hola barcelona

My last day in Italy was a long one... I hadn’t slept well the night before and I wouldn’t be leaving the house for the bus until half midnight. I ate my first and last four cheese pizza. I was dropped at the bus terminal and left for Rome at 1.30am. It was a very long and uncomfortable bus ride, arriving in Rome at 5am. Once in the airport I killed some time on a facetime call with Mum which was great. I checked in my bags at 7.30a and departed at 10am.

Once I arrived in Barcelona at midday, I high-tailed through the airport to collect my bags and met Nat who was waiting for me. I immediately felt better as I slowly recalled how to speak fluent english and have my first proper face to face conversation in weeks. I met her mate Jy and we drove back to our pad some 45 mins out of the city.

We are living in an industrial type area in a ‘studio’ which caters to almost all of our needs. We have to walk some 100m to the work shed where we have access to a bathroom and wifi. It’s cosy and and comfortable. Soon as I dropped my bags we hit the sangria before going to the supermarket where we lost each other in the isles countless times. We enjoyed antipasto for lunch and in the afternoon we went for a roadtrip to visit some new friends. Upon arrival we had a beautiful BBQ dinner prepared by the parents and enjoyed getting to know our new friends. After dinner we were hired as gardeners for a few hours around their incredible Spanish home. Coming out with fourty euro was brilliant - equivalent to two full days working in Greece! We stayed the night there and enjoyed lazing around the following morning as it was raining outside. On our way out we stopped in the nearby town and had a wonderful 3 course lunch - starter, main, dessert with beer and coffee. I must say I have always cracked on about Italy’s food... but Spain - I think you are giving them a run for their money!

Friday, Saturday and Sunday have all been lazy days around the pad. No rush to get anywhere or do anything so we stumble around sleepy eyed until the afternoon where we might head to the local shopping centre and grab a couple of things or catch the train into Barcelona. We make lavish lunches - of seafood and antipasto and enjoy wine with every meal. This is living. Saturday afternoon we did some walking around Barcelona before stopping at a roof top bar and sharing a bottle of wine. A little further we stumbled across a nice square of restaurants off La Rumbla where we had lobster paella, a couple of bottles of wine and the most wonderful chocolate fondue cake. I spent more on dinner than I can ever imagine spending on myself before, but sometimes you just have to treat yourself! I was so stuffed after dinner, I fell asleep on the bus coming home.

It’s Monday today and unfortunately the cloud cover continues, disrupting our desire to relax at the beach. Later in the day the three of us will take a Wicked Van and road trip towards Valencia where we will spend the next few days at La Tomatina festival - aka the biggest tomato fight in the world! We will most likely come back on Friday where we will spend the weekend here and embark on our next road trip to San Sebastian which is approximately 6 hours north west. We will enjoy a few days there next week before coming back to Barcelona on the weekend where we look to be heading to our next destination - Morocco!

We heard it would be cold in Germany for Octoberfest so we just decided to go to Morocco instead! Ride a camel through the Sahara desert - why not!

It’s wonderful to not have an itinerary to be bound by, to make spontaneous decisions about where we are going to travel to, and what we are going to do next. Lucky I booked my flight home otherwise it would be very easy to stay on here. 

Not knowing what is around the corner is exciting and keeps you on the edge of your seat. 

I have no doubt that it is going to be challenging along the way, but for what I am coming to learn and experience - priceless.

Going places, Kassie xx

blessing in disguise

Italy has been just what my soul needed. After feeling lonely, lost and confused after the Greece fiasco, some TLC was exactly what I needed. For one and a half weeks it is difficult to distinguish between the days as each is very much the same. 10 hours at the beach, sun baking, reading, swimming, walking and playing with the kids. I don’t have to move far to shop with the dozens of immigrants trolling up and down the beach flogging off clothing, gadgets, bikinis and more. I bought a brilliant pair of fluro green bikini’s which didn’t last more than one wear before i accidentally put them in the wrong washing pile and now they are teal and much of my clothing is now purple. Rookie error. 

