Tuesday, March 30, 2010

The Good Life in Kato Achaia, Greece

By Claire
We always think it can't get any better and then it does. We are currently in the tiny town of Kato Achaia, 21 km. west of Patras. The birds are singing, flowers are blooming madly and the sun is shining warmly. We even have a 1,000 year old olive tree in residence which overlooks the amazing water below!



We rode our bikes into town today, using Konstantinos's directions. It wasn't far, perhaps 2 km. We walked from one electronics store to another with no luck and I was all for giving up and heading back. Each store was so small I couldn't believe they would have a power supply for my computer. But, Chuck wanted to persevere so I went along with it. Imagine my surprise when the guy in our last stop pulled out a box with different adapters, fitting one neatly into my computer! His shop was small, maybe 200 square feet. I can't begin to explain how I felt when my computer screen lit up and there was my last email, still waiting from when my battery shut down. Be still, my beating heart! I was so sure it was an internal problem. Isn't it amazing what a journey it can be to come to a solution? We have had so much friendly help from the Greek people we have met along the way in our search for the repair of my computer.

Naturally, we had to celebrate with cappuccinos on the town square.









We were just unlocking our bikes to head home when Konstantinos walked by, saw us and asked if we had had any luck. What a nice man.

Our second big purchase of the day was a Magic Mini Duster. What a miracle. Our laptops and Kindles are very dusty and this little guy does work like magic. The photo on the package shows a person spinning it between their hands to release the dust.



I am now headed outside to join Chuck with my Kindle.

The Mediterranean has the color of mackerel, changeable I mean. You don't always know if it is green or violet, you can't even say it's blue, because the next moment the changing reflection has taken on a tint of rose or gray. ~ Vincent van Gogh

6 comments:

Elisbetta said...

Wait a minute.
I may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but how in the world do you go to a campsite 21 km west of Patras, when Patras is dead-on the west coast of Greece, and there's nowhere to go except into the water?!

You can't kid a kidder: I've been through that port town many, many times. You meant east, right? Or do I have "Part-timers" (as opposed to Alzheimers)and read ur story wrong? Mannaggia~!

Unknown said...

That olive tree is a miracle--right up there with the giant Sequoias. Another spectacular setting with wonderful people. Isn't it wonderful to know that the world isn't populated entirely by terrorists and Republicans?

Chuck and Claire said...

Elis
We simply meant that we are west of Patras as measured by longitude lines; our location is also south of Patras, if that is what concerned you. There are a number of towns west of Patras in the Peloponnese.

Michael said...

Hi Chuck and Clare,
This is a very informative post! I have seen those dusters in the shop but had no idea if they really worked.
Now on your recommendation I will rush out and buy one.

Sharing the good life,
Michael

Chuck and Claire said...

Michael,
We've been searching for something to clean our increasingly dirty computers but never thought to look at the grocery store! The guy who sold us the power supply told us where to find one. Glad our blog can be so informative!
Claire

Elisabetta said...

Roger that!
But of course, the land mass spreads out... am in need of another geography lesson, perhaps studying a map "sul treno" as I anticipate heading for Treviso just when ur about to land in Ancona!

Maybe I'll see you guys in the Veneto,-D Ciaoooo ... Elle