Things to Do When You Are In Athens

Incredibly busy day yesterday. We started early in the AM with a meeting at the Syndagma Metro station (which contains a terrific set of ancient archeological displays) with Athens Walking Tours.

Then we walked through a number of districts with the guide ending up on the Acropolis where we got the complete explanation of what we were looking at. It was a great tour because there were only 6 people vs the Arthritis Socienty tour which was 25 to a group!

We had lunch in the Plaka district and then explored the Ancient Agora, the Roman Marketplace and the Temple of Hephaistos. (Unfortunately I can't post pictures at this internet cafe).

We walked back through Monastiraki and window shopped and then saw the guards at the Parliament (the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier) having their "Walk Break". Like the guards at Buckingham Palace they cannot move and stand at rigid attention. They have the cutest little pompoms on their toes (Like a cheerleader for the army) and little short skirts. The guns and bayonets appear all too real. When they march it looks like toy soldiers because of the exaggerated goose step that they perform. All in all though - very cool.

We followed up with a walk through the National Gardens and then back to the hotel.

Dinner was a group affair in the Plaka with 10 of us having dinner and getting to know each other. We ate "family style" with everyone sharing. Mark and I followed up with an Ouzo to wash it down. (Think liquid black licorice).

Afterwards Mark went with me while I took some night photos of the Acropolis. He was beat between all the walking and his meds. So snoring was big on his agenda that night.

I got a cool e-mail from the organizing committee of the marathon (Stratos - the press person) who read my blog and sent me an e-mail.

"
Dear Lori:I hope I got the right e-mail address, and that I don't sound like some lunatic to you! :-)

I am working for the Athens Classic Marathon, doing International Media part of it. So I run into your husbands blog, http://johnsmarathon.blogspot.com/ and I spent a good one hour I think reading through it.(I hope to God all this makes sense to you ...)

So, I just want to wish him well. It's very moving to me that he decides to come to Athens to run the original Marathon.After he is done, he may want to get in touch with us in the Organizing Committee, and share his experience! Perhaps we can use it as a feature story in our web site for next year. Or simply learn from his experience.

Again, I wish John good luck, and I hope that he enjoys his experience in Athens.

Warmest regards,

Stratos

PS. For some strange reason I couldn't find his e-mail in his blog, but he posted yours!"

Stratos - Mine is john.johnston@globalhrms.com

Dan is still having a blast and making all knds of friends. (You will see when I can post pictures). The boy is a babe magnet!

Today, I skipped the idea of renting a car. We are going to the museum and then walking the town.

You can post questions and I will try to answer if you have any questions.

JJ in Greece