Last sunday I had the pleasure of catching up with one of my friends I had made last Italy visit. It was brilliant, such a blast from the past. I have since caught up with many others who i consider family and hope to catch up with a couple more friends in the next few days before I leave, it would be a shame not to.

I have enjoyed many of my favorite italian dishes and treats with only a few more to tick off the list. I’ve eaten far too much bread and not enough pizza and pasta. Coffee is even better than I remembered and I can’t get enough cola calipo’s on hot days at the beach.

Yesterday was a celebration day in Italy - “Ferragosto”. During the day people threw buckets of water on each other at the beach and in the evening we went to a friend’s place for a garden dinner party and ate and drank like kings. At around midnight there was the most incredible display of fireworks on the beach and we have the perfect view from their balcony.

I feel I have definitely had more than sufficient time here to live and breath with the most wonderful family. I will feel quite fulfilled at the end of my visit and look forward to coming back to visit again; whether it be in 2 years or 10.

Only 5 more sleeps until the real adventure begins. I have booked a flight to Barcelona where I will meet a friend and begin a Wicked van road trip around europe for a couple weeks... No plan on when or where we are going, but taking the open road to happiness and freedom. I have 8 weeks to fill in before returning to Australia and I am going to make the very most of it! 

Taking a shit-ass job in Greece may have just turned out to be a blessing in disguise - putting me on a whole new path of adventure.

I am on the edge of my seat in anticipation for the flight out of here and into the unknown.

Flying free, Kass xx 

viva Italia!

It is so wonderful to be happy again!

Following my arrival in Athens, I had two days to chill out at Al and Dim’s apartment. I had a pretty rough Ios cough so was feeling very under the weather, and I was still coming down from the recent events. I had a few tears over skype and lounged around like a potato only getting out of the house once for a few minutes to buy some food (and beer). Come friday I was felling much better. I had repacked my suitcases, one for Italy, one to stay in Athens and a small pack to take to Kalamata.

Friday evening Dim and I travelled 3 hours to Kalamata where we were also joined by two of his friends. We ate dinner on the way and after arriving past 1am, we were all very tired and went straight to bed.

Saturday morning we woke late and headed into the port town of Pyros. We put the boat in the water and travelled 10-15 minutes to the beach where we played bat ball, laid in the sun and swam for the afternoon. Later in the day around 6.30pm we took the boat out and went wake boarding which was a tonne of fun. The excitement and thrill of getting up cleared my mind of any worries or troubles and I felt free again.

In the evening we ate at midnight, where I brought in my birthday eating Kalamata olives in Kalamata! It was just as exciting as the time I bought a Swiss army knife in Switzerland! We then headed to a nice outdoor cocktail bar where I was suprised with a frozen yoghurt cake amongst half a dozen of Dim’s friends which he had called in! So sweet.

Sunday was my 27th birthday. Whilst not conventional - No Australia - No family - No friends - No gifts, it was a lovely day. We drove to this incredible beach club called KOA where it was full of sun decks and bean bags viewing down upon the beach. Music playing all day, and I only got out of the bean bag once for a swim! It was very, very chilled. In the evening we ate an early dinner (for Europe) by the beach at a Greek restaurant and I ate so much I didn't think I could move. Luckily enough I was able to get moving as we then drove to some waterfalls where we trekked through rocky paths to reach the falls. I jumped in the beautiful fresh water around sunset - 8.30pm and frolicked like a mermaid. We crossed many crabs on our walk back to the car just before it fell dark.

Beach club chills, Delicious Greek cuisine, and swimming in a waterfall - A lovely birthday, I am so thankful.

On Monday we returned to Athens where I flew out to Rome in the evening. Thankfully my flight was delayed which shaved off some time from the 9 hour wait I would have in Rome for my bus to Giulianova. Athens airport was impressive - for free phone chargers and wifi - which you learn while traveling, is priceless. In Rome, our luggage was lost - but then found. Again, a little bit more time taken off my wait. I made it up to the departure area around 2am where there were bodies all over the airport floor, sleeping amongst their luggage. Perfect. I am so glad I packed a beach towel which made my rest on the tiled floor much more comfortable then some. At 8am I grabbed a muffin on my way to the bus and left for my 3 hour journey at 9am. I am so glad I decided to bring my laptop which was able to provide me with entertainment for the trip and take my mind of my nanna bladder!

