I am sitting at the Hotel Neos Olympos in Athens. Finally here!
Getting to Athens this time was a bit of a nightmare. My flight out of Nashville was delayed, and I missed my connection out of New York. Delta wanted to put me on the same flight the next day, which would have meant a full 24 hour layover. Yuck! So I begged and wheddled until they found a KLM flight that put me into Athens about 5 hours than originally scheduled.
Only I had to go through Amsterdam–always a zoo. Barely made my connection there (I was the last one on the plane!). Finally got into Athens at 1:30 and met my good friend Steve Pylkas. He was on his way to Finland and I persuaded him to route through Athens so we could spend a day together. The fact that his daughter (Anna) was also in Athens doing a study abroad (and that he could surprise her) had nothing to do with his decision. (I’m sure!)
We spend the afternoon and evening walking around the Plaka district. Weather is beautiful–clear, in the 70’s. The Acropolis glistened. We ate ice cream, had coffee, talked in the shadow of the Kapnikarea church, and otherwise thoroughly enjoyed our time. Ended with a great dinner ((lamb, olives) at the Acropolis Restaurant in the Plaka. They had live balalika music and dancers. We talked politics and religion–topics that are particularly appropriate for an evening in the city of Aristotle and Socrates.
Now, a good night’s rest. After a long and uncomfortable flight, nothing beats a comfortable bed. Neos Olympos is a great little hotel, clean and cheap, with handy access to the Metro and the wonders of Athens.
It’s been a long flight. You’ve gotten through customs, collected your luggage, and stepped out of the airport arrival hall to stand on the street outside. You’re tired, hungry, and in desperate need of a shower.