Thursday, January 27, 2011

Food Exposé


Here we are making our way towards Athens, via a less inhabited island.

    So what do we eat?  Lets just say whatever we want.  Gens a vegetarian so her meals lack the meat Emma's, Georgia's,  and mine do.  Since we have been on our island with a kitchen we have been able to cook extravagant foods, like fijitas and ratatouille (see more below).  When biking it is give or take.  We consume a large amount of yogurt and gronala for breakfast.  For lunches sandwiches and wraps were common in Italy where bread, cheese, meat (salami and prosuto) and a varriety of toppings, pesto, capers (for lox), roasted peppers, balsamic vinegar, were all available in one stop shopping.  Often leftovers for lunch were eaten for dinner. When camping since it was often cold we ate soup.  However we are very capable camp cooks and have big plans for when the weather warms and spending time not in your tent it fun.  We eat also a lot of chocolate or sweats, and things with salt like chips. Don't worry moms we also eat our vegetables and fruits, apples, orange, carrots and cucumbers.  We drink mostly water but the occasional soda is enjoyed at lunch for refreshing energy boost.  

     Once we got to Greece we discovered that in smaller towns goods are split into specialty stores and the on the go sandwich was harder to prepare.  We did discover however the delights of the Greek bakeries.  Pastries both sweet and savory, filled with cheese, cheese and meat, or spinach.  The perfect replacement for the Italian sandwich.   When staying in hotels we make sure to fill up on continental breakfasts eating until we don't actually want to ride our bikes and perhaps not even eat lunch that day.  For dinners we often find a grocery store or small kebab shop.  We went out a couple times in Italy eating first course (pasta) and being forced to order second (meat), Gen would augment with cheese pizza.  We have yet to have a full Greek experience, however after our radio debut tonight we plan on feasting on soulvaki. I'll let you all know how it goes.

Guacamole and Guarana

Every time I get the chance I make fresh guacamole. Before leaving for the island I stalked up on avos and limes. With a lack of chips I substituted toasted pita. Emma and I found an international store in Piraeus (where we got the ferry), where I was happy to find the Brazilian soda gaurana.

Dahl

Gen made some Dahl, an Indian dish of cooked lentils and spices. Emma ate it right up.

Dahl

Of course Emma added hot sauce.

Fish

Being on an island means fish. We were given some.

Fish

I quickly scaled, gutted and cleaned the fish. I marinated it in salt, pepper, and a bit if lime before frying it. Yum fresh fish.

Wild Mountain Rabbit

Our first day on the island we ran into a man who spoke some English. We brought us to a couple bars. At one the lady cooked up this delicious meal for us. We finally got translated the it was rabbit from the mountains. Georgia, Emma and I all believe it was the best rabbit we all have had, it was also our first.

Good Eats

Meat on a Stick

Not sure what it is called in Greek since kebab seems to be something different. This is pork meat and a healthy helping of tzatziki sauce.

Drink of Choice

Emma and I drink a lot of this seltzer. It is appointed by the Royal Danish Crown.

Eggs and Toast

Fresh island eggs and bread with slices tomato and feta cheese. Credit chef Georgia.

Eggs in a Basket

Fresh island eggs and bread with melted cheese on top. Credit chef Emma.

Sausage Sandwich

Greek island made sausage (pork, beef, orange, herbs, garlic and peppers) with roasted peppers and onion on fresh made bread, can't forget the condiments, ketchup, mustard, mayo, and hot sauce (sriracha).

Thursday, January 20, 2011

A Quick Update

Yasas
We sit here now at a lovely establishment in town on our little island. We have had many exciting adventures, and more to come I am sure This island is now on the "off season" and very little is happening, so we are an excitement, or so we think. The adventures started when we disembarked the ferry at 4am sleepy and ready to ride the 6km to our town on unknown roads. We met our host and pushed our loaded bikes up, up and up. Exhausted, hot and hungry we fell asleep. We have mostly been reading our twenty two books plus some on our roof top soaking up the rays. We have met many people, including one man who has brought us fresh eggs and goat cheese, Every night. Emma, Gen and I took a nice hike to the highest point on the island (perhaps pictures to come). We have been enjoying cooking in a kitchen and the lovely sunsets. The picture is of the sunset from our second story porch. Our island is one of those picturesque Greek islands with mountainous slopes and whitewash houses with blue trim. We enjoy our three stories with boat staircases, which prove tricky when groggy in the morning when one is seeking tea or coffee.
Next Thursday at 6pm (Greek time 11am New York time) we have been invited to be on a radio podcast type thing. Check it out if you are up or you can find it later.
Here's the link www.radiomamouni110m6.com

