The people we've met ...

We have met some awesome people in Greece. Stacy already told you about Angel, our Croation roommate, but there have been a number of other people who have made an impression on us:

Angel (see Stacy's previous post for more info on this guy)

Felicia (and her awkward son Bill) shopowner, Nafplion
This woman owns a Kolomboi (worry beads) shop in Nafplion. Her husband and youngest son (not Bill) make all beads from precious stones and craft the Kolomboi themselves. She spent about 20 minutes telling us all about the beads and what the different stones were for (amber for arthritis, black coral for protection, camel bones for companionship). Stacy chose blue coral for happiness and though I was tempted to go for those camel bones, the price forced me to choose pink coral (also for happiness) instead. Shows you were my priorities lie. ;)

Fani shopowner, Nafplio
We met Fani in the jewelry shop that she owns with her husband. He designs and crafts all the jewelry in the store. She took the time explaining the different symbols that we had been seeing on jewelry. We both chose pieces that have the Meandros (Greek Key - symbol of life) on one side and a 4th centurey Byzantine design on the other.

Ryan 25 year-old contracter from Orange County, the bus from Nafplio to Athens
We would never have guessed that this guy was only 25. We met him while waiting for the bus and spent the first hour or so of the ride talking to him. [Stacy would say that I spent the first hour talking to him. I've learned that, as an extrovert, traveling with one other person doesn't give the energy that I'm used to. Whenever we get to talking with someone, I can feel my energy level refilling. So Stace let me do most of the talking, even though the boy was cute and time was short. :)] We were the first people he'd met in a week who spoke English and he was desperate for some conversation. Talked us (me, at least) into learning to scuba dive. Thanks, Ryan!

Angelo Greek-Australian B&B owner, Kastraki
First act of kindness: picked us up from the train station in Kalambaki. Recommended the tasty and cheap Taverna next door to his B&B, hooked us up with a map and a bus up to the monasteries. A talker. About foreign relations: "Americans and Australians must come together, holding hands like sisters. And New Zealand the other sister. And Canada the fourth. All from old mother England." About the monasteris: "Some big, some small - same Jesus inside."

Australian Family Sydney Hotel, Kastraki
We met these awesome folks (father, mother, teenaged daughter) while waiting for the bus up to the monasteries. They were very friendly and helpful - told us all about the skirts and shawls that the monasteries have for women who are wearing slacks and tank tops. Having just been to Italy, they made a few recommendations and warned us about the bus drivers. "They have two speeds," said the daughter. "Fast and stop."

Hostel Guy Student Travelers Inn, Athens
This guy, whose name we don't know, has been our check-in guy during both of our stays in Athens. This time, however, he took the time to add up on his calculator how many women come through the hostel and break his heart every year. Awww.

Stratos 28-year-old jewelry-maker, wrestling champ, and world class charmer, Athens
Stacy is gonna post on this guy. He deserves his own chapter. Left us both charmed and twitterpated. Sweet Stratos. Definitely our favorite Greek boy.