Soujourn in Athens: Millennium Series 4

Leaving Santorini is a sad occasion, as we must say goodbye to friends old and new. We board the Superjet ferry and head for Athens for a two day stay. We were also there for a couple of days before our sojourn on this lovely island. The sea is rough and the wind is blowing fiercely, but otherwise the trip is uneventful. We again visit briefly the islands of Eos, Paros, Sirros and Naxos, all different from Santorini, but very interesting in their own right. Perhaps we will make it a longer visit next time

We arrive at the port of Raffina at 8 PM, one half hour late. It is cold and windy, so we sit my mother in her wheelchair, on the dock, and bundle her up as well as we can, piling the luggage around her to block the chilly wind. It breaks my heart to see her looking so small and vulnerable, sitting amongst the luggage. No one on the boat offers to help Jim with the luggage, or procure a cab for us. In fact, before he was through they blocked the door with garbage bags, which he had to remove.

There is only one taxi on the dock, so I approach the driver and ask if he will take us to Athens, a 40 minute drive. He spots my mother sitting in her wheelchair and the baggage surrounding her and says he is not available. I ask him to radio to his office to procure two cabs for us, because of the luggage. He claims he has no radio. Shortly after this, another taxi arrives. He claims to have been ordered by someone on the next ferry and he too claims he has no radio. I go to the port police to see what can be done. They shrug their shoulders. It is dark and cold and everyone, including the staff of the ferry, walk by us as if there is no one there. Jim walks up into the town to find a cab, there is not one in sight. At this point we are beginning to panic. My mother is 90 years old it is cold and dark on this now deserted wharf.

Then I remember Julie has given us a phone card. I find a pay phone. I figure out how to use the card, but cannot reach the number. Finally with the help of a passenger on yet another ferry, I reach Julie at our hotel. She will order two cabs and will come out with them to be sure we are picked up.

Go To Page: 1 2 3