April 8, 2000

The bus ride yesterday was long and annoying. First of all, our cabby did not want to go into the bus station so he made us walk a really long way. The bus was actually nice but they had the air on. We dilated a lot at the ferry and it was raining. We got to Filipiada at about 6:30. We were waiting for a cab because we were blind and did not see the line. Anyway, we got in a cab and it was 3000 drachmas to get to the village which seemed like a lot to me. We did a lot of house visits. It was pretty boring but whatever. Then we went to Aunt Noni's house and waited for the girls to come. Meanwhile, I ate the whole table. They were kind of drink and they were really funny. Then girls came at about 1 and we went home. We sat and ate Teddy Grahams, Rondo and really good cookies until we were literally sick to our stomachs, at least me. I slept considerable warm at least. Overall impressions, everything is gorgeous here. You automatically feel different. It is as if my worries kind of disappear. They put up a sign at Platano that says Papadates Cafe which is pretty funny since everyone calls it something else. They put Nestle ice cream too. This morning we woke up basically and started an eating fest and a greeting fest. We saw Aunt Renee and Uncle Pete and of course she was not too happy about my weight. Then we went to Aunt Irene's and Jim was there. Jim said he would have definitely done something and I feel bad now. We came home and ate lunch. I ate so much that it is 6 hours later and I still feel it in me. We decided to go to the river. It was nothing special but no big deal. Then we walked back home. It was actually not a terrible walk if my stomach was not killing me. Now we are home getting ready to go out. We were just looking at some pictures and I saw one of mom like I had never seen her before. She looked so much like Barbara. It kind of made me sad now. I am sure I am forgetting to mention things but I will do it when I remember. I am kind of starting to stress now because I really need to go down to the center to see more people. More later.