Monday, June 27, 2011 - back in Athens, Greece!

We left the island of Aegina this morning by taking the ferry back to Athens.  After checking back into our hotel room, we all walked down to the Greece Fulbright office where I then was escorted by taxi to the American Embassy to start my passport paperwork.  After being dropped off, the adventure started.  First it was finding the correct door.  Then it was going through sercuity.  I was not allowed to bring an electronics in to the embassy and when I asked to take my water bottle, I was told I could, but I first had to drink a sip of it in front of them.  After I didn't die from the sip, I was allowed through.  I found the correct area and took a number and then after a quick 5-10 minute wait, I was called up.

The outside of the embassy.  Not sure if this is the front, back, or one of the sides.  No doubt it is relatively unmarked for a variety of reasons.  I really wish this wasn't a picture I ended up with on this trip.  I'll be more than glad to never see the American Embassy in other country in future travels.

I was given two pieces of paper to fill out and incorrectly thought to myself "this might be easier than I thought," but then they asked for my passport photos.  No one had mentioned getting new ones and it never crossed my mind.  When I explained that I didn't have any, they told me to go get two and come back.  I explained that I had no idea where to go and the embassy worker said "Go and behind the embassy to the photo shop."  Now, the embassy is a large, square building surrounded by streets and I didn't know where "behind" was or what I was looking for.  I asked for clarification and the same sentence was repeated to me.  (I found that that there was a passport photo place in the embassy, but it had closed at noon!) 

I headed out the door back through security and finally found a guard there who could give me some vague directions and I started out.  I thankfully found two English-speaking Greek store owners who got me to the photo-shop which was about a 1/4 mile away. The guys at the photo shop were super fast and helpful and I took advantage of the picture printing time to fill out my paperwork.  Once I received my pictures and paid for them, I sat down to quick finish the pictures when one of the photo shop workers says to me "Miss....you need to hurry.  The embassy closes at 1:00.  You have just 5-10 minutes."

Needless to say, I stuffed everything in my backpack and ran all the way back to the embassy.  Yes, ran.  And in my new sandals.  AND uphill!  No joke!  By the time I got to security, I was sweating like a pig!  They got me through fairly fast (I left the water bottle behind so I didn't have to do the sip test!) and ran back into the building.  When I got to the guy at the window, I couldn't even see him because of the sweat in my eyes.  I gave him the photos, he told me what I had to pay the cashier, and then I confirmed that they were going to get me the passport today, even though they were closing in 2 minutes.  (Yes, I had just two minutes to spare!)  He assured me yes, and I finally took my first normal breathe of the morning.

About a half hour, and $140, later I had this precious baby in my hands.

I couldn't resist posing for a self-portrait with "my precious" when I got back to my hotel room.

The good news is that when I get back to the states, I can apply for this to be a new passport (it's considered an emergency passport good for 9 months) and I won't have to pay any more money.  The other good news was that I saw the new style passport at the beginning of the trip and lamented that I wanted one and, go figure, I got what I "wished" for.  (That'll teach me!)

I then rushed back by taxi to the Fulbright office where I had missed our last wrap up session, educational seminar, and lunch.  However, I did get to participate in meeting with Ann Stock, Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs , who was traveling here in Athens with Jill Biden, the Vice President's wife, to participate in the open ceremonies for the Special Olympics.  We enjoyed talking to her about the many opportunities available to educators, scholars, and researchers through the Fulbright program as well as sharing with her the amazing experience we've had our first two weeks of the trip.  

From left to right:  Thomas Miller (we were at his house for the reception last week), Nikos (educational director for Fulbright in Greece), Artimetis (Director of Greece Fulbright), Katie (teacher from Massachusetts), and Ann Stock

I spent the later part of the afternoon doing some walking and window shopping with a few friends followed by a wonderful last dinner in Greece.  Now I need to head upstairs to me room and attempt to back into one suitcase so I don't have to pay any luggage fees.  Our flight tomorrow from Athens to Istanbul was supposed to be at 10:30 am, with a later connecting flight to Ankara (the modern-day capital of Turkey), but the air-traffic controllers (and many other workers) are having a planned strike on Tuesday and Wednesday from 8:00 - 12:00.  Our Fulbright hosts here in Greece worked with our travel agents and Turkish Airlines pushed the flight back to 1:30 in the afternoon.  We will still be getting to the airport by 8:00 am in order to avoid any traffic delays that the protests in the Constitution Square (which is right outside our hotel and across from the Parliament building).  It'll no doubt be a long waiting and more waiting day, but we are all excited to start the leg of our adventure in Turkey!

Despite my recent issues with the passport and stolen wallet here in Athens, it has not left a sore taste in my mouth at all for this beautiful country, the people, and the sites I was able to see, hear, and experience. 

Until next time...from Turkey,
Miss R :-)