I guess the title does not have the same romantic appeal as Leaving on a Jet Plane, but it was the Magic Bus from Athens to London (ticket price in 1973 – £19.50).
I had a fitful night’s sleep because I did not want to miss my alarm and then the bus. I woke long before the 05.30 alarm. You will recall from yesterday’s post that I had already packed for my journey, so I strolled to the offices of Economy Holidays to book in. Textiles Jim from Atlanta had caught the earlier bus and was way ahead of me at this point, but I met him again at the first two meal stops. My coach departed Athens at 07.20 and we had to wait about an hour at the border with Yugoslavia (as was).
So there’s me leaving Athens, with 2 x 50 lepta pieces, a 50 dinar note and a £1 note and 0.25kg of biscuits, cheese spread, 3 packets of IONs (like Spangles [fruity boiled sweets]) and a bar of nuts (about 6 inches).
My career as a travel writer probably never took off because while I could not remember all the sites I visited and the people I met, I had a pretty good grasp of and what I ate to keep myself going.
Tomorrow, more bus related content!
Psychologist on the Move 