We've Only Just Begun...
(The Carpenters, 1970)
So, you may be wondering how I got from the serene task of choosing a holiday destination to the grandiose idea of attempting to enter the Athens Marathon in 2016?
If I give you an abridged version of my story so far, you may manage to stay awake long enough.
I'm Fiona. 36 years young, single, solvent and no ankle biters. Born in a town called Solihull in the West Midlands, I've managed to lead a pretty unremarkable life to date. Yes I have had my share of heartache and usual trials and tribulations, generally speaking though, my years on the earth have been good and uneventful. However, I am always looking for love. As Julia Roberts quotes in the film 'Notting Hill'... 'I'm just a girl, standing in front of a guy asking him to love her'... But sadly, for one reason or another my conquests in love never lasted beyond a few years.
Ever the career woman, I started and will probably end in the tourism industry. I've worked for tour operators, cruise companies and the job I will never forget was the high point of my career (height wise!) cruising at an altitude of 35,000 feet on a weekly basis for the world's favourite airline. Beautiful views from my office window, meeting celebrities, staying in top hotels around the world were some of the highlights, but plenty of lowlights to keep my feet firmly on the ground in the glamorous world of air hosting, but I do not regret a minute of it. Enough about me already, let's get on with the story...
On the 12th September 2013, I travelled on holiday to the island of Kefalonia for the first time ever. Escorting my adventure was my partner of four years and was kind of a make or break holiday. We both loved Greece and neither of us had been to Kefalonia. The place was magnificent and on the 3rd day, after doing an island tour courtesy of Panem Tours I completely and utterly fell for the island. This was largely down to the tour leader, Esme, and her complete enthusiasm for the place. Originally from Cambridge she moved to Kefalonia over 30 years ago and her zest for the island was infectious. Coupled with Dimitri the coach driver, they made a fantastic team for the day. So much so, I booked a tour for later on in the week with them to the sister island of Ithaka, a magical place said to be home to Odysseus... I will save that for another blog.
Later on during the holiday, I saw a sign at the Panem Tours Office, 'Wanted - An English Speaking Tour Representative'. My mind raced, and it took all my willpower not to march up the whitewashed steps into their air conditioned office and sign on the dotted line for the job. You will learn about me if you continue reading that I am very impulsive. I casually mentioned it to my partner who was contentedly lazing by the pool. His words as he glanced over his book were 'go for it'.
I couldn't... Could I? I had a job, a dog and responsibilities at home. Trivial I know, but coupled with only a 10 day supply of clothes I panicked, although the thought of staying on the island didn't leave me for a second. Now usually at the end of a holiday, I'm ready to go home. However, my heart was telling me not to leave. It was such a strong, powerful feeling I could not ignore it. On the last day, as I sat wistfully by the pool, waiting for the rumble of the transfer coach to take us back to the airport, I booked a flight back to Kefalonia in a May 2014. This move proved to be another part of fates plan to bring me back to 'The Rock' as it is affectionately known by the ex-pat community. I felt sated knowing I would be returning to this haven in several months, the same resort, but a different hotel. Well, that decision also proved to be life changing. You will have to wait until my next post to find out what happened on my next trip to Kefalonia.
So, you may be wondering how I got from the serene task of choosing a holiday destination to the grandiose idea of attempting to enter the Athens Marathon in 2016?
If I give you an abridged version of my story so far, you may manage to stay awake long enough.
I'm Fiona. 36 years young, single, solvent and no ankle biters. Born in a town called Solihull in the West Midlands, I've managed to lead a pretty unremarkable life to date. Yes I have had my share of heartache and usual trials and tribulations, generally speaking though, my years on the earth have been good and uneventful. However, I am always looking for love. As Julia Roberts quotes in the film 'Notting Hill'... 'I'm just a girl, standing in front of a guy asking him to love her'... But sadly, for one reason or another my conquests in love never lasted beyond a few years.
Ever the career woman, I started and will probably end in the tourism industry. I've worked for tour operators, cruise companies and the job I will never forget was the high point of my career (height wise!) cruising at an altitude of 35,000 feet on a weekly basis for the world's favourite airline. Beautiful views from my office window, meeting celebrities, staying in top hotels around the world were some of the highlights, but plenty of lowlights to keep my feet firmly on the ground in the glamorous world of air hosting, but I do not regret a minute of it. Enough about me already, let's get on with the story...
On the 12th September 2013, I travelled on holiday to the island of Kefalonia for the first time ever. Escorting my adventure was my partner of four years and was kind of a make or break holiday. We both loved Greece and neither of us had been to Kefalonia. The place was magnificent and on the 3rd day, after doing an island tour courtesy of Panem Tours I completely and utterly fell for the island. This was largely down to the tour leader, Esme, and her complete enthusiasm for the place. Originally from Cambridge she moved to Kefalonia over 30 years ago and her zest for the island was infectious. Coupled with Dimitri the coach driver, they made a fantastic team for the day. So much so, I booked a tour for later on in the week with them to the sister island of Ithaka, a magical place said to be home to Odysseus... I will save that for another blog.
Later on during the holiday, I saw a sign at the Panem Tours Office, 'Wanted - An English Speaking Tour Representative'. My mind raced, and it took all my willpower not to march up the whitewashed steps into their air conditioned office and sign on the dotted line for the job. You will learn about me if you continue reading that I am very impulsive. I casually mentioned it to my partner who was contentedly lazing by the pool. His words as he glanced over his book were 'go for it'.
I couldn't... Could I? I had a job, a dog and responsibilities at home. Trivial I know, but coupled with only a 10 day supply of clothes I panicked, although the thought of staying on the island didn't leave me for a second. Now usually at the end of a holiday, I'm ready to go home. However, my heart was telling me not to leave. It was such a strong, powerful feeling I could not ignore it. On the last day, as I sat wistfully by the pool, waiting for the rumble of the transfer coach to take us back to the airport, I booked a flight back to Kefalonia in a May 2014. This move proved to be another part of fates plan to bring me back to 'The Rock' as it is affectionately known by the ex-pat community. I felt sated knowing I would be returning to this haven in several months, the same resort, but a different hotel. Well, that decision also proved to be life changing. You will have to wait until my next post to find out what happened on my next trip to Kefalonia.
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