Travel days are usually our most challenging and today was no exception. We needed to return the Centauro rental car to their off- airport location, handle any issues typical of discount car rental agencies, get to the airport and fly to Athens. Then on to the train station for the trip to Piraeus, find the ship and board, timing is everything.
Working backward I calculated that we needed to leave the hotel by 6am to have all the pieces fall into line. We get out on time and arrive at Centauro as scheduled, perfect….except the office looks a little dark, CLOSED!?! It wouldn’t open until 7am.
In these situations, I have learned, to remain extra calm as Terri will pick-up on any of my anxieties and they will be amplified in her. I reminded her that all will be fine, we are dealing with 1st world problems, let’s control what we can and not worry about what we can’t, (she did get a few extra steps in pacing near the car).
Luckily, Centauro opened promptly at 7am, quickly checked our car and got us to the airport. We hustled through and caught our flight as planned, whew.
The train ride to Piraeus was a little over an hour and appeared to be much simpler than the subway and much cheaper than a taxi, one-way train ride for us pensioners was €4.50 each.
I thought it was a straight through train ride to Piraeus and the onboard train route diagram indicated Piraeus as the last stop, but with two stops to go, everyone else disembarked the train, unusual, I thought. Terri growing more concerned asked me, again, “are you sure this train is going to Piraeus?,” yes I semi-confidently reassured her. After a minute, someone came aboard and started motioning and voicing to us to hurriedly get off the train….startled, we grabbed our bags and hustled off the train. Then we saw someone else with wild hand gestures trying to get us to board another train, racing to beat the automatic doors, we snuck through, and thankfully, two stops later, we arrived in Piraeus. A short taxi ride and we were at the ship, Voyager of the Seas.
Ahead of us is 9 nights of cruising, 7 ports of call and many new friends to make. Tomorrow, Mykonos.
Europe Detour 
Imagine Tony in that same situation —bwaaahhhaaahhaaa…..
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In Terris defense, I would be stressed if that happened to me too…..and so would Rob!! He’d probably freak worse than me….lol Glad you made it tho and all is well.
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Your writing brings it alive haha… I can picture the whole thing and my sphincter is registering the travel anxiety. In a few years you’ll have me soiling my undies! :0)
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