On March 7, 2002 we left Klamath Falls for Portland. On March 8th we boarded a 737 to take us from Portland to Minnesota. Ever since 9/11 airports became cautious and checking in and out were eventful. For us it was uneventful so far. The trip was filled with a lot of turbulence. It was so cloudy you couldn't see anything below. We had two babies and no other children so the trip was pretty quiet. Carry on luggage was a pain for everyone. We were served breakfast, such as it was. We arrived safely and met up with Marie, Jim's sister. We boarded the DC-10 along with approximately 280 other people, including kids and babies. This trip was a bit noisy. It was dark when we were getting close to our destination. We could see the European cities below and they were beautiful. They looked like very large pieces of gaudy jewelry. The colors were so bright and shimmery in a pattern very much like a homemade quit. The restrooms were clean and welcomed. This was important as we had a layover in Amsterdam. This was good because now we could meet up with other members of our tour.
Usually I have a much stronger consititution than Jim but not on these flights. My legs were beginning to give me trouble. The first two flight descents caused me to have some motion sickness - the last flight it was just the flight in general. It was 10:00 am, Saturday morning in Amsterdam and 10:00 pm, Friday night in Klamath Falls March 9th. I called Jennifer and Danny was there picking up the boys. I was able to talk with both of them and assure them we were enjoying so far, the first leg of our trip of a life time. No sense telling them the seats were too close together and not enough leg room; the isles to narrow so I was just not sick but had claustrophobia. We wondered what the difference would have been for first class.
We eventually boarded a 757 from Amsterdam to Athens. The Austrian Alps were spectacular from above. Saw the Acropolis from the air as we flew into Athens! We landed at the new Athens airport, newly built in preparation of the 2004 Olympics. We met many of the cruise directors and also, Nicolas the Greek, our tour guide from the airport to Athens. By this time I was very sick. The driver drove very fast; I had to keep my eyes closed.
We must have ate 4 times during this 24 hour period. We also had been awake! Even though it was a hectic hour drive to the Athenium International Continental Hotel there was a dinner buffet waiting for us in a lovely room. We looked around the hotel and in the gift shop I bought a bottle of cologne, L'Air de Temps. Of course, I had forgotten mine. Our room was beautiful! The time change was difficult. We were told not to go to bed until after 8:00 pm even though we had been awake by this time for 27 hours with intermittent resting periods. We lasted until 6:45 pm. We awoke at 9:30 pm on the 9th and again at 12:30 am on the 10th.
Wide awake, we sat up and munched on things provided by the hotel, at a great price. We tried to go back to sleep but around 2:30 am we got up and dressed. Headed out for a walk around 4:00 am. As we made our way outside there were many cabs across the way with many drivers. They saw us and yelled; wanting us to take their cab wherever we wanted to go. We said no and walked on, but could hear them muttering; "Americans!" "How can we sing the Lord's song in a foreign land?" Psalm 137:4 We can sing the Lord's song in a foreign land because He goes with us wherever we go! Even to Athens! By Jane Ann Crenshaw 9/21/09
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