It’s all Greek to me

The girls and I started our Greek Adventures in Athens on July 4th.  This is the second year in a row that I’ve not been in the country to celebrate the Fourth.  Funnily enough, when we got into the uber from the airport the driver was listening to Kid Rock’s “Summertime in Northern Michigan”. While I do get a little sentimental seeing the all the red white and blue and fireworks posts, it didn’t take long for me to get over that and on to learning about Athens.

I became fast friends with our Uber Driver Vasilis.  He was kind enough to help me learn some common Greek phrases.  He probably had no idea how much he made this word nerd’s day.  I’m still working on thank you, but he told me that was the hard one:)  Sara D. says she remembers good morning because it sounds like Calamari.  It’s actually Kalímera and it’s pronounced Kah-lee-meh-ra (with a slightly rolled R).  Close enough I guess.

Our hotel was super close to the Acropolis and seeing it in real life after only seeing it in pictures did not disappoint.  We took some tips from friends of friends and decided to have our first dinner up on Mount Lycabettus.  It’s the highest point in the city with amazing views.  When you’re up there, the winds howl so loud it sounds as if cars are drag racing.  On our walk back down we happened to pass by the Hellenic Parliment in Syntagma Square when the changing of the guards were about to take place.  It was quite the choreographed routine. I’m pretty sure they had taps on their giant shoes!

After getting back to the hotel is was 1AM Athens time and while my body technically was still on Boston Time 6PM, I was zonked.  After going to bed waaaay too late for my 85-year-old self the night of the wedding and then not sleeping on the flights, I found myself for once embracing the time change and hitting the sheets.

The next morning, I thought it would be fun to see some of the sights while running.  It was a very slow run and not because of the heat, but because I was very cautious to not cross and alleyway or street without looking 7 times.  The scooters and cars don’t care much for pedestrians and if I had to guess, I’d say that crosswalks are merely a suggestion.

We had a nice brunch at a little cafe in our neighborhood and followed it up with a walk around the PLAKA.  The girls and I decided to make the small hike up to the Parthenon and see it all up close.  We quickly realized that marble is very slippery and it was like a sandstorm up at the top. All things aside, it was sensational.  I can’t begin to think how in the world they completed all that construction so many years ago.  After some more sights we headed back to the hotel for my new favorite thing “Siesta time”.  People nap or rest from 3-5pm…these are my kind of people!

At dinner that night, we were treated to some local expertise in ordering from my friend Ms. Nasia.  She would rattle off things to the waitress and while I didn’t know what she was talking about, I did notice her counting off items on her fingers and the food just kept coming.  We ended the night was a “ya mas” of Mastiha.  After many laughs and really full bellies, we decided to make our way back to the Acropolis.

I’m quickly adjusting to late night dinners, learning to say my please and thank yous and trying to stay active so that I can still fit into my clothes after eating my way through Greece.  First leg of the #yesIhavebaggage tour in Athens is complete…on to CRETE!!