Dear Barbara:
You and your roommates would go out of your head as Rhodes is bursting with sailors. I could have a million (at least). We met Harry and Shorty two sailors and on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Roosevelt we received a private tour and saw a side of the ship the regular visiting public will never see. They took us to the U.S.O. in town and later supper.
We leave for Symi in a half an hour. I hate packing as I can never get it all in and end up with a plastic bag carrying what I could not stuff in. We are travelling deck class and it is very cheap. The way to go. We can’t go in the dining room but no big deal as the trip is only two hours. Our hotel for 11 nights was $43. The hotel owner is driving us to the docks. Must leave.
July 2
We are on Symi in a tiny village Panormitis living in a monastery. Yep you read right. It has 200 rooms. We have a very simple room with 4 beds, 2 chairs and two-night tables. One light bulb hanging from the ceiling, A sink, a toilet and a hot plate. The head monk Father Gabriel is charming and handsome and my age. We bought some eggs and had them soft boiled like home. Robert left at 6 a.m. to go octopus fishing with a fisherman. It is noon and he is still out on the water He will be starved.
Our room is 70 cents a night. There is no other place to stay. There is a bakery, small grocery store and one small restaurant. It is so beautiful here. If you could only see what we have seen on this trip. Imagine staying in a monastery! To think such things still exist it is truly fantastic. The pilgrims are mostly widows who have lost loved ones at sea. Father Gabriel told us his story. During the war he was on a boat that a German U Boat torpedoed. Everyone on board died including his mother. He promised God that if he made it to shore he would give his life to God and so that is why he is here.
Love Mum
A Bird's Eye View of Fashion, Food, Travel, Culture, Beverage and Curiosity 