Greek fast food - gotta love it

Changing of the Guard, Athens, Greece
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Well, this was my down time. No tours planned, no wake up call, just the day at my leisure. Ahh. I took the shuttle to the city center and started to walk around. I kind of had a plan, but by now I have learned to just go where the wind blows me or the upside map takes me. This time, I ended up at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier around the time of the changing of the guards. I actually witnessed this twice, once on Saturday, and once on Sunday with a bigger ceremony. They have great uniforms, with little pompoms on their shoes. But really, they look super cool. They wear a skirt, but you wouldn't know it. Maybe I'll get one of them. I don't think I can pull it off, though. The ceremony, both of them, was very nice and somber, and quite the event. It was great to watch. See, sometimes dumb luck can work for you.

Changing of the Guard, Athens, Greece
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I enjoyed the food in Greece tremendously; I love Europe's idea of fast food anyway. CHEESE PIE. Nirvana! Three kinds of CHEESE PIE! Yum. Maybe I was a mouse in a previous life. That would be Karma. Anyway, I really din't bother with too many sit down meals as I was quite happy with my CHEESE PIES. But I did stop at a taverna in Plaka (the old town in Athens) and had chicken souvlaki and my ever present Coke. I have also had a frappe. In Greece, this is whipped up Nescafe coffee over ice. Nescafe is quite popular, and I have seen it all over in my travels. It was not bad.

Three kinds of CHEESE PIE

Changing of the Guard, Athens, Greece
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I did a little shopping. It actually crossed my mind to buy a pair of Dolce and Gabbana shoes.... and then I woke up in a cold sweat and realized it was only a bad dream. Ha ha. It's funny, I spent really no money in Italy, hardly any in Prague, but those Greeks. They got me! I haven't really taken advantage of the alcohol on my travels either: no vodka, no ouzo, no Czech beer. I did, however, buy a chocolate bar with cognac. I didn't think it could be that much, but I may have been drunk. I think I had a hangover; anyway, it was the best night's sleep I had in a while.

Because you wouldn't believe me if I told you
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Also in Athens, I did go to the Benaki museum. There are wonderful representations of Byzantine art, which really interested me, as well as traditional Greek costumes. The museum also traced the history of Greece, through the occupation of many nations, most recently the Turks, and the fight for independence in the 1820s. It was nice and peaceful. A great way to start a Sunday. Then, I made my way to Lycabettus hill (I'm sure I've mis-spelled it, but I don't have my resources here). Anyway, I knew it was high, it overlooks the Acropolis, but I had no idea there were 8 billion steps to the funicular (a little tramway to take you HIGHER). But, up I went. After some time up there and a little pasta lunch, I headed back and pretty much ended the day.

Athens, View from Lycabettus (?) Hill
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I thoroughly enjoyed Athens, and would go back, especially to check out the islands. I enjoyed the people and the food. I enjoyed the ruins a lot, too.

Paris is the next stop! Allons!