First Hours in Athens

Voula picked me up from the airport, which was really nice of her. I've learned from my book about Greeks to not thank her too much – I don't want to remove the obligation I'd have to do the same thing by being too grateful. Got it. The new airport is closer to Glyka Nera than the old one, so I got a (pleasantly) shorter car trip than I thought I would. It's interesting to see how the neighborhood has changed since 1993; this was a pretty new development then, no trees, no pavement. Now there are real streets, some with trees. The corners are a flashier version of what I remember with a few more global brands; sort of late '90s era glass and steel streetcorner buildings.

Greece so far is a funny mix of Europe and the middle east: civil servants at the airport were noticeably less hostile than in places I've been in Africa, but I've just finished reading a Brit's book about moving to Athens, and am chock full of stories of local favors, bribes, toadyism and etc, so I think I'm wary of thinking I'm in Europe. If Europe is typified by, say the Dutch, then I'm definitely not in Europe.

All this makes me wonder what Europe really is. People have been thinking hard about this for a long time, and intensely since Turkey has asked to join the EU. I didn't really care very much about the stories I read on this at the time, but being here makes me think the question is more relevant to me than I'd expected.

Papouli is pretty old, moving slowly. He's now 84. I'd say Yaya seems in much better shape for her age, although Papou might have a few years on her, I'll have to ask dad. He loved seeing videos of the girls, I wish that I'd brought more. Perhaps we can send him some later; I could also download that youtube one of the kids that I've got.

He pointed at Olivia and said "you were in your mother's tummy last time I saw you!" It was very endearing. I talked to Aris and will see him sometime in the next few days, hopefully to go out with him. That should be fun – Athens with my uncle Aris. I can't wait. Resolved – no complete drunkenness.