I've got the bug!!!

Tuesday September 27, 2011

Yes, to those of you noticing the blog posted time, we were up much too late trying to figure out the wireless connection with password etc. but luckily, and 12 euros later, I think it is figured out, though not Canadian free. I guess wireless is free on Syntagma square downtown but who has time to blog in the middle of the day. We were wide awake by 7:30 and ready to start the day. The buffet breakfast was wonderful and then we were ready for the shuttle ride downtown. We climbed on the shuttle bus with some older American women and a group of Asian tourists who were looking as ready, for a day of perfect photo hunting, as Dad. The radio was blaring Aretha Franklin's RESPECT and I knew this day of incongruities was going to be the best adventure ever. I was not disappointed. Ancient Greek Ruins and Roman columns surrounded by crowded streets plugged by a sea of yellow taxis and motorcycles, honking horns and sirens, all the noise, noise, noise, noise of five million people and a million tourists.

Downtown just in time for the changing of the guard at the Parliament Building. Standing amid a huge flock of cheeky pigeons we watched the most dramatic tap dance routine I've ever seen. Really, the guards have a metal cleated boot that they stamp on the ground in a high stepping march. I loved the big pom poms on their shoes. Every move is precise and very dignified. Both the kilt they wear and the shoe pom poms date back to the ancient dress of ancient Spartan and Mycenaean soldiers.

We then followed a walk through old Athens with Rick Steves as written in one of his guide books. This really made it Rex and Bet style, as we were able to read a little about everything we saw. We photographed at least seven old (pre 13^th century) churches with the domed roof of the Greek Orthodox style. The insides were amazing with the walls and ceiling completely covered in paintings of iconic representations of Christ and other saints with golden borders and all sorts of intricate designs. No pictures allowed inside. The walk took us past the blocks and blocks of little shops with a constant barrage of “come and buy”. We then saw the well know Hadrian's Arch, the welcoming arch to the temple of Zeus. We will see much of these ruins tomorrow with the tour so we hurried on to explore the narrow streets that lead up to the Acropolis. This was the best part of my day as we saw one picturesque scene after another of places you can't ever imagine seeing in real. I was giddy. We walked through some areas that were so narrow there was only a brick wide sidewalk and barely room for a smart car to drive and still cars zoomed by and honked at anyone in their way. We then found Anafiotika. This is an area built on the hillside of the Acropolis. The little homes and narrow walkways are built like a Cycladic Island town with white stucco houses with bright doors and winding walkways. The guide said it now is an area for those better off to have a summer cottage. It was romantic novel little cottages with the blue or red roof and flower boxes and cats lazing in the sun. It could have been a movie set but as we walked past, I could hear radios playing and other sounds of domestic living and wondered who lived there, did they have the same hopes and dreams, what was their biggest challenge, what would they think of Lethbridge Alberta? I just couldn't even get my head around it. I wanted to knock on a door and ask them, then tell them about the prettiest and cleanest little city in the west. I mention clean because Athens is not! Graffiti is prevalent everywhere- luckily I couldn't understand any of it so apologies if we post something rude. We walked past the Acropolis but are saving that for the tour group tomorrow. Electrolux salesmen do not have the corner on pressure sales. I came home with a beautiful hand embroidered tablecloth that I had no intention of buying but saying no, ohi, no ohi 57 times was not enough and, after I looked it over, I felt guilty only paying 20 euros as it is so beautiful. We ate a late lunch in an open air restaurant right on the road beside an archeological ruin of the Roman forum and what is called Tower of the Wind. The tower has carved reliefs around the top that depict the winds as winged humans who fly around causing weather change. Look at me having moussaka, looking at ancient ruins with the man I love more than anything. Wow what a day. We met our tour group this evening and had supper with a couple from Windsor who are about our age. There are two couples from Edmonton so we have lots of Canadians to get to know. The other big contingent are Australians. Maybe we will go there next to visit new made friends. Oh yes I have the travel Bug!!

Dad's comment

I do not have time to say much, except that it was thrilling to be tagging along with such an excited companion through the streets of history.