… and So the Adventure Begins

APRIL 8: Slept late this morning, probably because I didn’t get to sleep until late, and ventured out on my first real “test” excursion. I had seen taxis yesterday in an area not far from the apartment and getting there involved passing several tavernas (street food). I opted again for a pastry and coffee; then told a taxi driver, who spoke little English but communicated with a translation app, where I wanted to go.

This is not the taxi that took me into the center of Athens — but as far as I can tell, they are all yellow. The young lady in red and white works for the Athens Tour Buses company and was very helpful and solicitous, as I am finding with every local I ask for help. They actually make me feel elderly (LOL), but I have been grateful for their help.

The cost of this taxi was 5 euros — a taxi I got to take me home charged 10 euros — and I don’t think it was as far. At any rate, I was so tired that I was happy to pay it.

I spent several hours doing the touristy thing of just riding the red, purple, and yellow City Sightseeing air conditioned tour buses that point out the highlights of Athens, the beaches, and the Riviera. These are hop-on hop-off buses that you can pay for in many ways online. I found a senior pass good for 72-hours for $9.00! Obviously, you can get on and off as many times as you want while the buses are running. I found it a very relaxing way to get more acclimated to the city of Athens — and to know that, while I may retire to Greece it won’t be to Athens proper.

It is chaotic, but surprisingly a calm chaos. We have a Silent Unity prayer that says, “Out of chaos, order is born.” That is what this city reminds me of. Those of you who know me well, especially those who have read one or both of the two books I published, know that I am not embarrassed to talk about bodily functions and that I had a serious bladder condition in 1996 that doctors called incurable.

While I consider myself to have been healed while working in Unity, what I have experience in Athens is remarkable. I NEVER feel an urge to find a τουαλέτα (bathroom) since I’ve been here — or even on the planes that got me here. Perhaps it is the relaxed lifestyle. Perhaps it’s because I’ve been eating fish and vegetables (besides the pastries) and drinking lots of water. I assume because of the heat (72-degrees) today, I have been given a bottle of water with each cup of coffee ordered. I assume because of the heat (72-degrees) today, I have been given a bottle of water with each cup of coffee ordered.

There are several things in my thoughts that I would consider divine guidance regarding retiring here and my health would definitely be one on the top of my list. It is interesting, though, that in a country where people live longer than average lifespans, people do not seem to have heard that smoking is bad for your health. It is impossible to escape cigarette smoke even in an open-air taverna.

As you can tell by my verbosity, I am feeling much more rested both physically and mentally.

μέχρι αύριο (sounds like me re ar io) (Until tomorrow) — don’t quote me on this. Different Google searches give different translations (LOL),

Sharon