The following unadulterated journal entries are from 1990, when I was 22. The first and third entries are unremarkable – the one sandwiched in-between, in Athens, records a physical sexual assault.

My sister and I were on that era’s version of a gap year – backpacking through Europe using the cheap train pass and staying in hostels. We met many other young people on the trains, on the beaches, in the hostels: Canadian, American, Australian, German, French, Spanish. The names have been changed, except for George.

Date: June 6-9 Place: IOS Weather: Hot! & nice breeze

Spent 2 nights at Ios – party island-& got bored, so the whole group of us went to Paros, where we were met by Tom & Lisa who had a room for us with the dragon lady owner. First day Ann-Marie, SJ & I shopped & roamed, then at night we all partied at “Breathless” et al. Today we went to Golden Beach for some more frying-& we phoned mom yesterday! Marcy takes size 8 1/2 shoes…gift idea, & now we’re night ferrying to Athens. Just met 2 cuties from the U.S – I talked their ears off.

Date: June 10/90 Place: Athens Weather: Hottish

Survived the boat trip, arrived Athens 5 or 5:30 AM, before the sun anyway. Suma & Mia staying for a few days, Martin & Stephan messed off to a museum, SJ & I went to Hotel Diana so she could sleep while I, brave old me, journey to the Acropolis. Arrived at 7:00 AM, was tailed by an old loony who I shook by talking to a French couple, then met “George”, a 24 yr. old Greek Karate guy. He seemed nice enough, & it was fuckin daylight, we went for coffee, then headed back to Acropolis which opened at 8:30. He knew caves with water…we turned that way, he grabbed me, clamped my mouth, tried to pull my pants (thank God it was a jumpsuit), I was desperate & tried to give him my money belt, or worse, I thought I was dead, but suddenly (my screaming?) he ripped off my necklace & left, I was furious, bumped into the police, & spent 2 hrs. In the Athens police station to no avail. 

Date: June 12-13. Place: Verona Weather: Mild & rain

Overshot Verona to Milan, oops, were with Martin & Stephan back to Verona, got to Cath’s YEAH!, ate, showered, Neil was there, & Mark (her brother), we toured Verona, then June 14-Night train to Nice, survived even though even the conductor warned us of theft so don’t sleep too soundly. 

Ch. 2 Part C fills in the missing narrative of that morning in Athens; the one based on my memory and the retelling over the decades.