Since I don't have to go to work until about 8 pm tonight in order to overlap with my colleagues in the US, I took the opportunity to sleep in until I woke up. When I got up the window for breakfast sercice was over, but I got up, dressed, and went down to see how hard and fast the cut off was. Unlike in the US, no one was hustling around taking down breakfast so I grabbed a little bit of everything.
There was a polenta like savory dish, white rice cakes that looked like mini flying saucers, and three sauce sides. The waiter offered me dosha or scrambled eggs. I said I didn't know what dosha is so he said he'd bring scrambled eggs. In addition to the eggs, he also brought out a paper thin fried bread that I used to scoop up the polenta and sauces.
After breakfast I explored a bit and then did my daily Greek language study, wrote in my journal, and read some of the local newspapers. Alshaya was coming to meet me at 1 pm, so I elected to have a 30 minute Power Nap before she arrived to take me to lunch.
I had my first ride in an "auto," which seems more like a three wheeled motorcycle with a better marketing plan. I quickly learned that they are not made for tall people to get in and out of easily. We had a lovely lunch with dishes that were not totally unfamiliar to me.
I had one apartment when I lived in Wilmington that was not in the greatest part of town, but there was a great Indian restaurant around the corner where I used to meet my cousin Phyllis. In retrospect, we should have gone more often! It's nice to know that some ethnic foods in the US are authentic.
After lunch, we had a walk around the neighborshood, and Akshaya showed me some key spots. First, we went I to a grocery store where I satisfied my kombucha and tea fixes. I also got some instant coffee because the filtered coffee was not too strong this morning.
She showed me a nice coffee place that also has some shopping and another restaurant where I can get sandwiches. There is also a Korean reastauarnt nearby.
The hotel is near the German embassy, which we walked around and she was showing me where I could walk for exercise. When I asked about the fitness center this morning, the gentleman at the front desk showed it to me, but said most people walk here, I.e., that is why our fitness center is so sad. But it will work in a pinch.
There are also two exclusive clubs nearby and lots of large homes. One mostly sees nice cars in this area. Because it is popular for walking, Akshaya said during the pandemic many people
From other parts of the city were walking here. The well to do locals made a fuss about it, but were told people can walk here if they want.
Another thing she mentioned is that there is a big push on eliminating drunk drivers. All businesses that sell alcohol have to close at 10:30 pm. The businesses aren't happy about it, and people can obviously get drunk before 10:30pm. . It's certainly a different approach than what we do on the US; still it's politicians doing something to show action I guess.
I slept for a while when we finished walking. I'm feeling a touch of a sore throat so I'm throwing all my vitamins that I can. I also had a coffee with dried ginger in it at lunch. Reat is always good as well.
I got brave and used tap water for tea after I boiled the water three times. If I go dark tomorrow, you will know why. Now I'm wrestling with the wifi connection so I can start taking work calls. We're having a thunderstorm here which probably isn't helping matters. But then I realized it's still Sunday and not Monday yet!!
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