Mmmmmm MYKONOS!!!!

I am going to make this blog a travel blog temporarily.

That's right, you heard me. TRAVEL BLOG.

I know. That's random. But HEY! that's what my blog is for!

I've been going around, since it's my last LOOOOONG vacation before I enter the cruel real world. 

I guess I was lucky enough to even get such long holiday before starting my job.

Anyway, as you all know. I came to Italy, staying with my BF in Genoa.

Last week, however, we went to Mykonos, a vacation island off mainland Greece. 

It was wonderful indeed. and I wish that I updated my blog in a more timely manner but the internet at our hotel SUCKED so my wish could not have been granted.

ok enough talking! I would like to introduce this island and give some very biased suggestions by bombing you all with photos.

Here we go!

Mykonos is one of the cyclades islands off Greece, with a population of about 10,000 people. 

Used be known as a "gay island" where a lot of gay people came here for vacation, before it became a popular vacation destination for both celebrity and general tourists. The island is known for the beautiful beaches and never-ending options for the nightlife.

Famous windmills that are not in use anymore....

Famous Pelican, Petro!!! Apparently, they replace old ones from new ones to keep this "symbol" of Mykonos. Quite cute eh???!!! I wonder if pelicans are edible... just kidding!!!!

Platys Gialos beach. Look at how clear the water is. Pretty!! 

There are a lot of beaches in Mykonos. To name some, there are Elia, Platys Gialos, Paradise, and SUPER paradise. In my opinion, Elia was the nicest beach out of all, factors being: beautiful water, fewer people, comfortable chairs and umbrellas and so on. 

There are free chairs and umbrellas in Paradise beach, but in most places you have to pay for them, prices ranging from 5 - 8 euros for the whole day. 

It's not bad at all, considering how comfortable they are and you are basically there the whole day. 

NOW if, that is only if, you are someone like me with the tendency to be slightly ADD and get bored of beaches after couple days, I have some suggestions for some activities that don't really involve beaches or being in water... I mean you can do windsurfing and jet skiing and banana boating all that things on water but those things can get old can't it? No? oh ok... then fine. I won't write anymore...

Say what? Oh you want to hear it anyways? GREAT! here we go!!

So what we did: we rented a car for the day (35 - 50 euros depending what car) and drove around the island!!! WEEEEE!!!! It was quite an intriguing landscape. It was rocky, dusty with very little greens. Sounds exciting??? YES!!! There's pretty much NO ONE on the rocky hills as you drive up. But it's so raw and the more you climb up, the more you are in awe of the bare nature in front of you. 

On on of the hills, where there was nobody, we found what looks like to be a ghost town. and a lonely church. we suspect it used to be a miner's town, given that there were signs of abandoned mines and "danger!" signs all ove the place. it was kind of cool but creepy... 

Inside church, candles were lit...but still no one was inside.... ohhhhhh...... 

Then, we stopped by a town called Ano Mera. It was a cute little town where you can see locals hanging out away from the tourist crowds. There was a monastery called Panagia Tourliani.  

Originally founded in 1580 (!!!) but the Iconostasis inside is made in 1700s by Florentine artists.

It is quite impressive and unexpected to see such elaborate interior in such small place. 

We couldn't get the photo but on the ceilings high up there was a painting of Jesus looking down. 

With the monk outside :D Just chiling. 

Just random cows on the road.

So, before you book your hotel and car rental service, one advice. 

Most cars are stick shift. Yes, MANUAL driving. 

Intimidated? You should be. But no worries there is an alternative to manual cars though much slower! 

It is......

A quad. Awesommmmeee. 

Phew, that was a lot of writing and you guys must be exhausted. 

Well I am. so I'm gonna stop here and report the rest in the part II!!! 

Stay tuned! cause it will involve some food....mmmmmm

Talk like Italians.

Hi!!!

I have been on vacation and hence I have not updated my blog for almost a month.
I know. I know. I don't even wanna talk about it. I've been so lazy. This is shameful and I should probably booed out of the blogging world by now. But as you know, I am shameless and have the balls to update it even after one month of absence. THERE I SAID IT. ARE YOU HAPPY NOW,

Anyways.

I've been in Italy where I'm staying at my boyfriend's house for a while.
It's been so relaxing... and I know I deserve it!!!!
Why? Because I'm Yuri. That's a good enough reason.

What? Yuri, you are an arrogant bitch?
... I kind of knew...I'm sorry...

Ok, so Italy, right.
It's frigging great!! Food, beaches, people and everything!!
Especially people though, I must say, are lovely here.

And it is so interesting to people-watch here as well.
I don't speak much of Italian, but I understand a bit and when they converse, I get the context of what they are talking about. But mostly I understand the context by their body language.

Yes, BODY LANGUAGE.
If you have not known already, Italians are known to express themselves with a lot of gestures.
And I would like to introduce some so that you can pretend like you are talking in Italian. Like me.

Here's the guide for you!!
http://www.alfredocassano.com/buyitaliangestures.html

I went to watch waterpolo game a several times because my boyfriend's brother plays with the national youth team. And I must say, again, it was hand-gesture fiesta during the game.
I mainly saw the "What" gesture (chapter1), "Look at that asshole!" gesture (chapter 1), or "take this" gesture (chapter 3).

Oh yes. They will yell, scream, and protest to the referee AND players. and I'm not talking about the coaches, mind you, I'm talking about the general audience.

It's intense, but definitely entertaining. They also do it when they are watching games on TV.

And me? well, I'm still process of learning. But I definitely learned one very importance gesture that will get you through life.





"I'm hungry."
Please refer to chapter 3.

You learn those gestures, you can probably almost seem like you are speaking Italian.