We docked in Athens and began to head to our Air BnB. Yet as
soon as I got on the train, I knew something was not right. I could literally
feel the hardship that the country was experiencing. So, I prayed the
whole train ride to our AirBnB apartment. We arrived to our destination and the
surroundings look like NYC circa 1982, graffiti, polluted and suspect. The
AirBnB was nice, a small studio apartment that was perfect for our 1 night
stay. Very heavily secure with a patio gate and double locks on the apartment
doors. Yet, I was still feeling very uncomfortable in our new environment.
As I begin to settle in and connect to WiFi, immediately I
check my IG and my roomie from Ireland commented on my photos. Advising me to
check the news about Istanbul before I travel there, it was my next stop. I
began to do my research and the news was rampant with reports that there was a
terrorist attack in Istanbul. The U.S. Consulate was bombed and 2 policemen
were shot and killed. My heart sunk! I had heard so many great things about
Istanbul and for this to happen was disheartening.
If I wasn't already feeling uncomfortable, I was now
fearful. I started questioning if I should even go, what
are my options, and if my trip was gonna end so abruptly. I called my
airline to see if changing my flight was a possibility but of course the cost to
change the flight was outlandish. And It seemed like more of a hassle than anything.
I called the Hostel I was going to stay at in Istanbul just to make
sure that all was safe, and they confirmed so. I got so wrapped up in my
worrying, that I lost sight of where I was and the beauty that Athens has to
offer. My friend suggested we should head out during the day, so we can head in
early for night.Thank goodness for her because my nerves were bad!
We walk up to The Acropolis and The Parthenon. It
was nostalgic to know that once the Great Greeks walked the same corridors. I could still feel the slippery marble floors beneath my feet. Later, we walked
around Downtown to do some shopping. By now I calmed alittle
and we stopped in this Knick Knack store. I love Knick Knack stores! We got up to the register and the handsome
cashier started to make small talk with us. As he finished ringing us up, He
just simple states that we should watch our belongings because you will get
robbed. His statement was a little to definite for me, He didn’t say might or
maybe. So, I was like “Oh Hell No!I” I knew that he meant well but with that
statement I was DONE with Athens. Such a beautiful city yet I couldn’t enjoy it
because I was concerned for my Euros and my safety.
From then we decided to just grab a meal, a Mythos (Greek
beer) and headed back to the apartment. We stop at a restaurant to take a look
at a menu outside. The waiter approaches and began telling us about the
specials. As he’s chatting away, A young lady bumps into my friend and I. My
Spidey senses were already on 100! I looked back so quickly that she didn’t
even get a chance to get her little grubby hands out of my friends tote. The lady stopped
knowing that I seen her, walked up to the waiter speaking Greek and rushes into the restaurant.
Immediately walking away, my friend says "She looks like the girl that was in
the knick knack store earlier". Which only means that she was
following us for the past 10 minutes. Further confirmation, we needed to
take our asses back to the apartment.
I was scared, I was angry, I was confused and then I was
gonna go to Istanbul 1 day after a terrorist attack. Lort! In my pictures I’m
smiling but I was so bothered inside. But I knew I had to take this opportunity by
the horns, get over it and explore. As we arrive to the apartment, I was in full panic mode. Like I
felt helpless at this point and no one could take me out of it. I was in my
thoughts, in my feelings and super vulnerable. For some reason
this was really getting to me and more so I hated that I was letting it get to me. I just separated myself and went to the shower to have my moment.
This was my travel buddy's last leg of the trip. As we said our good byes, I couldn’t help but feel disappointed with Athens.
I could feel the struggle and hopelessness in the country. We were right in the mist of the financial
crisis and here I come with my cruise dress and sunglasses. It's so easy to
disconnect from things that don’t directly involve you. Until, they do! Athens is completely beautiful and I don’t regret my stay, it was MY
experience. Travel can be a bit glamorized but there are moments that just get challenging. As in life, learning how to go through those moments is what makes you untouchable.
Waiting for my flight, I just let go, prayed and prepared for my solo stay in Istanbul.
Next Stop, Black Girl in Istanbul...
