Athens Exploration

Today was our first day without our group. A few people were still in Athens today between planned extensions and the nonsense with the air traffic controllers.  After breakfast and a lobby meeting (we can only really communicate via wi-fi and prearranged meetings here), we headed to the Acropolis Museum. We had heard that it was essentially everything they uncovered at the Parthenon would be there.  Even though we have been living down the street from the museum all week, I hadn't really noticed how beautiful and thoughtful the building was until we approached it on foot. The museum was recently ranked 3rd in the world. It is built over ongoing excavations and has glass floors built over it.  We weren't allowed to take photos inside, but it was really cool. I liked how the floor plan mimicked that of the original Parthenon. 

After the museum visit, the 5 of us went to lunch in the neighborhood to plan our next move.  Emma and Zach headed off to check into their hostel, while Richard, Jenny and I set out to climb Lycrabettus hill to see St. George's Church.  Thus began the adventure of navigating Athens and not speaking Greek. Google advised us to take the number 230 bus, then pick up a tram to the top of the mountain.  We figured out the bus without much incident, but couldn't figure out how to pay for our fares.  We people watched intently and didn't see many people paying, so we didn't. We still haven't stopped talking about how we got a free bus ride. Being in a city that is in financial crisis, makes free public transportation rides seem so unethical.  Upon our arrival in Ika (neighborhood), we began to search for this tram. The benefit of planning to go to a place on the top of a mountain is that you can see where you are headed, but when you can't find the tram and figure you'll just start walking in the right direction.....

We ended up "urban hiking" on the carved paths and paved roads all the way to the top. Near the church and cafe, we met a lovely retired couple from New City, NY.  They were hilarious, and also had trouble finding the tram.  When we finally climbed the last stair to the cafe, Richard grabbed a Coke Light (he is in talks for an endorsement deal) and we took pictures and visited the chapel. I can't imagine who would have ever worshipped there.  What was unclear to us before we reached the top is that we were significantly higher in elevation than the acropolis. The views were amazing and I'm glad we went even if it meant walking uphill. When we went to the WC (bathroom) we found the elusive tram and bought tickets for a ride down (€3.50 per person). 

We walked the rest of the way through the neighborhood to the subway station where we got to experience yet another form of public transportation.  Only in Athens are there relics in the subway stations. We paid for our fares on this trip, but it appeared that the turnstiles were invisible and nothing was stopping you from just walking through. Dear Greece, we have some ideas for Revenue sources.  The subway system was built for then Olympics so it is very new and very clean. 

When we got back to the neighborhood, we had a snack and I managed to FaceTime with Mom & Tess who may or may not have been in an art museum in Phillie. Jenny and I are now sitting in a Chinese restaurant (she is the only Asian in sight) and playing on our tablets. We are exhausted. Tomorrow is our last day and we are hoping for some sun! Can't believe this trip is almost over, but I am beginning to miss home.  

Photos: 

Acropolis view from the museum terrace

Coke Light! 

St. George's Church 

 

Saturday Sight Seeing: two mosques, a church and a palace

This morning we raced out to the bus only to fight Istanbul traffic. Istanbul has been growing so fast, and even with publics transportation improvements, traffic can be crazy. It also doesn't help that we are in a large tour bus and the streets are narrow. Also, people will just pull over and park. It can be frustrating, but it has afforded us a fee opportunities to nap mid-day.

Today we visited the Suleymaniye Mosque, then the Byzantine Hippodrome. The mosque was really interesting and it is still actively being used for prayer. The ladies of our group all brought pashminas with us to cover our heads. They do have scarves you can borrow, but that creeped me out a little. We all removed our shoes before entering and I am so glad I chose slip ons instead of my sneakers. The Hippodrome is a plaza with two obelisks and a bronze statue of 3 serpents intertwined. It is interesting that even though Istanbul has so many things that are ancient and native to Turkey, they have things like obelisks that were brought in from Egypt.

We then got in line for the Blue Mosque. The Blue Mosque was also very beautiful. This mosque had more tilework. After the mosque, we got in line for Hagia Sophia. Even though we had tickets, the line stretched through the plaza. This afforded a much needed snack break, obviously. I had this bagel-thing but tried to share (so many carbs in this city) and Jenny got a pastry that was like a giant rugelach but not as good.. It was a church , then it was a mosque and now it is a museum. The mosaics are amazing and in great condition for their age.

Then it was finally lunch time. Lunch was pretty good. We had berek as an appetizer which is like a Turkish egg roll. Then we had something that tasted a lot like pot roast and was served with some mash/purée thing which I tried but obviously couldn't finish.

Then we got to visit the Topkapi palace which had beautiful courtyards and more amazing mosaics. The palace was home to most of the Sultans that ruled over Istanbul. We got to check out an exhibit of jewelry and other jeweled items owned by Sultans and given to Sultans as gifts, including a 86 carat diamond. They unfortunately, didn't let us play dress up,

On the way back to the hotel, Jenny and I got dropped off in the neighborhood near the Galata tower so we could visit a shop we had stopped in on Wednesday. We successfully navigated our way home and managed to stumble into some sort of outdoor concert, which was interesting.

Now we're repacking for tomorrow's journey to Athens.

Photos:
Outside the Suleymaniye, Hagia Sofia, Random concert, inside the Blue Mosque