After an overnight at sea we pulled into the port of Pirreus early early in the morning. Many of the crew members were very excited for Pirreus and others were dreading it. The ones who were excited had every right to be. We would be spending a day in their home city and they would get to see friends and family. The others dreaded the port because it is where the TSS Topaz did most of its purchasing and loaded on tons of stuff all day. The second group of workers would be lifting and loading all day. A few friends and I had a different plan, to try and see the sights of ancient Greece without feeling like sheepish tourists or spending too much money. I am sad to report that we failed. We did see many amazing sights but it proved impossible for us to do this without masses of people and shelling out allot of cash.
After disembarking, Lauren, Will, Greer and I made our way to the metro station after walking by the dozens of Greek owned cruise ships that were scattered throughout the port. The train was clean and comfortable and very European feeling. I
Saying Goodbye to AnnaAnna was one of the Greek crew member's daughter, a pro hoola-hooper and one of the few children on the boat. We all missed her for the remainder of the journey
was surprised bu this because for some reason I had expected Greece to be different from the rest of the Europe that I had already traveled through on previous trips. After getting off the train downtown, we strolled the streets. One thing became very evident in those first few minutes while we were walking, this was going to be a very sweaty day. We decided to seek refuge in a shady cafe along a side street. That is when I came to another realization, this was going to be a very expensive day. It was 15 Euros for a drink and an omelet and we were not even in a touristy place. The omelet was mediocre and we all left the shop totally unsatisfied.
We thought that some Greek ruins may cheers up so we headed for the Acropolis. Walking through the streets of Athens I was not all that impressed by the local modern structures but there was something that caught the eye of me and all of my friends as we wound out way up the hill, the graffiti. There were political statements, tags, and all sort of graphics all around us. Most of it was really
good and the messages lead me to believe that people in Greece are concerned with political issues.
We made our way further up the hill to a back entrance of the Acropolis. After some hiking and waiting through some short lines in the dry Greek heat there we there, standing where the philosophers laid it down. Where the wine and olive oil flowed like water so many ages ago. We made our way through the columns toward the larger buildings filled with anticipation. And coming through to the main area were greeted by lovely SCAFFOLDING!? That is right. In the middle of the summer they had chosen to fix up the place. I was disappointed to say the least. It takes away from the whole experience when you are looking at these ancient structures, pondering what life was like so many years ago, when, a Greek guy with plumbers crack on one of the scaffoldings brings you back to the real world. Yikes!
So we gazed and pondered and decided it was time to head back down the hill. I left the Acropolis did a bit of shopping, had a meal and headed back to the ship, disappointed
for the first time on this journey. I saw great potential in Athens but unfortunately it was not the right place at the right time and I think I made a few bad choices. To me though that just means that I have to go back and give the place another try. Hopefully I will have the opportunity again someday.
Greece's Flag
Map of Greece