Day 1: Dallas -> Frankfurt -> Athens

Well, I finally managed to get everything done, closed up my house, office, and life in Dallas for a while and begin my journey. It is a big undertaking to prepare to be gone for a month: there's all the financial and logistical prep required to make certain Michael, Inc., keeps rolling and paying the bills even when I'm gone, then getting everything settled at work, and finally, actually preparing to see the places I'm going. Unfortunately, I was so consumed with getting ready to leave, I didn't really feel any excitement or anticipation until toward the end of this last week when I began to see an end in sight. Further complicating matters, I had an unusual bout of anxiety over the last two weeks or so.

Before I go any further, I want to especially thank my employer, Salesmanship Club, for allowing me this much-needed mini-sabbatical. [Personally, I've come to think of it as my little equivalent to maternity leave...except I give birth to a much refreshed and culturally-expanded me.] Thank you also to my work colleagues, church community, dear friends, and family for your patience with my frenetic, anxious, and unfocused demeanor for this last month or so. If it helps in your mind to expand this 'month' to the last decade, more or less, you should feel free to do that, too. I have leaned on you too much at times, but am so thankful to have you in my life. How do people "do life" in isolation? For all my neuroses, life would be so much worse without being surrounded by those who know and love me...or are master thespians.




OK, enough of that and back to my travels. In October of 2009 my work BFF (and travel companion to Banff, Canada, November 2010), Welby Pinney, made me aware of a "miles amassing opportunity" with the soon-to-be-merged Continental and United Airlines. The scam completely-legal-but-highly-involved project required me, over the course of a year, to open a number of Chase Bank accounts, credit and debit cards, make a number of transactions, and then once Continental and United made it possible in February 2011, merging the accumulated miles into one account. Besides the time and attention to detail it took, the entire effort only cost me $60 for one year of credit card fees...which I eventually got back, as you'll see. When it was all said and done, I had accumulated 120,000 Continental Airlines miles, more than enough to fly First Class on Lufthansa from Dallas to Athens and then an economy return to Dallas from Tel Aviv, both via Frankfurt. By redeeming these miles through the Star Alliance program, I was only required to pay the taxes on my flights, totally $116. And because I paid that charge using the $60 credit card I mentioned, my bag fees of $75 were waived. Although finding good deals is no unusual for me, this was definitely one of my better scores.




Because I don't fly first class that often...if ever, I was more than a little excited. But at the same time, I wanted to keep my cool and avoid declaring to the world , "OH MY GOODNESS!! THEY'VE GIVEN ME HOT NUTS!" That being said, I do still enjoy a bit of quiet reveling.

The flight to Frankfurt on Lufthansa was luxurious! What a great way to begin a vacation. As this was an overnight flight, one of the perks was the 180° recline on the seat to become a bed, fully 2 meters long. Before going to sleep, however, I had an awesome meal, beginning with cavier and crostini. And of course, now that I don't drink alcohol, I'm a free booze magnet. Regardless, the meals have been fantastic. Where else but on European flights do they serve sushi with your scrambled eggs and croissant?







I arrived in Frankfurt at 9:15AM local time (2:15AM, Dallas time). While I'd been scheduled for a 2:30PM flight to Athens, I noticed on the monitor the 9:10AM was delayed until 10:10AM. Score! I hustled to the Lufthansa Customer Service station - using the super-convenient First Class HOV lane - and after about three vünderbahs Helga scored me a seat on the earlier flight to Athens...and more importantly, made certain to have my checked luggage come out first in Athens! Vündabah indeed, Helga!

Well, I've finally arrived at my hotel in Athens, having had a few minutes to finish this blog on the metro. Now, I have just enough time to see the Acropolis Museum!

Location:Athens, Greece