It Started With an Ouzo

by Stavros Allanopolis

  Although they had their Cat Passports attached to their cages along with their Vet’s Certificates and other necessary paperwork, if we didn’t travel together there would be considerable problems!

  We checked in on time and it went like clockwork with hardly a queue to talk of. At the check-in desk, we enquired about the cats being loaded on to the same plane as us and they suggested that we go to the Customer Service Desk. We duly did.

  At the Customer Service Desk we encountered a miserable looking team of ‘Service Agents.’

  No welcome, no smile, just a ‘stare’ and they looked very stressed! As I stood at the counter, it was left to me to make the opening remark, “I have two cats travelling on the same flight as my wife and I. Can you tell me if they have arrived in the loading bay yet, and at what time they will be loaded?”

  “You will have to contact Cargo direct,” came back the toneless reply, accompanied by a very sullen and unfriendly look from the Service Agent.

  “No, I don’t think so,” I replied. “I think that as Customer Service that is your job. I have paid a full fare for them and I would appreciate you taking responsibility for the enquiry as they are ticket holders on this flight to Athens.”

  “Look, they are only cats. Go to Cargo and they will tell you what you need to know.” Still toneless, and disinterested.

  This was our ‘big day’ and I was not about to let this person upset it. I kept my ‘cool’ and looked her straight in the eyes, and said as politely as I could, “Now they may just be ‘cats’ as far as you are concerned, but to us they are our ‘children’ and I expect you to do your job. After all, it does say on your badge of your uniform that you are the Customer Service Manager, and I am expecting a better level of service from you.”

  I continued, “I think that your attitude leaves a lot to be desired. You may have your operational problems but please don’t your anger and frustration out on me.”

  We stood staring at each other across the counter. This was an example of British Airways Customer Service at its worst!

  I was not about to go away as I needed and answer and some reassurance. However, the result of this exchange made me decide that I won’t fly B A again if given a choice.

  Just at that moment, a ‘Suit’ arrived, “Can I help you sir? What seems to be the problem?”

  As an experienced Manager, he could probably tell from the body language that there was a problem as she was now ‘glaring’ at me. I explained my enquiry to what turned out to be a Senior Manager, and at the same time I commented on my disappointment with the level of service (not) being offered by this Customer Service Manager.

  He couldn’t understand why there should be a problem with such a simple and straightforward request. He was apologetic on her behalf, which resulted in even more ‘glaring’ and sullen looks and absolute silence. He dialled the Cargo number (that he had found in her desktop directory) and got them to check their inventory.

  “Sir, your two cats are here in the holding bay adjacent to the aircraft. They will be loaded at the last possible minute to reduce their stress levels to the absolute minimum. At the departure gate, please check in as normal and one of our team there will confirm that everything is ok. I will ‘phone them now to tell them to expect you. I understand that you are emigrating today? Good Luck to you, your wife and your two cats with your new life in Greece.”

  An example of British Airways’ well rehearsed ‘recovery’ service. Result? I might fly B A again if given a choice.

  Next stop was the check-in at the departure gate.

  The Steward looked quite relaxed and was smiling at us as we approached his desk. “Good morning Sir, Madam, Passports and Boarding Cards please.”

  “Thank you. Your seats are the first row behind the Business Class divide. By the way, I am pleased to confirm that Owen and Minstrel are safe in the loading bay which is immediately below us. Where do you plan to sit in the waiting area? I will call you over once I have the confirmation that they have been safely loaded.”

  Now, this was a real example of British Airway’s world-renowned standard of customer service. Result? If all BA employees were like him, I would fly B A again in preference to others.

  True to his word, the Steward called me over to confirm when Owen and Minstrel were loaded. “They have just been loaded into their compartment and seem quite happy, although Miaouww-ing’ a lot. Have a great new life together!”

  A great example of British Airway’s world-renowned standard of customer service. Result? I will fly B A again as opposed to others if I have a choice of airlines.

