"I'm on the top of the world, looking down on creation...." I'm not sure you are familiar with that song by the Carpenters, but wow! I have been to the Acropolis before, but I think every time you experience it you are mesmerized. Standing on top of a lone plateau, nothing in the city is taller. It tells the story of a place that 2500 years ago was built to represent the empire of democracy. Pericles really made a statement with this one! The fact that it is still standing today is amazing. At night the entire hill is lit up like a gold torch. It is magnificent.
Our view from our hotel balcony reveals the rooftops of most of the buildings in Athens. TV and radio antennas abound. Most rooftops are livable space with some plants and trees and tables to use. There is some laundry hanging from clotheslines. There are a lot of airconditioning units and lots and lots of cement. It would be virtually impossible to cleanup a city like this. There are many empty buildings or at least partially empty. The streets are narrow and crowded. But the hills with their rock formations and churches dedicated to their religion surround. The "newer" houses and apartments climb up them like fingers trying to get to the top. Many of the hills are lit up at night and create an honorable view. The Greek flag is displayed proudly atop many of the higher points in town, including the Acropolis. Advertising is done in various ways here. At the present time I am sitting on the rooftop of the hotel and listening to someone yelling from a microphone system on a truck that is traveling around the city. You could probably hear them in the far east as their voices verberate off the buildings. Today there is protesting in the town center against the government's new stance on the pension payout. Jonathan commented on how everyone that speaks in this country yells. They speak loudly and excitedly. I hadn't noticed until he mentioned it.
Adding Chris to the group was like inviting Jerry Seinfeld, Vince Vaughn or Will Farrow to the party. He and Jonathan teamed up like Mutt and Jeff. There was constant commentary on sites we were seeing and people we were passing. It was refreshing and fun. They also have a great time teasing their parents. Belly laughing is a great way to release tension. Let's just say we all seem to be totally relaxed! As we were walking (climbing) to the top of the Acropolis, there was a strange looking character walking down with a little entourage. As he passed, we realized it was Stephen Tyler from Aerosmith. He had his dread locks and bandanna on. He was quite scrawny looking with a rather large face. He passed people by avoiding eye-contact, but participated the same as any other tourist. Jonathan and Chris were both very excited to see him. Then, again in the Plaka, just walking along, there he was. I'm not sure a lot of people knew who he was, but when we spotted him as did a few others, he ducked into a jewelry shop. The doors were closed immediately. That night at dinner, we all got a good laugh when FL began talking about seeing Stephen Tyler from Steppen Wolf!
Walking through the streets of Athens was not pretty. Again, not a pretty city from below. A lot of peddlers on the streets, lots of cars and honking and a lot of people. When we arrived at the Plaka, which is more accommodating to tourists, there were shops all around, some really nice and some okay. Not really the designer district that has popped up so many times throughout our travels. You could buy a Louis Vuitton here, but they are nicer in SOHO. It was a beautiful day. The weather cooperated fully by being slightly overcast with a breeze. The temperature was probably about 80 degrees. I couldn't really tell you in Celsius which is what everything is based on in Europe. Okay, my proverbial question for the day: Why do we do that? Why is there Celsius and the metric system in one country and Fahrenheit and a different unit system in the other? Did somebody somewhere wake up one day and say "let's make life difficult for everyone and start a new measuring system? Strange. There are many Orthodox Churches splashed throughout the city. We saw a few being renovated and many from the 10th and 11th centuries that were not. There is a St. Catherine here that was from the 11th century. Quite old. It is tucked away near the Plaka on side streets between a nicer area of apartment buildings and hotels.
Eating dinner on the roof of a tall building is quite appealing. It reminds me of Richard Gear in Pretty Woman when Julie Roberts asks him; why if he is afraid of heights does he choose the penthouse. He responds "because it's the best". The air was fresh and breezy, the sunset was superb, and the view was, again, spectacular.
On to Kalamata.
