Journal - Day 3

Day 3 and 4 - Athens, Greece

May 15/16, 1997

As I sit out on the balcony of the "Hotel Tempi" staring up at the Acropolis, it's like I'm in a dream.

The morning started out in Toronto, breakfast with Georgia. When we got to the airport, we lined up in this huge lineup for our seat selection. Then Dad rushed over when they opened a new wicket. I stayed where I was, knowing thatthey were going to kick him out, cause he was in the "Premier Service" lineup. But they didn't!! Here he had upgraded our seates as a special surprise. Well, I was in shock! It was great! Tons of leg room, free drinks, and more.

We arrived in Athens 10 hours later, got our passports stamped and bussed (City transit) into the city. I'd heard about this place, but is's hard to believe until you see it. The traffic is unbelievable! Motorcycles everywhere, in every shape and description, jotting in and out of lanes, but mostly just down the center line, wiggling their handlebars to get by the busses.

We got off at Syntagma Square, carrying our luggage, temperature about 30 celsius, and after a few wrong turns, and help from 2 different Greeks, we found our way to the Hotel Tempi (as mentioned in The Lonely Planet. Dad negotiated with the hotelier, who had said "No Reservation? No Room", and finally got us this great little place, overlooking a pretty little garden and a church, presently under renovation. We have to go down the hall to the bathroom, and to the shower. We had a 3 1/2 hour nap (it's like 4:00 AM our time) a shower - down the hall, and off we set again. Found the proper route to Syntagma, saw the Olympian ruins, and came back through the "Plaka". Cool shops, and very upscale boutiques. Stopped for a beer and pita bread with feta cheese for supper. (We'd had spanokopita for lunch somewhere).

Now Dad is snoozing, and I'm staring up at the Parthenon. Awesome!

Day 5 Athens