Thursday, 6th May 2010 Athens

Well that was fun
Up at the crack of dawn. Breakfast at The Hilton which was cold and absolutely rubbish. First to arrive at Rome airport in the hope that there was a place on the morning flight.
The riots have stopped because of the three deaths of bank personnel caused by a fire started by a rioter.

Unbelievable screw-ups. We were at check-in 285 as listed on the board… unfortunately they were checking folk in at 175... first in line there as well.

Told there were seats and to go to the ticket office. They said there were no seats. Back to check-in, where they said there were…. and back to ticket office where the ticket girl started to cry (this could have been caused by my slightly hysterical raised voice). The supervisor phoned and said to go to check-in immediately as there were seats. We did. The check-in girl put the suitcases on the conveyor belt and gave us boarding passes for…… the evening 9 o’clock flight. She then told us there were no seats left. Liz started to cry.

Back to ticket office. Girl phoned again and told us to go back immediately. This time got the check-in supervisor. Boarding passes given and we finally got on the plane one hour late. We were first in line in the morning and last on the plane. Plane took off with at least 10 empty seats that we could see!

Pleasant 1 hour 45 minute flight. Greece is an hour ahead of Italy for those few who are interested.

Down to collect our bags. Waited until the conveyor belt stopped half an hour later and we were the last folk there.

Aaargh…..

I started to cry!!!!

Bugger Athens. We’ve managed to get on a night flight straight to Crete sans suitcases arriving at 11.00pm. Eileen and Alan will met us at Chania tonight.

We’re sitting in The Sofitel Artemis Bar at this moment (5.00pm). Liz has bought some lipstick and toothpaste as everything else is residing .…..probably …. in Norway which was the flight being checked in at the same time as us.

I’ve got a theory that all these so-called ruins aren’t actually ruins. They were built like that right from the beginning. Edinburgh’s Disgrace isn’t unfinished at all: it’s a direct copy of the finished Acropolis as it was supposed to be… and the Greeks have been laughing at the world ever since.

At the moment sitting in The Olive Tree at Athens airport. Fabulous view of the hills and watching aircraft taking off every two minutes or so. Had our first Greek meal of meatballs for me and salmon for Liz (mummy).