My flight arrives in London the next morning and we go through security again since we are in a new country. Unfortunately, that means confiscating my unopened expensive bottle of water that I purchased at DFW. Bummer.

I am fascinated by airports and watching people from all over come and go. It’s amazing to me that every day probably tens of thousands of people from all walks of life and from all parts of the world, converge for a period of time, share a ride, and then disperse, most likely never sharing a word or even a smile. That seems extremely sad to me. Perhaps we could start a movement – Share a word, Share a smile! – and make this world a much better place. Just a thought!

While waiting to board the plane to Athens, I grab a bite to eat at Wagamama. Then on to the gate where I meet Nancy and her husband from north of Dallas. They are going to travel around Greece before taking a grand cruise of the islands.

I arrive in Athens a little after 5 pm. George, my taxi driver, is a friendly guy. He breaks the ice by dropping the names of famous Americans he knows – Gary Cooper, Rock Hudson, and Kirk Douglas, to name a few. While he speaks, and understands, very little English, he makes good use of our travel time to my hotel, about 40 minutes, pointing out a few sites and teaching me a few useful phrases – thank you, you’re welcome, good morning, good evening, good night, etc. The actual drive time to my hotel is extended due to primary road closures for a political rally. (More about that later.) By the time we arrive, it is after dark.

I check into the Hotel Marina (www.marinahotel-athens.com), a small hotel in downtown Athens. It’s a 3 star hotel, with nice but basic appointments, and very clean and quiet. The staff is pleasant and helpful. My room is small with two twin beds pushed together. There’s a TV and a private bath, which is actually pretty good size. On the bathroom wall, next to the shower, is a dispenser with shampoo and liquid bath soap. Genius! (I imagine that most of the cost of those little toiletries you normally get is in the packaging. This saves the hotel money and the landfills.)

There’s also a balcony with no furniture. It is quite large, at least a third of the size of my room. It looks out over the street and faces some modest urban apartments.

After checking in, I head over to a nearby restaurant situated in a charming courtyard. The courtyard is enclosed by two-story walls all around and lined with plants and trees. The air is comfortable with an occasional cool breeze. Being a social person, I am lonely for conversation, and I am very tired from my trip. I may start seeking out other travelers, at least for an occasional meal. ~

My server is a beautiful young woman who works hard to ensure I have a good evening. I order the “traditional kebabs” made with pork and served with tomato, onions and pita bread, and a different bread brushed with olive oil and herbs. While the food is OK (the meat was a little tough and the bread with olive oil and herbs was rather flavorless), the setting and the service are worth the experience.