So if you read my post yesterday as we left Paris, my mom had misplaced her wallet with all her cards and money. I was confident they would be in her suitcase and my time with my family in Athens would be great. Paris, we had a few bumps, but I wanted our time here to go flawlessly, wallet or not when we arrived.
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A Night Of Rest For A Family In Athens
We had already agreed we would stay in on our first night and venture out in the afternoon. We had all calmed down and arrived at our apartment for the next two nights. It was ideally located in a beautiful neighborhood. My mom couldn’t find her wallet but was calm and put her card on hold in case it popped up somewhere.
I made a Greek salad and we sat around the table and talked. It was a lovely evening. The stress of almost missing our plane and my mom’s lost cards had slipped away. My mom did want a Pepsi Max since it was hard to come by in Paris. So Jennie and I went on a short excursion to find one.
I’m personally not a huge fan of Athens. The Pantheon and the other ruins are really cool. And Plaka, where we were staying, is gorgeous. I think it’s worth a stop on your way to the islands. And that evening stroll was very relaxing after a stressful day.
The Crap Hits The Fan…Or In Our Case, The Floor
After a relaxing evening, I was hopeful my day with my family in Athens would go great. I was going to find a route easy for my mom and my sister to the Acropolis, so we didn’t have to climb all the stairs. While I was doing that my family was going to go souvenir shopping. Easy enough day, right?
Before we headed out, my mom took a shower, and all of a sudden, the hallways were wet. We had a faulty door on the shower, so we assumed it was that. Until we had to start using the toilet in the morning. Whenever you flushed, the plumbing from the apartment building would back up and come up from the drain on the floor. We were in the basement, so you get the picture.
Needless to say, I was devastated. I planned and booked this whole trip. I paid more for this apartment in this neighborhood, so we didn’t have to walk far to all the sights. And now our floors are covered in human waste whenever you flush the toilet. Are you kidding me?!
A Crying Family In Athens
I called our host, and she said she would call a plumber. So, we went on with our day as planned. My family went shopping as I searched for an easy route up to the Acropolis. It was hot, we were all still a little tired from the day before, and we had a nonfunctioning bathroom.
We had a quick bite after they were done at one of my favorite spots Melina Cafe and went back to nap. The bathroom is still not fixed, and my family said that we could maybe skip the Acropolis. My mom didn’t think she could make it with her heart and knee, and this caused me to break down crying. Then my mom starts crying because she’s worried about money and doesn’t want me spending mine I saved for school. And then I make Jennie cry because she says she’ll still go, and I kind of snapped at her. So, all four of us have cried at this point of our trip.
I really wanted everyone to go smooth. Since we missed most of the things I had planned in Paris, I wanted this to happen. But, I apologized to my sister and said let’s go. We all had a family meeting and said no more crying. Let’s make the best of a bad situation.
The Acropolis With My Sister
As I said, Athens isn’t my favorite city, but a trip up to the Acropolis is worth the visit alone. It’s a fantastic feeling to be in what is one of the oldest cities in the world. The architecture is impressive, the views are spectacular, and there’s a wonder about how they built this all those years ago.
While I was sad I couldn’t share this with my mom and Angie. I’m glad I had the opportunity to let Jennie see it. While I think I could have gotten them there, I realized climbing the stairs up to the Acropolis may have been a little hard on them.
Personally, I suggest going when we set out. A little around an hour before they close. The heat isn’t as bad, the crowds aren’t as crazy, and the sun is just getting ready to set, so the sky is just starting to change. It’s stunning and one of the most spectacular things I’ve seen…twice.
A Calm Before One Last Storm
As Jennie and I took the long way down, we stopped at a small cafe towards the bottom of the hill to grab a drink and a little snack. Sitting there talking I see my mom and Angie at the bottom of the slope exploring the more accessible roads. My heart fills with happiness at this point. Even though they weren’t exploring with us, they were out having an adventure of their own.
With a giant smile, I go and get them to join us. We had been planning this trip for months, and the last thing I wanted them to be doing was sitting in an apartment debating if they should use the bathroom or not. Another rough day, but it was ending on a high note.
The host of our Airbnb offered to move us that evening, but we decided to stay because we had a cab coming at 4 AM for a flight the following day. We didn’t feel like packing everything up, moving for a few hours, then packing up again. Somehow we made it work.
The Hurricane For My Family In Athens
Remember when I said we made a pact to no longer cry? Well, we had one more. I had arranged EVERYTHING to make sure this went as planned. Car ready to go, and we would have plenty of time. Until we got to the airport, and ME, the guy who travels all the time, left his passport on the table after our Airbnb host asked to see it for tax purposes.
So, I go into panic mode. Tell my family to check in and get on the flight. I had arranged a taxi to pick us up in Santorini to take us to our next place, and if I had to, I would take a ferry and meet them. It would be fine.
When I get to the apartment, I get a text saying the lady at the front desk says we need to pay. I know we payed. I have the receipts. Here’s my family in Athens airport and supposedly don’t have a ticket. Find out that there was a language barrier, and if you don’t pre-check in 24 hours before with Ryan Air, they charge you. But, my family thought that meant we didn’t have tickets.
Long story short. They end up paying this fee but miss the flight anyways because they got out of line to call me. I get in a cab and have to pay for a whole other flight to get us to Santorini. Mind you, my mom has no access to money at this point, we’re all tired, and we just want to relax. Can we have one day where nothing goes wrong?!
It Gets Better
We’re on day 5 of this trip. Every day there has been some little fluke. If it were just me, I would roll with it. But, my family doesn’t get to travel as much as I do, and I want them to love these places as much as I do. We get on our flight to Santorini, and I’m not feeling as confident as before.
But, through the magic of the Greek islands, our trip makes a glorious turn for the better. Like any good story, you have to have a little drama before a happy ending. I know these last two posts sounds like a disaster, but we really did have some good moments. One was the night we stayed in and me and my sisters laughing at Youtube clips till late in the night.
That’s it for today. Tomorrow I will share the better half of our trip when we get to Santorini and I will get to introduce you to my fabulous Santorini “mama” as I call her. I hope you have an adventurous day.
*I have flown with Ryanair before and even though their tickets are cheap. It is maybe the worst airline. Might be worth it to book the ticket that is $100 more and not have to deal with their hidden fees.
Yvonne Graham
the well planned plans always change, just have to roll with it when foreign travel, yes language can cause so many issues, just have to laugh at it & move on, which you are doing!