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Zante Cafe
Bio
The Coffeehouse to the World
Stories (34/0)
The Pickpocketer's Survival Guide
The First Attempt My wife and I visited Italy to celebrate our thirtieth wedding anniversary. It was on my wife’s bucket list of places to visit, and it was on my bucket list, too, but not as high. So we planned our trip nine months in advance, researching all the top sites in Rome. We even got into arguments about visiting other sites in Italy. Should we drive along the Amalfi coast, plan an afternoon in Positano and enjoy the breathtaking sea view from a quaint family-run trattoria, or visit the well-preserved ruins of Pompeii? As fate would have it, my wife won, and we did it all, plus throw in a day trip to Florence into the mix.
By Zante Cafe4 days ago in Wander
Are Teslas Worth It?
I own a Tesla. And I love driving it. I especially love the acceleration. It can zip from zero to warp speed in less than a second and bury you in the cushions of your car seat. Merging onto highway traffic at a steep upgrade is smooth and responsive. I used to panic hearing my combustible engine rev up to 6000 rpm and still feel that the car was moving at a snail’s pace. You know that feeling of dread when you merge into traffic and look in the rearview mirror, hoping the car behind you doesn’t slam on his brakes or car horn? Behind a Tesla, I am graceful as a gazelle, darting down the street. I feel free.
By Zante Cafe6 days ago in Wheel
My Big Fat Greek Funeral: The Prelude
My father-in-law was itching to go back to Greece. He had booked his airline ticket in advance. He enthusiastically prepaid all his credit cards and utility bills and packed his carry-on suitcase. He bragged that he traveled light, and checking in luggage only slowed him down. He started carrying his pen and his passport in his breast pocket. The only thing holding him back was the days to departure. He still had two weeks left.
By Zante Cafe11 months ago in Humor
My Big Fat Greek Funeral: Part I
In the beginning of the end, there was a lot of hope. Pappou was rushed to the hospital on a cold January morning. For my superstitious audience, it was Friday the 13th. The nurses, doctors, and hospital staff did their best to keep Pappou Yianni with us. From every face, we felt compassion and kindness for what we were going through. All our family and friends came to visit, which gave us strength. We did not feel alone; we felt their compassion through their hugs and encouragement to pray for a miracle. Alas, Pappou Yianni passed away a few days after arriving at the hospital. Our dear friend, Demetrios, described what friends do in life, "…they are there for us to share the joy at weddings and bear the burden at funerals."
By Zante Cafe11 months ago in Humor
Is Elon Musk A Mad Man Or A Genius?
My wife and I had just finished attending a fundraiser, and we found ourselves talking to two of my friends out in the parking lot. Steve had parked his car a few parking spaces from my Tesla. Evan had parked his car next to mine. I pulled out my phone to unlock the trunk of my new Tesla.
By Zante Cafe11 months ago in Wheel
The E.V. Credit Many New Tesla Owners Forget
I'm happy that we found our tax accountant. Jim is very sharp and stays current on the latest tax rules. But new E.V. owners must remember to claim one little tax credit: their home charger and installation expense. That is separate from the tax incentive that car buyers receive when they purchase or lease an electric vehicle.
By Zante Cafe11 months ago in Wheel
Can My Friend Sleep Over While the Nazis Are In Town
The other day, I attended a forty-day memorial of a lady that lived to be 92 years old. She was a sweet lady who never said an unkind word about anyone. She never gossiped behind anyone's back. Instead, she would welcome friends and strangers to her home with a warm smile and a tray full of cookies and sweets. She was my hero. She wasn't an athlete or a stellar student. Nor was she a talented singer or musician. Instead, she excelled by being a friend, to the point of risking her own life.
By Zante Cafe2 years ago in Humans
Greatness
Photo by Elena de Soto on UnsplashWe all want to be Great. We dream of it and thirst for it. But are we committed to it? Is Greatness worth the sacrifice.…. Greatness is not a word; it's a mindset. We daydream about the accolades, the smiles, and the applause. Surrounded by friends and admirers, We dream of exchanging smiles and High-fives. And if the moment is truly remarkable, we are whisked from our feet and carried by well-wishes high above their shoulders. Crowds cheer for you. And we stand there relishing that magical moment. And we freeze that moment in our mind's eye, willfully cherishing every moment in an attempt to freeze time. The best moment of our lives is suspended in time and space.
By Zante Cafe2 years ago in Motivation
The Day My Surrogate Mother Crashed My Wedding
I always hear about these 'horror wedding stories' that young singles circulate among their friends. It usually involves the bridesmaids sleeping with the groom or the best man fathering the bride's honeymoon baby. My fiance and I were level-headed, we weren't alcoholics or wild partiers. We both made sure that everyone in our wedding party would have scruples and not be crazy enough to do anything stupid. They all passed the normalcy test. So we felt that we would have a memorable wedding but not too memorable for our wedding guests to gossip about our wedding for years to come. But what happened at my wedding, I could never imagine happening anywhere to anyone. Guess what? It happened to me.
By Zante Cafe2 years ago in Marriage
Her Mother Walked Her Down the Aisle
Katherine was three years old when her father left everyone. He left without warning; without a trace. Katherine’s mother at the time was a stay-at-home mom. Katherine was the youngest of three. She didn’t understand why her father left. Frankly, no one understood why he left.
By Zante Cafe2 years ago in Families
Two Things To Know Before Ordering A Tesla
On a fluke, I placed my order for a Tesla. I followed Tesla closely, and it was announced that the full self-driving mode would increase in price. I love Tesla. I think all-electric vehicles are where the automotive industry is heading in the next ten years. However, I also heard that the long-range Model 3 was ‘unavailable’ until 2023. I panicked and placed my order. Now I am awaiting the Performance Model 3 by November. I also bought the complete self-driving package.
By Zante Cafe2 years ago in Wheel
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