  We buckled up in our seats and the plane was taxiing to the runway. The ‘butterflies’ of that nervous excitement had taken flight again.

  We held hands and waited for the ‘off’ and that great thrust of the jet engines would propel the plane down the runway, and up into the sky bound ultimately for our ‘Dream’ home. At last we were really heading for our chosen new life in ‘Paradise’ in The Mani. I couldn’t say for sure, but I bet we were grinning inanely again as the plane moved forward!

  Our reverie was broken by the Captain. “Good Morning Children, Ladies and Gentlemen, this is your Captain speaking.”

  He continued, “We are on course for departure; spot on time. Weather forecast is good. Flight times are expected to be as per schedule, or we may even land a little earlier than published.”

  He went on, “I would like to say a special Good Morning to Mr and Mrs Allan. I just want to tell you that I personally saw Owen and Minstrel loaded onto the plane. They are settled and comfortable and they will be there at the other end to meet you and share you new life in Greece with you. On behalf of the British Airways and the crew, we wish you Good Luck. Now sit back everybody and enjoy the flight. We know that you have a choice, and on behalf of British Airways I would like to say thank you for choosing to travel with British Airways to Athens, Greece.”

  Wow! What a surprise! This was a fantastic example of British Airway’s world-renowned standard of customer service. Result? I will definitely fly B A again. Unbelievable service and attention to detail!

  Looking around us, we realised that nobody knew what he was talking about but us! If only ‘she’ could have been here to hear that as we soared up into the sky and together we looked out of the window and ‘waved goodbye’ to the UK; right on time and right on plan.

  We soon reached cruising altitude and could hear the movements of the Cabin Staff as they went about their duties. Suddenly, the curtain in front of us dividing us from the Business Class section was pulled back. There standing to the side of our seats was a Stewardess with a tray in her hand and on it were two glasses and two small bottles of Champagne!

  “Compliments of the Captain,” She said. “On behalf of British Airways, he apologises for the problems you have encountered this morning and wishes you both a happy new life in Greece with Owen and Minstrel.”

  Now what do you say about that level of service? We were literally speechless! What a truly memorable moment.

  The passengers seated all around us didn’t know what was going on; that we were not only served first, but we also had Champagne! We noticed that a few of the passengers sitting nearby were looking in their In Flight magazines only to discover that Champagne is not available in Economy Class. ‘How did they do it?’ seemed to be the look on their faces as they stared at us, and there we were gaily popping the cork and pouring the cool, sparkling bubbles - into glass too, and not plastic as per all the drinks served in Economy Class!

  We were well and truly on our way; dreamers about to see their ‘Dream’ come true.

  In what seemed like no time at all, we were on the ‘Final Approach’ for Athens airport. You will remember that only two weeks before, I had made a trip especially to place three luggage trunks and a large case in the Left Luggage at the airport? This was to enable us to have hand luggage only for the flight, in order that we could pass through the Arrivals Hall quickly. We went straight to
the Left Luggage store and collected the four pieces of luggage. The plan was successful as, in what seemed like no time at all, we were soon standing in front of Eleni at the Hertz Car Hire desk. It’s a fantastic feeling when people greet you in such a friendly and welcoming manner.

  “Kalimera! Welcome to Greece. It is good to see you again. Where are the cats?” She seemed as excited as we were!

  “We have to go to the Cargo Warehouse to collect them,” I replied.

  For this last one-way only trip, I had ordered a 4 x 4 vehicle in order to get the four large pieces of luggage in as well as the cats’ crates. When Eleni saw the luggage on the trolley, and knew that we had two large freight crates to add to the load as well, she said, “No way will you get that into a 4 x 4. I’ve given you the biggest on the fleet but you still will not get it all in.”

  “Shall we bet on it?” I replied. “20 € Euros says I can do it.”

  “Bet is on!” She said.

