catholic church nestled in the center of the fortress.

 After exploring the fortress, we took a lunch break and I had a glass of the best orange juice I have ever tasted. Greece does not grow very many things, but the things that it does are absolutely wonderful.

Oranges!

Cheesin' with the O.J.!

A view from the hotel room.

Afterwards, we checked into the hotel room and reported to the Harvard Center of Hellenic Studies for a quick debriefing and a tour of the center. Everyone working there is so kind and helpful. After a bit of research, we went to the have the best gelato outside Italy--this store is a nod to Nafplio's Italian roots, and then beach bummed for the rest of the day. More to come soon. Thank you to all who are following the blog--your support means a lot.

Random things I learned . . . 

• Europeans are VERY comfortable with closer personal space as opposed to Americans.
•  W.C. means "water closet" and are the toilets. 
• Greeks eat a LOT of meat. A sweet lady could not understand why I did not finish my generous plate of meatballs, but I assured her that they were delicious and I was just very full.
• No matter what Tio says, I am a GREAT driver. He just needs to come over here and see the crazy Greek drivers who seem to narrowly miss dying every time they venture out into the streets.
• DO NOT J-walk in Athens--it's not worth your life. Also, it is apparent you are a tourist if you run across the street to quickly get to the safety of the other side.
• Graffiti is everywhere in Athens. However, there are bigger fish to fry for the Athenian police than graffiti artists, so much of it goes unpunished.
• Waiters in Greece do not bring you your check, you have to ask for it. That is unless you want to sit around for forty-five minutes with two of your William and Mary buddies making small talk and watching a stray cat stalk and kill a bird right in the outdoor restaurant you are dining at--yes that happened.
• Don't immediately assume you have lost something--check your bag. No, I mean it, seriously just check your bag: it's probably there.
• If you cannot find the switch to turn on/off the lights, it is outside the room that you are trying to turn on the lights for.
• European beaches are Speedo City--the wearing of these skimpy suits and being of a non-cringeworthy age to wear them are not always mutually inclusive. Yikes . . .