First: Took some bootleg Ambien on the plane last night. Thought I might be immune to it at first, but it finally did its thing. Sort of. Slept about 4 hours, which is a really odd for me and international travel sleep. Didn’t feel totally delirious with exhaustion today. Airlines should give out packets of Ambien on all international flights. Like party favors.

Went straight from the airport (which was surprisingly not a total cluster f*ck) to the Port of Athens to board the Julie M yacht. Since boarding the yacht, we have done nothing but eat. We were told the Greeks believe food is the highest form of hospitality, and the solution to everything. We had snacks, lunch, second lunch, drinks, dinner, and more drinks.

Had a delicious Greek salad. Note to America: real Greek salad does not have lettuce. Ever. It’s not allowed. Also had a new-to-me Greek vegetable called Almira, which translates to “salty”, and looks like a cross between seaweed and grass. It’s salty and lemony and delicious. Ate some of the best mussels I’ve ever had. And a red snapper that was so good it might win me over to team pescatarian.

Everyone was kinda hot, so we stopped for a quick swim between food episodes. I’m not a strong swimmer (I can tread water and swim some ugly laps in a swimming pool), but I’m mostly and usually terrified of the ocean. Mustered up the courage to jump (climb down the ladder) into the Aegean Sea. It was quite cold, but refreshing. Current beyond my ability. I stayed in about 18 seconds.

It is strictly forbidden in Greece to throw soiled toilet paper into the toilet. It goes into a bin NEXT to the toilet. I’m coming to terms with that. I’m also learning how to use the bidet on the yacht. No idea if I’m doing it “right”, but I feel fresh.

This evening we’re docked at the island of Poros, southwest of Athens. Walked around for a bit – if I keep moving, I won’t succumb to jet lag. Saw many, many boats, but the best was this one, from the School of Charlie Manson Boat Naming. Dinner was at the traditional Greek dinner hour of 10pm. Really hoping the traditional Greek hour of getting up is 10am.

Yamas!