Explaurie

Travel Journal

Athens--where it all began!

Itinerary--3 nights and 2 full days 

Notes:

A big, noisy city; right off the boat had a personal encounter on the metro with a pick-pocket--and survived;  we were on to him immediately, he knew we knew;  I had a good grip on my purse, Len watched him with an eagle eye as he nonchalantly edged closer; he eventually gave up, but subtlety gave Len the finger before we got off; walked everywhere, some very charming neighbourhoods, lots of young people; lots and lots of graffiti on everything--gave a bit of a rough edge to the city; many pedestrian streets; so many tourists; history everywhere...highlights include wandering the Plaka and Monasteraki areas, and walking the Parthenon Way; crazy experience on last day--got caught up in a traffic turmoil due to huge demonstration that shut down the whole main tourist area, the metro and bus system...luckily we were in a taxi but had to fork out big Euros to have him take us to the airport! Apparently demonstrations happen often here....