Not having had internet connection and lack of camera use for the past several days, this blog post will be rather long and without pictures. Sorry!!!
Unlike what is usually the case, I woke up Monday feeling anxious instead of being groggy. Yet, the excitement of leaving the country only culminated when O’Hare first came into view. The morning was peaceful enough. Having prepared for the trip since I returned home from school, there was not much left to do. Yet, as I was about to have my luggage checked, the Virgin Atlantic register at check-in warned me that I possibly might not be able to enter greece without an itinerary from AIFS. Reason being, I needed to present proof to Greek customs that I only intend on staying a few days. This was news to the family, even though my mother was a frequent flyer. I didn’t buy a round trip ticket, meaning that to the distant observer, I might very well be moving to Greece without proof of me leaving the country within the week. Nevertheless, Theresa, my AIFS program coordinator, managed to send a copy of the itinerary to Virgin, whom proceeded to give the fax to me for presentation at Athens airport.*
Mom almost burst into tears then and did so again at the security checkpoint, where we split ways. She probably did have after I turned around. I can hardly be more grateful to anybody else in the world. Dad was doing okay though, though I'll miss him too. Having said that, I couldn't have been more ready to get on that plane! Without grabbing a bite or a even a weekly I headed straight for my gate. I got there about a half hour early. I had to meet with a Virgin manager, whom had my itinerary, so I didn't get anything to eat.
However I ate fairly well on board. It may have been just as well that I struggled at checking, for they bumped me up to premium economy! While I cannot compare Virgin Atlantic’s economy (standard) with its premium, my situation is much more comfortable than any seating I have ever had on United, American or Southwest. I hardly remember my other long flights to Hawaii and London, though I have the feeling that this very well may be the first time I’ve flown business, or comfortably even. Pity that I didn’t have my camera out in time for supper; it was airline food, but it’s as good of a meal as I have ever had on a flight. I chose pasta, which came with a small salmon salad as a starter, and a small bottle of red wine to enjoy. Much better than Southwest Peanuts!
In flight I supposed that it would do me well to reflect upon possible thesis ideas and read through Foucault's lectures on the importance of free speech. I found his observations on the nature of truth telling to be fascinating, or what he calls
parrhesiatic acts. He spends well over fifteen pages ruminating on what it is to be
parrhesiatic. In short, to be
parrhesiatic is to express one's true opinion at a risk palpable to them. The act of whistle blowing is a perfect example of this, and Bradley Manning probably provides the best contemporary example of what it is to be
parrhesiatic.
It is notable that Foucault believes that this act of frank speech is what forms the cornerstone of free speech in the West, a value that seems to be championed above almost all other democratic values. Yet, the act of whistle blowing remains almost as dangerous as ever. It makes one consider how far we’ve actually come: while whistle blowers today won’t lose their heads as Plato almost lost his they still act at the risk of their livelihoods. After reading enough Foucault for the day and having glossed over the airline catalog, I listened to Lang Lang through Virgin's media interface and fell asleep.
I spent a bit of time at Heathrow walking around and waiting impatiently for my next flight. My flight on Aegean Airlines was nowhere near as comfortable as my Virgin flight, but to be fair, I did fly economy instead.
My experience at Athens airport was a little hectic. I was both tired and hungry, and look more like a clueless tourist for it. I thought I had lost my camera on the plane, which was concealed to me in my carry-on until after the ordeal of trying to find it at the airport. After being given vague directions to the "lost and found", the security guard insisted that I would be guided by her at the terminal until I returned to the airport lobby. I must have really looked like a stupid American to them (or tourist)!
It was 6 pm yesterday when finally I settled in Athens at the Acropolis Select Hotel. This day felt even longer than yesterday, probably because I kept falling asleep for short periods on my flights. I got about two and a half hours of rest in my Virgin flight, and about three on my way to Athens. I didn’t eat much either. I had a piece of Quiche and some mushrooms for breakfast, but I’ve only had a frappe latte since then. I walked around Plaka with my roommate, Evid, looking for a bite to eat. Being hungry, I found almost everything a saw looking delectable, but had no desire to eat anything. I'll blame that on jet lag.
Anyway, Plaka, aka the "neighborhood of the Gods" is in the vicinity of the Acropolis, which was in view much of the time. I learned that Farilou street, which goes Plata and my hotel, is also one of the oldest streets in Athens; almost as old as the city itself! The open shops in the narrow streets were also nice and quaint, but the shop keepers are a little annoying because they sell hard. I hear there more like that in Turkey ...guess I better get used to it.
My hotel room is small, but very comfortable for the both of us. The television has a nice picture and an English news program, which is more than enough for me to zone out with. What I liked most about the room was how one of our key-cards was needed to power the lights and television. It looks like a great way for the hotel to save energy. Meanwhile, the elevator was built for my 5‘3” frame! Even I barely fitted in with my luggage. Breakfast was great though.
I'll add more to this post later... gtg!
*They didn't ask for my itinerary at the Greek border. Can't complain too much, of course. That said, Theresa and the Virgin staff were remarkable and I cannot thank them enough for their outstanding work and service.
