An update from my 2nd trip

Well – I loved Santorini so much that I’ve gone back. And again I stayed in Imerovigli at Xenones Filotera. There are a few tips that I wanted to get written down again before I forget them! (They are as much for me as for you!)

This trip was 3-10 July 2008 and it is the very beginning of high season.

Tomatoes: Don’t miss out on these. Santorini has some really amazing fresh tomatoes.
Restaurant: Try Captain Dimitri’s Taverna Tel: +30 22860 82210 at the Amoudi port in Oia. It’s a long walk down – and back up again (300 steps!) but well worth it. It’s highly recommended and a lot of local Greeks eat there so it really is the authentic choice. The restaurant is owned by Dimitri and his Canadian wife (So no language problems here if you speak English!)

If it’s not too windy – head over to Pyrgos and follow the signs to Franco’s cafe (not to be confused with Franco’s bar in Fira). Franco’s cafe is part of the castle at the top of Pyrgos. A completely new way to enjoy the sunset and some very light snacks and fantastic drinks. Try their spiced tea!

The bus is an excellent way to get around and costs only €1.40 for a single journey. Compare that to anywhere from €8-€15 for a taxi.

Scooters: You’ll need to have a motorcycle/scooter license in order to rent a scooter in Santorini – but many places have 4 wheel ATV’s for rental as well. These go for €25 for a day or €30/24 hours if you keep them for several days.

In general scooters and ATVs can be pretty dangerous especially at night – the roads are very narrow and the busses and the taxis make it pretty crazy!

And I’m sure that I’ll think of more things – but at least I got the essence of my trip so that I can remember again for next time!

See more progress on: Imerovigli

Wayne and Michelle from Soho Waterloo Gym

Wayne and Michelle from Soho Waterloo Gym
Originally uploaded by Troy Norcross

11:30 20 October 2007 20102007312 These two are my favourites!

Change and Powerlessness

I cannot change other people, places and things...
but they can change of their own accord.

For years I lived by the first half of that phrase. And there were many times when it was very helpful. In years past I had spent entirely too much energy "tilting against windmills" - and when I realized that I didn't have to do that anymore it was a great relief.

But somewhere along the way things went wrong. I started using the phrase as an excuse to walk away from any situation. I'd just throw up my hands and say, "I can't change them - so I may as well forget it and move on." This means that there were some relationships - friendships and others - where I walked away because I knew that I couldn't change these people to my way of thinking and acting.

But it wasn't the walking away that was the problem - it was that I did it silently. I never really got down to the brass tacks of the situation because I had another little mantra that I have used to avoid conflict in situations.

When talking with others, try to avoid the use of the words, "you" and "need".

That's right - try to have an argument with someone when you can't use those two words. It is really hard. Why? Because what you are left with words like "I", "me", "my" and "want". If I use only "I" words then I can't tell someone, "You are an idiot." - And I can't say, "You screwed me over." - and I can't say, "You should do it this way." -- I can only say, "I don't like it." - "I would do it differently." - "I'm hurt by this situation." And as for "need" -- Our needs are food, shelter, clothing - (Maslos hierarchy) - but we have lots and lots of "wants". -- It helps me keep things in perspective.

So - back to my story....

What good would it do for me to tell people what I thought they were doing wrong? What good would it do to let them know how their actions were affecting me or others? And what about how the choices they were making were affecting their own lives. I knew that I couldn't change them and I was committed to staying on my side of the street and limiting myself to "wants" and "I" phrases....

And then something happened that caused me to challenge this old phrase.

I had walked away from three friendships and felt that I had not lived up to my part and somehow had discounted the friendship by not being willing to fight... to address the conflict. And if I was going to get honest about what had happened in each of these situations I had to find a way to do it that would afford me some serenity when it was done. Some ability to say that I had given the relationship it's due.

So for each relationship I went back and opened a line of communication to explain what had gone wrong - including the fact that I had walked away - and cleared the aire. It was a very freeing thing to do. And I found the way in which I could do it and feel good.

When I told each friend what had happened and what was causing me such frustration that I had to walk away I did so from the point of letting them know my thoughts - but without any expectation that they would change or do anything differently. They could - but it would be of their own choosing.

The bottom line is this. When things go wrong now I will voice my feelings openly and clearly and then let the cards fall as they may. And if we can reach some compromise - or resolve some issue - then great. And if not - and if I have no choice but to walk away - at least I do so with a clear conscience. I can't change other people places and things - but other people, places and things CAN change.... Even me!

