HOT HOT HOT

Drove a bit north to a working olive tree farm in the Peloponnese this morning. The farm has olive trees older than 2,000 years. Impressive operation, but just oppressively HOT. Hard to absorb info when you are actively melting. Was hiding in any sliver of shade I could find. Didn’t help much. Still melting.

Tasted some exquisite olive oil. No room in my suitcase, though. Of course, they ship. Greeks insist they make the best olive oil in the world. With the amount of real estate devoted to olive trees in this country, I believe this to be true.

Sidebar: The amount of sunscreen pale people have to apply to survive the summer sun is absurd. But my dermatologist would be so proud of me – between my ridiculous floppy hat and copious sunscreen, I didn’t get burned once this trip. Not even a little. I’m practically beige.

It’s 103 mfing degrees outside.

We had planned to visit the Mystras archaeological site this afternoon. It’s a castle that was built in 1249. And where do you build castles? Not on the bottom of any goddamn mountain, that’s for sure. Castles go on TOP of mountains. Decided to cancel in consideration of the extreme heat today. I promise to look at pictures of Mythras online and appreciate its beauty and value. From my air conditioned room.

Had lunch in the mountain town of Vlachokerasea. It is the ancestral home of one of our friends traveling with us. What a joy to experience that connection with him. The proprietors of the taverna we ate at rarely see tourists, especially Americans. They are a mom (mamá) and son (Peter). Zero English. Well, that’s not true. Peter knew the word beautiful, and used it often. Outstanding food. Best tzatziki of the trip. Also ate something called horta, which, as near as I can tell, is boiled forest floor with salt. Not my favorite. Bought a jar of their unlabeled family honey. Please don’t break in my suitcase.

Our hotel has the oldest eucalyptus trees in Greece. So says the sign. They have a great swing. Couldn’t resist. The tree is probably 180ish years old. Considered taking a cutting and putting it into my suitcase, but US customs isn’t a fan of that. Will buy myself a eucalyptus candle instead.

Might need to cull my Greek rock collection. This is an entire geological representation of Greece. Not sure I can part with any of them. Ken is sure, though.