… and So the Adventure Begins

APRIL 9: First, I want to say that buying women’s walking shoe sock sneakers for walking was the best thing I did for myself before leaving the U.S. They are SO comfortable, in spite of all the steps I’m putting on my Fitbit, and show absolutely no wear.

As I write this I am feeling better as I just had my hair done by a wonderful beautician and I feel more “normal”. The name of the Salon is Goddess Beauty Salon and she truly made me feel like one.

You all know that I have considered this trip a learning experience — and boy am I learning! And I think Lynn has learned to ask potential renters for her air BnB more about their experience moving around internationally. I had told her that I have been to India twice, England twice, Germany, and Switzerland and they were not formal guided tours.

But, to be honest, I always had someone who could answer questions and help me when I needed help. Here I feel like I am fumbling in the dark, but it’s no one’s fault.

Finding myself here with internet connectivity problems and no local phone number to use to call companies (I got one today) made me feel cut off from civilization.

Today I met a wonderful woman at the beauty salon who moved to Greece 39 years ago. She has offered me a place to stay when Lynn’s apartment won’t be available, and at the same price, though it usually rents for more.

My plan was to go on a 4-day tour which includes Delphi and Meteora leaving the 11th. I went on the internet last night, decided I needed to wait to be sure money had cleared to my credit card, checked this morning — and the trip was no longer available!

I ended up booking the same basic tour for the 18th, but that left me with no place to stay — thus, Divine Order in meeting Maria.

Athens, Greece is an amazing city, but very easy to find yourself feeling lost in. Am I glad I’m here? Yes. If I knew what a knew now, would I do it again. Definitely. Especially since knowing what I know now would have me better prepared.

By the way, if anyone would like to chat with me, there is an app for your cell phone that I had heard about at home, but when I got to Athens I found that most people here are using it. It is a free service for calling anywhere in the world (!) and it can be opened through your app downloader (mine on an android phone is Play Store) or by going to https://whatsapp.com/dl/.

Would love to hear from some of you — just remember the 8 hour time difference. As I write this it is 2:30 p.m. in Missouri and 10:30 p.m. in Greece.

Hugs everyone,

Sharon