We’re All Cortisoned Up and Ready to Go! Destination: Greece

 This trip has been a long time coming.  The planning took place in late 2019 with a scheduled departure date of April 2020.  Bob and I along with our friends, hoped to spend our time soaking up the gorgeous Grecian sun, hiking and experience first-hand the beautiful traditions of a Greek Orthodox Easter. I remember a conversation the four of us had in late February 2020, in which we all reassured each other that things should be fine by April, and how bad could this COVID virus get?  Needless to say, we spent Easter, Orthodox or otherwise, in lockdown. We attempted to schedule the trip in the fall of 2021, but the numbers spiked and we stayed home…again. It seems like third time’s a charm.  

Our trip preparation was somewhat typical, including replenishing travel-size toiletries, buying new socks, packing our suitcases and for three of the four of us, going to the doctors’ office for cortisone shots.  It’s tough when our minds think we can do one thing and our bodies beg to differ.  Prior to going to Norway in June, I had had a cortisone shot in my wrist to battle both arthritis and tendinitis.  For a while afterwards, I could move that joint like it was 16 again, but by the beginning of August my artificial youth-like wrist movement came to a crashing halt when I inadvertently turned a doorknob with a bit too much vigor.  

Even though I would consider us seasoned travelers, this is a nerve-wracking time for anyone when traveling.  In the past, bad weather was the primary reason for flight delays, but no longer.  While inclement weather is still up there for causing problems, now inadequate staffing, and too many flight cancellations are causing daily havoc for anyone wanting to fly the not-so-friendly skies.  As if I wasn’t anxious enough for today’s flight to take off without a hitch, this morning, CNN had a piece on how to prepare for airline delays.  Their recommendation was always to have a “Plan B.”  Developing such a plan would be fine if you were flying from New York to Boston, where available travel options other than flying are many.  But as far as I know, a Plan B is a lot harder to develop when your travel begins in New York and ends in Athens.   I am no transportation expert, but I assume our bus/train options are very limited on such a journey.  

While flying has become stressful, driving to the airport can be just as bad.  For anyone who lives in the New York City area, the sadness that comes with the name “John F. Kennedy” means much more than the 35th President of the United States.  It also elicits sadness and anxiety, particularly from those of us fromNew Jersey, as it is the primary international airport in New York City.  Truth be told, our family usually flies out of Newark Liberty International, 


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