Return to Greece and Easter 2012
By Helen Grubner. Filed in Uncategorized |
Anna – Family Matriarch
Thursday, 12 April 2012 … out of bed at 0530 hours with many last minute chores still to complete before departing once again for Greece. Picked up my mum, meeting Dave and Kayla at The Yellow House for coffee etc, then leaving home in a taxi to meet up once again at Wanganui Airport. Luggage checked through all the way to Athens (a little scary – would I ever see my trolley case again) … sad farewells then airborne, on time at 1245 hours, bound for Auckland. The usual catch up over a bottle of wine with my dear friend Vivienne, before boarding the A380-800 which would take me all the way to Dubai, via Sydney.
On this first sector, the worst crew I have ever struck travelling with Emirates … no sense of urgency for anything and very poor service. At drinks trolley time, I indicated I was waiting for a nice cup of tea. At meal tray clearing time, I asked again “Would there be tea and coffee?” The reply “If there is time”. “Okay, if there is not could I please have a glass of water”. Half an hour later I had to ask again for a glass of water.
On such journeys, it is always interesting observing human behaviours. I had conversed with Viv about who one might get in the adjoining seat … on this first leg it was a continually sniffing, occasional knuckle clicking male! I also realised that Row 66 was much too close to a toilet (I won’t make the same mistake again). As we touched down in Sydney, I remembered that I had forgotten one very important chore … I had not changed the messages on my answerphone at home, or on mobile, or at work! All in all, it had not been a memorable sector … if I had been flying Emirates for the first time, I would not choose them again.
Sitting in an airport, going nowhere, can be incredibly frustrating and needs much patience. 12 hours after leaving my home, we were still on the tarmac in Sydney. Finally airborne, it would be 14 hours and 20 minutes flying time to Dubai … the secret to this length of journey – don’t worry, don’t stress, relax, relax, relax! The two blokes sitting next to me were not a problem … with minimal conversation, I made myself as comfortable as I could and dozed as much as possible. Once in Dubai, a minor shopping spree then spent the last of my Dirham on a coffee to die for. On the flight to Athens, I realised that although tired, under the circumstances, I was actually feeling pretty much okay and I had two seats to myself. With mainly Greeks on board, I was feeling at home.
Any apprehension I had felt about potentially not seeing my trolley case again proved to be unfounded … it was on the carousel for me to collect. It would be a long 5 hour wait in Athens on a cloudy, cool day. At last, the 1900 hours departure for the short flight to Hania on Crete … a taxi to Antonia’s home, arriving 2030 hours (0530 hours Saturday NZ time – 48 hours from rising, 42 hours from leaving my home). Being Good Friday in the Greek Orthodox calendar, Antonia was at church – Vassiles would let me in. A Green Tea and into bed – I would catch up with Antonia in the morning. Freshly squeezed orange juice at breakfast, the fruit from their own trees. It had been raining overnight, the day was overcast but mild … I was feeling cold, however, and still very tired. A day of rest, interrupted only to organise myself, partake of lunch and be re-introduced to the wonderful wine.
At 2330 hours on Holy Saturday, Antonia and I, carrying unlit candles, walked on what was a very cold night to a church nearby for late night Mass and the celebration of the Anastisi (the Resurrection of Christ). When the clock struck midnight, the priest announced “Christos Anesti” (Christ Has Risen) followed by all the worshipers lighting their candles from the church’s Holy Flame … with church bells ringing and fireworks all around. When we returned home, Antonia made a sign of the cross on the house threshold with the soot from the burning candle, to protect the home and it’s inhabitants during the coming year. A feast meal with daughter Mary, son-in-law Vagilles and grandsons Constantinos and Vassiles was to follow – including the traditional soup Mayiritsa (containing lamb or goat intestines) … not for me!
Easter Sunday morning , feeling human again at last, Antonia drove me to the newly refurbished Bus Station in time to catch the 1000 hours coach to Kastelli – not running today and therefore, a wait until 1100 hours, arriving in Kastelli at noon. In Greece, Easter Sunday is a festive day, rejoicing with family and friends. The traditional meal of roast lamb, symbolizing Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, was already turning on the spit. The meal was followed by the cracking of red dyed eggs, known as Tsougrisma. Cracking our eggs against one another’s, whoever ends up with an unblemished egg is deemed the lucky one.
Life here in my Cretan home, as always, is wonderful!
Tuesday, April 17th 2012 at 6:08 am |
Hello there my wee Kiwi/Greek friend.
Well one wouldn’t have wanted to be dying of thirst flying Emirates hah! Just as well you had the wine at Auckland Airport haha. A shame really as you have always sung their praises in past trips. Loved the knuckle cracking dude haha what a pain.
Pleased that you eventually arrived after a long wait on the Sydney tarmac and that you were able to retrieve your trolley case without any hassles. Nothing worse than being stranded with no clothes, been there, seen that and done that many years ago.
Lovely weather here in the Rivercity Helen. Crisp mornings and evenings, but hey one can tolerate that for the lovely days of sunshine.
Well you haven’t been away too long for anything exciting to happen here, however nothing will compare to your trip to the Greek Islands and as always looking forward to following your posts Helen. Enjoy your stay with your ‘Greek Family’ and safe travels.
Your friend
Phyl x