Sun,Strikes and Socrates
After all the bad vibes in the National press we decide still to head for Athens.
Cheapo flight from Easyjet and hotel are booked and Euro`s are bought.
On arrival in the greek capital we are met by George the Taxi.
He grabs our bags makes us comfortable for the 40 minute journey.
He`s gives a bit of a guided tour as travel along.
In the city we drive through Syntagma where we see Parliament.
The driver tell us of the changing of the guard.
Geo was a Pathinsikos fan
Panathinaikos Football Club is a Greek professional football club based in Athens. Founded in 1908, they play in the Super league Greece and are one of the oldest and most successfull clubs in Greek football history.
As we drive we noticed the rubbish piled up on the pavement .
George explains Bin men are on strike.
We now arrive at our hotel on Athinas Street
Hotel Attalos
We picked the Attalos because its close to Plaka [kind of oldtown]
Near the flea market and it`s 15 minute walk from the Acropolis.
It`s rooftop bar looked cool.
That night we take a wander round the city centre and have dinner in Plaka area.
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Certainly not the best part of the trip .
Beggers are very annoying . One guys put`s a smile on my face as he runs past screaming about his family with his hand out .
Lorna`s meal comes first She finishs it
My meal comes after my complaints to the manager.
We get our sweet for free .
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After breakfast we go straight over to the gates of the Acropolis.
Due to industrial action the Acropolis was shutting at 11.30.
The birthplace of Western civilisation seems to be angry.
As we climb the stairs we start to get the feeling we going back in time. There it is. The Parthenon. Built in the 5th century BC by the Athenian Acropolis. The Parthenon is currently undergoing a restoration process.
Today the Parthenon is one of the worlds most treasured cultural monuments. While on the Acropolis we were lucky enough to watch the raising of the flag to commemoratethe Liberation of Athens from Nazi rule.[12th October 1944]
After a short lunch break we walk along to see the guards with pom-poms on their shoe`s but are as tough as old boots. The Evzones are the Presidential Guard.Who on the hour every hour perform their unique changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Superb
Around 7 we have drinks at the roof top bar of our hotel . What a wonderful Sunset. Beer`s good and the setting is fab.
The following morning we have tons of time to wander the shops and streets of the Greek capital.
Great seeing the locals at work. All local transport is on strike so it`s a taxi back to the Airport.
Socrates said Death may be the greatest of all human blessings.
I say Travel is the greatest of all human blessings.
Thanks goes to the Polish couple who kindly gave us a lift from Edinburgh airport right it to Glasgow city centre . Lovely couple with kind hearts. If it was not for them we were stranded in Edinburgh.
