SYROS

I'm a bit angry right now.  I spent half an hour on the bus writing today's blog and with an accidental flick of the finger just deleted the whole thing.  

Yesterday was the 4th of July, and our ship's crew decorated the public areas of the ship in red white and blue banners and flags and it was very charming. They don't know that for us independence  day is just a holiday to shoot off fireworks and barbecue. Our day was an easy day because we had time to pack our treasures as we disembark from the ship tomorrow. Zoe was feeling much better and was able to go on the walk through Syros. We had an interesting tour of Saint Nicholas Church which is the patron saint of sailors. I think. 

We also visited a home for the aged. Which is very unusual in Greece because people take care of their own families here

We had a small discussion about politics of the next picture is from kind of a union hall where people were organizing against the austerity laws which currently means that about 80 percent of a worker's salary goes to taxes.  Also people who retired with a pension of about 2000€ have seen it cut down to 800. 

We went shopping at our tour guide's favorite jewelry shop. But I didn't find anything I wanted and we both got some cute beach dresses. Or at least I think mine is a beach dress. This is just a sweet little town. Later in the day after we have our political talk. I went back to town to get some money from the ATM. And the place was absolutely deserted.

It was actually kind of sad once you know how bad things are for people in Greece.  

But everyone is unfailingly happy and generous and polite.  After the captains dinner we had some musicians and danced. Tonight we sail for nine hours. The seas are very rough.  Wednesday we will be in Pireaus and will get on a bus for a six hour trip to a place called meteora,. which I have looked at pictures of and which is quite fantastic.