The Welcome & Scholarship Reception was at the Residence of the Netherlands Ambassador. Our group of 600+ all meet in the hotel lobby. Our hosts came out and announced it was a short 10 minute walk to the residence. Following them out of the Hilton to the park across the street. Thru the park and out on the other side we noticed that the streets were closed and police going up and down. Hummm… then we all saw there was a protest going on! OMG We walked past some of the protesters and turned to our left. There right in front of us was a wall of riot police lined up with shields out. Wonder what the police thought??? A large group of LGBT+ people dressed up with convention badges? LOL The host went up to the police and started to talk. All of a sudden 2 police moved and lets us pass. Behind the police line were 100’s of police, those small police motor scooters, horses and busses. I guess they were protecting embassy row.  A couple more blocks and there with a rainbow flag flying was the Embassy residence. At the front door to greet us was the Princess of the Royal Family.  Wonder if she ever had that many Queens in her home at one time? LOL She was quite beautiful and gave a warm welcoming speech. What a night to remember.

You Just Can Not Make This Up

Our readers know that every week we write one “You Just Can Not Make This Up” story. On our recent trip to Greece there were many.  Remember laughter make the world a better place. The names have been changed to protect in incent. LMAO LOL LMAO

You Just Can Not Make This Up

On our flight from NYC to Athens our Gay Dar was going off DING! DING!! DING!! in the plane. I said to the guys across from us Hi I’m Tea Cup and we are going to InterPride. We are too they replied. Then others said InterPride us too!!! LOL Our section was full of InterPride people. The 9-hour flight began. Carrie watched 2 movies then fell asleep too. About 1 hour before landing a big cute bear of a guy stood up and was wearing PJ’s with bears on them. LOL He made his was to the restroom and came back almost skipping wearing a new festive outfit. Took a twirl and said “Puff I Feel FABOULOUS NOW!!!” We all broke out in laughter. This was going to be a fun trip.

 You Just Can Not Make This Up

Landed in Athens Greece

Walked out side of the airport to get a cab. The Taxi cabs were all yellow and new Mercedes-Benzes. Standing next to the cab was the driver wearing a suite & tie. We get in and start off. The driver spoke perfect English and was very talkative. Then he pulls off the highway and into a gas station. He tells us that the gas is too expensive here at 2.24 euros per liter so will order only ONE liter here.  He tells us that he can get gas for 2.21 in Athens. (sounds like my Carrie who drives miles to save on gas) The gas attendants come out and actually pumps the 1 liter of gas.   The driver digs for some coins then starts to yell at the attendant in Greek!!! The attendant came back and washes the already spotless windows.  As we drive off the driver says for 2.24 the very least they can do is wash the windows too!!! LMAO LOL

You Just Can Not Make This Up

Our 1^st night in Athens we took a cab to the Hard Rock Café in the Blacca, the old downtown district. The one thing both of us love is collecting Hard Rock pins from around the world. Over 35 years’ worth. The driver got us almost there and stopped. Told us this is as close to The Hard Rock as I can get you. Just walk down a couple blocks turn left and keep walking. That will be 10 euros. We get out and I google map it. Humm it’s a 20 minute walk 1.1 miles away OMG. We find the Hard Rock and had a great time. Asked here where to get a cab. They sent us 50 feet way. The fare home was 5 euros. LMAO LOL

You Just Can Not Make This Up

We decided to take a guided bus tour of Athens, Greece. Our bus picked us up in front of the Hilton Hotel. Then it went on to stop at several other hotels and picked up more people. The bus was almost full by then. The tour was nice with stops at the Parthenon & Museums. At the end of the tour we all walked down a winding street to meet the bus. Our tour guide is on her cell phone and get a WTF Look on her face. Then she announced to the group. There have been some unforeseen road closures today. But don’t worry everyone if with in 2 miles of your hotels and I will tell you how to walk back to your hotels. OMG!!!! The people staying at the Hilton are lucky and the bus will take you back. Just walk 6 blocks this way. I guess we were lucky. LMAO On the bus it’s us 2 and a straight couple. The husband said they were from NYC. He went on to say… “I was not going to walk back! You know we didn’t come all this way to take that shit from a Greek.” Carrie said “Of course not. Why come all this way when you could have gone 2 blocks in NYC and get into a fight with a Greek there?”  LMAO LOL

You Just Can Not Make This Up

On a cruise ship you have meals with strangers. This can be very interesting. One morning at 6AM we were sat at a table with 2 straight couples. A retired couple with New Jersey accents and a Barbie with her beaten browed husband. Barbie was bubbly with perfect hair and makeup on. At 6 AM? Her and husband had matching country club outfits on. Barbie was Miss Chatty Cathy and said that they were on a tour with their church and celebrating 25 years together. The Jersey couple grunted they were married 53 years. I asked him in the 53 years how many arguments did she let him win? He laughed and she said “Don’t answer that! What about you 2?” We said that we have been together 43 years and were in Athens for InterPride, a World Gay Conference. She smiled and said Mazel Tov!!! Then went on to say that her grandson was Gay. At this point Barbie stood up and looked like dear in headlights at us. Announced that they were going… but her husband said he was staying. We went on to talk about NYC Pride and did her grandson go. Yes, he went and brought his grandma back a t-shirt too. She just wished he would find the right person and settle down. We asked how old was he? 26 we laughed and said he has plenty of time. This conversation went on for 15 minutes. Then Barbie’s husband spoke up and said, “WOW I have I have never heard people talk this openly about homosexuality before. No yelling, just conversing.” Grandma said “What’s the matter with you??? It’s 2019 and we love our grandson no matter what!” All we could think was GO GRANDMA!!!!  LMAO LOL

You Just Can Not Make This Up

On a cruise ship when you enter a port everyone usually meets in a large show room to find out where & which tour bus is yours.  We were sitting in this room talking with a couple that reminded us of Edith & Archie Bunker on the TV show, “All in the Family.”  They were traveling with their church group. He started to judge and talk about everyone in the room. Just then a big guy stumbles in.  He trips over a small wall then a low couch and falls on the couch cushions, rolls off onto the floor, knocking over 2 chairs and 2 lounge tables. The guy then crawls up & tosses his hands in the air. Everyone is in shock then starts to laugh and clap.  Archie actually says “That’s our favorite Priest, he likes to drink a little.” Edith then leans over shaking her head in a positive gesture and says “Were from Chicago.” Hummmm…. What does that have to do with being drunk at 7AM???  LMAO LOL

You Just Can Not Make This Up

Our flight from Athens to Tampa had a layover in Amsterdam. We arrived at 8:30 PM and the flight out was at 1. We looked at the time wrong it was not 1AM but 1PM WTF!!!!  So, we found a comfortable place to chill out. Flights were coming and going so it really wasn’t to bad. Then around 3AM the flights all stopped. It was us and 1 other person alone in the huge international cement terminal.  It became very quiet. Carrie had fallen asleep and I was playing games. Then I notice something black move. Was it a small bird? No, it was a mouse!!! He also had many friends too! LOL Carrie woke up and asked why I wasn’t sleeping. I told him I was keeping the mice away. Ya Sure you are. Then they started to come out again LMAO LOL We spent the next couple hours teasing the mice and watching them run all around. The terminal came back to life and the mice went away. Until another quiet night.  LMAO LOL