We will do nothing much else but eat and drink for the next 36 hours as we ply the Mediterranean Sea to Izmir, Turkey.  Bet you didn't know that there are other seas within the Mediterranean?  For example, we are now in the Ionian Sea. 1 : Alboran Sea. 2 : Basin SW - Balearic Islands. 3 : Tyrrhenian Sea. 4 : The Western Mediterranean (Basin NE-NW) 5 : South-East and Malta. 6 : Ionian Sea. 7 : Adriatic Sea. 8 : Egeen sea-Rhodos. We soon will reach the Aegean Sea.   Why stop at Izmir? Is the third largest city in Turkey, with a population of 4.4 million, more than 24 U.S. states. While there are scattered ancient ruins, the city is known for being quite westernized and modern, meaning that social norms are less restrictive. But there are bustling age-old markets and the usual attractions of this part of the world. Budget friendly compared to Istanbul and Cappadocia.  Keep in mind though that the Turkish Lira has fallen value, so alcohol in bars is almost by itself a scam.  Plus, you

Had enough of Donald Trump?  Well, I'll end with another egregious trait, his disdain for what should be good and supported.  For example, he kept making fun of global climate warming and  began the process of withdrawing from the Paris Agreement .  But those diplomats in the UN are not total idiots.  The departure process insured for a one year delay so that about the time the U.S. officially was to have departed, Trump lost to Biden.  Of course,  President Joe Biden scuttled the exodus,  and rescued America, and the World. He is  xenophobic and particularly despised NATO and the UN .  For example: Withdrew the U.S. from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in October of 2017.  Had something to do with bias of the UN against Israel.  Well, whatever, it was, President Joe Biden worked it out, for we are  rejoining UNESCO next month . Pulled out of the UN Human Rights Council, the first nation to ever do so, and became among only four nations not part