  We collected the car from the car park and set off down the road to the Cargo shed.

  It took just over an hour for Owen and Minstrel to arrive at the Cargo Warehouse. They had been disembarked from the hold of jet and cleared at the Customs where they had their Cat Passports duly inspected and stamped!

  Photo: Freight Label On The Cats’ Crates.

  We remember sitting in the Reception area of the Cargo Warehouse when we heard them before we saw them. Those familiar “Miaouww’s” seemed much louder than ever before! But, here they were being unloaded from the back of a van, safely stored in their crates and looking out at us through the mesh window as if to say,

  “So! What is going on?”

  They looked a little tired and thirsty in the searing heat of Athens compared to the UK, but none the worse for wear. We breathed a sigh of relief as this had been a worry. They are both almost 10 years old and travel of the sort they had endured in the last 48 hours would have been stressful for them.

  Photo: Crates Packed Into The Car.

  Some 90 minutes later I was standing in front of Eleni collecting my money! Mind you, we later discovered that there was not to be one cubic centimetre of space left in the car once we had the cats loaded!

  The available space for the crates was such that I had to unpack the entire car first and load them in through the hatchback door and then repack the car around them.

  Still, I won the 20 Euros!

  Believe it or not, we still had the original ‘Exit the UK’ plan in our hands and the plan detailed a 45 minute drive to the hotel which was alongside a motorway junction at the Corinth Canal. It was the hotel where we had stayed before, and where I had stayed during the removal trips. Because of our circumstances, the owner had agreed to let us stay for the one night as long as the cats stayed in their cages in our room.

  Despite our declarations of “We’re nearly there now,” they ‘Miaouwwed’ non-stop and then even some more even when they were safely stored in our bedroom. It seemed like they were non-stop ‘miaouwwing’ throughout the night!

  Whether it was because of their noise, or our excitement at finally being in Greece, we didn’t get much sleep. Consequently, we were ‘on the road’ again by 5am! Still this meant that we would be ‘home’ by 08.30am. The cats took up where they left off yesterday and they ‘Miaouwwed’ non-stop for the entire three and a half hour journey! Still, I reasoned with myself, it was only ever going to be one way!

  As you crest the rise of the mountain behind the village of Kardamyli, you can see for miles down the coast all the way to Agios Nikolaos.

  Photo: View Down The Coast To Home.

  “We’re home!” I declared.

  On that day, and to this day I say the same thing every time I come over the ridge and set eyes on the view that stretches out ahead of you along the coastline.

  We can both still remember the ‘goose bumps on the back of the neck’ feeling as we turned the car onto the final track leading up to our ‘Dream’ home right there in the middle of the olive groves behind Agios Nikolaos.

  “Go on then,” I said, “Here are the keys. You go first.”

  Valerie had not seen the house since January 22nd, whereas I had been here every two weeks since then, moving our possessions in and doing the cleaning.

  Generally, I had been trying to prepare the house and make this the most memorable moment of her life to date; even more so than our wedding, I guessed.

  Squeals and whoops of delight followed for quite some time as she walked from room to room inspecting everything. I had the Champagne already in the fridge, having bought two bottles on my last trip; one for us right now. The other bottle was to share with Vassilis and Laila when they came to visit for the first time. Would we have made it without their invaluable help? Who knows? I doubted it though.

  For what seemed like hours, we just sat on the steps of the terrace (No! our terrace), just drinking the champagne and ‘drinking in’ the view, accompanied by the sounds of the birds in the surrounding olive groves and the bubbles of the Champagne.

  It was quite an emotional moment in time!

  I started to unpack the car and Valerie started to inspect the results of my cleaning exploits. I recall that I received a nine out of ten score! We took the cats up to the studio and fed and watered them. I had already got them some litter trays, so we were happy to close the door and leave them to settle in. They would use the room as their home for the first two weeks whilst they became used their new environment.

