God Bless Athens

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...