Athens: the basics

Alex and Melissa recovered from travel with a late start, and Phil and I did our second laundry of the trip. Our apartment in Athens is in Petralona, a neighborhood we remember from past years as being pretty anti-Airbnb, but here we are. It has two bedrooms (one is long and narrow, with two head to toe single beds, and a second is a regular bedroom with a double bed).

We set off to do the key things: Plaka, Monastiraki and the Acropolis. We took the train in to Monastiraki, walked around, then back up to Plaka. In fashion this year are evil eye-decorated textiles, and the tiny Greek houses that decorate our bathroom back home. 

View of the Acropolis from Monastiraki

Alexander at Alexander.

We wandered around doing some shopping and exploring the alleyways. In Monastiraki there are still plenty of flea market shops (today is Saturday) and Plaka is full of tourist shops with new items. We could not find the bead shop that I used to love. It was packed. For lunch we went to Scholarcheio, better known as the Flaming Weenie, but for the first time we had to wait and in the end sit just inside. It is terribly hot (heat dome) so the AC felt good. 

We didn't order them, but flaming weenies were happening.

We wandered slowly up to Anafiotika, a little village of cycladic architecture transplanted to the upper slopes of the Acropolis built by workers from the island of Anafi who were brought over to build King Otto's palace. They are little tiny houses built in very narrow pathways and lots of little steps, all whitewashed. 

Cool little snail etching on a wall.

One of the houses

Church in Anafiotika

The wind was very strong, making it bearable in the heat, but also a bit brutal. I've not felt wind like that in Athens before. We we went to the Areopagus and then the Parthenon. I sat in the shade and read my book, happy to spare my almost-60-year-old knees.

View of Lykavitos from the slopes of the acropolis

You never know what you will see...

An occulus for the pine tree next to the museum shop at the Parthenon.

Arcaic pomegranates in the msueum shop

The Lantern of Demosthenes

We made our way back to our apartment, found a really big grocery store, and spent some time cooking dinner and trying to get Phil's phone fixed. His phone stopped working about 3 days ago and we can't figure out why.