I'm sitting in front of Gate B15 in the Athens Airport, readying for my flight to Frankfurt. My flight back from Frankfurt to home isn't until Saturday, so I will be spending some time in Germany and Switzerland for a few days first. Jens, one of my German colleagues, and I are planning on driving to the International Olympic Committee in Lausanne, Switzerland, where we will meet up with a few of our other participants from Switzerland. It should be an enriching experience, but not nearly as enriching as my time in Greece.

When we arrived back in Athens yesterday, most people went downtown to the market. Public transportation workers went on strike yesterday (I'm not sure if this is worldwide news or not), and we heard that there were protests downtown. I was hoping that we would see the protests, but they were either non-existent or in a different part of town, because we didn't see anything.

We packed a bus at the hotel and went downtown. I'm not sure how it all worked, because we got on the B2 bus and went downtown. It sure seemed like public transportation, but I didn't ask questions. When I said we packed the bus, I mean we PACKED the bus. I barely got on, so I was standing on the bottom step in the back. Not a good place to stand, because at the first stop, someone's foot got caught in the door opening up (it retracted on hinges). That someone? Me. I was wearing sandals, so as soon as I was stuck, I thought for sure something was going to break. Solvi and Jens were right by me, so they saw my foot (and face) contorted. This went on for about five seconds, so when the door closed and my foot was released, I was very relieved. No damage, just a strange bruise below my Achilles and some sore toes. Things certainly could have been worse.

I mentioned the fact I was wearing sandals yesterday...never in my life have I worn sandals so much as the last two weeks. I have the sweet tan line across the top of my foot from the sandals to prove it. Even on the nights when it would cool down for comfortable sleeping at the IOA, sandals were the norm. Except for the night run at the stadium of the Ancient Olympics, as I needed my Asics to ensure the fastest time possible.

We rode on four coach buses (no TVs or bathroom, though) back yesterday to Athens, and sleeping was pretty much the only activity allowed. It was funny to see pictures taken with everyone in them sleeping. Like one of my friends said, it looked like the bus had been gassed.

We ate lunch, dinner, and breakfast at the Metropolitan Hotel like we did the first two days of the trip. Wow, it was great to have flavorful food again!

Speaking of the hotel, we had new roommates for last night. I'm not sure what I did wrong, because my roommate spoke no English. None. Murodali was with Solvi, and I was with George. I am amazed at how much better Murodali's English was at the end of the trip, by the way. It now makes more sense to hear people say that when immersed in another language, they have to get better, because Murodali's skills grew exponentially.

People had flights as early as 4:00 AM, so the first shuttle from the hotel left at 1:30 AM. It was a cool scene in the lobby of the hotel from about 10:00 PM on, as people had their computers and jump drives out taking pictures from one another. Of course it was bittersweet, though, as I will likely never see this group of people again. Sure there are chances of running into one sometime again, but those chances are pretty slim.

I have to tell a story about yesterday. When I travel, I always play games with myself when passing people. I will always try to find wrestlers and foreigners, as I tend to think both have a certain look in the US. The last time I flew through Denver, I told my travel partner that the two people across the walkway were both wrestlers. Upon closer examination, I was right, as it was Jon Reader and David Zabriskie.

Anyways, when "having a coffee" in Athens yesterday afternoon, three of my friends and I were talking about how you can tell people that are from our respective countries. The three guys were all from Europe (Germany, Switzerland, and Iceland), and they said they can usually tell which European people are even from. As if almost on cue, a group of five 20-something girls was walking towards us and I thought they looked like a group of American college students. As they walked by, I stopped them to see. Fortunately, I was right. The girls were dumbfounded at how they looked like Americans, which I thought was even funnier.

Throughout the trip, I would ask people how expressions translated into English. Speak of the devil? In Switzerland (French), Jerome says speak of the wolf. All nighter? Make through and white night in German and French, respectively. Amazing what can be lost in translation.

One last story from the hotel last night. Adam (Australia) was chatting with his wife on Skype, and afterwards we talked for a few minutes before he went upstairs to pack. He and his wife have two sons, and his wife is pregnant with their third. When he was in Greece, he found out that they're having another boy. I will have to follow up with him to see if he and his wife are planning on incorporating a Greek name for their son. Maybe Olympus, Zorbas, or even Gangas would be fitting.

Thanks to everyone who has followed my blog, as it is neat to get emails from people following along with the journey. Euxaristo.

As my time in Greece comes to an end, I can't help but think about the new pins and friends from around the world, and the experience I have been afforded. I hope that I have been able to put into words what I have experienced the last two weeks, so you felt like you were part of this journey with me.