I’m in Greece! Note: About 90% of this entry is me whining about travel. Skip to the end if you don’t feel like being subjected to my angst.

Highlights of my voyage:

Dallas to Philadelphia flight was an hour late. Had to sprint from Terminal C to Terminal A, which is a lung-achingly, stomach-crampingly long way. Resolved to exercise more in the new year.

Upon arriving (a sweaty, breathless, exhausted excuse for a human being) at the correct gate for the Philadelphia-Munich flight, I was informed that I needed two ticket-things to board, rather than just the e-ticket. I was only given the e-ticket in Dallas, and had no idea what they were talking about. Eventually, in order to make the flight, I had to purchase a second ticket (the full round-trip shebang: $600+), then apply for a “lost” ticket thing, with the hopes of eventually getting a refund. SO much more complicated and angstridden than it needs to be.

Upon boarding said flight, flushed with quasi-victory, found a twentysomething male in my seat, asking if he’d be willing to switch seats with me so he could sit with his girlfriend, who “didn’t travel well.” Stupidly, I said yes. Later, after being fed gruel and hay by the flight attendants, I remembered why I request window seats for trans-Atlantic flights: I had nothing to fall asleep against. I eventually got about three hours worth of sleep, after endless tossing and turning and being awoken by my loud seatmate who wanted to tell me ad nauseum about the medication she uses to treat her MS. Awoke to the protesting cries of every muscle in my body.

The Munich airport had a lingerie store. I found this hilarious as I sprinted to make my next connection.

The next connection I sprinted to make ended up being delayed an hour, due to snow. Of course, if they had told us that it was going to be delayed an hour, I would have bought a pastry or something, as “breakfast” on the transatlantic flight consisted of a cold roll.

Lunch on the Munich-Athens flight was decently good, as airline food goes. Deutchland, Deutchland, Uber Alles!

Arrived in Athens, yay! Was immediately filled with a sense of foreboding, as I didn’t see Chungy at the baggage claim. She was supposed to pick me up at the airport. Did she get my flight number wrong? Did she not get the message about the delay, and give up on me? Could she have lost my itinerary? With no internet available, I couldn’t access my email, where Chungy had sent the address, and I didn’t have a phone number or even a last name for Chungy’s cousin’s family. To my further joy, the airport lost my bag. ARRRGH.

Left the baggage claim close to despair, only to see Chungy outside the doors! Apparently I am a moron, as the baggage claim is part of the secured area, unlike the situations in Dallas and Philadelphia. We rejoiced and did a little dance a cursed the airlines with pox and boils. The joy begins!

Joy:

Chungy and I zoomed by the travel agency where she had organized a grand, four-day tour of the islands, leaving tomorrow morning. We’re visiting Aegina, Poros, Hydra, and Spetches. We’ll chill in Athens for a day, then visit Delphi, then Meteora. BWEEEE! Let’s hope it doesn’t rain.

Then we went on a brief shopping spree for socks and underwear for me, so that I won’t have to walk around naked for the next four days. I borrowed a few tops from Chungy’s cousin.

We had some great chicken souvlaki and Greek salad for dinner, and a few bites of chocolate mousse cake for dessert.

And now, I sleep! I’ll post again when I return from the island tour January 1st.