Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto

I must say, I didn’t have high hopes for Athens. I’m not much of a city lover and being the largest in Greece I thought it would not be too much fun. I was wrong, Athens is a great time, so much to do and see. I wish I would have planned a longer stay here. My first night here I went to Tourist Central … The Plaka, at at a shitty restaurant with the worse Gyro I have ever eatten; I’ve had better in the Bahamas. Now I am on a mission to find the very best Gyro in Greece, any suggestions? After that I was so angry I went back home and crashed, the 13 hour flight here took allot out of me.

Day two, I’m determined to make up for the poor showing the night before, I wake up at 5 AM and begin my research, by the time the sun rises I have a plan for my day.

• Take the Metro to Omonia station and want south to the Agora, or the Central Market.
• Walk to the Plaka and visit Brettos (more on that later).
• Have much at a real Greek restaurant.
• Climb the Acropolis.
• Hang out at an Ouzerie.
• Take the Metro back to my hotel.

I’m usually not the one to plan, but I wanted to make the most of my two days here so I sucked it up.

I sat around waiting for my Sunja to wake up, which she finally does at 8:30 AM, it was time for my master plan to take effect. We ate breakfast and began what began a daily walk to the metro. After a few stops and a connection we were at Omonia Station, the north of Athinas St. After a few minutes south and a detour at pigeon shit central (Omonia Square) we were at the Central Market.

This place is a meat lover paradise, whole carcases of lamb, pork, any meat you desire. Butchers chopping up meat while at the same time trying to drum up business, shouting at the top of their lungs, urging passersby to choose their product over the competition’s. The market has produce, meat and fish sections. If you like olives the stands here will make you happy. Many varieties and you can try them all. One thing to keep in mind though, with all this raw meat comes a scent, some may like is some may not. Sunja could not take the scent so we walked as quickly as we could through while taking in as much as we could.

OK, Plaka round II …. I am determined to redeem myself after last nights showing. I navigate the streets and find Brettos; OK this place is cool, they make their own Ouzo. You can sit down and order wine, ouzo and raki among other spirits, The Ouzo is top notch but I was won over by the Raki; some of you may have watched Anthony Bordain and remember his experience with Raki. True, this thing is like rocket fuel but I like the flavor; it is made from grapes just like Ouzo but it lacks the anise flavor that gives Ouzo its licorice flavor. The lack of this flavor lets the grape flavor come forth, but I did not expect to taste raisins, a subtle raisin flavor that I was surprised that I liked. After a few glasses of Raki I was on my way to find my lunch destination.

A bit buzzed I find my way to Vyzantino, a restaurant recommended by many locals, this was for a reason, the food is good. I ordered the fried sardines and an octopus salad, AMAZING. It may have been the beers I had thrown back or the Raki that was still affecting the firing of my synapses but I thought the food was superb. Definitely check this place out if you are ever in the area.

OK, the acropolis. You all know it, when you think Athens, you think of the Acropolis. For one thing you don’t have to ask where it is, it dominates the landscape of Athens no matter where you are. I knew it would be a tourist trap but I could not leave Athens without seeing it. I had planned to make the hike later in the afternoon but as luck would have it it was 2pm and we happened upon the parks entrance. At that point I made up my mind that I would make the hike then not later as my master plan dictated. We bought our tickets and began the ascent to the top of the hill… man it was hot out there; the hill was steep, the steps slippery (really watch out and don’t bust your ass) but we finally made it. There we were standing in front of the Parthenon, what an impressive structure, it’s amazing that we are more advanced than the Greeks because it boggles the mind how this thing was not built without modern machinery. To say the least, this is a must see and can only be appreciated standing in its shadow. One thing that was upsetting was that the whole thing was surrounded by scaffolding as repairs were being made; it took away from the beauty. On the way back down we took another route, I felt rather idiotic for taking the path I did before, this one was a breeze; marble steps instead of dusty slopes, even a bathroom and a drink kiosk. After all that I was tired and was dying for a shower so we put the ouzierie plan on hold and headed back to the metro station to take the metro back to out hotel.

I’m also tired of typing this novel so until tommorow…