We're stuck in Chios

Travel fatigue has set in.

(December 25th, Christmas Day) After a great time in Athens we flew to the island of Chios which is only a few miles from the coast of Turkey. In a careful plan to use as many different forms of transportation as are available (and save some money on airfares), we flew on one-way tickets to Athens, flew back to Chios and then had planned to take the ferry across to our car which I parked near the dock in Turkey a week ago. My original concern about whether or not the car would still be there has now been replaced with just trying to get back for Christmas.

Waiting for the rental car
 that never came.

Does it sound a little biased to talk about an "island mentality"? The ferry that was scheduled to run tomorrow morning on Christmas morning has now been indefinitely delayed for some indefinite reason. Every travel agent we speak to, and there are many, says something to the affect of "yes, yes, the boat will leave tomorrow." When we ask about the stormy weather forecast they add, "no, no, if the weather is bad the boat will not leave tomorrow." 

Making the best of it while the kids are asleep.

You can imagine the rest of the conversation. "So when will you know if the weather is too windy to cross?" Agent: "Come tomorrow to the docks at 7:30a and we will tell you. And the Koreans are not here yet." Us: "Which Koreans?" (we seemed to be the only folks in town who didn't know about the Koreans). Agent: "Yes, the boat will take the Koreans across." Us: "So is it the weather or the Koreans?" Agent: "Come tomorrow."

The Koreans have arrived!

Well, we did exactly that and at 8a the boat was nowhere to be seen. "The weather is too rough and the Koreans are still six hours away" we were told. Six hours?  There goes Christmas dinner, presents and desserts at our friends' house. Ever vigilant, Ladan suggested we head to a cafe that was near the boat so that we could keep an eye on it. I suggest I go back to the hotel and sleep.  Bad idea. 


At about 10:30a we notice that the boat has started to move. We run out of the cafe, jump in the car and drive to the other side of the harbor. "Yes, we have good news" they said, "the Koreans just arrived by plane not boat." I'm not sure if they had planned to call us or if it ever crossed their minds that we may not be at a cafe staring at the boat but thank goodness for Ladan's tenacious approach even with only a few hours sleep.

Headed home! Merry Christmas everyone.