Greece, the Prologue

Why, you may ask, is this merely a prologue to Greece? Shouldn't I already be there, making this Part I?

Every now and then a real doozie of a travel story comes along. This is mine:

Saying good-bye to my mother in the airport in Oakland, I got through security without a single problem. The flight to Chicago went smoothly, we landed on time, and I marvelled at how well my first time flying alone was going.

I spoke too soon.

Just as I was starting to move towards the gate for boarding, an announcement came over the system. It said something to the effect of, "The flight to Dulles is being delayed due to weather in the midwest. We apologize for any inconvenience." The announcement went on to say that it wasn't just a slight delay, it was two and a half hours. Once I got to Dulles, this left me just an hour and fifteen minutes to make the connection.

My first stop was Iberia, to let them know I was coming. I got blank stares, but thought little of it--I had to recheck my baggage, and do it fast. Fortunately, Aunt Faith, a long-time family friend who lives in the area, surprised me there to greet me and help me get my bags and get to the ticket counter. I became incredibly grateful for this, and you'll see why.

We got to the Iberia counter 50 minutes before the flight, and there was still one agent there. However, he said stubbornly, "We're closed. The flight's closed. Southwest was late; it's their problem." It didn't matter if we addressed him in English or in Spanish, his native tongue--he set the closed sign on the counter, and left us there.

If it weren't for Faith, I probably would have given up right there. Fortunately, she was there and took me to the Southwest counter, where an incredibly kind Southwest baggage office supervisor, Wanda Cox, got on the phone and did everything in her power to get me out of there. The poor woman grew increasingly agitated as Iberia essentially gave her a brick wall.

She was determined, though, and emerged with a flight for this evening, giving me her cell number and saying with grim determination, "And if Iberia gives you any more trouble, call me." I was blown away by this beautiful display of good customer service, as opposed to Iberia. I found out later, as a bit of a slap in the face, that my flight had taken off six minutes early, as if out of spite.

Faith generously decided to take me in for the intervening time, and it was actually nice to have an excuse to catch up with her, Uncle Ken, and Katie. I had been very sad when they moved away from California some time ago, but once I saw the gorgeous forest they live in now, with a pond out back, I was glad the move had treated them so well. It was so green, greener than anything in California this time of year, and incredibly peaceful.

To go see Katie at her academy, Uncle Ken drove me through the beautiful Shenandoah Valley yesterday afternoon. I had read about it in books before, but books don't give a good impression of the particular way the clouds sweep over the open sky, the mountains gleam with a blue haze, or the land sweep out in incredible. . . green-ness. I know that's not a word, but it's the best one I can come up with to describe it. It was neat to catch up with Ken after all this time. Katie's academy was made up of lovely red-brick buildings with white columns, very lovely. Seeing her, talking with her again, was wonderful.

Today I write from Heritage Academy, where Faith is working. Wandering around a school this size has been very cool and enlightening in its own way. One side of this building could probably fit two or three PHAAs in it, and all the hallways are lined with gleaming red lockers. I have been listening to Spanish teachers putting together a curriculum, which has also been good for getting back some of the Spanish I've lost over the year, unfortunately.

Hopefully, the next time I write to you, I will actually be in Greece. Please pray that Iberia does not shaft me again, and I actually make it there. Spending this time in Virginia has been really nice and quite relaxing, but I do wish to get to Greece at some point. Sooner rather than later, as I have already missed a day of class, and will miss another before I get there, if I get there. This I accept as a part of life's adventure, and will just take it as it comes. No use stressing out about what I can't control, and stress is counterproductive, anyway. To that end, I wish all of you a wonderful, stress-less summer, and hope to write to you again soon. . . from Greece.