SWEEEEEEEEETTTTTTT CRETE.....

Exclaims Jules as we board the bus, and drive along the cliffsides of this amazing island of mountains and sea. The land is dry, almost like Arizona, but the ocean as refreshing as that of the southern California coast.

Yes, the Island of Crete IS what everyone said it would be, and more!!!! As we flew over the Mediterranean Sea to the Crete Airport, we were dazzled with the brilliant blues that surrounded the island. Blues from the deepest of navy, to an aqua, to almost transparent as it hits the shore. You could not only feel the excitement in the plane, you could hear it. Laughter and cheering abounded. "Look at that water", someone said. Followed by, "Now that is what I am talking about!" It was as if we had never seen a body of water before.

The experience in the Olympic Village is now miles away, and it couldn't be a sharper contrast. Living in small rooms, nowhere to lounge, to this glorious hotel, a resort on the Mediterranean, it is a whole new world. We got to the hotel, dropped our bags, and went straight to lunch. (see the photo) We were talking about going out, having dinner on some veranda over looking the water, but alas, we didn't have to go far from our rooms. We were served a delicious bowl of pasta pomodoro (just like mom used to make) and then a traditional Greek dish of pork on a pita with a yogurt cucumber concoction...nosteemo !!!!

After having lunch and FINALLY unpacking our bags, we had training. We got back on the bus, surrounded by multiple police cars and motorcycles, wound our way through the cliff overlooking the sea and ended up at this glorious pitch. I have no idea what the name of it is or who plays there, but it is gorgeous. Flat, fast and green. Have I mentioned that it is HOT???? Well, let's just say that I look as if I have taken a full shower by the time training is done. Training was inspired by the scenery, so it was nice to be out there. (Not to mention I scored the winning 4v4 goal, that gave our team the overall championship, but that is just details.) We got back, had dinner and Joy, Lil, Lucks and I went for a walk. Like I said earlier, the security is on high alert, so when the four of us wanted to go out, we were repeatedly asked whether we sure about wanting to leave the hotel. Of course, no problem. So we did. We strolled up the street, mostly tourist shops selling suntan lotions, towels, inflatable rafts ( a story for tomorrow) and snacks. After about 20 minutes we made our way back. The evenings here in Greece are some of the most beautiful because the temperature is ideal, so Lucks and I sit on our balcony overlooking the cove. Not so bad.

Tomorrow we have training in the morning, and the afternoon off. You know what that means? BEACH...bring your sunscreen because it is a scorcher out there.

CHEERS!
Brandi