Oct. 18, 2024-still Thessaloniki

Horowitz Travel Oct. 18, 2024-still Thessaloniki It has been a long day but a lot has been accomplished. We will be flying out of Thessaloniki to Istanbul on Oct. 20, at night, and from Istanbul to Dulles Oct. 21. With time changes and all, it’s hard to describe the layovers, but we’ll be spending overnight in the Bussiness lounge of the Instabul airport. Our son, Daniel, once joked that since I like flying business class so much, he might gift me a round trip to Europe with a quick turnaround. I guess that’s what this turned out to be. I never handle foreign currency when we travel overseas, so it’s ironic that I’m the one shopping now. I just put on my big girl pants that I’ve been wearing the last 3 days and did it. As I made my way down the street I realized Greeks haven’t gotten the memo about not smoking, although indoor venues don’t allow it. Retailers stand in their doorways puffing along with pedestrians. It’s kind of nostalgic. David’s instep is swollen. The ankle is not. He can wiggle his toes, and yes, we’re keeping it elevated and iced. In any case, it’s painful. He hobbled to breakfast then back to bed. I hit the streets to get lunch and dinner and made a new friend at a sandwich shop. I bought bottles of water there yesterday and I think he remembered me. I ordered sandwiches today and saw bananas in a bowl. I asked for them then realized they were fake. He understood what I wanted and pullled a shopping bag out of his refigerator and showed me his bananas. He then put them in my bag and said, “No charge.” For sure he’ll get my business tomorrow. Arranging an extension at our hotel was a challenge. The Greek economy has rebounded, and they’re full as was their sister hotel. I told the clerk that my husband broke his ankle (maybe) and I must have looked like I was going to cry. He rummaged around in his computer and asked if we would mind an “economy” room with a double bed. It’s better than the street, so I took it. We’re wait listed for a larger room. The company is arranging transportation to the airport and all that’s left is to check in. And yes, wheelchairs were ordered. We’re arranged ground transportation in DC to take us to Judi’s. When we’re fit to drive home we’ll head for the ER in Stow. It’s never busy. We’ll have them send the images to David’s foot surgeon and get a diagnosis. No pictures today. I have one of David’s foot, but you don’t need to see that. Toby