June 12, 1970, New York City, Frankfurt and Athens: Onboard to Athens
Mom and I were the last passengers aboard our New York to Athens on our Overseas National Airways flight. We found the last two seats together but the stewardess said later that the seats were occupied so we split up with Mom sitting in the back and me in the middle. Unfortunately, I had the bad luck to be sitting next to (initially) a sleeping baby. My sister Barbara had said these Athens flights were full of happy Greeks many with wailing babies returning home for a long vacation. Yes they were so happy to be returning to the land of their birth!
The stewardesses explained the safety equipment and the location emergency exits and life rafts. New York City looked beautiful as we passed over it on our way to the Atlantic Ocean. Drinks were served about an hour after takeoff. I had a Coke. I looked out the window a few times but all I could see was the black Atlantic Ocean. Three hours after takeoff the baby next to me started crying in an out-of-control way. The cry increased to a hysterical scream! Breakfast was served and the contorted baby spilt 7 Up all over my pants. Finally after 7 hours we stopped to refuel in Frankfurt but unfortunately we could not leave the airplane. The baby was getting out of control and grabbed my glasses and almost broke them! The Greeks all seemed to know each other and were jamming the aisles talking to each other. We finally arrived in Athens and took a taxi to our Hotel Omiros. So tired but very happy.
Photo of plane is by Alex Bidini