Hello! We've had a wonderful day in Athens, and have changed our plans slightly. We're of
f to Santorini tomorrow, then back to the mainland in a few days to tour around up north a bit and return to Athens to see more of this incredible city. It seems people have always told me that Athens didn't impress them much, 'see the Acropolis and get out', but we've had a great time. Of course we hit the Acropolis first, just a short walk through the alleys (with speeding motorbikes!) behind our hostel. But we've also been wandering the labyrinthine streets around the old section of Plaka, talking to sweet old ladies in Constitution Square and the kebab seller on the corner and the donut seller on the other corner (I've learned how to say 'please' and 'thank you'!), stopping at every Greek colum
n we stumble upon, marveling at the tiny beautiful churches squeezed into the narrowest of streets, spending hours in the amazing Cycladic Art museum (who knew what beautiful and graceful sculptures people were carving 5000 years ago?! They all looked just like Henry Moore's and Picasso's!). And also just in time catching the changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier - these guys in their adorable traditional Greek military 'uniform' put the Ministry of Silly Walks to shame! I have never seen anything so funny in all my life.
f to Santorini tomorrow, then back to the mainland in a few days to tour around up north a bit and return to Athens to see more of this incredible city. It seems people have always told me that Athens didn't impress them much, 'see the Acropolis and get out', but we've had a great time. Of course we hit the Acropolis first, just a short walk through the alleys (with speeding motorbikes!) behind our hostel. But we've also been wandering the labyrinthine streets around the old section of Plaka, talking to sweet old ladies in Constitution Square and the kebab seller on the corner and the donut seller on the other corner (I've learned how to say 'please' and 'thank you'!), stopping at every Greek colum
n we stumble upon, marveling at the tiny beautiful churches squeezed into the narrowest of streets, spending hours in the amazing Cycladic Art museum (who knew what beautiful and graceful sculptures people were carving 5000 years ago?! They all looked just like Henry Moore's and Picasso's!). And also just in time catching the changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier - these guys in their adorable traditional Greek military 'uniform' put the Ministry of Silly Walks to shame! I have never seen anything so funny in all my life.The highlight so far had to be though, when after finally arriving at our student hostel (quite an education in itself for Anna and Michael with all the 20 year olds running around excited they can drink and spending their parents' money - you should hear their conversations!), Michael was trying to move the light over his bed so he could read himself to sleep - he's working on the BFG - he pulled the whole thing off the wall. Flashing lights and sparks! Loud sizzle and boom! And all the lights went out. All over the place. They managed to get the lights back on in the hall, but not in our room. The nice man at the front desk taped the loose wires to the wall above Michael's head, patted his head to stop his crying (needless to say he was a little freaked out, but at least not electrocuted), and sent an electrician around today to fix it all. Fortunately, along with the umbrellas I had purchased two flashlights in London, and Anna read two chapters of the BFG to Michael as he cuddled up next to her, sniffling softly. Tonight we're headed out to prowl the neighborhood's cafes and mingle with all the other tourists and few Greeks who are out enjoying this mild Friday 13th evening. Hope we make our early, early boat tomorrow!
Loving your blog - but what's BFG?
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