I Got You ~ C.B

FORTY-TWO

It was the worst sleep of my life. Probably for more than a couple of factors. Most prominently- Heath and Elton both snore. And usually I don't have a problem with that, so long as I fall asleep before they do. I didn't. I was restless, waking up every few hours and having to try and sleep again. Also, I could hear the nightlife. And despite my lack of sleep, I wanted to be out there. Exploring more, taking it all in. We all got woken up at seven anyway, thanks to the huge ass church bells from the orthodox church pretty much next door. But that's probably useful, we have a big day ahead of us. We get ready, start today's vlogs, and head out in pursuit of breakfast. Again, just down the road, finding a small, family owned, very homemade restaurant. I take its appearance as a good sign, it's real. It's authentic. And I was right. The menu wasn't even in English. Luckily, one of the workers knew English- although with a very true accent, and helped us order a few breakfast dishes to share. Some Greek olive bread- or eliopsomo, tiganites which are Greek Pancakes, galatopita- a milk pie. I'm an adventurous eater, I'll eat most things, or at least try them. Which I think makes the boys put on their big boy pants and follow my lead. I saw Brennan eyeing the milk pie suspiciously for a minute before he actually went in for some. It's very good. I have also discovered something magical- cappuccino freddo. Essentially an iced cappuccino with amazingly rich and smooth Greek coffee. I'm obsessed. I even sweet talk the English speaking waiter to take me to learn how they make them. Seems easy enough. But I doubt it would be the same without their Greek coffee. We then venture on, vlogging cameras in hand, as we head up to the Acropolis. Taking on the hike up the mountain. But it's worth it. It feels different up here, you can feel how sacred it is. Just rising up from the ground we stand on. I think I shock the boys with my knowledge of Greek Gods and Goddesses, all the mythology. I was a little obsessed in my younger days, completely convinced myself I was a Demigod. As we approach a ruin, I always find a fact or something to ramble about out of my head
"The Parthenon was built in dedication to the Goddess Athena Parthenos- which means Athena the Virgin. There was a forty foot statue of her in here made of gold and ivory. But it disappeared, most likely destroyed by a fire in the 5th century."
"Ooh! The Theatre of Dionysus. You know they regard this as true birthplace of Greek Theatre? All those Greek tragedy monologues I learnt was because of this place. How amazing is that! It's apparently the first Theatre in the world."
Later, as we roam the Acropolis museum, Colby drops by my side, pointing at the ruins I'm looking down at over a railing
"What was that?"
I slowly look up, smirking at him
"Oh, so now you want to talk to me?"
He chuckles, shrugging
"Well, you are like a free tour guide."
I hum, explaining
"It's the remains of an ancient Athenian neighbourhood they only dug up recently. Pretty cool huh?"
He smiles over my face
"I had no idea you were a history buff."
I scoff, continuing on through the museum, Colby on my heels
"You can blame my love of that Disney movie Hercules. My family thought I was nuts. A little nine year old obsessed with Ancient Greece."
He tells me
"It came in handy, didn't it?"
I grin
"Bull crap. I'm sure you boys have been blocking it out all day."
He shakes his head, admitting
"If you were my history teacher, I'd be taking notes."
I roll my eyes, changing the subject
"Let's go find the rest of them."
We don't straight away. Colby side tracks us, pointing out things and asking me to explain them. Even if I don't know anything about them, I read what the plaques say. We roam the museum together, like the awkwardness from the start of the trip was never there. We're friends again. We can film and it's not a problem. It's normal. We rejoin the others waiting for us at the exit. They had obviously been waiting a while, while Colby and I took our time. I'm left with a want to see Poseidon's temple at Cape Sounion, and mention this to them.
"Its an hour's drive to and from, but I'd be happy to if we could find a hire car."
Brennan sighs
"Alaska, you're going to walk us off our feet aren't you?"
I smirk at him
"Welcome to travelling with me."
Elton looks between the other boys, stating
"I should have wanted you guys that she won't slow down."
He was the only one I warned that I was a nuts traveller. I will fit everything in even if my feet bleed. Colby shrugs
"I'd be happy for a drive."
Elton agrees
"I mean, we are here. We should try to fit it all in."
