A Memory

I’ve been watchign the Olympics on TV this weekend. It’s been good to look at the scenery of Athens and remember my shrot time there. Just thinking about the things that happened during my time in the actual city has given me the urge to do some writing, about the adventures Anna and I had.

One memory in particular that makes me smile every time is of the day Anna and I went looking for a museum. I don’t remember which museum it was, just that it was a big one and Anna really wanted to visit it. So we took the Metro uptown, and then we walked for a while (Good thing Anna is good at reading maps, because I’m not.) Finally we found ourselves in front of the prestigious building only to discover it was closed for a week. They were doing some renovations in preparation for the Olympics.

Wanting to get out of the sun for a bit, and not knowing what to do next, Anna and I went and sat on one of the nearby benches. On the bench across from us were two men. One of who had obviously been drinking for quite a while. The other, while also holding a beer can, seemed relatively sober.

“Ohhh Tourists.” said the more intoxicated of the two. Between the fact that were consulting a map and speaking English it was a good guess on his part.
“Where are you from?” He asked as we sat in the shade.
I replied Canada, Anna said Germany. He took that as encouragement and continued to talk. Anna hid her face behind the tour book and snickered while I talked drunkenese with the man. It was early afternoon on a busy street with workmen and foot-traffic surrounding us so we both felt there was no threat from him. Except, perhaps his scent if he got too close. While talking he kept inching towards us, his body leaning in familiar way I’ve seen regularly from behind the bar.
After a few minutes conversation he started to really babble.
“You’re pretty.” He started.
“Thank- you” I replied with a smile.
“Aren’t they pretty?” he turned to his quiet drinking partner.
His partner nodded and gave me a small smile. Anna snickered some more behind her tour book and nudged me with her elbow.
“Really.” He continued as if nobody believed him. “So pretty.”
At this point he took another step closer and lifted his hand to point at us. First Anna, then me, then…the empty space next to me. “Out of ten. 8-8-8”
“Yeah, all three of us.” Anna giggled.

I’m not so sure I can convey how funny it actually was that the inebriated man saw three of us. I’m not a comedy write. But Anna, if you’re reading this I know you’ll be smiling! 🙂