Athens

---

Some first impressions. So far the hostel is working out pretty well. It's not too much top write home about but it's on a nice residential street filled with orange trees and communal dogs. The drivers are batty, with motorcycles threatening to run you over at every turn, and cars that can't find parking simply park on the sidewalk. Despite the concrete jungle angle, there's actually a lot of (nonhuman) life in this city. Loads of birds and wildflowers wherever a bit of green space has gone unattended. Some beautiful red poppies in particular.

I spent today walking everyone as the metro strike is still on. First thing this morning was the Acropolis, which my guidebook lists as "the most important ancient monument in the Western world" - although I'm not too sure about that myself. There I visited the Parthenon and the Theater of Dionysos, among other ruins, and then wandered later in the day through the Ancient Agora before stopping for a late lunch in the Planka area of town. There's a lot of good shopping here but I think I'll be saving my money for other countries where it will go farther.

That's all for now. Tomorrow the schedule is the National Archaeological Museum followed by a quick, cheap lunch and bus ride to Cape Sounion.

---

Photos

Acropolis
First glimpse of the Acropolis

Parthenon
The Parthenon et moi

Theatre of Dionysos
View of Athens from the Theatre of Dionysos

The Erechteion
The Erechteion at the Acropolis

The Caryatids
The Caryatids of the Erechteion

Tortoise
Mr. Tortoise is also a wildflower connoisseur.

Athens Backpackers Hostel
My current location: the Athens Backpackers Hostel

Dog
One of the many dogs who live in the city.

Comments

[Clement]

miss you already
Glad to hear that you arrived safely.

[Amanda]

Animals
I love your comment on there being a lot of nonhuman life in the city. I think that's what we're missing here in America. Sure we have stray cats and dogs, and squirrels, but we've moved all of the animals out as if there's some extra space for them to go... when there's not! Can't wait for pics! :D