I woke up in the morning and wasn't in any rush. My flight wasn't until 5 pm but George was heading out so we left the house at 11 am. I figured I'd go in search of breakfast before hanging out in a coffee shop til it was time to head to the airport. Chelsea said she'd join me so off we went to find Starbucks cause they always have wifi. She offered to carry my little backpack since I was carrying my huge pack and all my stuff cause I was heading to the airport and she only had her purse cause she was staying for the day.
I figured it would be better to find a Starbucks on my route to the airport rather then back tracking to the one we already knew so we headed in the general city center direction and got off at Omonia square. We walked around the circle twice trying to find one, asked a few locals when a nice man who was from Canada but now lives there pointed us inthe direction. Before leaving he told us to be careful.
So off we went around the corner and we should find it....nope.
We gave up, we were ready to head to the next main square so were walking back to the subway when something nasty splashed on our backs and sides. The man behind us started pointing up in the sky and saying it's the birds that pooped on us. Chelsea began to freak out.....I tried to tell her to nevermind and let just get to where we are going. A few steps around the corner we stopped to wipe it off. The man had napkins so we were thankful for something to wipe it off with. It all went so fast but I'll tell it how I remember it to be, Chelsea may have another story.
I just wanted to find food by this point so was trying to just get this all over with as fast as possible and move on. Chelsea was turning around trying to wipe stuff off herself, the man kept giving us napkins and talking loudly about the birds, there were lots of people around as this place as crazy. There was at least 2 other people talking "at us" in Greek and we had no idea what they were saying. The man told Chelsea to help me and clean me off too. There was a man selling something on the corner who kept staring at me and almost yelling at me in Greek. Suddenly it felt like the people multiplied and it got even louder. Next thing I knew Chelsea took off running down into the metro and I realized my bag was gone. I didn't even know Chelsea took it off. And like that it all changed....
I sprinted through the train station with my 45 pound backpack and my pulled calf muscle that happened a few days before screaming "SOMEONE STOLE MY BAG" I had a cop then running with my up the escalator and back onto the other wide of the square. People were pointing and yelling yet the cop stopped and told me to wait. All I could think of was you stupid, lazy, good for nothing cop. I'm injured with an excessaive amount of extra weight and I could have easily kept going yet he was tired and so he stopped.....&*%^&^$%UIHJBBGFR$%#$#$. From there I tried to gather myself, headed for the police station to make a report and then it was off to the embassy for me.
Since then I haven't done much. Was saved by an amazing couch surfer named Giorgos who took us in for 2 nights and was so considerate. We had an amazing big soft bed with feather pillow and a feather douvet to lay in. I pretty much didnt move until the next evening to go get dinner.
After 2 nights there he send us onto another host named Digenis and have since been staying at his place. I've been back and fourth to the embassy, spending lots of time on email cancelling bank cards, phone contracts, visa account, trying to get new documents....what a nightmare!
I feel completly violated having my things ripped from me. I know they are just things and can be replaced but it just sucks BIG TIME. In that bag I had...My passport, my purse which had my wallet, bank cards, visa, drivers liscence, 300 euros cash and 50 pounds of cash, my i phone, ipod, my computer, my camera, my perscription glasses and many other little things that made travelling easier. I know it's stupid to have everything all in one place but that bag is ALWAYS attached to my body. I learned my lesson back in paris and if i ever had to put it down I made sure to put it around my leg or arm or what have you. Chelsea was trying to lend a helping hand that day and I just wish I saw her put it down or I would have held onto them. I have been killing myself with the "could have done, should have done" but I know it's useless time spent. I also had little things that just made life easier to travel....a lock to use in hostels, my travel pillow, my umbrella, a bunch of little souveniers from places and the bag itself....which is proving slightly difficult to find a one shoulder sling back that doesn't look easy to steal....
I'll write more later but for now this all I want to reflect back on that day.
I'm pretty depressed, I'm not sleeping well, I'm getting even more sick again and I know all of this is weighing on Chelsea who was travelling with me for fun....this isn't much fun so I would understand if she doesn't stick around. For the time being she's my life saver....taking care of me, loaning me money, just giving me someone to talk to. All the feelings going around are just hard to deal with.
UGH...tomorrow is another day....
