Tampa airport. The white zone, is for happy reunions and brave goodbyes. A last kiss, a look back and then its off to Greece and three weeks of firefighting in the Air Crane. Airline travel is a grind. This day is only about 7 hours old and the flight and connect time will mean that I get into Athens in about 20 more hours.I wish I could sleep sitting up crammed into my economy plus seat but short nods followed by the painful realization that my neck pain is now only exceeded by a cart meets head collision that seemed all too intentional to be accidental. The insincere apology and announcement follows. Cart coming through the aisle, watch your head and elbows… get whacked.

Athens on short final and the garbage dump is burning again. Down the jet way I am passed by mostly Greeks who beeline to the Camel…