This was my first short story, ‘Greek Time’ and I have posted more short stories every now and again. My short stories generally consist of bits and pieces from our travels. Some are about our many mishaps and some are just two folks experiencing new places and new things. I hope you enjoy!
I was introduced to Greek time early on during my first trip to Greece. My Husband and I decided to go to Greece on a whim and a prayer for our honeymoon. We really did not know much about Greece other than they have a Parthenon, a lot of history, it is the birthplace of democracy and it is in Europe. We didn’t know the language nor the food or culture. Regardless, Greece was a place we both actually agreed on and neither of us had ever been here before.
After spending our first day in Athens we flew out early in the morning on a very small plane to the island of MIlos. At that time Milos was not a touristy destination, it was just starting to become more popular but was still hard to find information on. I saw pictures of Sarakiniko Beach and decided this is where we should go.
The flight was quite choppy as there had been an earlier storm. White knuckled we landed at the smallest airport I have ever been to. We grabbed our bags while looking around for the arranged transfer to our hotel, assuming there would be someone with a sign as there was in Athens the day before. We continued out the front door following the other passengers still looking for our ride. Outside, we watched other passengers hop in cars and leave. Then it was just us. It was very remote and here we were, alone, in a foreign country, waiting for an arranged stranger to pick us up. We wandered back into the airport, not a soul there. It was as if the entire airport closed down. From the vague map I had, it looked about 10 Km to our hotel. Walking was not an option I was wishing to entertain.
Once outside again my husband reassured me our driver would be coming as the agency that booked us were well respected and it was going to be ok and to just calm down. Me, I’m having a melt down. I am not known for my patience and I hate being told to calm down! Pacing back and forth from outside the airport to inside the airport, I was getting anxious to say the least. Panic mode was brewing as all sorts of thoughts go through my head. I’m in a foreign country I do not know how to even say hello in Greek and we are all by ourselves on a remote little island that most people have never heard of. Worst of all, I was sure we would be walking to our hotel in Pollonia.
Eventually, we see a car in the distance slowly approaching. The car stops, driver gets out and says with a smile, “Griffiths?” (We were the only ones there). We affirmed and he said he would drive us to the Milos Breeze Hotel. He grabbed our bags and asked how was our flight and had we just arrived. My husband replied that our flight was a bit choppy and we arrived just a bit ago. I commented politely the plane landed as scheduled at 9:30. Our driver looked at his watch, shrugged his shoulders and said nonchalantly, “Eh, It’s still early”. It was not quite 10:00 but I guess that was close enough! He smiled and continued on. It was no big deal and a schedule didn’t mean that much. We were fine. We came to find out that this seemed to be typical in Greece. I just needed to learn to chill.
The driver drove us to our hotel while telling us a lot about the island. We listened intently as we were so intrigued by his matter of fact laid back style. He predicted within a year or two the island was going to become inundated with tourist as developers were already buying up land. He said he liked it the way it was but the tourist money was nice as well. Needless to say, we really enjoyed our ride and liked this guy!
I knew right then I was going to love this little laid back island. Little did I know though, I would come to love not only the island of MIlos, but all I have visited in Greece, and also it’s people, food and culture. I am working on learning the language and customs as I feel it is their county and I should learn to adapt. As a matter of fact, I’m even embracing Greek time!!!
I hope you enjoyed my first short story and you too can learn to relax and take life easy by following Greek time.
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If you want to read more detail about this trip you can click on the following links!!
5 Great Beaches in Milos, Sept 2018
8 Day Greece Itinerary, Sept 2018
Read more of my short stories by clicking on the following links!!
Renting a Boat in Corfu-A Short Story
A Hike Up and a Surprise Down Areopagus Hill-A Short Story
Ordering too much Greek Food-A Short Story
No Moussaka Today-A Short Story
First Taste of Greek Wine – A Short Story