Volcanic Tuesday

Today is Tuesday, April 20th, 2010. For those of you who have been following my schedule, you will recognize this as the day after I returned to Texas from my three months in Greece. However, instead I'm having a volcanic Tuesday. I've already had a volcanic Monday, Sunday, and Saturday. The plume of ash from the April 15th eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in Iceland descended across northern Europe, bringing air travel to an immediate halt. You may be surmising that I am not in northern Europe, and that my friends, is true, but useless, considering my homeward journey requires a jaunt through that utopia otherwise known as London Heathrowe. My Sunday flight was cancelled by Saturday afternoon, and by Saturday evening I had no idea how or when I would be coming home. The people in my computer kept telling me to rebook online, and yet it did not happen. The people in my phone told me I would likely wait 357 minutes to speak to a real human. Finally around midnight I found Stella in Jacksonville, Florida. Stella, that dear soul, put me on a flight for this Saturday, April 24th. A full 6 days after I was supposed to leave, I will hopefully by making my way home, and with any luck.... not paying a 1400 euro fine at the airport for overstaying my visa. 

In the mean time, I remain here in ancient Corinth. Unlike the thousands of stranded travelers around the world, I still have a bed... even if I do have to work for it. I did feel a little silly telling all of the house staff goodbye on Saturday, then showing up for breakfast on Monday, but hey, what's a guy to do? So for the next 4 days I will do what I've been doing for the last 15 - intern excavation architect for the Corinth excavations. I guess its good practice, honing my hand drawing and documenting skills, although I'm not sure when I will next need to know how to record a one thousand year old wall or fifteen hundred year old opus sectile marble floor. But it is something to do. Until Friday I will continue on the routine of a 6:30 wake up, 7:00 breakfast, and 7:30 work arrival, followed by 10:15 snack break, 2:00 lunch, and 3:00 sorting. Here's to you Eyjafjallajokull, for spurting toxic bits of ash and glass into my path, and yet I come away slightly unfazed.