We boarded the plane (Tucson to Dallas, Dallas to DC, DC to Athens) on October 6. There was only Matt and I in our row going across the Atlantic Ocean. I did not sleep much.
Mark met us at the train station and it was now October 7. He lives on the third floor of an apartment building, 58 steps. People in Greece do not flush toilet paper, I am not a fan of that. But I survived. We walked all around Athens with Mark showing up his favorite places.
The next day, October 8, was spent doing a lot more walking. That night we met Yorgos for dinner. I knew Yorgos back in 1993-1994 in Tucson and visited him in 1996 in Greece. He visited me in Tucson in 2001.
Yorgos, Matt, Mark, and Homer.
We went to an interesting art exhibit that night and then had a late meal at the beautiful home of Vasilios and Elias.
Vasilios and Elias.
The next day, October 9, Mark and Yorgos left for Egypt.
We went to the National Archaeological Museum. There are many famous statues and other artifacts there. After a while, very overwhelming. In many ways it is an art museum, you don't get much idea about how people lived in ancient Greece. Most of the large bronze statues have been fished out of the ocean.
Bronze statue, perhaps of Paris holding an apple, and Matt.
They still have some of the frescoes from Santorini, I was surprised since the museum on that island opened a while ago. I wanted to become an archaeologist because of a 1972 National Geographic article about Santorini.
Boxing boys and African antelopes.
Athens is covered in ugly graffiti. But occasionally there are large, beautiful murals.
Murals.
On October 10 we went to the Acropolis and saw the Parthenon and the Erechtheion. They have just finished repairing the western pediment and are still working on replacing broken parts elsewhere, finding them among 70,000 catalogued fragments.
Matt and Homer with the Parthenon in the background.
We also went to the Acropolis Museum, which houses the pediment statues and other decorative elements that were not stolen by Elgin. I was surprised and delighted to see a Lego Acropolis.
Lego Acropolis.
On Sunday October 11 we went to the antique market. Lots of interesting things. My favorite was this painting (too big to bring home).
Mustache man.
Next we went to see the American School of Classical Studies, which has many artifacts on display from the digs they have done over the years and saw the well-preserved Temple of Hephaestus.
Three bearded men.
The temple had been turned into a church, which helped with its preservation.
Temple of Hephaestus.
On October 12 we took the ferry to Aegina. We saw a beautiful temple and lots of rural scenery.
Ferry boat to Aegina.
Temple of Aphaia.
On October 13, we took a van tour to Delphi. Our driver was a young archaeology student- it was interesting to talk to him. It threatened to rain so Matt bought umbrellas (a good idea).
Athens treasury.
The museum had many interesting sculptures. The famous Charioteer bronze statue was buried in an earthquake, so it survived.
Charioteer.
October 14 was a rain day where we stayed indoors. I was also having a cold, no fun.
We did a lot of walking during the trip and sometimes I dragged Matt into the ornate Greek Orthodox churches just to stop for a moment or two. Icons, statues, incense burners, chandeliers, mostly covered in soot. Very beautiful.
Church interior.
There are well-fed stray cats everywhere. Some of them were very friendly.
Matt and cat.
On October 15 we purchased tickets and got in a bus to go see the Corinth canal, the Treasury of Atreus, Mycenae, and Nafplion.
Tholos tomb, Treasury of Atreus.
Lion Gate at Mycenae.
We then went to Epidaurus and saw the massive theater and the Asclepius hospital complex.
Matt at the Epidaurus Theater.
October 16 was spent wandering around Athens. The next day Mark and Yorgos got back and we went to another art opening, the theme was black things so I wore my cowboy shirt.
Homer and Elias.
We met an interesting trans woman who is a well known artist.
Yorgos, Matt, and Constantina.
October 18 was spent wandering around Athens with Mark.
On October 19, Mark, Matt, and I took the ferry to Hydra (pronounded He-dra). Lots of walking and beautiful scenery. This is a no-vessel island (except garbage trucks).
Mark at the pizza restaurant on Hydra.
After the ferry ride home we stopped in JUMBO, a Greek department store.
Jumbo.
Although it was mid-October they already had huge amounts of Christmas stuff for sale.
After dinner, we stopped at a top floor bar for a view of the Parthenon at night.
Parthenon all lit up.
The next day, October 20, was souvenir hunting.
On October 21 we flew back and there was no one in the middle seat on the Athens flight. SO NICE. It took us 30 hours to get home.
Matt is excited to eat.
It was a lovely time.
# posted by Homer : 12:30 PM
