Athens from the TOP!!!

Athens -- up early - we left before any of the tours. Our panoramic tour of Athens didn't start until 1:30 from the ship-- so Kathy did not want us to waste the day away. When we got out on the port there were many cabbies ---waiting. When she told the cab driver where she wanted to go he tried to talk her out of that destination. She wanted to go to the Plaka (old town or plaza just beneath the Acropolis. The Cab driver told us that nothing opened until 10;00 a.m. That is probably why the tours don't leave until 9:30.

The driver told her it wouldbe $20 Euro and it should only have been around 9 Euro -- But he insisted that the morning traffic would be too difficult so that is why it is more. We found ourselves going in and out of side streets moving through traffic in ways that I have only heard of in books! Like all ancient cities -- the streets seem to radiate in all directions from the shore -- like a web of streets --- I don't know how people find their way in this --- there is nothing that is North, South, East or West.

We arrived at the Dionysus Restuarant just as it was opening. The acropolis overlooks this restuarant. Star jasmine scented the air as we sat at a table under an umbrella. Kathy ordered us capacinos and Matt had coke. I sat trying to take in the fact that I was looking up at the real Parthenon. There was a lovely wide street made of marble leading down and winding around the hill to the Plaka. This is the oldest part of the city filled with many shops and cafes. After we explored a large segment of the area, we stopped at another cafe and had a seond round of coffee and coke. The waiter kindly brough us water with ice in it!! This is a real luxury -- especially since we did not ask for it. People seem so friendly and eager to please.

We made our way up to a large public square where a demonstration of some sort was going on --- maybe it is firemen or some other profession that rescues people because they are dressed in uniforms similar to our firemen. It is quite peaceful. There are policement standing nearby --- one of them saw Kathy's wheelchair and hailed a cab for us. The first cab drove off when he thought the policeman wasn't looking --- but this guy is persistent and gets a seond cab to stop --- sometimes they do not like to carry the wheel chair. This fellow speaks less English than the one in the morning. Kathy handed him the port name (unfortunately -- it is written with English script -- Greek uses a cyrillic alphabet. It makes it impossible to read street signs --- though when the Olympics was here they must have put up these new signs --- for all the signs are in Greek and English.

Kathy does succeed in conveying to him that we need to get to the port, so Matt helped out with with some German which the man seems to understand about big ships. We feel lucky to be back in time for lunch and were able to make our connection for the afternoon tour. I was very glad that we went alone in the morning, because much of this tour is unsatisfying. There is only one stop and that was the Ollympic Grounds from 2004. I should have photographed it for my friend, the P.E. teacher, Darlene Nall, but it was not of particular interest to me. There were no stops at any of the spots that were historic until we got to the Acropolis. It was not too hot today--only in the 80's. We were told not to climb to the top. There would not be time --- it was steep and difficult and somewhat dangerous according to our guide --- but I couldn't come to the base of the acropolis and not make the attempt. I decided to begin the ascent and see how far I could get. We had only an hour at this stop for people to take photos and shop the souvenir shops....

I began the climb ---the steps were ancient marble --- worn and uneven---no handrails---but not so high as to be too challenging. I thought since I made the 200 plus steps to the top of Neuschwanstien Castle --- I could do this. When I reached the spot where the climb became really strenuous I had to pay 12 Euro to go up. Each step brought me closer to the remarkable vista which awaited at the top. I could look over the entire city of Athens and out to the sea. I could imagine ancient sailors arriving and looking up that this impressive temple with the statue of Athena glinting gold in the sun saying to all -- I am a powerful goddess. I protect the city. Do nothing to harm my city! It must have been impressive indeed as the huge doors swung open to reveal her presence.
The marble ruins look small from below --- but they are huge when you stand next to them. Dotting the path up the hill were what I assume to be olive trees. Knarled trunks and silver/green leaves, oleander, and star jasmine and a flower I did not recognize, but I took a photo of for later identification. I had an overwhelming urge to sit and ponder at the top -- but knew that I would miss the bus back to port if I did so and potentially cause distress to my friends, so all too quickly after taking photos I began my descent. Dogs are everywhere in the city and many lie sleeping on the path up to the acroplis. Perhaps people leave food offerings for them here. Some of them have collars, but many are obvious strays. It gave new meaning to the saying, "Let sleeping dogs lie!"

I was maybe five minutes late to the bus, but I was relieved to see that I was not the last straggler --- and I didn't divulge that I had been tot he top!
We were weary travelers as we returned to the ship. We sat and drank lemonade on the deck enjoying the cool sea breeze-- we had an early dinner (7:00) our regular formal seating is at 8:30...We retired earlier than on previous nights and planned to sleep until 8:00 a.m. by which time we should be docked at Mykanos.