Kitty City - Day Γ

Statue of Nike standing on a globe at the Library of Hadrian

Would I ever live in Athens? Probably not. But as a tourist destination, I'd go back again and again just to visit the same seven major ancient Greek landmarks. One could stand there in awe of each marble column for hours, and I pretty much did. And like I said, I do need to come back for Mount Olympus, Sparta, and more islands. Any of you voyaging to Greece soon?

The welcoming face of the Library of Hadrian

Hadrian was one of the Five Good Emperors of Rome that presided over the Roman Empire following their Greek conquest.

Hadrian was a beloved emperor that promoted literacy and the arts.

You can make out what are believed to my the library's bookshelves cut into the slabs of wall.

Our last of the seven major archaeological sites on the combo ticket: Aristotle's Lyceum looks like mostly dirt in pictures, but it was interesting up close to see where Aristotle ran his school of philosophy and naked wrestling.

Having completed our combo ticket, we found plenty else for us to do for the day.

The National History Museum displays a long history of royalty and common life alike.

Almost no matter the culture, women have more interesting dress.

Special exhibit above the old legislative assembly room with models of old boats.

Walking through the museum archives to get to the bathroom.

Greek Parliament Building

Got to see the Greek changing of the guards, where big deadly dudes clang their fluffy slippers to national choreography.

And then we sneakily followed the guards that got changed out several blocks to their resting place.

Outside the Athens War Museum

We were haunted by demonic voices and frogs in the Paradise Gardens outside of the Byzantine and Christian Museum.

See what I mean? Ruins just lie around everywhere and nobody cares.

Then we climbed our third and final and highest Athenian hill, Likavitou Park, up to St. Isidore Church. And it was right about this time that my butt ripped in half. I have no idea what ailed my behind, however it really started to hurt. I'll spare you the disgusting details, but I persisted through it for weeks to come, trying to neither complain too much nor hold back my adventure with Phil. If I ever walked too much during the waking day, I would need to gingerly waddle for the remainder of the day until my butt could seal its wound with overnight rest.

A view over the restaurant at the church

We had no WOW food to write home about, but on the whole everything was delicious and Mediterranean retains its spot as my favorite region of food. The two servings of spanikopita we had were disappointing, but for the first time in my life I enjoyed baklava. Greece is a surprising goldmine of pastries. All of their food is made of either pita bread or phyllo bread, so it's no surprise they do it right. The baklava is so crispy and honey-y.

Posing for our last attraction in Athens

This is either the look of "Will I ever return to Athens?" or "My butt hurts."

Greece was the return of stop signs and the disappearance of bicycles; they replace bicycles with motorbikes. And they are a noticeably chunkier people (same with Italians to a lesser extent) compared to the rest of Europe - though I blame that more on their diet than their lifestyle without bicycles.

Though I depart my dream destination...

Time for an overnight eight-hour cruise to Santorini. We estimate it was only one-tenth full. Phil and I have no idea how they make money on their high frequency of tour ships. Maybe they are subsidized by the government to support their tourism industry. Or maybe they charge exorbitant prices to ferry automobiles between islands.

...my heart will go on.