Sari and Nikolas Constantinos, both getting ready to go on a free 21-day cruise to Alaska, write to Louisiana, their friend in America, after Louie has written to them, asking them about the cruise. As always, they are happy to have heard from her, and they are thrilled about the news of the adoption of yet another child into the Sandusky family.
5 August, 2005, Athens, Greece~
Dear Louisiana in America~
Ya'sou! Thank you so much for writing! It was a pleasure to get your very delightful email; but I was a bit disappointed in the picture you chose. I was expecting to see a picture of your new child; instead I saw a picture of a cruise ship! LOL But seriously, I am so happy to hear from you!
Yes, we ARE going on a cruise; we leave next week, to be exact, and we are getting the last minute preparations completed. As you can imagine, both Sari and myself are excited, and especially since the cruise we are going on is FREE!! It won't cost us a penny! We are going on Crystal Cruises, and I hear it is very exclusive; some of the suites can cost upwards to $50,000 in American dollars! Our room doesn't cost us THAT much, but we DO have a suite! I got this because I have been at my job for ten years, and the boss decided to reward me, Nikolas Constantinos, for "ten years of exemplary servitude to the company!" (his words, NOT mine!)! When I found out about it, I about DIED! I was so shocked; and when I told Sari about it, she cried, she absolutely CRIED!! So now we are going on a big sailing adventure, and it is coming up quick!
We will fly to British Columbia, in Canada, and then we will board our ship, and then we will spend 21 glorious days on the sea, and also touring Alaska and seeing all the sights! I know we will have a good time, and I pray that all goes well for both myself and Sari! We are becoming the quintessential world travelers! :) (Yes, we will get you something while we are in Alaska, so don't you worry! Speaking of Alaska, that is wonderful about your cruise next year; that is so exciting! So the entire family is going...that ought to take up 3/4 of the ship! LOL I know they will be thrilled when you DO decide to tell them! Maybe you can tell them about the cruise come Christmas; what do you think??...) That is wonderful! I know you will have fun!!
Speaking of "family", Sari and myself both want to share with you our congratulatory wishes upon the arrival of your new daughter, Janica, from Romania! She is such a pretty little girl; I loved the picture you enclosed with the email! I know you must be enjoying her, and I know she must be overwhelmed with all her new family members! But I am sure that she is a sweet child! You will have to tell us more about her in a future letter!
Both Sari and myself are well, but Sari has been having some problems with her multiple sclerosis acting up (mostly with her balance and with her vision). She has been using her crutches more, and her eyes have been bothering her (double vision), which, in turn, makes her dizzy. She also has been having some problems with her fibromyalgia acting up, so I have had to act as her nurse at times. But I really don't mind; Sari is so easy to get along with, and she does make a good little patient! LOL And besides, there is nobody I'd much rather take care of (or be with) than my little Arctic Queen! :)
I am glad that you are doing better, Louisiana...we have been praying for you, and I am glad that the kids are helping you out. They are good kids; it's no wonder so many people love them! Give them all our love, and tell them that we think of them often!
I am glad that you are going to Louisiana in a few weeks, but we don't know much about Cajun music. Maybe you can get us some Cajun music tapes or something...is it like Greek?? I don't know of Cajun music, but I DO know of Cajun cooking (have had your wonderful Cajun jambalya and gumbo; mmmmmm!! *licking mouth hungrily* LOL)! I hope you have fun in Louisiana with the Cajun music bands! Just be careful is all we ask!
I am also glad that your husband and parents are well too. I worry about you guys; seems that you have so much to do! I don't know how you take care of so many children with so many problems, and then you have your husband who isn't well himself, and also your elderly parents...you are SUPERWOMAN! I really have to hand it to you...you are a wonder!
Well, I have to go to the post to pick up our passports, so I will go for now. I will write to you again (maybe while on the cruise!!), and I may even email you while on ship or even give you a call, so if you do hear from us, don't be surprised...it's only us! Take care of yourself, and God bless each and every one of you! Talk and write to you soon!
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friends in Athens, Greece, Nikolas and Sari Constantinos (soon to be "cruisin' along" on the sea!! *Look out, Alaska, here we come! WHEE!!*). :D
P.S.: Now the picture is not of our ship; our ship is a lot bigger than this one. But we will most certainly see scenery like the above! :) We are counting the hours and minutes until "Cruise Day"; we are too excited!! We canNOT wait!!!! :)
My goodness Karen, you are a font of information. If I want to go on a cruise I'll check with you first;-) this is another splendid write from your golden prolific pen!
I got this because I have been at my job for ten years, and the boss decided to reward me, Nikolas Constantinos, for "ten years of exemplary servitude to the company!"
Good for you, Nikolas, sounds like you deserve it, and we should all have such caring bosses; Bon Voyage!
Beautifully written, Karen - the excitement and the familial and friendship tenderness are palpable. The darling people you speak about deserve MANY cruises by the sound of it! The hardships willingly undertaken for the love of others melts me. And the bravery notwithstanding their own physical ailments and suffering. What a nurturing picture you paint.. if we could only replicate x every household in the world, it would be SUCH a different place! TY for your gift of letter writing and your heart. LOL Kate xx
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5 August, 2005, Athens, Greece~
