Chania

End of our second full day in Chania. So far, we've spent most of our time lounging around the pool while the kids (Aleeza and Sebastian along with their cousins Sophia, Eva and Nathan) played, swam and got sunburned.

Last night we had dinner-- grilled fish of various kinds and Greek salad -- down in the old city and wandered around the old Ventian harbor. The place was packed with Greeks and a few foreign tourists. There was some sort of agricultural fair going on and dozens of stands were offering us tastes of Cretean honey and various sorts of grappe. Later on, at around 9 p.m., we attended a free performance of Greek folk dancing in an open air amphitheater. It was awfully repetative but was interesting for the first half hour or so. The kids got cranky and we left before the show was over. Amazingly, as we were driving home at close to midnight, we noticed that every single taverna was full to overflowing with people of all ages and some children as well).

Tomorrow, we are planning to go to Knossos, the ancient Minoan palace in Heraklion. If not that day, then the next.

Well, after 4 days on the road and perhaps 10 hours of sleep total, Jackie, Aleeza, Sebi and I have finally arrived in Chania, Crete where we are staying at the Villa Asteria. We're a short walk from the beach. We'll be here fro a week. My brother Paul (from Zambia) and his family arrived just an hour ago with my parents (who were in Heraklion for a conference). It is nice to see everyone. More later

Leaving in three days...

I'll be using this blog to record my impressions and (mis)adventures while living and teaching in London during the upcoming fall term. My whole family-- Jackie, Aleeza and Sebastian-- will be with me and I'll no doubt be posting about them here as well. Unlike my other blog, I won't be ruminating on media issues or academic politics in this space (at least not very much), just reporting what Jackie, the kids and I are up to.

I'll be posting regularly once the school year begins (September 3). For the next three weeks, the Leder Macek clan will be on a whirl-wind tour of Greece, Hungary, Ireland and remote parts of England. Jackie and I are already exhausted from all the packing and preparations and the kids are getting nervous. But it'll be worth it. Of that I am certain.