The games of the XXVIII Olympiad were to be held in Athens Greece, August 13th to
the 24th. After all Greece is where the first Olympiad was held in 1896.
What a wonderful way for Robert to end his career, and on his 6thth horse, the
magnificent Kennedy owned by lovely Jane Clark. To make our trip even better, Margo
was coming along. Between us I believe our children decided someone had to take charge
of us. No matter what we loved having her along.
The young man who picked us up at the Airport became our mode of transportation for
our entire stay. Here is a picture of us with him in a great down town restaurant. The food
was delicious. He enjoyed being with us so much his mother gave me a beautiful silver
charm.
I am sure you have all read about the Greek attitude to having their government broke.
They ignore it, and are very happy to live as they do. Robert reminded me that Greece is
satisfied to be a third world country. During the first three years construction on the
venues was moving pretty slowly but when there was no more time to waste everything
was speeded up and was ready for the world to view the splendid results. It is sad to
report that almost all of the Olympic venues have fallen into varying states of disrepair.
21 Of the 22 facilities built for the games have been left abandoned, or are in a state of
dereliction, with squatters camps, vandalism, and graffiti, or strewn with rubbish. But
let’s forget all that and return to our arrival in Athens.
As I remember it, Robert Ross rented a house out in the sticks near the equestrian events
for us and their friends, David and Josh. Even our trusted cab driver had trouble finding
the house. There were no street signs, just a reflector lighted by our cab lights. We had to
stop on the side road and walk carefully to the entrance. My first words when we entered
were “please turn on the air conditioning.” There was one little air conditioner in the
kitchen dining area. As the driver brought in our luggage he said, “don’t worry Madame,
I will go to town and get it turned on.” Good as his word, on came the air-conditioning.
Just as quickly, it blew out all the fuses down the hill right into town! The bedrooms were
so small you had to walk sideways to get in and out.
By the next day all was peaceful and HOT. The patio was quite large and had several
decorative jars. The Greeks don’t neuter dogs or cats so there were many strays around.
We had our own family of new kittens. Margo used to be the rescue lady in Austin, Texas,
and immediately adopted the family, fed and played with them. It was our fervent hope
that when the owners moved back in they would continue with her tender care.
There is a beautiful harbor in Porto Rafti. We went there for a typical Greek lunch.
There were no flowered paths into the arena, just barren ground as you see with Margo
and Herb waving.
There was a handsome metal archway you entered after being searched.
We passed the Olympic Village. It resembled a prison. No wonder our equestrians chose
to live in a house on their own.
Robert and the equestrians lived in a 10 bedroom house with only 2 bathrooms! A huge
sign said, “Do not put paper into toilet, not even when used. There is a bag in the wall for
paper.” Every day the team was transported in a van. The day of his team ride, his hand
got caught in the van door. I asked how he could ride. He said he was concentrating so
hard he didn’t feel any pain.
The Arena itself was very pretty with flowers and comfortable seating. We only ventured
out of the hospitality suite to watch our team ride. Other than that we watched the riders
on a large TV provided by the host country.
In the picture you see the teams being given their medals. The Americans received the
bronze.
In the last Olympic picture you see Robert getting ready to ride. Looking back, I believe
he was performing his musical Kur. He finished a strong 6th.
The equestrians, family and friends were invited by the United States Equestrian Team
Foundation, and Tiffany & Company for cocktails and a traditional Greek cuisine at the
home of Robert & Sophia Simpson, 16 Skiathou Street, Ano Lagonisi, Kalvia.
It was the only house for miles around and was enclosed by a very high wall. Getting
there was another thing. I can laugh at it now. I never thought we would arrive because
the instructions were to pass the gas station, and then turn left… you get the idea. It was a
magical night with the sky full of stars. The dinner was very good as promised. Robert
got up and made a very nice thank you speech. He is very eloquent, as anyone who ever
heard him speak will testify. His adoring parents were very proud.
After the Olympics were officially over Herb and I set out to see the amazing ruins.
I bought a huge hat with all the pins on it. The brim covered my shoulders. I still have it.
It was sad to say goodbye to Athens, we had such a wonderful time.
Jean
These are some of Margos memories:
Wish I could remember the name of the cab driver but that’s just out of my head all
together. Maybe Josh, our youngest could remember. I think I remember that we got
lost a lot trying to find our way up to our house.
I remember that it was terribly hot and incredibly dusty and everywhere you looked there
were half finished buildings. I remember that due to security, the entry points where you
went through, were a long distance away from the venues and it was tough going
sometimes. I remember delicious restaurants with high prices, one in particular where
they had pictures of the glitterati dating back from the 1960s, Kennedys and all eating
there. I remember Greek people being very nice.
I remember that we got to join the team and their families and had wonderful meals and
shared stories and laughter and enjoyed the camaraderie outside the ring which felt
special. Suddenly in the stands you had a whole family around you sharing the nerves
and the anticipation and the hope and more nerves! I remember feeling the sheer force of
the energy coming off Jane Forbes Clark when we sat together while Robert rode. It was
quite a feeling.
I remember kittens that were living in the outdoor barbecue area on the large terrace that
surrounded the house and I remember meeting Josh and David for the first time and
falling in love.
What fun the 5 of us had in that house, eating figs and fresh bread and cheese and lots
of laughing and having the owner drop in, Idon’t remember why. Just a nice Greek man.
And then there was the time, around 5:30 one afternoon, after we’d all rested a bit and
were just hanging out, that I went outside and the kittens were out in full force so Icalled
you and dad to come see them. You in a bath robe, me in pj pants and tee and dad …..
well, I’m sure he was dressed perfectly, all coming out to see the babies. Last thing I said
was, “dad, don’t close the door all the way or we’ll be locked out” - but he didn’t hear the
words “locked out” because he was too busy closing the door. There we were, three
Dovers on a terrace and no way in! The Roberts were with the team, the boys had gone
to do some exploring in the city and would be out late 888..the Dovers were going to
spend the night sitting on the terrace. There was a table and chairs and it was well
enclosed with a lovely iron gate - there was no way in. So we decided that I’d go to a
neighbors and see if we could borrow something like a knife or credit card and try to get
in. I began walking door to door and it wasn’t pretty - no one home, scary dog, no one
answers and then I saw a man and Iyelled “help me please” and he walked over, carrying
a lovely bottle of red wine he was taking to an important dinner party and said, “I’ll try and
help”. His wife came along a moment later. She spoke no English. He spoke a little. He
began trying to open the door and with his wife standing behind him for about 25 minutes
saying they had to go. You didn’t need to understand Greek to understand she was
unhappy. He kept at it until the door swung open and we all shouted with glee and you
went inside and came back out with a bottle of wine and gave it to them in thanks.We
were out there about 2 hours before we got help. We laughed a lot for the first hour or
so.
I mostly remember being together with you and Dad and the boys and loving that
feeling of being part of something so magical, just writing about it makes me feel the
love.
Margo
