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A month ago, I got back home after completing a major bucket list item:  I went to Greece to celebrate my 75th birthday.  Yes, I had a spectacular time overall and will never forget the people I met and the places I saw.  

Of my dozen-plus international trips, Greece was the hardest. They say fear is a warning that should not be ignored. Fortunately, I heeded this wise advice before I ventured out. I believe if I hadn’t, I would have suffered dire consequences such as an anxiety attack and needing medical attention in a foreign country.  I had so looked forward to the 14-day tour of Athens and the heart of Greece offered by Rick Steves.  I have used his books and travel advice for many of my overseas adventures.  Fear was not going to stop me.

Before taking effective action underlying the causes of my distress,  I had to come to awareness and acceptance of what caused my anxiety.  I identified these five adversities: Covid and restrictions, the Ukrainian war, leaving friends and family members who have challenges, technology, and age.

  1. Covid and various restrictions — I decided I would not let this disease continue to interrupt my life — after all, I was soon to be 75-years-old. I would wear masks and show vaccination proof wherever required. I would do what I had to do to get a 24-hour test before the tour commenced. 
  2. Ukrainian war —I contacted the tour office about my Ukrainian war concern. They responded they were observing the situation and would immediately cancel the tour if harm was imminent.  They also advised me Ukraine is over 1,000 miles from Greece.  
  3. Friends and family members — I decided to be available if need be via an international phone plan that cost me $100.
  4. Technology is an inherent challenge that every baby boomer I know has. But, it is what it is — after all, I learned to type on a manual typewriter! So, I would do the best I could and not berate myself.
  5. My most pressing angst was acknowledging that this ol’ gal is slowing down, and the world is speeding up! Big airports, foreign languages, and digital dilemmas scare the bejeebers out of me.

The central taproot of my distress was grounded in the four planes and airports I would enter and exit to reach Athens, Greece, from my small community in Western Colorado and the return journey. All of this travel would take about 24 hours each way.  Below are tips and tricks I took to ensure I safely steered on this incredible journey and other sage advice attained during my travels to and from this ancient land. Also, I have included travel suggestions offered by two of my friends who ventured forth to various parts of this country while I was abroad.  

TSA Precheck

Frankly, I am tired of getting frisked by agents. I don’t know what triggers their concern that this boney gray-haired grandma might blow up a plane. Fortunately, I applied for a TSA Precheck weeks before leaving because processing can take a while.  The drawback to TSA Precheck is that it only applies to US airports. Thankfully, the TSA agents in the foreign airports I went through did not feel the need to paw me. 

Wheelchair

Ordering a wheelchair for me was the hardest thing — but most valuable — I did for myself. Although I can walk, I was concerned about getting to my connecting flights, particularly in countries where I do not know the language. In addition, it seems that airports reproduce parts of themselves daily and change the location of other components. I didn’t know whether or not I should tip the person pushing the wheelchair, so I looked online and found it customary in most countries. So I carried Euros and dollars with me for the tips. 

Besides having a person know where to take you to get to your next flight, people in wheelchairs do not have to wait to board a flight in the customary long, long lines.  The airport employees know where the restrooms are and will even park the chair outside a bathroom and wait for you to return.

Seat Location

I love sitting next to a window and watching the world.  But, on flights lasting more than a couple of hours, the window seat requires you to scoot past those sitting next to you in the row whenever you need to vacate your seat. The longest flight I had on this trip was nine hours. A window seat assignment meant me awkwardly climbing over people three times during the flight to use the restroom. An aisle seat eliminated this problem.

Business Economy Class

Although it cost me more money, it was worth it not to be in coach because there are fewer people and fewer rows of seats in business economy class.  

Flight Entertainment

I use Kindle on my phone to read books.  It is easier than lugging a Kindle or books with you.

Unfortunately, I never figured out how to watch movies during the flights. How to watch films is one of the significant technological changes made since my last international flight five years ago. Frankly, the flight attendants were so busy I did not have an opportunity to ask them.  I tried looking up the information on my airline’s website (United) but found no information. 

Technology

Everything is done on a smartphone, from checking in to going through customs.  I have one of the newer Apple models, so I had no problem. I did pack the charger with me along with a recharger.  In my carry-on, I keep a file folder with printed copies of all flight information, hotels, travel insurance, etc., as a security backup.

Ground Transportation

I was concerned for my safety using taxis, Uber, and subways getting to and from the Athens airport. So, I contacted the hotel desk where I was staying to arrange transportation for me. Of course, it was more expensive, but I felt safe since the hotel routinely worked with these companies.

No Check-In Luggage

I have used one carry-on suitcase and one tote bag for all of my international travels.  Over the years, it has saved me numerous troubles because I always have my things with me and don’t have to go to baggage claim.  The longest I have packed for is 21 days. On this trip, I packed for 17.  I brought: Three pairs of black pull-on pants and a pair of jeans,  five knit tops, ten pairs of panties, three bras, a down vest, a rain jacket with a hood,  a scarf,  two pairs of inexpensive earrings, a vest with inside pockets, light-weight flannel pajamas, two pairs of black sturdy shoes, sandals, a straw hat, mittens, and a stocking cap. At one of the hotels where we stayed two nights, I washed my underwear the first night, using the hotel’s soap bar, so my clothes had time to dry. After washing them, I hung them wherever I could in the room. In the future, I will include a pair of long johns for warmth if needed and to sleep in towards the end of the trip. Also,  I will include a knee brace, which I have used occasionally over the years. It snowed in Greece one day. I wore several of my shirts for layers under the vest and rain jacket. Fortunately, I checked the weather before going. The forecast did not predict the snow but did show colder weather than I expected in Greece.

Food

I pack a bag of trail mix, Starbucks instant coffee, instant oatmeal, and hot chocolate. I was fed well on these international flights and did not need any of this food.  Only a few of the hotels had hot water available in the room. When it was, I joyfully started my day with a cup of Joe. 

Travel Ideas From My Friends

I thanked my lucky stars when I heard about their flying woes. I would have been sunk for sure if I had experienced delayed or canceled flights as they did. Technology was a challenge for both of them. One friend thought she would do better if she could talk to the airline desk. She waited and waited in the long line. In the end, she would have been better off using the technology on the phone. The other friend who experienced something similar stressed the importance of flexibility, deep breaths, patience, and humor.  

Tips: pack tortilla roll-ups to skip crowded airport restaurants, recheck status, scarves for warmth and change the look of your apparel, two pairs of shoes, a clothespin for those drapes that don’t really close, and a gallon bag to wash clothes in, using a soap leaf.  

Copyright – Elizabeth J. Wheeler, May 4,  2022

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