When I arrived at the bus station, Judy was waiting for me. I couldn’t help but cry tears of joy as I was so overwhelmed to see her. In the car was baby Michele and I couldn't believe my eyes. What a stunning baby boy. We drove to Roseto where I had my reunion with Sonia. I ran down the beach calling “Soniaaa” and she ran from the water crying “Kaaassieee”. I grabbed her in my arms and covered here in kisses - it was like something from a movie. I couldn't take the enormous smile off my face. I was so overwhelmed with joy to be back in Italy with the people I love so much. It was like a dream. I had to keep shaking my head to see if I would wake.

In the two days I have enjoyed since arriving, it has been very relaxing as I settle back in. We wake and walk across the road to the beach where we spend the entire day. In the afternoon, around 7pm we move to the lido where we enjoy apperitivo - an alcoholic beverage and a complimentary plate of food - ie, bread cheese and salami! My favorite time of the day! Then to the apartment for dinner which is just heaven in itself. I would marry Italy if I could.

I have arrived at the most perfect time, for this coming week - everyone takes as a holiday and comes to the beach and it’s a big party. Many wonderful friends I wouldn't not have likely been able to see, let alone spend so much time with, had I arrived at another time. There is that “mean to be..”

My heart is filled with so much love and joy and I am so grateful to have such wonderful people in my life.

I came across a lovely quote which I had on my computer last night which really resonated with me... 

“Wouldn’t it be powerful if you fell in love with yourself so deeply that you would do just about anything if you knew it would make you happy” - Alan Cohen.

To learning to love ourselves and making ourselves happy.

Kassie xx

It is always darkest before the dawn

Everything happens for a reason.. What will be will be.. It is always darkest before the dawn... 

My life in Greece has become a collection of cliche sayings in a bid to keep my head above the water.

From the outset, It didnt feel quite right. I should have known before accepting the offer to come, and I think I did - but I was so distracted by the summer and the friends that I would visit, or they would visit me that I dropped all my standards I held to the job. I dont know what got in to me. To have the job which I had dreamed of - everything I needed on one hand, or a fill in dodgy dive shop job to fill in the time.. I dont know what I was thinking. Hmm A summer vacation job, well thats what I was thinking - But let me tell you, having a summer vacation in Greece and working over summer vacation in Greece are two very different things. 

I am sure that if I was there under different circustances I could have had the time of my life. But after being utterly exhausted after working 10+ hour days, to go out in the evening was mostly painful, and then when it starts getting fun, having to leave your friends to go on without so you can get sleep for the big day ahead.... It was balls.

The job was painful from start to finish. I should have known better in the first place. I guess this was just a reminder of that. I didnt enjoy myself at all and thats not why I got into diving. The owners were malicious vindictive people who cared about nothing more than the money - particularly cash. In the 16 days I was there, they spoke nothing more than a few words to me - which again were all about the money. They were nothing but cold hard rude and abrupt. When it came to me leaving - I was insulted, threatened and thrown out - unpaid, kicked out of my apartment - treated like a piece of shit - which I have since found out is not unusual and I am the 10th instructor to be treated this way. The owners are not divers themselves and know nothing of the sorts - That should have been a prerequisite in my background check of them. Again, my bad. 

There are many examples and experiences I could itemise but I really couldnt be bothered. I am exhausted from the whole experience and I guess it has taught me so much. I should not have dropped my standards for any reason - it only put my life, the life of others and my happiness on the line. It has confirmed to me that I am a professional, and I won't drop those standards for myself, or for those I represent or teach. I guess it has taught me to be incedibly wary of my future choices, in jobs, in people, in friends. 

If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck....