  Hey! We had done it! Unbelievable! We had implemented the ‘Exit the UK’ plan, and on schedule too! As I descended the steps, I said,

  “Just think, this all started with an Ouzo!”

  Here we were, the complete family, in our new house, our ‘Dream’ house, and at the start of a new life together in our very own ‘Paradise’ in The Mani, Greece.

  From start to finish was just 18 months. Remembering that it had all started with an Ouzo at the Fishermen’s Bar, guess where headed next to declare that we had arrived? You guessed it!

  Back to the ‘Scene of the Crime!’ Nikos had seen us walking up the road that runs along the side of the harbour and came to greet us as we sat down at ‘our’ table overlooking the harbour and the slipway.

  “Parecello (Please, what do you want)?”

  We ordered our drinks.

  “Theo Ouzo (Two Ouzos), Eferesto (Thanks).”

  “Wow! Wow! Wow!” (And then some more ‘Wow!’ thrown in again for good measure), I declared.

  “We did do it, didn’t we!”

  As we waited for the drinks, I left Valerie to marvel at our achievement and crossed the harbour slipway to Vassilis’ office there to be met by both Vassilis and Laila.

  “Welcome my friend,” They cried out in unison. “Is everybody here safe and sound?”

  “Nai!” I responded in my newly learned Greek! (“Yes!”). “Will you come for a drink to celebrate?”

  “Soon,” They replied. But get settled in first and then we’ll come to see you.

  So ended one chapter of our lives, and only to be followed by what we can only describe as the ‘time of our lives’ as we discovered the ‘highs and lows’ of living a life in ‘Paradise,’ a life in The Mani in our ‘Dream’ home ............. and ‘It Started With An Ouzo’ in the harbour of a little fishing village called Agios Nikolaos!

  A NEW LIFE BEGINS IN AGIOS NIKOLAOS IN THE MANI

  Amazingly, after all the previous journeys, there were only two breakages! The glass in a small picture frame had broken. This was my fault, as although it was wrapped in bubble wrap I had packed it glass-down on top of a metal item!

  Also, one of a pair of antique sherry glasses had broken, and again it was my fault. It transpired that on one of the ‘removal’ visits I had unpacked all the glassware, carefully un-wrapping the bubble wrap etc. but I had not noticed that I had put one of the pair back into the empty luggage trunk still in its bubble wrap!

  When I had got back home I had emptied the wrappings throwing
them into a pile in a corner of the room. Only when I heard the ‘clunk’ did I realise that there was something still in the wrapping; one of the pair of antique glasses! We now no longer have a matching pair!

  There is a little story behind the naming of our house as Meerkat Manor. We have three favourite African animals; Elephants, Giraffes and Meerkats. Not surprisingly, therefore, they are all featured in the house and garden.

  We have two very large, framed, colour photographs of Elephants taken by a professional photographer on Safari in Africa; a close-up head shot of an elephant chewing on a leafy branch, and a distant shot of a small family of elephants climbing up a bank of a river after they had been drinking and bathing.

  We brought with us two carved (in Africa) wooden statues of giraffes; a large carving of a Mother, and small carving of a Baby. They stand side by side. Well, Mother on the floor, as she stands about one metre high, and the baby standing at just 30cm stands next to her on top of the coffee table.

  Meerkats? Well, we brought them with us from the UK! So, let me explain. It was whilst I was in the local Garden Centre buying cat food when I found these Meerkats. Made of stone, they came in three different sizes and, incredibly, looked like the real thing. It was love at first sight and I just had to have one. Well, as it turned out I bought 28 of them! On one of my weekend ‘removal’ visits, I carried them all in a holdall and took them on the plane as hand luggage; their first and last flight, I left them on the window sill looking out and waiting for us to arrive permanently.

  Our house is different from most of the others built in the area as it is very small, so I decided to continue the trend of ‘different,’ and I have achieved that by putting the Meerkats in the garden and other places on the house itself.