I figured it would be better to find a Starbucks on my route to the airport rather then back tracking to the one we already knew so we headed in the general city center direction and got off at Omonia square. We walked around the circle twice trying to find one, asked a few locals when a nice man who was from Canada but now lives there pointed us inthe direction. Before leaving he told us to be careful.
So off we went around the corner and we should find it....nope.
We gave up, we were ready to head to the next main square so were walking back to the subway when something nasty splashed on our backs and sides. The man behind us started pointing up in the sky and saying it's the birds that pooped on us. Chelsea began to freak out.....I tried to tell her to nevermind and let just get to where we are going. A few steps around the corner we stopped to wipe it off. The man had napkins so we were thankful for something to wipe it off with. It all went so fast but I'll tell it how I remember it to be, Chelsea may have another story.
I just wanted to find food by this point so was trying to just get this all over with as fast as possible and move on. Chelsea was turning around trying to wipe stuff off herself, the man kept giving us napkins and talking loudly about the birds, there were lots of people around as this place as crazy. There was at least 2 other people talking "at us" in Greek and we had no idea what they were saying. The man told Chelsea to help me and clean me off too. There was a man selling something on the corner who kept staring at me and almost yelling at me in Greek. Suddenly it felt like the people multiplied and it got even louder. Next thing I knew Chelsea took off running down into the metro and I realized my bag was gone. I didn't even know Chelsea took it off. And like that it all changed....
I sprinted through the train station with my 45 pound backpack and my pulled calf muscle that happened a few days before screaming "SOMEONE STOLE MY BAG" I had a cop then running with my up the escalator and back onto the other wide of the square. People were pointing and yelling yet the cop stopped and told me to wait. All I could think of was you stupid, lazy, good for nothing cop. I'm injured with an excessaive amount of extra weight and I could have easily kept going yet he was tired and so he stopped.....&*%^&^$%UIHJBBGFR$%#$#$. From there I tried to gather myself, headed for the police station to make a report and then it was off to the embassy for me.
Since then I haven't done much. Was saved by an amazing couch surfer named Giorgos who took us in for 2 nights and was so considerate. We had an amazing big soft bed with feather pillow and a feather douvet to lay in. I pretty much didnt move until the next evening to go get dinner.
After 2 nights there he send us onto another host named Digenis and have since been staying at his place. I've been back and fourth to the embassy, spending lots of time on email cancelling bank cards, phone contracts, visa account, trying to get new documents....what a nightmare!
I feel completly violated having my things ripped from me. I know they are just things and can be replaced but it just sucks BIG TIME. In that bag I had...My passport, my purse which had my wallet, bank cards, visa, drivers liscence, 300 euros cash and 50 pounds of cash, my i phone, ipod, my computer, my camera, my perscription glasses and many other little things that made travelling easier. I know it's stupid to have everything all in one place but that bag is ALWAYS attached to my body. I learned my lesson back in paris and if i ever had to put it down I made sure to put it around my leg or arm or what have you. Chelsea was trying to lend a helping hand that day and I just wish I saw her put it down or I would have held onto them. I have been killing myself with the "could have done, should have done" but I know it's useless time spent. I also had little things that just made life easier to travel....a lock to use in hostels, my travel pillow, my umbrella, a bunch of little souveniers from places and the bag itself....which is proving slightly difficult to find a one shoulder sling back that doesn't look easy to steal....
I'll write more later but for now this all I want to reflect back on that day.
I'm pretty depressed, I'm not sleeping well, I'm getting even more sick again and I know all of this is weighing on Chelsea who was travelling with me for fun....this isn't much fun so I would understand if she doesn't stick around. For the time being she's my life saver....taking care of me, loaning me money, just giving me someone to talk to. All the feelings going around are just hard to deal with.
UGH...tomorrow is another day....
Hey Shawna! Uncle John here. Your Dad told me about your Blog and I have enjoyed reading about all your adventures. Sorry to hear of your misfortune with your stuff being stolen. I only hope Karma BITES them in the A**!!!! I am so Happy you are on this adventure. I wish you Happy Trails from here on out. May the road ahead be smooth and filled with much Love and Laughter and Memories to last a Lifetime. Have a Very Merry Christmas. Nana Lee would have been so Proud of You and I am sure she is looking down and watching over you. Take Care. I look forward to your future posts. Warm HugZ. Uncle John in Canada
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the kind words Uncle John!! Thanks for reading and I hope you too have a Very Merry Christmas. All the best
ReplyDeleteShawna :)