Thankfully the day before I left I got in touch with a very kind and professional soul who offered to pick me up and put me in the right direction - a job, a home, a way off the island, a future job in another country, so much. A background of the people I was working for and so much more. I was overwhelmed at the extended hand, someone who owes me nothing, who doesnt know me, to be willing to provide so much - thats me - thats where I align and thats the type of people I should be working with. By this stage I had already declared crisis mode and had a rough sketch of my next two weeks - calling in help from loved ones to put me up until I found my feet again - I didnt want to go back on this and I toldl her, once I find my feet I will consider taking a short term role before leaving home - just to put a nice taste in my mouth as this bad experience nearly ruined it all for me.

In a positive light, I had the pleasure of having some serious laughs, snorts and cackles with the three prawns next door. I would have been lost without them, they were always there in my emergencies (vegemite toast cravings) and when I walked out on the job. A barrell of laughs. The girls writing me a mock resume would have to be the most funniest moments in my trip. 

I went out on only a handful of occassions, and when I did it usually involved shots, cocktails and dancing on the bar  - all good times. A 2 euro Gyros on the way home was always a winner.

On my last night in Ios (which I did not know at the time) it started off pretty rough but I kept saying in the back of my head, it is for a reason. Turned out to be the most random night out - and I wish so much I hadn't been the good girl and went to bed, but stayed out wth the prawns until 8am - what a good time that would have been! It was still a great night.

There are some good memories, and thankfully they are not outweighed by the bad. Pork ribs at funpub will always be a fond memory - the best ribs I had ever eaten. Mmm....ribs....

Yesterday I caught a 6 hour ferry from Ios to Athens and was greeted by Alex's boyfriend Dim who collected me and brought me back to their apartment. I am so lucky to have good people in my life. I am so thankful. Here I will just chill out in the apartment, look for flights and ideas for travel... repack my suitcases and travel with just the one and pick up the rest before flying home.

This weekend (which is my birthday weekend) I will be spending it in Kalamatta with people I dont know. Only Alex's boyfriend, who no doubt will be the gentleman that he is and will make sure I have a very happy day, which I am very thankful for. It will be bizarre however, no friends and no family. I guess there is a first for everything.

On monday evening I wil fly to Italy where I have a long awaited reuinion with some very close friends who I nannied for 2 years ago. I can't wait to hold everyone one of them - extended family and all. There has been no place quite like Italy for rebuilding my soul.

A couple of weeks of soul building, and then who knows what may happen next, I just hope everything will fall nicely into place...

Finding joy in the struggle....

Kass xx

Stranded in Europe

So the past week has been an interesting one to say the least. With limited to no wifi connection I'll write up a proper post when I return to the mainland. I quit my job and have been left high and dry - unpaid with no accommodation. I leave iOS on Thursday and return to Athens to figure out where to from here.

Where I was working was unprofessional, unsafe, broke standards and was working for horrible owners. What a poor decision in coming here - now I wait for the clincher as to what greater reason bought me here.....

Trying to hold it together. Kass xx

Monday already!

It's 6.30pm in Greece and I realised that it is Monday.... Mermaid monday has lagged behind in two days of back-to-back overlapping dive appointments. Looking to be a very late one this evevning.

I still have a love / hate undecided feeling about greece though I think it is on the improve - well really, there wasnt much room for anything else...

I have a mountain of equipment cleaning and shop closing ahead of me so it looks like its going to be another late one.

In a nutshell, this isn't the 'lifestyle' I was hoping it would be, here in Greece anyway.

Kass xx

Summer in Greece

I have had an incredibly overwhelming week, from booking my flights to Greece, arriving here and everything that has happened in between. On the day of my flight, I had still not heard the results of my biopsy, so I had to follow this up myself. At midday the results had come through, yet due to the time constraints I could not see the specialist at the hospital and therefore had them sent to my GP.

The results that came back were CIN3, which, well, are not good. In short, I have to have part of my womb removed. I was old to cancel my trip and to have the surgery the following week. I could not quite get my head around this concept as my plane was leaving in only a few hours. After seeking some specialist advice, and consulting my 3 closest loves, I virtually had the decision made for me as I was an emotional wreck and could hardly think or talk. I would come to Greece for a couple of months and have the operation as soon as I returned. If I was to stressed about it, I could come back and have the operation sooner.

