arriving in athens

panathenakos stadium



the acropolis from below



we got into athens about 7pm. the first hotel we drove by, we took and booked for the night (one night only since we hoave booked a flight to berlin from athens for tomorrow night). perhaps it would have been better if we had some more time in athens, but such is how things have passed. (there is always next time). i must admit that before comming here, i had always heard not so good things about athens specifically. however, that was before the olympics last summer, when (i believe) a lot of improvements were made. even when asking people here in greece, they suggested that one day was enough in athens. however, before we came out here, my aunt hresula and my cousin dina both said that at least half a week would be necessary for athens. in any case, we had tonite and have early tomorrow.

right away, on the ride in, we knew we were in athens when we saw the acropolis, and the parthenon on top. it was an intense experience, even seeing it from afar in the car driving in. after checking in to the hotel, and saying goodbye to my uncle and heraklea, we took a walk over to the acropolis. on the way, we saw the outside of the ancient agora as well. unfortunately, it was too late to get into and explore any of the sites. i was slightly disappointed, but we can do it tomorrow. after walking around the hill that the acropolis sit on, and seeing the parthenon from the outside (which is still quite a site), we walked up the street to the parliment building. before getting there, we saw hardrian’s arch and the ruins of the temple of hercules. it was neat. when we got to the parliment building, we saw the guards standing out front in the classical greek soldier’s uniform. we walked back here around nine, and they were doing the changing of the gaurds. they are like the soldiers at buckingham palace, in that they cannot talk, or smile, or any of that stuff. we then went around that block and saw the royal palace, where the president lives. it isnt all that much, a big mansion with a gate out front. walkign down that street led to panathenion stadium, where the olympics were held. it was neat because one end was opened, and we could see right into it. it was not the stadium that i was thinking of when i thought of the olympics, though. i am also interested in seeing the more modern stadium (this one is in the classical mode), that i imagine they had other sports in (perhaps swimming, but im not sure).

after that, we walked home, and got some nice night shots of the acropolis and the agora. we also walked around the plaka, which seems to be the active center of social athens, where there are many cafes, restaurants, etc. tomorrow we will try to see what we can before leaving for berlin.

lastly, one thing that we noticed right away is that there is a severe stray dog problem in athens. perhaps it would be wrong for me to call it a problem if most of the residence here do not see it as one. afterall, people are not really being attacked, and it seems as though the city’s dogs and the city’s people are getting on just fine. i am sure that if there was a real health risk, this would be addressed (although, based on what i know about greeks, and what i have seen so far here, that assumption may not hold true.