#3/4 - Athens - Antiquity - Acropolis

May 23, 2024 - Day 3

We have been waiting for this day with great excitement!🤩

First, we fortified ourselves with a hearty breakfast in our restaurant street. The young lady at the entrance really is there from morning to evening - amazing. However, I didn't like the Greek coffee sooooo much. But I probably have no idea and can't appreciate it😅. Otherwise, it was really delicious! There are these "donut-like" rolls everywhere. They seem to be very popular with the Athenians here.

Then we finally walked through the ancient area at the Acropolis. I was really excited about that! Elisa... at least came with me😄. I thought that was nice☺️. Let's go! We paid 20 euros for admission and are now on an "ancient site". To the left of the area we walked to a reconstructed building - a kind of Athenian museum. There are many artifacts to see inside: coins, jugs, statues, ... . I also found some tablets to read. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough time to study them in detail. Then we walked further across the site past many ruins with many ancient stones (hopefully💁🏼‍♂️) and visited the Temple of Hephaestus. It is at least the same architectural style as the Parthenon on/at the Acropolis - only much better preserved, but a bit smaller. So it's definitely worth a look. Some say that the "Acropolis" only refers to the hill - others say that it means "everything" - no idea 🙈. It was really very warm though, so we were happy about the numerous shady spots.

In the afternoon - before our evening tour - we wanted to fortify ourselves. Elisa ordered a Greek salad. I preferred a Caesar salad. The waiter spoke a little German and we joked with each other. As a thank you, there was plenty of ouzo/grappa in a jug... I was allowed to drink the 4 double (or more) shots within a few minutes. Man, that was disgusting... and then the next jug was immediately on the table. I had to politely decline... 😁

In anticipation of the short trip, we booked a guided two-hour evening tour in German. It was supposed to be the highlight. Now the time had finally come. Due to the catastrophic traffic situation, we unfortunately arrived at the meeting point 10 minutes late with our Uber. Dimitrios, our driver, kept wanting to talk to me during the trip and kept calling me "Stefanos, Stefanos" - but for once I wasn't in the mood because of the traffic chaos (which of course wasn't his fault). He did his best.

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The group had already left, of course. We ran after the group with an employee of the organizer and caught up with the guide at the entrance to the Acropolis. Unfortunately, our tickets could not be scanned and we were sent away from the entrance to the counter. Our tour guide's colleague was still there, noticed it and told the people at the counter a few things in a brisk tone in Greek... Suddenly we were able to pass through the entrance just like that, past the queue. Man, I was happy 😝

Elisa didn't like the tour soooo much. For me it was so-so. We were given headphones so that we could understand our guide better. Unfortunately, the connection was often interrupted. The lady is really passionate about it and tried to give us as much information as possible😅. However, it was very hot in the blazing sun and there were only a few shady spots. Admittedly, all in all it was a bit long-winded and exhausting because of the sun. The Acropolis was also very crowded and that just dampens the mood. For these reasons, we are of the opinion that it is better to explore the Acropolis on your own at your own pace at a time of day of your choosing. Because of the crowds of tourists in the evening, you might consider trying this in the morning...

Small info:

We have read online from time to time that it is forbidden to take food (including water) onto the Acropolis. Of course, that is complete nonsense! Pack lots of water! There is no water for sale up there yet. A small restaurant is planned to move into the former museum.

Essentially, you can see the Parthenon there - but it's pretty badly damaged, in my opinion. The Athenians are trying to restore it step by step. I think since the 80s (of the 20th century😅). But we mustn't forget that this temple has seen a lot over the last 2500 years and is still standing. There was also a 20m statue of Athena that was unfortunately lost. There is also the Erechtheion, another temple that has apparently already been completely restored. Of course, a Greek flag is a must on the Acropolis. Every evening, the soldiers come at 7:45 p.m. and take it down so that it can be raised again in the morning. Much of the Acropolis has already fallen into disrepair or is not accessible due to restoration work. Nevertheless, it is sacred to the Athenians - at least that's the feeling we had. In that respect, it is more of a symbolic place that is world famous and highly frequented. Everyone wants to get their perfect picture. You can't avoid it. But overall it's always exhausting when lots of people come together like that. We liked the Acropolis a lot, but unfortunately we find it difficult to enjoy the moments... The view over the city is pretty good though!

On the way home we passed our "food mile" again. The receptionist at one of the restaurants recognized us immediately and smiled at us... We had already put her off a few times. She always remembered us. So of course we sat down next to her😁

Best regards 😊