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“Swedish.”
“How many days will you be here?”
“Seven.”
He hands me my passport back through the glass. “Enjoy your trip.”
I take my passport. “Thanks.” Then I walk through the Athens airport looking for my connecting flight. I’m early as I was one of the first ones off the plane, so I have time to wander around the gift shops and watch people. I don’t know what I expected from this airport, perhaps for it to be more Greek. But everywhere it seems there are people from all over the world.
Finally, my plane to Santorini is ready for boarding, and my ticket allows me to board first. This isn’t that long of a flight, and I’m beginning to get nervous about seeing Sem again. What if he’s disappointed seeing me as I really am? Maybe he’s dreamed up some version of me that’s better than the real me?
* * *
I arrive at Santorini airport and collect my bag. It’s one of the first on the belt with a big sticker that says “priority.”
I walk past customs and am astounded by all the Greek people waiting for someone. Some of the men are holding name cards, and I look for mine. It’s on a tablet with the hotel logo, and the driver is wearing a hotel uniform.
“I’m Ivy Jefferies,” I say to him.
“Ms. Jefferies,” he says. “Welcome. Please let me take your bag.” He takes the bag from me and begins wheeling it with him. “The car is this way.”
Not far away, I’m taken to a luxury car with air conditioning and leather seats. I sit in the back while my driver sits in the front. I try to ask him some questions about himself to make conversation, but he just smiles and says, “My English isn’t so good.”
So then I smile and look out the window. I’m definitely in Greece now. Everything looks and feels so different than the US. I’m actually in Greece. A country that everyone knows about, but very few people I personally know have ever been to. I’m so excited to be here. As we arrive at the hotel, I remember that I’m not just on vacation; I’m here to see Sem, who may or may not be in the best place emotionally.
The hotel reception looks very impressive with stone floors, white walls, with lots of windows open the view, and good-looking people in uniforms serving guests. I look around for Sem. He’s going to be easy to spot with his long blonde hair, but I don’t see him anywhere. Instead, I’m led to check in with a stunning Greek woman with formally styled hair and perfect eyebrows. “Ms. Jeffries, you are staying with us for six nights. Breakfast is included, and everything has already been settled. Sem Svensson has put down his credit card for incidentals, but if you want to change it, that’s not a problem.”
Do I want to change it? I don’t plan on breaking anything. “I could still pay for myself on check out?”
“Yes, any incidentals or extras you pay when you check out.”
“Okay.”
“Do you want to put down your card now?” the woman looks confused, and I wonder how wrong I could get such a simple question. I decide to end this awkward moment by putting my card down.
When that’s finished, I’m led by a porter to my room. I feel terrible because I don’t have any Euros for a tip. And I say as much. He kindly assures me that it’s fine. But I take note of his name so I can give him something later.
Then I’m alone in this gorgeous Greek hotel room, almost like a little Greek apartment, with white walls and windows all framing the excellent view of the blue ocean. My mind wanders then, Did the ancient Greeks really not see blue, or just that it was everywhere, so they didn’t need to name it? Everywhere I look, the sky, the ocean, it’s blue. Then, drawing me out of my thoughts, I notice champagne and flowers on the table. And a note addressed to me. I open it.
Dear Ivy,
Join me for dinner at 8 PM at the restaurant. I’m sorry I was delayed.
Sem
I check the time. That’s only a couple of hours from now. I want to sleep from the jet lag, but at the same time, I want to go out and explore Santorini. My curiosity wins out, and I decide to at least take out some Euros to tip the porter.
* * *
I hear a knock at my door as I’m getting ready. I assume it must be housekeeping for turn-down service, so I open the door casually and almost fall to the floor when I see Sem standing there.
“Sem,” I say, and without overthinking it, I rush into his arms. He holds me against him, and I think I feel him kiss the top of my head. “I didn’t think you could meet me until eight.”
“I was able to get away earlier and couldn’t wait to see you. Also, I heard the restaurant is a bit tricky to find. I’m sorry.”
“Why are you sorry?”
“I don’t want to make you uncomfortable or rush anything.”
