Hi folks,
Well, we're flying out of Athens tomorrrow morning and heading to Crete... Kriti for the locals and staying in Xavia (Chania for the kseni!)
I am astounded how much Athens has changed since we last hung out together. Granted, alot can happen in 20 years... but this much? I absolutely LOVE it here and am now wondering (hoping) if I've won any of the 90 million Oz Lotto prize pool since I've been gone.
All of a sudden (7,300 days to be exact) there are manners, helpfulness, mixed cuisines, cleanlisness, there is still 'tood but its mild and done with grace and humour.
The Metro is fantastic. We got around everywhere so easily and there is disabled access to everything on the Metro. Well almost... mum still has to walk up to the Acropolis which she actually managed to do in her own time. She was very determined and we had a little celebration on reaching the top.
The Parthenon was amazing on one hand and sad on the other. I have seen it before but this time around I seem to be experiencing a larger sense of appreciation for everything here. It is disappointing that its been so pillaged and raped over time. A shadow of its former glory so to speak but with extensive retorations going on, hopefully it will reclaim some of its beauty. At night, it remains stunning when you unexpectedly catch glimpses of it between the buildings around Monastiraki and where we are staying in Syndagma. I am glad that I will be doing some return visits to Athens. I also plan on staying a couple of days on my own when i return from Egypt just to really take it all in.
The Acropolis museum is lovely but missing some vital pieces to make it really worthwhile to visit... (see previous blog)
I was disappointed with the bougatsa here... so Xania's version needs to impress. Maybe my memory of it has been enhanced over the years. Here's hoping not!
Still haven't spotted or contacted relos. We've been too busy just reaquainting ourselves to the country.
OK, I won't lie and totally mislead. Today we also experienced Athens of the old. Is it just me or has anyone else gone into a bank lately, pressed the button for the queue ticket number and looked up to see that you drew ticket number 319 and they were currently serving ticket number 212 on counter 4? And yes, we did wait!!!! I take everything I've ever said about you back ANZ!
Anyway, the lift in our hotel is not working today (we're on level 8 and I am not carrying mum up 8 steep flights) so we are going for a walk through the National Gardens just up the road. The lift is suppose to carry a maximum of 4 people only (yes, that's right.. max of four) so i suspect someone tried to put a bag in too!
That's about it from me for now. Thanks for dropping by and having a read. Chat soon.
Cheers!
Tina x
Hi Tina,
ReplyDeleteSo great to read about your travel adventures! and sorry to 'hear' about the mugging. hope you are alright.
20 years is a long long time. on my annual visits to austria i can see the changes..
was at CAPA's AGM meeting on sunday with two other central coast counsellors and met a few other ex-jni students :). lot's of politics going at CAPA but all good as it is all about working on being recognised as a professional trade! will miss you this saturday at the focusing workshop.
x claudia