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Happy Sweet 16 Sergio!

The numbers don't translate here too well so he got a "17"on the cake. It was a damn good ice cream cake.

Watch out everyone! Sergio will be on the road tearing up the streets of Fircrest, Tacoma and University Place when he gets home. Look for his white Honda Prelude.

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Greek Adventure, Part 6: Here's the Pictures, Stop Your Whining

By day I'm doing the tourist thing, but at night I'm working with my photo assistant Sergio on processing hundreds of photos. We figure we'll have well over 100 framable pictures by the end of this trip. Here are a few of my favorites so far...

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Greek Adventure, Part 5: Get Ya Stunna Shades On

I finally broke down and bought a pair of "stunna shades." For all of you behind the times, stunna shades are basically women's sunglasses. They're all the rage here. Watch out ladies. With my stunnas, sudden burst of freckles and tan, you're defenseless. I dare you to see me when I get home.

Where were we... So the other day the family and I took this super-fast ferry, which would basically run circles around Washington ferries, to an island called Santorini. Although it sounds like a martini, it is infact an island. The island had tiny towns on top of huge cliffs and many homes are built into the cliffs. It's quite romantic.

We rented a van (not so romantic) on the island and Dad managed to get around non-stop hairpin turns and crazy drivers. It was a little stressful. We stopped at a great little town called Thira. The shopping there was noteworthy. Many women I know could have hurt themselves there (Read: Moos and Courtney with Scott's credit card). We also went to a beach with black sand and caves before calling it a day.

On the ferry coming back, I sat next to an Aussie named Yanni. Don't picture the musician. Picture a bodybuilder dude with Joe Dirt's style. We talked about the following:

  • Women: He met a hot Aussie chick on Santorini and he was angry he couldn't stay. I pointed out the irony of having to travel half way around the world to find someone from he liked from his hometown of Melbourne.
  • Our jobs: He's a personal trainer. I'm a writing trainer, sort of.
  • Music: He and everyone else in world listens to dance/techno music. It's terrible. I told him so.
  • The war in Iraq: He felt bad for us.
  • The World Cup: He was in Germany during the tournament and said it was rad.
  • Currency: We're both getting screwed by this Euro exchange.
  • I did not tell him he looks like Joe Dirt.

On the way off the ferry I met another Aussie (didn't catch her name) who has traveled to 16 countries in 18 months. I want to be her when I grow up.

Last night, we went downtown to see some nightlife and Holy Shit on a Stick I have never seen so many bars so busy on a Tuesday night. I'd be lucky to see that many people out in Belltown on a Friday night. I took some video that I'll post when I get back home. In the meantime, you'll have to settle with the picture. There I am, enjoying a coffee and amaretto at an old schoolhouse that's converted into a bar. What a concept.

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Greek Adventure, Part 4: It's a Celebration, Beaches!

It's day five and I'm in the vacation zone. I love the mornings here because we eat this incredible yogurt and fresh fruit and drink espresso. I learned how to make espresso on the stove and I think I can give Katrine a run for her money now.

We've gone to a couple beaches called Alexander (very original name) and Herissonisos (a cool reef area). Today we're going to a beach called Akti, which is also a very popular night spot. I am without an international driver's license or a wingman here (Where's Scott or Matt when I need them?), so my night outings are limited.

Yesterday we went to the market downtown. It's called Loiki and it's run by gypsies. It was kind of like a gigantic farmer's market. The food is incredibly cheap.

Sergio and I have taken hundreds of pictures already but, due to technical difficulties, you all are going to have to wait to see them, or should plan on seeing me soon. I'm off to the beach. Happy belated birthday Ally and Keeley!

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Greek Adventure, Part 3: It's Getting Hot in Here, So Take Off All Your Clothes

Hello from Crete everyone!

It's absolutely beautiful here. We went to the city the day before yesterday, and there's so much to do. Amazing cafes/clubs are on every corner, and food and drink is cheap -- even with the crappy Euro exchange.

Yesterday we went to the beach and we swam in the ocean all day. Hooray for topless beaches. I am suntan lotion impaired and, true to form, I have some weird burns on my arms.

I still don't know a lick of Greek language, but that's OK because everyone speaks English. All the shows on TV are in English with Greek subtitles, so the Greeks are used to the language. I took a sweet video of the place where we're staying, but we're on dial-up here and it'll take days to upload it. So, you're going to have to wait. We're off to the beach again. I hope everyone's well back at home.