September 12 – Arrival in Athens

Athens: balmy, busy, and refreshingly fresh. From the airport, a lengthy metro ride into the city zoomed us to the Monastiraki stop, just a few blocks from Hotel Tempi, our home for the next couple of days. My friend, Nicoletta, had stayed there over 20 years ago and laughed when I told her we had [...]

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Random Sights on the First Athens Afternoon

From our lofty lookout at Hotel Tempi, the shifting show below was a people-watcher’s paradise. Our balcony was very similar to the one you see here on the other side of Eolou Street.

Smack in the middle of bustling Ermou Street, Panagia Kapnikarea (aka the Church of Saint Mary) has claimed this spot [...]

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Dinner With Finnish Friends

Arranged by email a few weeks prior, the plan was to meet my Finnish friend, Jan and family, in front of Hotel Tempi at 9:00 p.m. Knowing we had hours before dinner, Gino and I indulged in a tasty gyro from one of the corner souvlaki stands. A gyro (pronounced hee-roh), in case you have [...]

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September 13 – The Agora

Greeted by clear cobalt skies, this morning we headed straight for the Agora, the ancient market and gathering place. Once the civic and commercial heart of ancient Athens, this was where Athenians gathered to buy and sell, trade and discuss. Loafers and philosophers alike convened here to opine, share gossip, and listen to orators.

It was [...]

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