Greece – Act I

We rode the metro for 45 minutes from the airport and found our way to Hotel Tempi. In the evening hours, crisp air filled our lungs as we ventured into the city streets of Athens to find money, food, and contact solution. Necessities that were easy to navigate amongst street signs layered in Greek alphabet and roman letters. Faces peered out of stylish ensembles of bomber jackets, scarves, hats and hoodies. Boots of every detail hit the pavement of dark alleyways lit up by hidden strips of restaurants/bars. Greeks mainly kept to themselves, but here in the night, they were as colorful as the graffiti that lined the walls of Athens.

I enjoy Athens, more so than the last big city we had visited – no offense Istanbul! There is something here that makes me feel happier even though nothing unusual or spectacular has happened. I can’t explain it, it just is. We spent a few days all together here and did a self-guided walking tour, which are always fun with the girls because we are easily distracted! We got to see the last runner finish the 2500th Anniversary of the Athens Marathon at the Olympic Stadium, the guards at the parliament house, the street dancers, and so much more!

We visited the Acropolis Museum, which is hands-down my favorite museum thus far!! The building, which was constructed to replace the old Acropolis Museum, had the advantage of knowing its exhibits intimately and therefore created the perfect spaces for its ancient arts. Man, every level and space was unique and so perfectly displayed its pieces with reverence and respect. This is a must visit folks! Love, love, love it!

Santorini was a charming little island and yes it was beautiful, but the white buildings and cobalt blue tops that it’s mainly identified as are well… not really representative of this place. You will only find this postcard perfect scene at Oia, at the tip of Santorini. I think perhaps, I came with too much expectation and therefore set myself up for a little disappointment. None the less, we spent five days on the island because it was the perfect place to rest, relax, and soak in some sun. We ate at Nikolas several times because the traditional Greek food there was so yummy! Plus, I had my best gyro ever on this island! Man the Greeks know how to eat!

Now, we are on our way to Meteora, central Greece, by bus to visit the monasteries that are perched in the mountains. It is raining… so we hope in ‘Act II” we can tell you that the sun came out, we’ll see!