For those of you who don't know we are hanging out on this island to avoid cold weather, it was freezing when we left Italy, it has been in the 60s here. Also most of the campgrounds are seasonal and we find it expensive staying hotels so we are waiting for them to open. It has been a nice break, personally I have been on the move since early May, having finished my college work a couple days ago it is finally nice to read for pleasure. Everyone else is enjoying the relaxation as well. We are looking for things to do. We are working on a short film, a suspense flick about the robbery of a small Greek island bank (there are only three cops on this island). We will, however, enjoy our return to life on the go.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

A quick view of our island

We made it safely to our island. Here is a video of the view from the main section of town.

Athens Graffiti

View of Athens and Acropolis

Em and Gen at the Acropolis

Lego Indiana Jones and Lucy

Day off in Athens

A couple days ago while still on the mainland of Greece we gave ourselves a day off to explore Athens and collect things for our island life. So what do we do on our days off? We walk, to start, we walked to the train station hoping to take the train into down town Athens. Upon arriving at the station we learned that there was a transportation strike and that there was only one urban train that ran every hour. We waited. We rode for twenty minuets or so and got off in an unknown city, we didn't have a map. After trying to figure out where a bookstore would be by asking taxi drivers in our non existent Greek we decided to find a map. we found a map and set off walking ditching the taxi plan, who needs a car. We were bookstore hungry for English book for our many hours of relaxation on the island. We wandered and looked and finally found a department store with a bookstore, however they didn't have any English books. We did stock up on moleskin journals, Gen, Georgia, and I each bought one. We were pointed in the direction of where some English books might be and set off. On days off Emma avoids navigating, Georgia led us through the busy streets of Athens with ease. Now would be a good tine to point out that we had specific missions. Georgia was looking for the Lonely Plant Greece guide and Gen was searching for the last three of the Harry Potter series. Bookstores started popping up one after another, we visited each one with due diligence. One even had a sale of 50% off all English books, we couldn't resist. In the end we went to over six bookstores, accomplished all of our goals amassing over 20 books (that includes our previous 15). I was even able to find a pair off bike pants I enjoyed wearing. We felt very accomplished. Running on energy of success we took off to see the sights. Unfortunately since we spent so much time searching for books we arrived to late to enter any of the ancient sites. We were still able to see them, their size and magnificence was inspiring. We headed back to our hotel with rain sprinkling down on us. One more quick stop to purchase a bike bell for me, and we were homeward bound. We made it to the train station just as the train was leaving, luckily we were able to get on. Back at the hotel we planned for the next day when we would take a ferry to our island.

Friday, January 14, 2011

Off We Go

Hello All
We are off to our island, we wouldn't say what it is called, perhaps you will figure it out. Hopefully there will internet around so we can tell you how our books are(we now have 22 books to read).
thats all
ride on

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Seeing if uploading video works. Enjoy

Fun with Number



0-cell phones (who needs these things anyways?)
1-bottle of hot sauce running low (tropical pepper co. xxxtra hot habanero pepper sauce, bought at catinas market shouthampton ny)
2-lesbians. . .
3-bike locks (herricks hardware $12.99, with family discount)
4-traffic cycle design custom touring bicycles (first addition, big ups Spencer Wright http://trafficbikes.com/)
5-useless American one dollar bills
6-saint charms (four saint Christopher's, one saint Anthony and one saint Lucy, who knew we were so religious, perhaps superstitious)
7-unsent post cards (sorry Lianna and household, you'll be getting them soon)
8-heavy duty crocs (buy one get one free, thanks tanger)
9-mini Cubans (one big mistake or mini on Georgia's birthday)
10- stolen packs of complementary shampoo (thanks vasto)
11-lip balms (four Hilary's homemade, thanks mom, two Carmex, two medicated bilstex, one fat tire brand, one chapstick, and one burts bees)
12-bandanas (style to snot there are so many reasons to have bandanas)
13-bungee cords (holding stuff down)
14-liters of water we can carry at one time (platypus bladders, dromitorys and klean kanteens)
15-books (library on wheels)

