Athens Day Two

 The 10 hour time change adjustment along with my bowels are causing some very mild discomfort. I’m not sure if it’s my overthinking things or an actual physical malady but more will be revealed as the days pass. Modern medicine will intervene, we will soon know the timing of each…. But I regress. 

Big walking day today. We started with a yummy breakfast this morning as part of our hotel stay. Fresh fruit, pastries, eggs and much more. Top floor watching the ancient Acropolis while drinking good greek coffee. The Acropolis is our destination today, Jennifer secured “no wait in line” tickets. Bonnie has her walking sticks and we’re off for an appointment at 8:00. Those were the days when you just showed up to a venue, purchased entrance and just walked in…but there are now so many more people traveling from all over the world I guess this is the most logical way to do things.

Acropolis means the “highest point” in Latin. It certainly is. 360 degree view that includes the ocean and surrounding terrain. Actually the Acropolis had a large wall surrounding it. The rock it’s built on is over seven acres 500 feet in the air. It and many other temples were built by Pericles around 450 BC. Hard to fathom what life would have been like.

As we walked through the city built on ancient ruins with many remaining, seeing where Socrates was prisoned and Plato once walked have been much more powerful than when I first came here at 22. 

The roads/paths/stairs are brutal, but with our guidance and patience Bonnie made it to the top and back without complaint or injury. We visited the museum, had an iced espresso and hiked back to the hotel for a rest.

After resting we headed back downtown to the gyro place and dinner and a beer. It’s Sunday here so many places closed but we found last nights shop.

Once full and with Bonnie loosing uumph, we taxied back to the hotel. Chilled for a while, read and wrote.

Headed to the roof for an evening cocktail and discussed dinner. It’ll be just me and Jen, mama’s down for the count. 

Ate flatbread and mousaka, glass of wine. People watched then back to end a special day in this amazing city. Must have walked 5-6 miles today. Our piggies are squealing. Tomorrow we board the ship…