Junk Food Tax to help obesity

Trans fats to be banned to halt rise in obesity - Telegraph

If I've learned nothing else from my experience with the Atkins diet that I did about 4 years ago - it is that there is some problem with fats but there is also a problem with the amount of simple carbs in the diet.

Whether it is processed sugar, rice or flour - there are too many simple carbs in the diet today for at least a couple of different reasons.

Everyone loves a bit of sweet now and then. Even I like to eat some chocolate or jelly beans - but I also get my sweet from fresh fruits.

Economics - I also believe that a lot of what drives this situation is economics. Whole grain breads - fresh fruits and veg - meat and dairy products - these are all expensive in comparison to a bag of crisps - a candy bar - and a burger at McDonalds.

So - what's my suggestion?

I would propose that we subsidize healthy food costs by adding a junk-food-tax.

If all junk food was taxed at 20% and the money put back into the economy as healthy food credits - things would shift. People would be more inclined to buy the healthier choice for the majority of the time -but the manufacturers - and more importantly the marketers - would focus on the healthy choices because that's where they would make the most revenue. Junk food consumption would fall sharply and the entire nation's health would improve.

And if the healthier options were more profitable than the junk food options - the fast food shoppes would change their menus. Last year Hardees decided to fly in the face of social responsibility and decided on the "We're going to sell what the customers want to eat." - Which roughly translated means - "We're going to sell what we need to make our shareholders happy." -- If we make healthy options profitable the menus will change.

Oh yes - and if we make them profitable - the nutritionists and the marketers will do their part to make them popular with society.

Gee - this is not rocket science folks. Add tax to these fatty, processed junk options - make the healthier choices more profitable and more popular - and the health of everyone improves!

A tip I have about Imerovigli

If you’re going to Santorini and looking for the quiet getaway spot – Imergovigli is the place. High up on the cliff most of the resorts here have an excellent view of the caldera – and that means a beautiful sunset every evening.

If you stay in one of the resorts with kitchenettes – you can do so much to make this place like a home away from home.

When doing your shopping, walk along the path to Imerovigli town – but don’t be fooled into thinking the Mini Market is the only option – keep walking. Just 200M further along is a complete grocery store with everything you could want.

I stayed at the Xenones Filotera (http://www.xenonesfilotera.gr/ ) and can highly recommend it. The suites are large – the beds comfortable – the staff friendly and helpful. Admittedly I had to ask for a few things to round out my kitchenette – but the staff were happy to oblige.

In walking around the area I found there are at least 3 other complexes worthy of mention.

http://www.santorini-princess.com – Upscale luxury – £££
http://www.anastasisapartments.com – Excellent – ££
http://www.rocabella-santorini.com – Very good – bigger – ££

http://www.xenones-filtera.gr – BEST BEST BEST - ££

For hotel rates I started on Trip Advisor and found the best rates eventuall at http://www.ratestogo.com

I was staying 11-18 October and so was at the end of mid-season.

To be fair – I was looking for a place to come and work ( I was writing some industry reports ) and decided to find a place that was inspirational – warm ( as opposed to cold and rainy London ) and with great Internet access and services where I didn’t have to go anywhere and with very few people making noise! I found it here!

General notes:

The tap water is probably safe – but really tastes awful. Buy some bottled water at the super market/grocery.

Drinks all across Europe are getting to be VERY expensive. The pizza may be €7 – but the Diet Coke is €3!

A nice overview of Santorini history (http://hit360.com/english/special/article.php?afieroma_id=24 )

See more progress on: Imerovigli

Santorini for me

This week I am doing something I haven't done in a very long time - maybe never. I'm taking a working holiday and traveling solo.

I have a lot of work to get done during this week and I decided that I wanted a beautiful place to come and do it - so I have selected Santorini. And I have not been disappointed.




And although I haven't written much here in the last 2 years - I plan to get caught up on a few of those really important ideas that shape my life.

Stay tuned!

Troy

Elegance and Simplicity

Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away. (Antoine de Saint-Exupery) more...

And even the statement is an example of the premise.

Too many times I want to keep adding more and more to a project when less is what is called for. A classic example is when I try to host a dinner party for friends. I mean - Hey! - Their my friends - there is no particular need to impress. What could be as simple as a big pot of chili gets turned into a 5 course meal that takes hours to prepare and costs a small fortune!

I need to remember this one myself - but then again - this is one of the reasons I started writing this little blog - so I could remember these things myself.

Sorry it's been so long since I wrote last - I'll try to start doing at least one a week!