Though I had a wonderful day at the Sea Turtle Protection
Society, the next few days in Greece were like a fairytale and a wonderful
introduction into the Greek Culture.
Thanks to Sal, a family friend from ISE, we were recommended
to connect with his friend Andreas. Unsure of what to expect, my mom called him
up to see if he had any recommendations of unusual things to do in Athens.
Having been here already, and knowing my family, we were looking for an off the
beaten path experience of Greece that would really show its true colors.
Andreas graciously asked us to visit
his office that morning and he would see what he could brainstorm.
My mother, friend Lindsay (from Baylor University) and I conveniently
walked across the street to his building and up a few flights to his office.
Apparently, Andreas is the President of the Greek Passenger Shipowners Association,
has owned many ships in his day, and may be the most famous person I have ever
met. It was clear by his office that he is successful, well educated, well
traveled, and most of all, well liked… and I can see why.
Andreas might be one of the most kind, welcoming, and again,
for lack of a better term, gracious, people I have ever met. Around the age of
my grandfather, he has lived a full, rich, life and has so much to share! He
asked the three of us what we would like to do that day-though we were in such
awe, we sort of stumbled and said we didn’t know- but his kind eyes saw right
through us. He asked me if I knew how to sail, and when I said no, he said “Oh,
ok then! I teach you to sail. I send you to the sailing academy for the day,
eh?”
So off to the Sailing Academy we went. Andreas unfortunately
still had to work that day, so he sent us with his favorite driver, and dear
friend, Emmanuel who took us all the way to Marathon to the Sailing club. The
road to Marathon is through a climate I have never seen before with dry
vegetation and lots of olive trees. The road was windy, and a bit treacherous
at times, but Emmanuel skillfully avoided the edge of cliffs and show us the
beautiful scenery as we made our way to the other city. Though it was a pretty
drive, I couldn’t imagine running the way we came. Marathon is where the
lookout ran 26.1 miles (the length of a marathon in the States) to warn the
Greeks about Troy. The little trip inspired me to go back home and refresh my
memory by watch the Brad Pitt blockbuster because I couldn’t remember all of
the names in history.
Arriving at the Sailing Academy we were treated extremely
well, because it turns out Andreas is the President of that too- though such a
humble man, you would never know it. The winds were high, so no one was out
sailing or windsurfing, so we had a bit of lunch at the club in hopes the
weather would be calmer in an hour. We were extremely lucky because the wind
died down just enough for us to hop in a catamaran with two instructors,
teaching us how to sail. I have been on boats before, and of course kayaked,
but never one where I was told to move the sails, pull the ropes, and steer. My
usual choice of boating style is to lay and soak up the sun’s rays, but that
would have near impossible to do with the wind. Sitting on the edge of my seat,
I held on for dear life as wind whipped across my face with salty sea spray
dousing my face with water every few minutes. Apparently the wind conditions
were so high they usually wouldn’t take beginners out, but I suppose Andreas
explained that we were troopers, and we made it out. On the seas we saw a rare
loggerhead sea turtle! Our instructors that in all 4 years they had been
working there they had never been fortunate enough to see one. I was just glad
that even though Lindsay and I were steering and managing the sails we were
able to avoid it! It would have been an extremely sad and awkward phone call to
Archelon if we had to report an injured sea turtle.
After learning about up winds and down winds, we came back
ashore as “accomplished sea women,” ready for the rest of the day. Emmanuel was
taking us to Andreas’ house where we would stay until he got off work for
dinner at a local Greek restaurant. A little worn out from the sailing lesson,
his house was a welcomed rest stop in the middle of the afternoon. Andreas’
house is on top of a major hill (mountain?) in Athens. I would say it’s
Acropolis style, but without the stone ruins and a bit more greenery around.
His house is absolutely beautiful, complete with a pool that we were permitted
to swim in and a great view of all of Athens. We spent the afternoon swimming,
napping in the sun, and eating some afternoon snacks that had been expertly
prepared before our arrival. It was the perfect afternoon.
When Andreas’ came back we were excited to ask him all about
his home and his life. He explained that his three daughters were all grown up
and his wife was visiting one of his daughters who lives in London now, so for
the time being it was just him, his three dogs I fell in love with (Margarita
and Oscar) and his chickens. He gave us a tour of the house and right before
dinner we headed to the roof of his house to watch the sunset behind a mountain
over Athens. Again, I can’t over emphasize how amazing this day was- especially
being able to see such a spectacular view of Athens from above.
Andreas snuck us all into his car and took us to dinner at a
local Greek restaurant near the real Acropolis. I can see why he may have
Emmanuel as his driver sometimes because Andreas would give Nascar drivers a
run for their money. Speeding down the highway as if we were on the autobahn,
driving down pedestrian streets (tactfully avoiding tourists, so he has clearly
done this before), and dodging cars as he swings up one way streets, we finally
arrived at the restaurant. As I mentioned earlier, Andreas is famous- everyone knew him. He was receiving hugs at each
encounter and heads turned by each person we passed.
Dinner was phenomenal with grilled lamb, fried zucchini
balls, tzatziki sauce, and Greek salad. For desert we had Greek yogurt, with
honey drizzled on top, and fruit. The meal was divine, and the conversation was
even better. Andreas learned that I was on the Board of Trustees of Semester at
Sea and immediately wanted to help explain the shipping industry to me. His
company actually sold the MV Explorer to Semester at Sea, so he told me all
about that and much more. I can’t thank him enough, because now I feel I will
have a little bit less of learning curve the next time I go to a board meeting.
The evening ended with another Andreas Excursion through the streets where he dropped us off back at the ship. He told us to meet the next day at his office at 7:20am because he had another adventure planned for us- but it was a mystery. With such an amazing day, we didn’t think it could be topped… but we sure weren’t going to miss finding out!
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