And just like that, Heath and Brennan give in, placing their lives essentially in my hands. I clap
"Great! Don't worry boys, you can relax on the islands."
They don't buy my words at all. We head into a nearby market, browsing around for some cheap souvenirs and in search of some street food for lunch. The market is chaotic. People pushing around carts of full beef legs, stalls chopping cuts of meat right off the bone, mountains of seafood waiting to be bought fresh, tables of nuts and spices, sausages hanging from ceilings of stalls. Its culture, it's cool- just not if your vegan. We find a few little knick knacks to bring home with us- hand made jewellery, coffee beans, charms, dolls, ouzo. I'm actually exited to try Ouzo while I'm here. For lunch we have a couple Gyros, followed by some homemade and authentic baklava. And of course another cappuccino freddo to go before embarking on the mission to hire a car and head down to Cape Sounion. It's a fun drive anyway, although terrifying. I'm driving on the left hand side as usual, I'm used to it now from driving in LA, but we're also driving on the right side of the road. My perspective is out by about a metre. And the roads are busy. But we get there in good time, filling the trip with music played straight from the iPhone speaker since there isn't any aux chord or Bluetooth in the 2007 Prius. It's so worth it though, the temple is stunning. Sat atop a cliff over the water, sparkling under the sun. It's gorgeous. Peaceful. Although Brennan does make a joke into my camera as I film
"Alaska drove us an hour out to see more broken buildings yay..."
I slap at him
"Dude- make a disclaimer now."
He laughs, explaining into the camera
"I'm sorry to anyone I just offended. I was joking. Just to piss Rey off. I know this is someone's culture and it's a beautiful culture and it was very worth the hour trip."
I joke back at him, stating
"Cut, can we take that from 'I was joking'."
We laugh, and continue on. After taking it in, we're back in the car after half an hour. There's more traffic on the drive back, which we occupy by playing car games. It's good at least, because by the time we get back into Psirri and give the car back, it's about eight at night. Time for dinner, and also in perfect timing to enjoy the night life. It's bustling at night, everyone out and enjoying the cool night air. Music around every corner from a different street performer. We find a poppin' taverna for dinner. Everyone seems to be having a good time in there, and at a glance you would think everyone knew each other. Everyone gets along, nobody left out of the fun. Still full from lunch I eat Spanakopita for dinner with a side of Greek Salad. The salad came with a brick of feta cheese and I'm not kidding. A full brick. Not that I care, I do love cheese. After dinner we find ourselves wanting to remain in the night life more, and find ourselves at an open air cinema, sitting on a picnic blanket, watching God knows what. We can't understand it, since it's all in another language, but we make a game out of it. Taking turns narrating the story we can see. It's hilarious, and great content for the vlog. We probably would have done well to get home earlier than we did, considering we have to be up and on a Ferry to Mykonos for a three hour boat ride in the morning. But either way, we get back, shower and crash out after a very full day. Mostly at my fault, but I don't think they're complaining. Mainly because they're too tired to.

I can't take it again tonight, I need some actual sleep. So I move out of the rooms and onto the couch in the living room. It's fine, an odd designed couch to comfortably sleep on, but it's better than the snoring. I'm about to drift off when my arm is touched, and on high alert, I shoot up just in case I need to fight. It's Colby, his hands held up
"Easy Rey."
I sigh, asking through a yawn as I lie down again
"Yes Colby?"
He doesn't say anything, but lifts me bridal style from the couch. I'm defensive again
"Hey!"
He groans
"Alaska... shush."
I do. And am grateful I did. He lays me on one side of an actual bed, and climbs in beside me. I hum, wanting to crash immediately. I mumble
"Thank you."
He shrugs, his body against me
"I wasn't going to let you have another shitty night in a row."
I ask
"How did you know I had a shitty night."
He hums
"Your eyes are tired."
I then realise
"Where's Brennan?"
I don't see him, but his voice answers
"Right here baby."
I scoff, rolling onto my side. Colby explains
"I wouldn't be spooning you right now unless Brennan was taking up all the space on the other side."
Brennan suggests
"Spoon me brother."
I'm not sure if he does, but I wouldn't know even if he did, I'm asleep right after that remark.