What I was also considering with this turn of events, was the offer of a wonderful job in the Cook Islands. It was a great mentor type role with so much abundance to learn and develop my skills. The time frame would have worked well from operation - recovery - new job. I had so much going through my mind, I couldn't think reasonably, though, this I think - would have been the better decision...

In a couple of hours I was dropped at the airport and on my way. I was completely emotionally exhausted and confused. I had three flights over 28 hours. I was so happy to land in Athens where I had Alexandra and her little puppy Ralphy waiting for me. Alex was wearing ski goggles which were the closest thing to a dive mask, and was holding a sign which made me laugh. We arrived at her apartment where I could finally refresh before we went out to dinner. We enjoyed a Greek salad to which I replied "do you want some salad with that feta" It was the size of my head! I enjoyed a Gyros which was a bit fat piece of bread filled with pork or chicken, salad - the best tzatziki ever, and french fries.

By the time we got home it was midnight, which I will have to get used to again, the late living hours of Europe. Dinner around 9-10pm and home around midnight. The following day I caught an early morning, 4.5 hour ferry to Ios. Thankfully I had kind people to help me carry my two suitcases up and down the stairs. I arrived with a driver waiting for me at the port and drove me to the dive centre on Mylopotas beach. There, Andrea met me and his smile couldn't be bigger. He had been running the place for the past few weeks alone and was in dire need of my help. After a few hours of hanging around, I finally made it to my apartment where I could shower and was intending to have a sleep.

The apartment had one of the most incredible views, completely looking over Mylopotas beach. It was stunning. The room on the other hand, had left a lot to be desired! A basic bathroom, with a hand held hose for a shower where the water floods the floors. They don't even provide toilet paper! Three single beds with mattresses from the 1960's. Not even double folding a blanket under my bed sheet subsides the pain from the springs penetrating my back. Much the same for the pillow. There is no cupboard room so my clothing stays in my suitcase on the floor. Somewhat worst of all, no wifi signal. The first night I got ambushed by mosquitos in my sleep and woke up with massive lumps which felt like bruises. I couldn't take my rings off my fingers had swelled up so much, i’d never had a reaction to mosquitos before but apparently that’s pretty normal here. The mosquitos are fierce.

The past three days has seen me in tears morning and night, regretting ny decision to be here and trying to swallow the bitter pillow of "what if". What if i chose to stay home, have treatment and take the Cook Islands job. I have been completely miserable and been on the verge of booking a flight straight out of here. The job is completely autonomous, which usually I would like. However to be a new instructor, and the most experienced diver in the company, with no one superior or more experienced to refer to, is completely daunting. I wouldn't use the words professional or organized in my description of the place - but as I have been reassured - we can turn that around, and we will.

I had two days of terrible diving in bad conditions which only added to my distressed state. Our dives are done form the shore which I find difficult, in charging the breaking waves on the beach to get out and dive from there. On the boat, we have to carry all of our equipment and walk to the beach where we stand in neck deep water and load our stuff up on the boat. The boat is small and it is awkward in getting the equipment on everyone before going into the water. Everything is new, and I am completely unfamiliar. I have no doubt that in time that, I will look back on my first week here and roll my eyes at myself - but until then, i just have to take it day by day, rest and try to relax.

I had a 10 hour sleep last night which took some of the edge off today, and I think if I keep heading home form work and going straight to sleep for a few days, that should fix me up some more. Lots of rest and relaxation.

For now I need to try to chill out and just relax. Lucky I have two very special people who I am on the phone to all day every day shooting me advice and helping me to calm my mind. As I am usually told, I am far to hard on myself. Im sure its not that bad and I am making a mountain out of a mole hill. I know its just like Thailand all over again, when I first arrived I completely freaked out, doubted myself and my decisions. This time next week I hope to be writing about how my life is all sunshine and rainbows!

Trying to keep that chin up and the dream alive.

Kass xx