We Made It!!!

It was nearly twenty four hours from wake up time to arrival at the Athens airport which has made for a very long day but we did it.  The ride to Philadelphia was very bumpy most of the way and I can now say that I have experienced airsickness.  The flight to Zurich was pretty smooth and I managed to get several hours of sleep which is probably why I am still awake and John is sound asleep. The little bit of Switzerland we saw out of the airplane window and through the airport windows was just beautiful and reminded us of Oregon.  Our brief glimpses of the Alps showed just how impressive a mountain range they are. 

We negotiated the metro lines without getting lost and found our hotel which is nestled in a lovely little neighborhood near the Acropolis.  www.artgalleryhotel.com 

                                                         View from hotel balcony.
                                                 
After checking in we took a hike up the hill and walked around the base of the Acropolis along the pedestrian walkway.  Standing at the base of this hill and looking up at this structure was a bit surreal.  I have seen many photos of this site but they did not prepare me for seeing it in person! 

We took a quick tour of the Plaka's narrow streets filled with tavernas, souvenier shops, fruit vendors and ancient ruins which is an interesting mix of sights and tourists.  I think I will wait for the museum stores to do my shopping though:)

                                                                     Roman Agora

This evening has been pleasantly warm and comfortable.  We enjoyed a delicious meal at a sidewalk cafe down the street and it was so good to eat something besides airport food, airline food or something out of the three pounds of gluten-free food from my backpack.  (Yes, that is about how much of that I brought with me and it did come in very handy.)  As I have been sitting here writing this sounds of the neighborhood have been drifting in the balcony door.  Vespas zooming up and down the streets, music, excited voices, laughter and barking dogs.  The sounds of life all around is very comforting and makes me feel part of the neighborhood.

Tomorrow is breakfast on the terrace, a tour of the Acropolis and the new Acropolis museum (yea!!), the Ancient Agora (marketplace) and its museum plus as much else as we have the energy for.  Oh, and let's not forget the museum store ;)

                                                            Recycling Greek style
                                

Carrie