Our view from our hotel balcony reveals the rooftops of most of the buildings in Athens. TV and radio antennas abound. Most rooftops are livable space with some plants and trees and tables to use. There is some laundry hanging from clotheslines. There are a lot of airconditioning units and lots and lots of cement. It would be virtually impossible to cleanup a city like this. There are many empty buildings or at least partially empty. The streets are narrow and crowded. But the hills with their rock formations and churches dedicated to their religion surround. The "newer" houses and apartments climb up them like fingers trying to get to the top. Many of the hills are lit up at night and create an honorable view. The Greek flag is displayed proudly atop many of the higher points in town, including the Acropolis. Advertising is done in various ways here. At the present time I am sitting on the rooftop of the hotel and listening to someone yelling from a microphone system on a truck that is traveling around the city. You could probably hear them in the far east as their voices verberate off the buildings. Today there is protesting in the town center against the government's new stance on the pension payout. Jonathan commented on how everyone that speaks in this country yells. They speak loudly and excitedly. I hadn't noticed until he mentioned it.
Adding Chris to the group was like inviting Jerry Seinfeld, Vince Vaughn or Will Farrow to the party. He and Jonathan teamed up like Mutt and Jeff. There was constant commentary on sites we were seeing and people we were passing. It was refreshing and fun. They also have a great time teasing their parents. Belly laughing is a great way to release tension. Let's just say we all seem to be totally relaxed! As we were walking (climbing) to the top of the Acropolis, there was a strange looking character walking down with a little entourage. As he passed, we realized it was Stephen Tyler from Aerosmith. He had his dread locks and bandanna on. He was quite scrawny looking with a rather large face. He passed people by avoiding eye-contact, but participated the same as any other tourist. Jonathan and Chris were both very excited to see him. Then, again in the Plaka, just walking along, there he was. I'm not sure a lot of people knew who he was, but when we spotted him as did a few others, he ducked into a jewelry shop. The doors were closed immediately. That night at dinner, we all got a good laugh when FL began talking about seeing Stephen Tyler from Steppen Wolf!
Walking through the streets of Athens was not pretty. Again, not a pretty city from below. A lot of peddlers on the streets, lots of cars and honking and a lot of people. When we arrived at the Plaka, which is more accommodating to tourists, there were shops all around, some really nice and some okay. Not really the designer district that has popped up so many times throughout our travels. You could buy a Louis Vuitton here, but they are nicer in SOHO. It was a beautiful day. The weather cooperated fully by being slightly overcast with a breeze. The temperature was probably about 80 degrees. I couldn't really tell you in Celsius which is what everything is based on in Europe. Okay, my proverbial question for the day: Why do we do that? Why is there Celsius and the metric system in one country and Fahrenheit and a different unit system in the other? Did somebody somewhere wake up one day and say "let's make life difficult for everyone and start a new measuring system? Strange. There are many Orthodox Churches splashed throughout the city. We saw a few being renovated and many from the 10th and 11th centuries that were not. There is a St. Catherine here that was from the 11th century. Quite old. It is tucked away near the Plaka on side streets between a nicer area of apartment buildings and hotels.
Eating dinner on the roof of a tall building is quite appealing. It reminds me of Richard Gear in Pretty Woman when Julie Roberts asks him; why if he is afraid of heights does he choose the penthouse. He responds "because it's the best". The air was fresh and breezy, the sunset was superb, and the view was, again, spectacular.
On to Kalamata.
Another great post. Well its 63 degrees Fahrenheit - not sure what that is in Celsius but I agree with you. Its been really nice weather here but not as hot as where you are. Again you make me laugh out loud!!! Steven Tyler. How funny FL thought he was with Steppen Wolf. I am sure you guys are laughing it up. I'll bet you're anxious to get to the beach!!!! You are going to a beach aren't you??? Please tell me you are. Love and Miss You!!!! Seems like you guys have been gone for every.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless
Marsha, you are so much fun! It makes me so happy to hear that you all are together and laughing. I grew up with Celsius and kilometers. Yes, everyone in greece shouts, and when they emigrate and are your aunts and uncles in another land, they seem to shout louder!
ReplyDeletein re Celsius - that would be the French Revolution.. preceded by a few visionary scientists who wanted a single decimal measuring system for all the world. A few centuries later, we and Britain hold out against rationality ;)
ReplyDeleteI remember dining on a rooftop in Athens with my Greek family, just as you described. Beautiful.