Journal Day 31

Day 31 - Athens

June 12, 1997

Down to the breakfast room about 8:00, then walked out smack dab into "the hardware district". Just outside our hotel - screwdrivers, washers, paint, pliers, all over the sidewalk...for blocks!! We walked up Athina Street to the market area. The meat sits right out in the blazing sun. Found a Greek mini-Costco, so bought a whole case (24) of mini ouzos to give to the guys at home for souvenirs.

Headed down to the Plaka to finish up my shopping. Just had Greg's and Jeff's left to buy. Dad and I re-grouped at 11:30 and headed up to Syntagqma Square to see the Changing of the Guard. Quite impressive! I think I was like Bob taking pictures of the dolphins at Marineland, and got a little carried away clicking. But it was neat.

Dad and I split a Greek Salad for lunch. (Seems like I write this almost every day) He had beer, and I had Iced Tea. Started back with Dad, but go waylaid in a dress store. Told him I'd be along shortly, so he went back to the hotel.

I started out to take ONE more look at the end of the Plaka, but kept walking. Up, up, up, and lo and behold found myself being "drawn" to the Parthenon! Cost me 10 bucks to get in, but my heart was just pounding! It wqs SO Spectacular! And I touched it all! Running my hands over the same marble pillars Socrates and all his buddies had touched! Too Cool! I knew Dad would be concerned, so I didn't stay long, but it was long enough that as I approached the hotel, he was just coming down the street. Sending out the search party. But I climbed the Acropolis and touched the Parthenon! I feel like I've touched a part of history!! Too Cool!! Definitely Too Cool!!

3:00 PM and we cooled off in the hotel for a while before heading out for supper. Just wanted something light. Got hooked in to a small gyro place, but the guy got us good. Ordered our meal for us, and we ended up with 2 Mixed Grills! Gyro PORTIONS @ 3,000 dr each! Dad had ordered Vodka Tonic (definetly not on their menu) but the waiter said "no Problem" and ran to Pireaus I'm sure, to get it for him!

Then Mr. Listo (the lotto ticket seller) came around. Dad bought 5 and won 50 cents. We had to wait for another Mr. Listo to come around, but this guy was "crazy-in-the-head" and wanted Dad to pay more. All the waiters gathered round and told Dad not to do it. In the end Yianni (our waiter) bought Dad's ticket from him.

While we were sitting waiting for our food (remember, these tables and chairs are set out on the sidewalk) a guy in a jeep decided he wanted to go down this alley, so the waiters had to move the chairs to let him by. Half an hour later he comes back, but by this time, people were seated at the table blocking the alley, so they all scattered while he drove through! We sat in this small cafe for a couple of hours.. Instead of complimentary ouze, Yianni brought us a whole JUG of complimentary retsina! By the time we left we owed $50.00!! For a nice light snack. But, hey, it's our LAST NIGHT IN GREECE! What the Hey!

A few hot little tears as I tried to fall asleep - this our last night in Greece

Day 32 - Toronto