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So we knew it would be an adventure… our first international trip, post covid. But when Greece said they would accept vaccinated Americans into their country, Ed and I decided to go. In a very fluid environment, we tried to understand the requirements. With a transit in Frankfurt, we needed a rapid test within 48 hours of arriving. And multiple sources told us we were either good with our vaccination certificate and/or we needed a PCR test within 72 hours to enter Greece. Trying to do the math in hours and accounting for the 8 hr time difference, was that helping or hurting us in this timeline??
Fortunately, getting the tests were quite easy. Monday afternoon, getting ready for our Tues noon flight, we had our negative rapid test. But were told it could be 72 hours before we received the PCR results. At this point, hoping the vaccination cards would suffice for Greece.
Arriving at the Boise airport with our file folder of docs, including the proof of the rapid test results, documentation showing we had taken the PCR test, our vaccination cards, a printout from St Luke’s showing proof of vaccinations, and the
Greek’s PLF (Passenger Locator form) with its QRF code that we had to fill out before entering Greece. The checkin went smoothly, as the attendant was happy with the Rapid test results and the QRF printout.
Arriving in Chicago for our Frankfurt leg, I felt sorry for the airline attendants. I am not sure there is any other way to do it, but it did seem to be abit unfair, that all the responsibility for ensuring each of the passengers were covid compliant, was placed on them. With each one of us, they had to make sure we had the correct documentation for our final destination. And still get us boarded on time. And of course, each one of us had completely different docs, as they tried to quickly scan dates, results and tests. Our attendant seemed abit harried by the time we got there. I try to give him our vaccination cards, and are surprised when he says ‘no, we can’t use that, but it would make it easier if we could. He turns to the main attendant – “Greece??” We breathe a sign of relief as she glances at the docs, and says ‘yes they are fine’.
Arriving in Frankfurt, thru immigration, again all of us lined up with our folders. The first thing the immigration man tells us, ‘your masks are not in compliance’… Germany, or at least Frankfurt airport requires Medical masks must be worn, not our cloth ones. Nope, they were not handing them out. We had to go around the corner and buy them. The next question, seemed abit accusatory as he asked ‘why are you going to Greece?’ We both hesitate, as we look at each other, Gez, don’t blow this question. Ed finally answers ‘travel’. He seems ok with it. And another sign of relief as we hear the solid stamp in our passports, allowing us entry.
A very pleasant, completely full 2 hour flight, we arrive in Crete. Just inside the airport doors we are greeted by 2 Aegean attendants checking each passenger’s covid docs. Our passports have become unimportant. We again, try to give the vaccination cards, but she tells us no, she needs the test results. As we watch her scan the rapid test, she frowns. Oh no, don’t frown. That is never good. Finally she says ‘where is the date?’ I show her
the line 05/10/21. She says, that is no good – Oct?? As the European dating is day, month. I quickly tell her, no, no we do it backwards. Month then day. She finds that quite funny and I can still hear her laughing as she waves us thru. We think she was just messing with us….
And although we plan to return to Crete, our tickets continue on to Athens. Since now that is just a domestic leg, no one asks for our docs. We quickly debate whether to catch a cab, but we are on a direct metro line to our hotel, have light luggage, and are somewhat rested, we chose the metro. The airport is totally quiet and only about 10 of us on the platform for the metro. We are 12 stops and by the last 3 or 4 stops, as we enter the city center, the metro becomes quite crowded. In the logic, that is only covid, every other seat is x’d out to avoid people sitting next to each other. Which means that by the time we reach our stop, it has become quite crowded with most people standing.
As I get to
the metro door first, the door begins to close, I am able to quickly get out. Ed is wrestling with the door, as the door starts to open and then starts to close again. He is being hustled and we start to realize what is happening. As he finally pushes his way thru the group of guys, and gets out the door. As soon as he is on the platform next to me, he realizes ‘the passport, they got the passports’!!! Fortunately, they did not touch our small daypacks, which had our money belts with our credit cards. But Ed had forgotten to put the passports back in the money belts, and had them in an unzipped pocket in his pants. As we quickly assess, we were quite lucky. For all of our travels, this is the first time we have had out passports stolen. As we said ‘its not as bad as losing our rental car in Prague, pre internet!’ Although Ed continues to mutter, ‘such a rookie mistake’!!!
We find our hotel, and spend the next 2 hours on the embassy website filling out the paperwork for a replacement. Forms are filled out online, we attach a
copy of our passports, a copy of our flight schedule confirming the expediency need and hope we will be able to get replacements before our flight to Corfu in 48 hours. The website is very clear, you need an appt time, do not just show up! So, we hope by morning, we will have an email from them.
Surprisingly, we both sleep very well, probably more from exhaustion, then worry. And by 10am the next morning, we have our email telling us to be at the embassy before 11am. And 2 hours (and $240) later, we are thrilled we have our replacement passports. Although, Ed calls them junior passports as they only have 8 pages.
And for anyone reading this, perhaps saying ‘oh, that is just not worth it’, as we climb out of the Metro station to street level, and look up – we realize “is that the Acropolis”???
And now in Corfu, at a lovely traditional village with a beautiful view of the Ionian Sea.
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Steve Elder
non-member comment
Aaaah, travel again
Wow, you guys did not waste any time getting back at it. Good for you. How long are you away for? I head off on my biggish bike race in a couple weeks. I pass through Idaho but up near the Tetons.