Feeling hot, hot, hot!

The magical blue waters of the Aegean sparkled as we approached Athens.
With the landing gear down, the plane edged towards the mainland, descending through a blanket of brown smog.
Touchdown, at Athens new airport!
35 degrees, very hot and muggy.
Totally disoriented with the new location of the airport, new highways and unfamiliar landmarks..... much has changed in eight years.
And much hasnt't.
Today's first task was to open a new bank account so I can have my wage deposted directly into the bank.
Waiting around for someone to serve us at the information counter.
"Just go directly to the counter," says the teller, 15 minutes later.
At the counter: "The girl at the information counter will open your account for you," says the teller behind the counter, cigarette and ice coffee in hand.
We were just sent from there.....
The account established and operational, I ask for an ATM card.
"You have to go see the girl at the information counter."
"The bank clerk at the counter can do that for you," she advises.
He just sent us to you, we respond...
After filling out the application form (for the ATM card) we are directed to the manager's desk for his signature, then go back to the girl at the information counter.
"Your card will be sent to you in five working days," we're told.

Outside, the heat is as opressive as the constant sound of construction work.
"They're doing up the pavements," my friend Stacey informs me as we dodge around double-parked cars on street corners.
Yes, some things haven't changed.