The Truth About Men & Women

... or "Typical (Mis)communication Problems."

A TV show I saw recently brought this particular thought to mind. I am sure many women can agree with this entry.

I'll start with a question to our dear partners:

When your wife or dear lady friend tells you her problems, what's the first thing that comes to your mind?

Yes, I'm sure that 99.99% of you will immediately try to think of a solution. And that 99.99% of you felt that you did not receive the thanks you deserved for coming up with that solution. Instead, you get a stare, a pout, a cold shoulder and an even colder bed.

Do you know why?

Because when women talk about their problems, they do not necessarily want you to solve it for them. Most of the time they can deal with it themselves, and the reason for talking about it is just that - to talk about it.

It means a great deal for a woman to be able to share her experience of the problem, and even more that she has managed to solve it on her own. There may be times when we need to let off steam - which I tend to do by making a really big fuss about nothing - but unless we specifically ask for help, we're actually doing okay. The last thing we need is for someone to provide UNSOLICITED advice.

Now this begs another question:

Why do men feel the need to solve every problem that is presented to them?

Somehow, their brains are programmed to make a seemingly logical deduction that every problem discussed requires a solution. Maybe it's all that 'Damsel in distress. Knight in Shining armour' stories we were fed while we were young. But while the female of the species learned to grow out of it, our men didn't. I suspect it also has to do with machoism i.e. to maintain that persona of having everything under control. I mean, how many guys do you see actually discuss their problems with you? Or even among themselves?

As for me, having spent most of the last 3 years with my husband on another continent, I have learnt to be self-sufficient during his 60-day on-duty periods. There are times, when I've had a particularly tough day, when he admits to feeling 'helpless that he's so far away he can't do anything about it.'

Well dear, you don't have to. You can save all that effort for the 18 days when you ARE home.

So gents, I have this piece of advice for you:

Listen carefully when a woman talks about her problems. Only provide a solution or try to help when she SPECIFICALLY asks for one.

This should really be written in a manual for men-women communication. But how many men do you know will actually read manuals?

Let's take a break, shall we?

The previous six entries marked the first part of my Greek Odyssey, where we were based in Athens but took day trips to other sites on or near the mainland. Each day trip was organised by the travel agency, so there were itineraries and guides to keep us informed at all times.

For the second part of the trip, we took an early pre-dawn flight to the island of Kefalonia. This is where 'Captain Corelli's Mandolin' - both the novel and the film - is set in. No tour groups this time, just the two of us.

You want pictures? Tunggu....

Greek Odyssey Day 5b: Aegina

After Poros, we had lunch on the ferry as it headed back north towards Aegina. Hubby went round taking pictures while I tried to sleep off my motion sickness.

By the time we reached Aegina, it was raining heavily.

We took a 'scenic' bus tour of the island, but the rain didn't allow us to see much. This is a 15th century monastery on Aegina.

After the rain stopped, just before getting back onto the ferry, the rainbow came out! I also sampled the island's famous pistachio ice cream, made from locally grown pistachios.

A much prettier view of the town as we were leaving compared to our arrival.

Saying goodbye to the island, as we head back to Piraeus.

A beautiful sunset to end the day.

Greek Odyssey Day 5a: Hydra & Poros

We took a one-day ferry cruise to visit three islands in the Saronic Gulf - Hydra, Poros & Aegina.

While waiting for the bus to take us to Piraeus, we managed to catch the military parade as part of Greece's National Day celebration in Athens.

On the top deck of our ferry at the port of Piraeus.

Our one-day cruise journey begins.

It's never too late to read up on the places you're visiting!

Are we there yet? My old friend, motion sickness, has come to pay a visit.

First stop - the lovely island of Hydra.

The view from our ferry as it docks.

Little boats to take passengers across to the nearest mainland - the Peloponnese.

Another parade, this time on Hydra.

Since Greece is 3-quarters mountains, there are steps everywhere.

Next stop - the island of Poros.

Another view of Poros.

From our ferry - about to perform Zuhur prayers on the deck.

Windmills on the other side of the bay at Poros.

Break for Lunch!!

Greek Odyssey Day 4: Corinth, Mycenae & Epidaurus

The Corinth Canal that cuts between the Peloponnese and mainland Greece.

Up the Acropolis of Mycenae.

In front of the Tholos (beehive) tomb, where the King of Mycenae was believed to be buried.

Taking centre stage at the Theatre of Epidaurus. It was built in the shape of a human ear, so even from the back row you can hear loud and clear.

Up in the Upper Tier of the Theatre.

What's left of a hospital in Epidaurus, right next to the Theatre.

After a long trip and several vegetarian meals, I was hankering for some meat. Luckily we found a Muslim Bangladeshi restaurant near the Hotel.

Changing of the Guard in front of Parliament House. Check out the pom poms on their shoes!

Greek Odyssey Day 3: Delphi

The Sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi consists of 5 separate levels. At the first level is the Agora (marketplace), where pilgrims can buy stuff for the offerings.

Second level are the State Treasuries. This one belongs to the city-state of Athens.

Third level - the Temple. This is where the people came to consult the Oracle. I wonder what the huge ramp was for.

View of the Temple from the fourth level.

Pit stop after visiting the Theatre on Level 4.

And right at the top is a stadium. Pan-Hellenic games were held here every four years.

This is where we stopped for lunch. Instead of lamb moussaka, we had zucchini cooked in olive oil.

On the way back, we stopped at a village for souvenirs. Apparently the villagers stopped the construction of a major road to ensure that tourist buses and cars will HAVE to drive through its narrow street.

Greek Odyssey Day 2: Athens

First stop of the day - the Benaki Museum Islamic Arts Collection. A private museum, they discovered these ruins underneath when laying the foundations for the building.

Hubby striking a Greek hero pose in front of a Doric temple in the Ancient Agora (Marketplace) of Athens.

It may not be your typical paper umbrella in ice tea, but it's close enough. This was at the foot of the Acropolis.

En route to the Acropolis, we were able to look down to the Theatre of Herod Atticus. It is still in use during summer.

In front of the main temple on the Acropolis. Scaffolding all over the place as they're still putting the pieces back together.

A view from the top. In the background is the Temple of Olympian Zeus - just a few columns remaining in a park.

At the Temple of Olympian Zeus, with the Acropolis in the background.

The Panathinaiko Stadium - no, not the football team, but the site of the FIRST modern Olympic games. It is built in the design of traditional Greek stadia. I wonder where they buried Baron de Coubertin's heart...

We ended the day with a meal in a traditional Greek taverna. The food wasn't very good - Greeks don't seem to be very creative with vegetarian fare - but the folk dance show made up for it.

Greek Odyssey Day 1: Dubai-Athens

At Dubai International Airport, waiting to board the plane to Athens.

As proof that I WAS there - this is taken from our Hotel balcony. We stayed at Hotel Attalos on Athenas Street.


The first day was just a stroll around the area, including a park with the Acropolis behind us.

End of the first day. In front of the Monastiraki Metro station.