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Europeanvaction1979
My father was in the USAF. We spent nearly nine years in Europe. We lived in Greece, Italy and England. Every few years my Grandparents would come to visit. When they did, we were off for a five week journey across Europe. My grandmother kept a journal of our travels. Recently while cleaning out a closet, my Mother came across the journals. The memories came flying back! I decided to share these journels with you. Each day I will post a chapter as she has written them. I hope you enjoy reading these as much as I did.
The first Journal was in 1979. We lived in Hellenikon Greece.
JFK Ariport in the 70's
Schiphol Airport Amsterdam
Athens Airport
Hellenikon Greece
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Day 1 and 2 - Saturday, May 26 and Sunday, May 27 1979
It had been a long flight across the Atlantic, and I shook my head to be sure I was not dreaming. To remind myself that, I kept looking at my Husband George and son Craig. We were in Athens.
It seemed longer than just the day before when I awoke with excitement filling every part of me. It was only five in the morning, and our plane was not to leave until one-thirty that afternoon. How dare time go so slowly! I felt George stirring beside me, then he smiled and said, " Today's the day Honey!" Silly man, as if I didn't know. We talked for a while then spent the next few hours putting the finishing touches on packing. Before we left for the airport, our neighbors came over to tell us goodbye. Scott (one of my sons not going on this trip) drove us to the airport around noon. As we finished checking in, there was Pete Petro laughing and joking about all the luggage we were taking, demanding to know if we were going for five weeks or five years!
The flight from New York seemed endless. It was early Sunday morning when we arrived in Amsterdam we found a beautiful airport equipped with 'people movers' and all sorts of boutiques which were just opening for the days business. Our money was converted into gilders and we spent the next few hours buying souvenirs. My attention was caught by the woman who all wore white stockings. At first I thought the were nurses, but chained my mind and decided it was the fashion trend.
My first encounter with toilet tissue of the sand paper type came when I used the rest room. I found the ladies room very clean with each cubicle closed off to make a separate room, no space under the partition to see strange feet!
In the cafeteria the first thing in line that greeted us was a large selection of all sorts of liqueurs which struck us as a strange place to be able to buy a drink. Eggs were serviced on two pieces of toast. Hiding beneath the eggs was bacon, while the rest of the plate was garnished with
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lettuce, pickles and pimento. We were delighted with the toothpicks. they were about out the size of a wooden match and pointed on one end only.
Instant panic set in when we were ready to board the plane as I could not find my boarding pass which George had given me earlier. The woman taking the passes was of no help when I explained my dilemma. " You must have a pass or you don't get on the plane", she quipped in excellent English. I rushed back to the rest room thinking I may have left it there. Nothing! Back to the waiting room with all the speed I could muster. An expression of Georges face screamed out to everyone, "My wife cant manage to hold on to a simple piece of paper". Visions of missing the plane rushed though my mind. Another quick look at George brought no sympathy from him. It was perfectly clear he intended getting on the plane with or with-out me. This is ridiculous, I thought to myself while trying to be calm. Another quick search of my bag revealed the pass hiding in one compartment. We were the last to board the plane.
Stepping off the plane in Athens, we were ushered into a bus which took us to the customs building. No sight of my son Al, Jan or the boys Sean and Ryan yet. Through customs, where a disinterested official stamped our passports, we hurried to claim our baggage. Behind a glass wall stood waiting friends and relatives and I caught my first glimpse of Al waving frantically. We pushed through the mass of people and I felt the tight embrace of Al's strong arms, Jan's warm smile and quick kiss and Sean and Ryan's little tugs as they reached up for their turn at a big bear hug! Again I shook my head and asked Jan to pinch me to be certain I was not dreaming. She very promptly pinch me, laughing she said " You're real here Mom!" Everyone was trying to talk at once while we worked our way out of the airport to the waiting V.W van. Just a few minutes later, after a short ride, we were being greeted by Ralph, Al's Dog who was barking his welcome to number 45 Kallipoleos Street, Hellenikon Greece.
george was feeling the effects of jet lag and went to bed. It had been hours since we last slept, but Craig and I were to excited to sleep. Jan and Al took us to a sidewalk restaurant, the first of many such eating places we would visit during the trip. A friendly Greek woman took our order. Al made himself understood with a few words in Greek, many more in English and some sign language! The pizza was delicious having a thick crust and just the right seasoning and pepperoni.
The water bed sloshed gently as I crawled in besides a snoring husband. I lay awake for only a few minutes later I was caught up in the world of slumber. Our fist few hours in Greece had been exciting!
