A 10-minute walk from our hotel Anthology of Athens we are at the foot of the Acropolis and as luck may have it no human swarms. Probably beat the cruise ship locusts that destroy “touristic hot spots”. Passengers must not miss all you can eat post breakfast pre lunch buffet “with authentic Greek hamburgers and watermelon with hot chocolate sauce”.
We have timed admission so with a bit of time on our hands we visit the nearby Acropolis Museum a beautifully designed building with ample natural light making any museum less serious and depressing. I won’t attempt to explain the impressive artifacts many of which have been excavated from the Acropolis (and not stolen by the British) but the impact of such a visit may be to trigger your imagination to contemplate what the Acropolis might have been when “functional”. What an incredible civilization! What marvels! What you see before your eyes is not the entire story so it is up to your imagination to complete your “touristic experience”.
We take a water break at the restaurant in the Acropolis Museum to behold quite a sight! A cruise ship group taking a break. An American family of five including a grandfather. All three adults are obese in the range of 375 pounds. The husband had two beers and a soft drink on the go (Coca Cola no doubt). Two obese children, a daughter having food in both hands stuffing away and the son stuffing his face like a squirrel with nuts. Vulgarity amid such beauty. Tourism is much more than “taking in” the sights as it affords excellent people watching opportunities. Who are visiting the site? Their nationality? Well behaved? Loud and boisterous? Respectful? Ignorant?
Aside from the Yanks being herded by a guide with a flag on a pole or an umbrella there are people from all corners of the earth here.
Then just a short walk to the Acropolis and up we climb and be careful of the polished marble footsteps and stones. Slippery in parts and with rain look out. Up at the foot of the Acropolis, I see an elderly man sitting on a tilted piece of marble. As he placed his posterior on the stone he slipped right off and “hit the dirt”!
What a view of Athens!
Again imagine what it once was.
Unfortunately, the foot is acting up so taking 500mgs of Naproxen twice a day to avoid any inflammation. A very effective prescription drug but slows you down. But not taking it and suffering would be worse.
Dearest F so knowledgeable about restaurants in any city suggests one called Kuzina and as it is a Friday night in Athens we luckily manage a table outside overlooking the subway line with “ruins” throughout the rail lines. If you are a foodie you’ll know about Kuzina in an area of Athens with a series of restaurants. Hip and cool and to some degree local clientele. Laid back and friendly service.
We had sea bass filet on a bed of vlita and zucchini. A superb entrée of loukamides stuffed with feta cheese and olives. We had a bottle of forgettable Malagousia. Worth a return visit.
Grabbed a taxi back to the hotel.
A plenitude of taxis in Athens but just try to flag one down!
There is a frozen yogurt and gelato shop at the corner from our hotel but avoid sitting close to the sidewalk grate with its gaggingly “unpleasant aromas”. And don’t face that damn leaking garbage bin outside Anthology of Athens!
