I'm first on the plane. A couple of minutes into boarding a lady approaches a rugged long - haired gentleman. "I've been watching you on TV, you're doing very well!"He's wearing anun-tuckeddark blue shirt and glasses. He's not a well known Greek TV persona - as far as I know. I deduce mid-levelSYRIZApolitician. Not an empty seat on the plane as I had seen during web check in. 'Oh god, it's theEurogrouptoday and we're going to be swarmed' I think to myself.
Enter Varoufakis.
Sporting a white cashmere scarfYanisenters the plane among the last passengers. As soon as the plane takes off, the Minister takes out his papers and starts reading what looks like briefing notes.
I didn't get a chance to ask for an interview. In reality the only thing I wanted to ask in a very human way: "are you nervous about today?"
The most popular man in Greece is sitting in economy,11D, just two rows behind me.
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First reaction is to post to FB and twitter. "Flying with KingVaroufakis#starstruck". Thoughts run through my head- 'just yesterday Iphotoshoppedhim into a Game of Thrones meme'. Next comes thinking of a polite way to spark conversation and introduce myself - and of course get an interview.Aferall, running an EU policy and politics newspaper has its perks. In the back of my mind, stories and details friends who know him and have spent time with him have recounted.
Star struck indeed
Wait a minute... I've interviewed and broken bread with world leaders far more intimidating and important. 'Why so hyped up?' I ask myself. It's becauseVaroufakisis not just a politician. He's a star. And there are very few politicians with star power that can make someone in news star struck. Footballers.... nah... musicians? Not so much... Hollywood stars? Perhaps some - If you love their work. ButVaroufakisis an overnight sensation that is currently at his star power peak. Nevertheless, the8amVaroufakisled and espresso magnified rush fades by the time the 'fasten seat belt' sign is off and we're coasting on autopilot.
The 8.30am flight means a6amwake up for most so it's not long beforeVaroufakisgoes to sleep, listening to music or his favorite podcast through his red in - ear headphones; plugged into his white SamsungS4held firmly between his hands resting on his lap. His seat reclined.
A balding gentleman approaches him for a chat. They know each other but I can't seem to recognize him. He crouches and talks to him for a few minutes obstructing the aisle. We can only assume it was of national importance because he made a nun stand waiting for a couple of minutes while he refused move so she can get to her seat.
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Now lots of onlookers, but a young lady with a pen and pad walks up and down the aisle a few times hoping to catch him awake. Not for an interview but for an autograph as she appears to be mouthing to her friends. Another gent walks up and down and finally catches him with one eye open. His friends come over and have a chat with the Minister. Among them the girl with the pad. In fact they are all journalists. Questions along the lines of: "What do you expect today? Have any other stakeholders asked for clarifications on the Greek proposal? What can Greece do to change its weak image in the negotiations?" A brief chat but not too manyVaroufakisesquegrand answers as awakening him didn't put him in the best of moods. Just over an hour left now in the flight.
Most people on the plane are sleeping, none the wiser, but in a plane full of journalists and politicos you can feel the tension as there are now several groups standing talking in the aisles.
A few rows in front ofVaroufakis, a little girl is watching a cartoon on her iPad on full volume, but his ear buds firmly in place shield him from noise and further intrusions.
My journalist instinct is fought off by the human inside me saying "don't be like the others.... let him sleep and you'll catch him later." ... "be considerate, the man is negotiating for the future of Greece and Europe and needs his rest". I wasn't going to bother him.
I sit down to write this text and before I know it the pilot announces that we are now descending.
We land andYanisis on the phone with the Ministry talking about amendments and lines in the sand for what I can only assume is about today'sEurogroupnegotiation.
The doors open andVaroufakistakes the VIP route and hops into a car just under the plane. No chat or interview but a glimpse of the man who shook theEurogroupto its foundation.
I didn't get a chance to ask for an interview. In reality the only thing I wanted to ask in a very human way: "are you nervous about today?"
http://www.neurope.eu/article/flying-varoufakis-destination-eurogroup