“Whoever you are, I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.” – Blanche DuBois, A Streetcar Named Desire (Tennessee Williams)
Our last day in Athens was divided into four acts.
ACT I – One last walk through Monastiraki Square, National Gardens, Plaka. Momo Suites Acropolis by Aura has been good to us. The location was ideal, the apartment was comfortable and we woke each day well-rested. I’ve enjoyed updating my travel blog each morning on the small balcony, drinking espresso and having a view of the Acropolis and tree covered tavernas below. I will miss these mornings of reflection here in Plaka.
ACT II – Doctor Fish saved the day once again. By early afternoon, my old lady feet were feeling the miles I’d walked (and hiked). This day spa/nail salon was around the corner from our apartment, so I took advantage of their foot massage deal. I may have fallen asleep. Did I opt for the “fish spa” – no. But did snap of pic of the fish in action. Afterwards, I visited with a local artist named Makrina who Amelia and I have passed nearly everyday. Follow her on Facebook. Her work is delicate and precise.
ACT III – Journey to Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon. Sounion is approximately 65 km from our base in Plaka. I’d booked a car to drive us there because the bus would take over 3 hours. After our long train journey to Mount Olympus, that was a no go. Speaking of cars, I’ve found the app FreeNow very handy. It directly connects you with local taxi drivers and is much cheaper than Uber (which is also an option). Our ride took about 1.25 hrs but it was time well spent watching the landscape which mesmerizes me. Our goal was to reach the Temple at sunset (because that’s what was recommended). WOW. Surrounded by the Sounion harbor and Aegean Sea, this site was breathtaking. So, so peaceful. We ate at the adjacent restaurant and had a ride booked for the journey back.
ACT IV – Our ride was canceled. The sun was setting. We were far from home. I tried rebooking through both FreeNow and Uber. No rides available. The last bus to Athens left an hour earlier. We were stranded. An American mother and daughter, sitting on the side of the road at dusk with the nearest town a 30 min walk away. All the backup plans were racing through my head. I began praying. I knew there were some nearby resorts, so thought if we could at least get to one of them, we would be safe and possibly have help to find a ride, even if that meant spending a night in Sounion. As I was on the phone with a very helpful lady, two men and a woman were walking by and talking…..wait – are those American accents? Turns out, they had rented a car and were headed back to Athens! And they knew where Paducah, KY was! This was meant to be. They offered us a ride back to Athens – they were complete strangers and we were thankful for their generosity and hospitality. The five of us piled into a small European hatchback and hit the road back to Athens. Jim and his father were from Pennsylvania, but had friends in Paducah. Sabrina, Jim’s girlfriend, was from Germany and shared the backseat with Amelia and me. We all talked non-stop on the drive back. Because it was dark and the traffic situation chaotic we were dropped off, I never snapped a picture. But I will be forever grateful to Jim and Sabrina (and Jim’s dad).
Travelers help each other. Our world is as small as it is wide.
Alyventures 