I was in a bit of a mess at this stage, as it is not easy when your cosy mat is plucked from underneath you, leaving you confused and angry, and then within a year you had to confront the fact that your child was leaving and you are now on your own. So when Ascala talked me into staying on, as I was adamant to leave, I decided that I will not be a coward, and I will face whatever this escapade brings. After that I settled down nicely, and made it my goal to befriend young Nikos. I had a long letter from Trienkie who was very happy in Holland, and that kept me happy during this time.
Then it was my first day off! Oh my! Weaponed with three bus tickets from Ascala, and written instructions from Dorah as how to get to the Acropolis, I set out full of anticipation for the Kiffisia underground station. On my way there I took note of landmarks the bus passed so that I could get back home if I get lost. It was easy to buy the train ticket, and before long I got off at Monistiraki from where I had to make my way up to the Acropolis. But first I spent some time at Plaka, where scores of interesting little shops entices you to buy. I went into a small shop selling t-shirts to buy something for my small granddaughter, and the owner, a very nice, blond man of about forty who was busy with a German couple, signed me to stay as I prepared to leave. He was very friendly, actually, too friendly, and after I bought some t-shirts, he said that he had a present for me, as he loves South Africans. He then brought out a pair of shorts about six sizes too small for my well rounded bottom. I shook my head, and he then brought out another pair, maybe a size bigger. I was beginning to feel funny, but being in a strange country I just laughed, then he told me that he will feel my hips to get the right size. I shook my head, and he then tried to pull me to the back, to fit the tiny thing on. That was when I really smelled a rat, and I told him to go jump off a mountain, at which he became very bussiness like, and put a st Christopher pendant in my hand, apologizing profusely for thinking me much smaller!
I never got to the Acropolis, as Dorah must have righted where she should have lefted, and I landed up, hot, thirsty and tired in Omonia. I tried to get instructions from dozens of people, but they just smiled and talked back in Greek! Then a well dressed middle-aged man responded in English, and he was also too friendly, and said I must go to his hotel for a drink, and he will then explain to me how to get to the Acropolis! Golly, the thought of me, a forty seven year old granny having two men coming on to me in one day was preposterous and funny, and I burst out laughing, sending the man off in a huff! So I looked for the trainstation and took the train back to Kiffisia. Where I got thoroughly lost again!