You will want to read about the Greek Boys last experience. We have been late posting as the blog editor was just stunned at their experiences. Please read on.
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Rainy day and museums planned for the day. Another great breakfast on the roof then back to the room to confirm flights and get on the road!
Getting checked in easy peasy…Wait! Don can’t find his passport <can you say the “F” word now?>I think it’s called for. Rooting thru both suitcases, two backpacks, under the bed, the closet, the waste baskets, the toilet…where could it BE!!!! It could be in the hands of a thief either from the airport train, the maid, who knows????
Panic again with much hand wringing, the “What shall I do” ballet thru the hotel room and finally resolve that we’re screwed. We get on the U.S. Embassy’s website only to find that we are to request a police report which usually takes 5 days to process, then we must have an appointment only they don’t have one until December! Now we’re really doing the dance! Suitcases, backpacks, purse holders, lifting the hotel floorboards. Alas, no passport.
“Let’s just go there!” I cry. We elected to call.
The words, “Really? We’ll be right there” gave me the false hope I was waiting for! Off we went in a cab in the rain, Don with his raincoat, me with my umbrella. We arrive and Don can’t find his copy of his passport even though he’s downloaded everything to his phone. Apparently you can’t bring a cell phone into the embassy! He finally finds his copy as I’m told my passport won’t matter as I’m NOT going in. Oh great, I’m stuck on a rainy veranda and freezing. I turn to Don to ask for his coat but he’s been whisked inside and out of my reach. No problem, certainly they’ll let me into the waiting room! “F” no!
I can only imagine the 1950’s we’ve all seen in black and white movies: “Oh! You’ve had your passport robbed? Oh please, you and your mate please come into our lounge. Here, have some bubbles to soothe your misery while we take care of everything! Oh, lost your money too? Do not worry, we’ll have 100 Euros for you to buy the essentials (the equivalent of 500 Euros today).” In 10 minutes a new passport is delivered, many hands are shaken and the diplomats are on the phone to the police berating them for their lack of diligence.
These are the thoughts that passed thru my brain for the two hour wait on that balcony, the only comic relief being the man who didn’t believe the “No photos!” ban.
“But I’m taking them of the tree across the street!”
“I told you NO PHOTOS.”
“But I’m…”
“Sir, I’ve told you NO PHOTOS!” as he reaches behind him to summon help.
The officer and the tourist are both white-faced now and I’m giggling!
So we’re off to get photos for the new passport, the rain now steady now, the toes of my shoes black with wet. Very nice gentleman who was way more sympathetic that our Greek consulate – I mean U.S. Consulate, except all the employees are Greek! Back to the Consulate assured of a quick resolve – go to the head of the line. I’m confident and looking for taxis but lo…another hour only to find that Don can’t find anyone to wait on him although they’ve called ahead.
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So he’s out – no! He’s called back because the card he asked if he needed, told no, you have it all – is on the desk and he has to go back in and claim it.
Recap – day one to Athens, airport strike, day two, touring day, 3rd and last day spent in the consulate until 3 PM!
We grab a cab and rush to the Architectural Museum hoping it’ll be open after 4. Yea! 8 PM! Wait! We haven’t eaten in hours! Greg elects to skip lunch and see some damned art! He’s going thru withdrawal! Halfway thru the first wing of three on the first floor we spot a sign to the cafeteria. Guess what? At 4 there’s pretty much cheesy pretzels and swill left for the tired travelers! Thank goodness we’d elected to get beers as they come with potato chips! 20 Euros later and back to the naked baby parade upstairs. Fortified with alcohol we’re on our way with a vengeance and the museum did not disappoint with wonderful preserved artifacts of all descriptions.
Oh, I forgot to tell you, the cloak room was full of backpacks only and you couldn’t take your soaking umbrella into the museum so we kissed my umbrella goodbye and Don stowed his wet coat as best he could on board and we were off.
Now that we’re done, I spy Don trying to find my umbrella as I walk to the door. The umbrella stand is a shambles of umbrella shards and water and laughing attendants.
As we descend the stairs we are happy to see sunlight although it is still raining.
“Would you like my coat?” my chevalier asks.
“Taxi!” is my reply.
We’re then informed that the two main streets to our hotel are closed under protest due to lack of jobs for the younger crowd and all taxis are 15 Euro. Yeah sure, here’s your 15 Euro, just get us home for we’re informed tourists now and we’ve learned to expect to expect wallet rape as a matter or course!
Total tab today less dinner? 175 Euro and for that we have a museum experience – 20 Euro, two beers, cheese pretzels and a bowl of potato chips!
The alarm is set for 3 AM for our 6:30 flight. Believe me, the thought of just going directly to the airport now was a real consideration!
Enjoy a few pics of the better parts of the day!
Greek boys out!
