Travel from Sparta to Nafplio Greece
Well today I got a nice 0600 wake up call. Mom was calling me to let me know that John McCain was about to concede and Barrack Obama was going to officially be named the next President of the United States (of course he will only be President Elect until January but whatever). Such a huge moment. I look back through history and think of the moments that other people have gotten to say “I was there" and “I remember where I was” and now finally my generation has a moment too. Something we can be proud of, something we can share with our kids. Today the world changed and you only have to be out of the United States to realize how much people really wanted this…...how great they feel it is and how great they think it will be. Today I almost wish I was still in DC so that I could be out front of the White House, partying with everyone else. But instead I will share this moment with perfect strangers, who don’t speak English but still feel the same excitement that I do.
Anyway, I got to listen to Obama’s speech over the phone with mom and dad. Had to share the moment with someone so I am very glad it was them. I know I will hear it again and again over the next few days but since I don’t have a TV here in Sparta I will have to hope I have one in Nafplio.
Of course there was a few hours of travel planned for today. I headed south and down to the coast to a little place called Nafplio. It was kind of in my original plans (but not really) but I met a very nice couple in Italy who told me I had to go there so I did (while in Tuscany....at the bus stop and then again on the wine tour). I managed to grab the bus nice and early out of Sparta. I know I have shared the story on Facebook already but I had to sit at the back of the bus. No malice intended just my ticket did not have a seat number so that meant I had to sit at the very back. I just found it a little ironic that on the day that the United States elected their first black president some Greek guy says to me “you.... sit at the back, at the back of the bus”. I know he missed the irony.
I had to head back to my favourite little bus transfer location, Tripoli (and yes that is sarcasm). A pretty uneventful trip and made it there in time for a bus to Nafplio that left at 1030......or so I thought. It actually left at 1000. I however made the walk from the one bus station to the other, in plenty of time to make it. The trip from Tripoli was absolutely beautiful. Basically I drove this windy mountain road...... down one side of a valley and then back up the road on the other side. Yes it could have been faster just to drive across the valley but that is not the Greek way. Sometimes I would look out the window and just see a drop off. No extra wide shoulders and guard rails or anything like that, but the bus stays on the road and that is what counts.
One of the random things I saw on my trip....ok what I saw when I was awake.
I got to Nafplio nice and early, found myself a cheap little pension (I have been saving a little money this leg of the journey, which is good since my stay in Athens is going to cost me a fortune) and set out to explore the town. Big draw here is the Palamidi Fortress that over looks the town. Of course it is on the top of a mountain and it is around 1000 steps up…..and I will do that tomorrow as it closes at 1430 (2:30pm) and if I am making the walk up I want to be able to explore something at the top.
The Palamidi Fortress. Should be a good hike.
Instead I followed the path along the water. Nafplio is right on the Argolikos Gulf and the sun is out. I made it all the way around and then ran into a very nice couple from North Bay Ontario. We got to talking and then we ended up heading for some beers.......and beers led to dinner. Been a few weeks since I ate with anyone and some dinner conversation was certainly welcomed. They helped me out by giving me an extra map of Athens and pointed out a few things to me so I can do some pre-planning.
So far Nafplio has been a pleasant little surprise. Such a great little town….and relaxed. The water front is full of little bars, many that offer free Wi-Fi access so I may be hitting that up tomorrow. It should be just a nice relaxed couple of days. 
Out in the harbour is Bourtzi Castle. It was originally built in 1473 to protect the city from pirates and other invaders. It was eventually converted into a residence for executioners of convicts at Palamidi Castle.
So a big day of hill climbing planned tomorrow. Tonight I will review the past days' events…..with the help of CNN......and BBC.
The sun setting on another great day. Makes it hard to think about ever heading home.
Julie
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