A "Worrying" Sound of Serenity

I never knew I missed it so much until I heard it again waiting for my luggage at Athens International Airport - the gentle sound of worry beads sliding on a chain. But right away, from the first click, I knew I was safely in Greece.

Though the man toying with these beads was old, dressed in dark blue and wearing a blue cap, the beads themselves were new - a rainbow of six or seven vivid cat's eye plastic which scintillates in the light. He seemed happy with them, but I've noticed that the Greek businessmen all seem to be caressing worry beads made of ivory this season. For a while a few years ago, sterling silver ones were the rage in the upper-class. Who knew fashion plays a role, even in the lowly, lovely worry bead? And maybe not so lowly - after all, they even have their own Komboloi Museum in Nafplion.