Wednesday, October 08, 2008

What happened??

We just got back from a 12-day trip to the south of Crete, and find ourselves to come home to what seems a different world.
First of all, we didn't even know if we were gonna get home at all due to a general strike in all the public transportation systems (amongst other companies and organisations). We also didn't have tickets to come back, even though I did get a confirmation and everything was paid for. Yep, I had the tickets to go there, but not the ones to come back. We knew this was gonna be trouble at the airport in Crete, but we got there early enough to beat the crowds so they had time to sort it all out.
The financial crisis is taking on proportions beyond belief. While we were gone, our number one bank got into so much trouble that only a government intervention and selling most of it to another bank could save it. Pheww! Maybe I should go and clear my account there? I really don't know what to do, coz there is no telling what the other banks will face. Moving it to another bank sounds just as dangerous as leaving it where it is now.

We try to follow the presidential debates from the US, especially when they're talking about the economic & financial situation of the country and international positioning. Like it or not, the US has a big influence on most other countries worldwide and their economic situation. Import and export are big issues for us europeans, so it's important to know where the candidates stand.

Being in the south of Crete is like being on another planet. Some of the news trinkles through, but mostly, you can be oblivious to what's happening in other parts of the world if you really want to. That's what vacation is all about for us. Forget all the worries, the trouble, etc. and just enjoy the good life down there. :-))
We had some friends from the US join us this time and she's a beader and mixed media artist too so we went looking for interesting items to use. Good grief, she could spot beads a mile away! Too bad we didn't find any really interesting ones. I've been looking for years for the "lucky eye" beads to ward off evil, but so far have found nothing but plastic ones. Wish someone would make really nice glass ones in different sizes for a reasonable price....
We went on little trips to some remote beaches (we drove there, the men walked to some), had a whale of a time swimming (yes, pun intended...LOL), had a great greek lunch at a local primitive beach bar and went hunting for some nice beach stones. I came home with a bunch of them to get me through winter. It'll be fun working on some more Cretan Beach Stone Pendants and remembering the good time we had there when the weather turns dark and cold here. :-))

Yesterday we went to get our kitties from the cat hotel. We've been going there for 11 years now and they too miss the kitty we lost in April. But for the new kitten, it was a new experience. Well, for the owners it was a new experience too. No cat ever broke out of the cages, but our kitten managed to do just that. Of course. The lady owner nearly had a heart attack when she discovered that! The kitten disappeared for 4 days, the owners tore up the whole place to find her, but she was hidden pretty well. They found her hiding under the roof tiles, but she still didn't want to come out. They were ready to have a company come over to get her out of there, when she finally felt hungry enough to sneak back into the cage behind their back. Our other kitty sat in the cage waiting patiently to see how this all would end. Guess she knew she didn't have to worry about the little one getting out and lost. She must have known where she was and that she'd come back. I'm sure this ordeal has cost the owners 10 years of their lives!! LOL
Believe it or not, the kitten is purring on my lap right now, and looking very innocent. How can we be mad at a little one that looks so cute??? Aaaahhh, at least she's back, and all is well again. Pheww!!
I'm sure next time we call the cat hotel they'll say "we're full, so sorry"..... I wouldn't blame them.... LOL

Hugs,
Wezz

11 comments:

Beth Ann said...

We are living in scary economic times. Here in Ontario, gas dropped to $1.05 a litre yesterday. Guess if there isn't enough money to fill up tank, it doesn't make too much of a difference. LOL I don't know if stuffing money into the mattress is such a good idea either?! LOL

Glad to hear you enjoyed your trip. It sounds marvelous.

Don't fur kids give us fits?! I don't travel anymore unless I can take my two Boston's with us.

I'm sure the cat hotel folks were beginning to get worried after 4 days...but that makes them good care givers.

Wezz said...

Yup, they sure do care! Even after what she put them through they bought her some new toys! LOL
Guess they were happy to see kitty back. :-))
Huh, stuffing money in the mattress sounds like going back to even more insecure times, doesn't it? My grandparents did it during the war.

Hugs,
Wezz

Anonymous said...

Your new kitty proved a handful didn't she? What a lovely story but so glad it had such a happy ending. I bet she sneaked back a few times for food and then returned to her hidey hole in the roof space.
Glad the holiday was such a success - you deserved it after the way you worked with all the "visitors" at Mekka.
Take care
Hugs
Neet

A Beaded Affair said...

What a wonderful trip, minus the ticket nightmare. Hope you will post some pictures of Crete. I've never been able to travel overseas and would love to see where you've been. So glad Kitty is back in your lap and purring. Can imagine how awful that was for your Cat Hotel and yes you may want to check out other alternatives for next time. lol
Lois
http://www.abeadedaffair.com

Barbara Merwin said...

Welcome home Wezz. The economic situation is darned scary. I am trying to not let fear get the best of me but, as new retirees, it is scary to see your retirement funds drop, drop and drop some more. Luckily my wife Barb (the talent behind Magpiedreams) took a 3/4 time job as minister at 2 churches so she has a salary again although they are quite a drive but we get good mileage on the car.

I just feel bad for those losing their homes, etc. and housing values are dropping all over including right here. So it is tough to even sell a home right now.

Glad you had a great time....Ken Merwin

Anonymous said...

Wezz sounds like a wonderful trip that you had. So kitty is happy that Mom is home now huh!!!!Did you take pictures of Crete? Would love to see some. Welcome home

ChezChani said...

The economy is really getting me sick to my stomach. Lost a huge chunk of my life savings, bank went under, fortunately taken over without much ado so far. Casinos laying people off all over, our poker room very slow with a major competitor opening in one month.

The kitten story is too funny. When I first got my Lucy, I put her in the car to take her home and she climbed into the motor of the car. I sat in the parking lot crying for half hour, finally saw her eyes shining, stuck my hand in a grabbed some fur. I use a cat carrier now.

Anonymous said...

I held my breath through your kitty story - glad it had a happy ending!

JB Design Boutique said...

Love your necklaces.

KimberlyRies said...

Glad you had a nice trip Wezz. My parents recently returned from Greece and described it the same way. Glad your kitty came out of hiding!

Kim
http://kimberlyries.blogspot.com

IzzyGumbo said...

Hey Wezz, stopping by from a friend of mine... saw your jewelry and wanted to say you do an amazing job! Your blog is fun to read... and I can so relate to the kitty!

I have the mattress... I have no green stuffing... am I in trouble or what? lol. It can be liberating to be so challenged. I think we as beautiful humans find our best selves in times like this. We find each other and so far, that's been the best part of this economic ick... in my opinion.
Hugs.
Susan.

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