Santorini, Greece
By the end of the week I will be here, half-way around the globe from where I now sit. I will spend 30 hours doing my least favorite thing - flying - to get here. Back to back red eyes to Venice, where we board the big floaty hotel to cruise the Mediterranean. And sleep off the zanax- ambien- vodka haze. Me + giant metal deathbox with wings = drugs.
My grandfather decided a family reunion was in order. He suggested Michigan. Someone who shall remain nameless said she would rather stick pins in her eyes. (Not me) So my grandfather decided we would be going on a nine-day cruise in the Mediterranean from Venice, Italy, all expenses covered. By him. He has 6 children and 21 grandchildren. A few of us older ones are married now, so there are those spouses too. He's flying us all to Venice and away we go! Some of the stops:
Split, Croatia
Crete
Ephesus, Turkey
The kicker: No kids allowed. Heaven, you might think.. but no. Leaving them here and knowing that I am 2+ days of travel away from my kidlets totally freaks me out (to quote Sky). I have traveled before, but always leaving them with my husband, and never this far. They are in good hands, Grandma Julie came in from California to hold down the fort. Literally, as fort-building is big around here these days. I have backed out of the trip multiple times, even going so far as to call in my cancellation with the airlines. I have never been to Europe. I do scary things sometimes.. I ride on crazy roads and swim near sharks but leaving my kids via the metal deathbox is a fear not easily overcome. But I can't pass this up. On Wednesday I am going to sack up and get on a plane.
I'm not bringing my bike. I don't think they would like me zooming around the run deck dodging pea-skins. I will be keeping the run alive though. I hit eight painless miles today. I couldn't have run fast if men were chasing me with guns, but it was running. Coach says that the water is so beautiful in Santorini that I will want to go for a nice long swim. Not bloody likely, dude.
Rachel Ross... these photos are so beautiful! This is like a once-in-a-lifetime-opportunity! As much as you are going to bum about missing the kids, Hawaii, riding that crazy plane, ect. YOU have to soak this up! Enjoy it all... take a ton of photos too!
ReplyDeleteYOU get to run in GREAT places, I am so envious of that! I dream about running in a place like this photo, you'll be a Greek Goddess! Watch out boys!
As for that swim, Santorini, sounds like sanitarium or something... check out the water first...
Have fun! Can you blog???? I am gonna miss Rossblog if you can't...
Enjoy the family!!!
Such great news about all the pain free running Rachel!!!! And what better place to enjoy it than the Mediterrean?!
ReplyDeleteHope you really enjoy the trip and take lots of pictures and don't worry too much about your kids back home!! (of course much easier said than done)
Enjoy!!
soooooo jealous.
ReplyDeletehere they have great Ouzo there. have one (or 5) for me.
uh oh....good luck with the no sugar on the cruise!!! ha- yeah right! i went on a cruise once and there was actually a chocolate PARTY- an entire chocolate themed evening with fountains and sculptures and......and the dessert buffet- after lunch AND dinner- don't get me started.
ReplyDeletebut, it's THE MEDITERRANEAN! so, enjoy! eat baklava till your teeth fall out.
Renting implies you paid for it and I hope none of the in-laws read this, especially the Michigan ones.
ReplyDeleteNice anniversary blog to Ramsey...
See you when you depart the flying deathtrap.
I am currently single and would be happy to shack up with a single male in your family... I haven't been to Greece before ;)
ReplyDeleteHave a GREAT time! And I agree with Bree, you're going to have to find a computer to do some blogging while you're gone!
Pity the kids can't come. It isn't a real family reunion without them. Although smaller in stature, they are equally as important as everyone else. Surely the ship is big enough to hold them as well? Watch out for the weird Brits when in Europe!
ReplyDeleteThe getting there will be the hardest part. But I suspect it will be worth it! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing reunion! Mine will be in Michigan...nuts. ;) Have a wonderful time.
ReplyDeleteRachel! I just overcome my crippling fear of flying..... to the point where I now can watch the crash scene of LOST while flying!!!!! It's awesome! Someday when I come to Hawaii we will shop for Lululemon while drinking Starbucks and I will teach you the way to a drug free flying career!
