...adventure continues!

yASAS!

welcome to another day in my time with Archelon. We are just beginning to get busy with tasks so my updates will now becmoe very limited. Nesting season begins in 5 days - today folks are putting markers on the beach so we can properly tag nests when they are dug.
I am learning more and more about the Loggerhead every day and am working on a presentation that I have to give to tourists telling them about the turtle and what Archelon does.

The camp is slowly coming. We are up to 24 people - and today we think we will loose all water again because of gypsys on the island. (?) Still no toilets on the site so the treck to the office in the morning is now part of the routine.

Yesterday Nico and I got newspapers so we could find out more about the riots in Athens. It is crazy because you folks in Canada seem to know much more then we do. It is, however, very interesting to read about the views on Iran from here. Being so close to Iran, the small island of Crete (south of the mainland) is one of US' possible locations for their main base. The US already has a base there and many Greeks are worried about this. The papers also state that Iran is desperately trying to arrange talks with the US but the wonderful Ms. Rice is saying that timeing is inconvenient - the papers say that the US is determined to begin conflict in Iraq, and will not meet Iranians halway to begin talks of resolution about the nuculear fueling facilities. It also states that they have (Iran) increased the useage of uranium BUT it is still no where near the levels needed to produce weapons. In athens there are signs all over that read "US stay out of Iran" "Don't bomb Iran". Nico is from Athens and has attended mant talks and meetings about this. I buy Greek papers and we sit down together and he translates for me. (They also have English papers) But being a bit of a vacation town Kalamaki and Laganas seem to carry more of the "Daily Star (National Enquirer)" type reads.

We are also learning about regional politics. Archelon works with 2 other organisations; WWF and The National Marine Park of Zakynthos. A lot of the protected land is owned by the WWF and there is a loop in protected lands stating that if the land is destrpyed due to fire, then development can begin. At one of our site Gerrakis - there was a fire last year - and as quickly as it happened, a major hotel chain moved in and began construction. It's not hard to see who is starting the fires. This also shows how we are viewed by many of the locals. On of the areas we monitor Dalphine, used to be the main nesting beach - this is where Archelon began 24 years ago. But because roads to the beach are now illegal and local people believe they have land rights to the area, we are not met with friendly "yasas". The beach has been pretty much destroyed, we do no relocations of nests here and we have to access the beach strictly by boat from Sekania, we hit the beach as soon as the sun rises - do a quick sweep for tracks and leave ASAP. There hasn't been confrontation in the past few years but we will not be taking any chances.

Today I am heading out on a turtle spotting boat. There is an outfitter here who works with us for tour. We monitor them (only one boat per turtle - no speed greater then 6 knots in the bay, no swimming with turtles, etc) we will also be answering tourists questions about the turtles. Tonight I have a presentation in Greek with Nico, and tomorrow another (in English) at a hotel. Archelon is grabbing at all of us for someone with PR experience to head PA on camp. I am jumping back right now, as much as I love it - I am here to do everything.

We also got a call from the rescue center in Athens yesterday begging for volunteers for 20 days. I can't leave here without seeing Marathanisi, and seeing a mama turtle on the beach.. :)

Last night we went to a local Greek restaurant Michaelo's - The owner of this restaurant actually drove me to the camp last sunday (he saw me hiking with the bag and insisted). As I walked in he yelled "BABY! Stacy! Everyone, I drive her! Yasas!" kisses on the cheek, hugs - it doesn't take long to feel like part of a greek family here. The food was AMAZING... hummos, tzatki, cheese pie, stuffed grape leaves, zucchini burgers, ummmM!!! When we left the owner pulled me aside and made me promise that if i ever needed anything i would go strait to him....

The folks at the local bars make the effort in getting to know all of our names, and the guy at this hotel where computers are - greets me everytime with a grin and Yasas Stacy. It's great.

Walking in Laganas is crazy - 2 nights ago Sonja and i had to pretty much jump into a barb wire fence to escape a crazy driver - and last night Sarah and I had to keep to the ditches. The men have a weird way of showing their affection - they show off in their vehicles and almost kill you. It's pretty crazy.

Vikki told me a wonderful story this morning; back when the greek gods were present on the earth, the land was lush and many creatures roamed the earth. These creatures had 2 heads, 4 arms and 4 legs. The creatures were very happy - over time they began to fight with earch other, and grew angry. The gods asked the creatures what the matter was, and when told they threw lightening bolts onto then and split the creatures in half. For quite some time the creatures were happy, then again they grew weary. When asked again, with impatience, by the gods what the matter was, the creatures didn't quite know. With some thought the gods realized that they perfectly split the creatures in half - but the soul of the creatures was divided. The creatures now had a quest - whereas they had to now find their soulmates.

so nice.

I am now on hunt for a pillow. (Yes Chris, I know...)

I hope all is well
Love you lots
xoxo
Stace