We meet “Zorba the Greek”

After dreading the boat trip that would take us to Rhodes, we had a wonderful time in the ship.  Jeff was amazed at the facilities and even suggested a cruise for us in the future.

We had been afraid we wouldn’t be able to shower in the ship, and were pleasantly surprised to find a bathroom and a shower.  The cabin was small but had everything we needed for a pleasant night sleep.

We were attempting to contact our daughters with Skype when a Greek girl asked about internet access.  Her father took over when it was clear she couldn’t make herself understood in English.  When I say he took over, I mean it literally.  His name was Ernie and he was a larger than life personality.  He was very excited to meet Americans.  He was even more impressed when he found out Jeff was a "priest"

He told us his daughter was super stupid for having 5 years in an all  English school and not able to say much.  We tried to correct him about the stupid, but he said, "NO!" that was exactly what he meant.  He seemed to have great love for his children, who is raising by himself, so we made allowances.  

 He pulled out a picnic with food and drinks which he kept offering to us.  We were in the fancy restaurant area, but he seemed un-preturved by the waiters nearby who he seemed to have in his pocket.  After conversing for an hour or so, he started to get pillows and blankets to ready himself and family for bed.  We excused ourselves when it was clear people were going to bed.  When he realized we had a cabin and were vacating prime "sleep space" he was besides himself with gratitude.

We found him the next day in the same spot engaged in animated conversation with everyone.  Ernie decided to appoint himself as our tour guide.  He kept telling us facts that were  promptly corrected by his fellow passengers.  Pretty soon he had a conversation going with everyone in the large restaurant area.  His favorite word was "opposite."  Every location was opposite of something and if you think about it he is right.  He talked passionately about a former politician he considered very crooked and he said:  "he was best stupid."  I guess that is most stupid you can get.

He pointed out the local casino and Playboy club and then he told a passersby he had just tried to send a "priest" to Playboy. He tried to tell us about a great spot and was describing fish and market, so I assumed it was a fish market until a lady shouted out: "aquarium."  He promptly laughed  good nature-ly  and continued spewing out facts that we had to wait to have confirmed  by other people.

When he found out we were going to take a taxi, he was horrified and said that was "not too little money" and offered to take us in his car, which was stored in the bottom of the boat. We piled up in his Volswagen. He took us to the bus stop that would take us to Lindos and when we found out we had a couple hours to kill, he offered to take us for an ice cream cone and to view the town.  He was very proud of his country and drove us everywhere.  He was very accommodating about taking pictures and I got some very nice shots of Rhodes City.  We have met many very "curt" Greeks, but Ernie was one in a million and he made up for half of his Country with his charm and expansive personality.