… 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

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

APRIL 10: Those of you who have read my book Create-A-Miracle PRN, and probably most of you who know me who haven’t read it, know that I believe in angels. There won’t be a photo with this blog page, but just a description of the new angel who has come into my life. (NOTE: I attached a link to Amazon for you to be able to see the book cover, but come to me if you want one.)

Her name is Maria, the woman I mentioned yesterday, and she has extended the most incredible hospitality to me that anyone in a foreign land could accept without feeling tearful gratitude and giving credit not just to a person, but to a God and he/she/it’s legions of angels.

Below is a map showing the Acropolis and other of Greece’s national treasures. Below the Acropolis you will see the Acropolis Museum. Maria has offered me an apartment she has available that is right across the street from the museum, an apartment that my best guess says rents for $100, $150, or more a night — for the same $20 a night that Lynn had offered — for the duration of my stay, even though I told her I could pay more.

In fact, the first two nights that I need a place were not available and, after getting acquainted, Maria decided that I should stay in her apartment, her bed, stating that she usually sleeps on the sofa anyway.

I am sure there will be photos of Maria and I together later — and that there are special places in heaven for people like her.

I was not uncomfortable at Lynn’s, and I am very grateful for the article she wrote about retiring to Greece. If it hadn’t been for that article, I would never have thought about Greece as a destination.

But my dates for a 4-day tour of Delphi, Meteora, and other historical sites had to be changed from the 11th to the 18th and Lynn knew before I left the U.S. that she had the room rented the 12th through the 16th. It was going to mean a number of laborious times to transport luggage by taxi. I am realizing that I am NOT as young as I like to think I am!

Today was the best day of getting acquainted with the streets that I have had. My phone’s GPS was taking me where I wanted to go without having to wander, looking like a lost tourist, and asking questions and receiving answers that may or may not be accurate. The people aren’t dishonest, they just don’t know the names of the streets. They go where they want to go and don’t think about what the street names are. In addition, regarding GPS, the GPS system may have a different spelling for the name! Ai yi yi! LOL

By the way, the second best thing I did for myself before leaving Missouri was to buy a TurboPower battery backup for my phone. I charge it fully overnight, is it powerful enough to recharge the cell phone several times, and is small enough to be carried with me in my purse for charging on the go, if necessary.

In closing tonight, many of you know that I subscribe to Mike Dooley’s Notes to the Universe. Next to Unity’s Daily Word, it’s the second thing I read each morning to start my day. Today’s held an incredibly accurate message for me and I copy it here:

“Sharon Kay, a little birdie just came my way and mentioned a deep, soulful desire of yours.

No, not that one.

She said that you’d be eternally grateful if, once and for all, you never, ever have to worry about money again.

Well, I couldn’t resist. Wish granted! You never, ever have to worry about money again.

Anything else? Anything at all?

The Universe

P.S. Sharon Kay, have you not always been provided for?“

Love and hugs,

Sharon

APRIL 11: As soon as I settle into the new apartment, I will see about doing some of the touristy things that most people come to Greece to do. Honestly, meeting people, and soaking in the energy that is Greece is what I came for. But, of course, I will act like a tourist some before I leave. Since I will be right across the street from the Acropolis and the accompanying museum, it would be ridiculous not to.

Today I wandered, and when everything is walking, most of us would be limited in where we go, but I’m gaining stamina. One of my primary objectives today was to see if I could walk to the hotel where the tour bus will pick us up on next Monday. I can. I buy a roller cart that you see all over Athens. They can be bought at a 0$0 store (much like our Dollar Stores) for 13 euros. I will have to leave it here, but I think it would be well worth it.

I had the best Greek salad I have ever had at a taverna. They are nothing like what I’ve eaten in the U.S. The huge chunk of feta cheese atop a mount of fresh vegetables, including the sweetest tomatoes I can remember, make a beautiful picture.

And the street from the air BnB that leads into the restaurant / market area is lined with orange trees. I’m not sure you can see them in this photo, but they are the orange balls.

I also wanted to see if my debit cards worked in an ATM here. They do.

Other to-dos include enjoying a meze (small plates or appetizers) spread, eating octopus, trying Greek coffee (I’ve been having cappuccinos), finding a long skirt which is required for going into a monastery in Meteora (which I will also have to leave here because my bags won’t hold another thing — except a few small gifts — (so we’re talking “disposable” skirt!).

8:30 p.m. – Well, I had pretty close to a meze meal tonight — but the servings weren’t small. I went to Kati Anna Restaurant where Maria told me that the food is very original homemade and the owners very friendly.

The food WAS delicious and Konstandinos (Dino to Maria) serenaded me (I was the only one there) with singing beautiful Greek songs and playing music on a bouzouki.

It’s been a long day, moving early tomorrow morning (early for Greeks).

Love you!

Sharon

APRIL 15: I know I said that I would post a blog an average of once a day, but … “the best laid plans of mice and men”. LOL It’s not that I haven’t had time to post, but circumstances have changed.

Maria is a wonderful woman but, like all of us, she has her problems. I find myself supporting her emotionally in many ways. With her being so nice to me, I cannot in all good conscious see myself doing otherwise.

Today I settled into the apartment she is letting me use. It is beautiful.

The problem that I am experiencing, and admitted to myself last night, is a feeling of dependency — something that I AM NOT accustomed to. But when you move into a new place, and everything is in a language that you don’t read or speak, it is a sense of being in another world — a world that you don’t know how to control. And, let’s face it, I control my world in Lee’s Summit.

TV controls and channels that I have found are all in Greek. Stovetop — Greek. Washing machine (for clothes) — in the apartment, but with dials that I don’t understand. LOL

If I were moving here (I have been led to know that I’m not), I would come prepared with everything I need to hire someone to show me how everything works. As it is, Maria has the “manana” mindset and I’m not comfortable asking too many times.

Know that none of this is complaining. I feel only gratitude. And Monday I leave on a guided tour of Delphi, Meteora, etc.

Love and hugs,

Sharon