I was sitting on the boat around 3:30 in the afternoon, letting my phone battery recharge for a bit. We were docked at a small marina on the island of Syros, one of the Cycladic Islands off of the coast of Greece. I heard clanking coming from the pier behind me and I turned around to see two young men pulling a chain from the water. The chain was clearly heavy because it took both of them to get it moving. Then they’d stop, one would hold it in place while the other ran forward to get a fresh grip, then they’d start pulling again. They did this for a while, and then stopped, leaving several feet of heavy chain on the dock.
Sailing In Greece: Part 2
“Turn left!” I acknowledged the instruction by sculling my hands in the water and angling myself 90° to the left. I continued forward and in a few moments I saw it: the wreckage of a World War II plane sunk 12 m below the surface. I was snorkeling in the Aegean off a poorly known island whose name I’ve already forgotten, and we’d found an airplane. How cool is this ?
Sailing In Greece
I was standing outside the Spartakos Cafe at the port in Santorini, waiting to meet my tour group. I had signed up for a 7-day sailing cruise with the Intrepid tour group, with the plan being to spend a week bouncing around the Greek islands. But, with 8 minutes until our meeting time, I stood alone. I didn’t see anyone else loitering in that general area, nor did I see anyone advertising that they were with Intrepid.
Second Day of Testing
I just wrapped up my second day of medical tests and day two went faster than day one. Not necessarily easier or better, just faster. Upon arrival, I met my handler from yesterday who handed my paperwork to a woman who simply said, “Come” and walked off. It took me well over an hour to figure out that she was my handler for today.
First Day of Medical Tests
My first day of medical testing at the BLK Max Super Specialty hospital (gotta love the name) was an interesting experience. The hospital sent a driver to pick me up and drive me to the hospital, which was helpful. I’d eventually learn that not only is it a 5 minute walk, but, depending on traffic, sometimes the fastest way to the hotel from other parts of the city included cutting through the hospital parking lot. I got to the hospital and met my handler, a nice Indian man named Sukhen. I didn’t actually get his name at the time; he texted it to me late that afternoon when we were exchanging numbers, so I had no name for him all day. I just thought of him as my “handler”. The first order of business was to pay for the tests. Everything had to be paid for and the invoices and receipts shown to the techs before they would do any tests, which makes sense. Sukhen handled the communication with the admin for me; I’d later learn that his official job title wasn’t handler but rather translator. In a country where English is one of the 2 official languages, I ran into a surprising amount of trouble communicating in English, so having a translator on hand was helpful. After a good 30 minutes of standing in line, trying to explain things to the admin, and getting paperwork together, we were off.
Arriving In New Delhi
I don’t know what I was expecting when I arrived at the new Delhi airport. Years of online videos of the chaos of Indian cities had clearly taken root in my brain. I expected to hear hundreds of people talking, street vendors selling food from push carts, cars honking incessantly, and cows meandering wherever they pleased. And yes, part of me thought I’d see all of that inside the airport.
4 Days Of Yoga
Wrapping up my fourth day at the yoga retreat, I feel like I’m definitely noticing some changes. I both don’t mind yoga as much as I did previously, but I also hate yoga a little more. I know that I’m getting more flexible with every class, but progress is so slow that it seems like I’m treading water.
My First Yoga Session
I am a manly man. I like 80s hair bands and muscle cars. I used to own a Mustang. I’ve owned 3 in fact. I like burgers and beer. I like my steaks medium rare and my bourbon neat. I go to the gym and pick up heavy things; cardio is a four-letter word. But, like most manly men, I’m getting older.
Tasting Phoenix: A Culinary Journey
Phoenix, a city known more for its blistering summers than its culinary scene, surprised me with an array of taste experiences that could rival any gastronomic capital. My adventure began on a Thursday, a day I dedicated to exploring the city’s diverse food landscape, starting with lunch at the famed Pizzeria Bianco. Here, amidst the rustic charm and the gentle hum of conversation, I savored a Margherita pizza. Its simplicity was its triumph: a tangy tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, and basil leaves on a perfectly charred crust, paired with a bottle of Chianti that whispered of Tuscan hills and sun-drenched vineyards.
Big Easy Eats: A Weekend Of Eating In New Orleans
Welcome to the lively streets of New Orleans, where the good times roll and the food is as spicy as the jazz in the air! Let’s dive into our whirlwind adventure through the Big Easy, where every bite tells a story and every sip is a toast to the city’s rich culture.