Athens is somehow exactly the way I thought it would be. I'm not sure how this has happened - did I somehow see photos of everything or read a guidebook that described it perfectly? Is it deja vu? Was I Greek in a past life?
Either way, it's a strangely satisfying feeling.
Yesterday I did a walking tour run by an expat American from South Carolina, who showed us all the old stuff. Like, you know, the Parthenon, Hadrian's Library, the Acropolis, the Agora (market place) - it is all lying around, piles of old stones scattered between tufts of dry grass, pine trees and the constant creak of cicadas. Nothing feels too grandiose until you're standing nose to nose with a big fat column of marble and you look up. 
Somehow, we managed to end up in Athens on a public holiday weekend, which means the city has a very relaxed vibe. A tapas-eating, Greek dancing, balalaika-playing, ouzo-drinking relaxed vibe. All of which I have eaten, watched and drunk. Now I'm off to shop for sandals.
16 August 2009
City of Athena
Posted by Lex at 10:33 pm
2 comments:
You are certainly getting your fair share of lovely blue sky in all differing shades. We on the otherhand are getting shades of gray!!! Am glad places are living up to your dreams, so often people have hight expectations and are disappointed. How could you be though with so much fantastic history and how lucky to be there on a public holiday to thin the summer crowds. Wonder how it will be on the islands though? Love Jill
Yeah, we haven't had a day of rain since we left the UK. Love it! Hopefully more of the same one the islands. Lex
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