High Speed Internet - 2

I asked what time and suggested 11. He shrugged, "maybe". I went back to the lady and asked if I understood correctly in that the modems were actually here but I needed to come back in a couple of hours. I had on my mind the fact that they close at 1.30 and do not open until Tuesday as Panagia is on Monday. They don't open on Saturdays. She explained that they had arrived in Rhodes and between there and Leros - had got lost. However, they were now here.

Boss then called me by name. He asked if I could install it myself. "Yes, certainly" I replied. He said to wait.

I hung around looking at the glass cases with mobile phones displayed trying not to look impatient. Eventually he called me into his office and presented me with a modem and helpfully showed me where to plug things in, adding a CD and manual, although he pointed out regretfully that it was in Greek. I assured him that I knew Greek-speaking people who could help if necessary.

I whisked home bearing my box triumphantly. I had missed the early-morning walk with the dog (and Richard) so we set off in high humour to the beach at about 9.30 and had our swim followed by our usual frappe and nescafe respectively in the kafenio on the beach. Rosie the dog had a play with her new ball (having punctured her other the previous day). She proceeded to amuse the fishermen drinking their coffees - by playing football - especially when she punctured this one too and then thoroughly killed it by shaking it violently and playing tuggie with Richard. There were children in the kafenio who for once were happy to be within 20 feet of a dog and they were laughing merrily at her antics.

So we got back to the apartment and as soon as we'd showered and breakasted we installed the ISDN modem. I couldn't wait to listen to Terry Wogan - well I hadn't been able to since May except a quick burst on the internet via the ordinary phone line!

It went really smoothly - the phone line worked and we were very encouraged. The installation CD had English which was great. When we came to get the internet to work, however, no success. Somebody dropped in and we had to abandon it while he was around. As soon as he went I phoned the help line. The lady assured me that we didn't have an ISDN line. Yes, she understood I had bought the ISDN modem but . we had a PSDN line, not ISDN. Oh. So how, I asked, did I accomplish this? She said I had to go to my Otenet shop (yes, the place I had been that morning) and ask them to set it up. I looked at the time - 1.13. Did I mention that they close at 1.30? Not to reopen until Tuesday?

I leapt onto my scooter and wove in and out of the considerable traffic. Pulled up at the post office - took care to park properly as I saw a lady in tears at the sight of her scooter lying on its side in the gutter and a kind gentleman trying to pick it up. The post office has a rather deep gutter outside and you really need to be careful.

I dashed in and screeched to a halt in front of the helpful lady. "Hellllo" she said, "is it working?" "Well" I replied "the telephone works very well, but not the internet, and I phoned the help line."

"Yes" she said "you need an ISDN line, I can make it for you now".

I daren't comment, I don't know who might read this and I know I'll need service in the future! I thanked her - and sure enough the internet worked perfectly the moment I got home.

Note: For those who haven't been to Greece or don't know - "Siga Siga" is a favourite expression and means "slowly slowly".