ReplyDelete:-) Mary
I am more afraid of sharks than of flying, that is for d*mn sure! This is a once in a lifetime chance, go and HAVE FUN and live it up!!! It is amazing there! Jen H. :)
ReplyDeleteRachel,
ReplyDeleteYou will love love love the Med--no sharks and no sand (mostly rocky beaches) and beatiful water. I've never been to Ephesus or Croatia, but Santorini is fabulous. Make sure you eat some Kalamari and tzatziki and souvlaki. Mmmm mmmm. Sorry you can't take the kids. My Michigan relatives have organized a family reunion for next year (kids included) outside Avignon in Provence next year and I can't wait!
Have a great time.
ko
FREE vacation to go to those BEAUTIFUL places...YOU GO GIRL and HAVE FUN...your kids will be FINE and good bonding time for them and Grandma!!! Dang if you came to MI, I would have been your neighbor...Toledo/Sylvania here....Nothing too exciting here (you would be sticking pins in your eyes, just for some excitement..he he!!..good choice on the cruise :)
ReplyDeleteWow, have fun - can I fit in your suitcase? I would like to visit those places ones day.... don't forget to bring advil and keep a bottle of something handy (preferably a tonic to drink) just in case whole family gets a little nutso and you need to calm the nerves. Jen C
ReplyDeleteWOW!!! travel safe and enjoy your trip!!! I can totally understand about leaving the kids, but like Bree said, once in a life (maybe)
ReplyDeleteTake Care!
Looks like so much fun! Have a safe trip! I think Grandma Julie might need a vacation when you get back!
ReplyDeleteWhat an incredible opportunity!! Your kids will be fine! The plane ride over will be no big deal, and you are going to have the most amazing time with the most important people for you! Soak up every moment!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so jealous right now! I know flying is your least favorite thing BUT what a trip of a life time!
ReplyDeleteI never worry about the kiddos when I leave, just the Grandparents! HA!
ENJOY RR! Oh and remember to take us ALL with you...i.e. BLOG!
Wow - sounds so awesome! I want to travel again!! I hope that you like your family since you will be stuck on a ship with them for a long time.
ReplyDeleteHave a great trip, Rachel. (I'm with you on the flying stuf...ick.) So glad to hear that you are back running again. Saw you "coaching" in my Title 9 today!
ReplyDelete-Danielle
OMG Rach, the time has finally come. I remember hearing about this trip when I was trying to convince you to go to Canada. Well, seeing these pics makes me SO HAPPY for you! This trip is going to be incredible! You are going to be feeling on top of this world ;-) So AMAZING and AWESOME! Have the best time....
ReplyDeleteOh and the kidlets will be perfectly fine with Grandma!
XO,
E
Um.. Rach..I gather you don't like to fly. Ambien is good! You'll be fine! Really though, the plane can't crash, you have an ironman to do in Oct!
ReplyDeleteHave fun!!!!!
What an amazing trip. The flight will be worth it. Just make sure you aren't allergic to any of the medication you take for the flight. I had an allergic reaction to some sleeping pills I took for a flight to Austria and instead of sleeping I wanted to crawl out of my skin for an entire flight.
ReplyDeleteI like the change. And great pictures. Also loved the sloth.
ReplyDeleteNameless
RR- Have an amazing trip. It sounds incredible (minus the flying time).
ReplyDeleteI'm sure the kids will have a super time with Grandman.
Can I be a long lost relative that gets to come!? Greece in on our list to travel. ENJOY the run, you deserve it!
ReplyDeleteLCotter
I used to live in Europe and have been to each destination except Turkey.
ReplyDeleteThe others are worth every minute of flying so get going and enjoy it! You won't regret it!
Kona L
Have a great time! Hope to see lots of pics and a trip report when you get back!
ReplyDeleterelax, the deathbox doesn't drop out of the sky nearly as often as you'd think.. since the beginning of the year I've flown to:
ReplyDeleteSouth Africa (26 hours) ;
Germany (a quick hop of 12 hours or so);
South Africa again;
and leave in a week for Greece, with kids. I haven't died yet, though the jetlag feels a bit like it. I can recommend melatonin for the jetlag.
The swimming in the Med is wonderful as TGKate noted, warm clear water with nothing lethal in it. It should be wonderful.
OK I'm off for my first run in 15 days (being as how it's not safe to run alone in Johannesburg anymore), what a treat.
Valuable resource of mediterranean sea news summaries.
ReplyDelete