Out with the old...

Greece has introduced a credit in order to help pursuade home owners to buy more efficient air conditioners (providing they turn in the older models). We're hoping to talk about this with our caretaker and/or a local electronics dealer we shop at. It'd be great to have a better air flow since the living room doesn't really get much of the cooler air from the air conditioner in the kitchen. One of the models is about 10 years old so this all sounds like a great deal to upgrade!

We've also heard that the government may run a similar program to trade in older refrigerators on more efficient newer models. (And I'm guessing it wouldn't hurt the economic recovery!) However, that won't be until after the summer ends.

You can read more about it at http://www.allazoklima.gr (it's in Greek).

Taverna time

We had a great dinner with friends here in Chicago at Athena in Greektown. It was great spending several hours talking to friends, eating good food, and enjoying frappe!

We had appetizers (tapas style) that covered the table. The outdoor patio area has a beautiful wall fountain. One of our friends had some retsina, but it's not something that I have ever developed a taste for.

We had a great conversation with our co house owners about our Mykonos neighbors, tavernas, farmer's market shopping, and other Mykonos fun we enjoy. We are not usually at the house at the same time, so it was good to catch up and talk about things. They'll be there the month before us. I am so impatient to go!

Mold and bad smells...

We've had issues with mold and bad smells accumulating during the winter months. There are some stretches when the house is closed up. We don't leave any heat on during this time and the damp air really does a number on fabrics, wood, etc... Our kitchen in particular has some wood composition cabinets that have suffered.

We've thought about installing some solar power units so that we could leave our heaters on low giving us an economical method to reduce the dampness and hopefully this issue.

Has anyone had similar issues? How have you resolved them?

Read, set, go!

Alex and I discussed starting this blog as a way to find other folks with similar interests in retiring to Europe, Greece, or Mykonos (or another Greek island).

We have many interests, including: hiking, beach going, cooking, traveling, reading, cinema, politics, gardening, and shopping!

We married in Boston this past November, and will be looking to determine what benefits I can pick up in the EU as his spouse. (Yes, we're a much in love gay couple!)

All for now, we'll try and work on this site some more very soon.