Sunday, January 9, 2011

So far we love Greece. We rode our first day today and it was a wonderful combination of ups and downs. It was Georgia's birthday today. We woke up, bringing gifts to the breakfast table where we all over indulged on miny croissants. On a bike trip practical gifts are given. Georgia received a large bag of peanut m&ms, face wash, and binoculars, in addition her wish came true and she was able to take a shower and enjoy a beautiful day of mellow riding. We really enjoy Greece and are particularly finding the language barrier a challenge. However, luckily a lot of people speak English.

If you all haven't noticed I have figured out how to update from my iPod touch. Technology is amazing. I am able to take pictures throughout the day and send them off at night, if we have wifi, which seems pretty common every where. With my iPod in had I am trying to capture as much as I can, however I am curious about what you all are interested in seeing, more scenery, our bikes, us, the food we eat. Let me know! And remember we
Love getting comments.
Thanks
Ride on!
Lucy.

We clean up nice, georgia does gens makeup before we go out to eat for Georgias birthday

Birthday cake number one

Embarking on the ferry to Greece

Some funny faces after a long day.

Emma Georgia and Gen consult the map. Reading Greek is hard. Emma often shouts out the town names in Greek letters, "triangle , square, upside down horse shoe" while Georgia tries pronouncing the town names.

A quick break to enjoy the view, Lucy Emma and Gen climb to the top of a
rock over the sea

Monkey socks. Gens favorite

The three take the lane on the old coastal road

Riding through Greece


A scenic vista from a pit stop during the afternoon

Friday, January 7, 2011

Here are some photos of our past couple days. We are getting on a ferry to Greece soon. We are not sure that we will miss Italy that much. We know we will be back. We are excited for our adventures to start in a new country. Emma is excited to see what there is to offer in the grocery stores. I think we all might be anticipating the possible hills in Greece, or at least i am. Gen is excited for there to be more vegetarian options on a Greek menu. And for Georgia all English books would be greatly appreciated for her upcoming 23rd birthday. Inquire at webikedhere@gmail.com for a place to send birthday presents(books in English).

Kebab eating technique.

Waiting around at the train station

Gen and I cursing right along

Em and Georgia navigating the streets of trinitapoli Italy

Streets of Italy

Gen with her we biked here bandana

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Time to eat

Green fields, dark skies?

Scenic overlook. Down to the sea

Almost all the cats

Ti lei for protection, traffic for transport

Waiting around

Brrr. It is cold out there

Hey all. We are slowly making our way down the eastern coast of Italy. This is mostly due to the fact that for four days we moved very little or not at all. Both Emma and I got very sick. We both had very bad soar throaghts which makes riding miserable. I also had a terrible fever that lasted three days. I am not sure I have had a fever in my grow up life and really don't hope to get another anytime soon, it was miserable.
Gen and Georgia took great care of us while also going slightly stir crazy stuck up in hotel rooms.
We "celebrated" new years pretty mellowly in our hotel room counting down with the TV, warmly snuggled in bed while dynamite sounding fireworks exploded outside. Since new years fell on a Sat there was an extra long period of closed shops and empty Italian villages, this did not help the stir crazy healthy or the recovering sickies. No food and no medicine. Luckily taking it slow paid off and Emma and I have recovered well and are able to ride at full strength now.
Today was an extremely beautiful day. We cut inland leaving the coast. What a good idea. We enjoyed open spaces of green agricultural fields strewn with old crumbling stone buildings. The occasional quarry lead to an increase in large trucks whizzing past us on the narrow roads. At lunch as we sat frozen on the side of the raod numb toes and tingling fingers we felt our first rain drops. Luckily it held off until we were able to reach our campsite. We are now all nestled in our tents reading in the warmth. P.S. There are a lot of cats at this campsite.