Αθήνα = Athens

I'm here, in the land where signs look like this: Μέγαρο Μουσικής. Yes, I'm in Greece and where are you? Most of you are close to 6,000 miles away.

But, don't fret, you could be having as much trouble as I am at reading signs and getting around.

I am happy to be here though and today was eventful as I toured the Acropolis, Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Agora, and Lykavittos Hill.

This morning I awoke to a headache and so, I did what I felt was best and went back to sleep. After I awoke and rose, I made my way out of the hostel.

I soon found out that I didn't need my jacket and sweatshirt and shed both. I made my way toward the Acropolis and on the way stopped and admired the Japanese tourists admiring the Panathanaic Stadion. It doesn't matter where I am, they seem to follow me; Athens, Venice, Rome, London, Berlin; they're everywhere!

Anyhow, i pulled myself from those sushi making, camera yielding, samurai sword making people, and headed toward the gardens adjacent to the Acropolis.

As I passed by the Temple of Olympian Zeus I snapped pictures, about the only thing you can do and then continued on. Reaching the gate to the Acropolis, I brandished my CWC student ID card like those tourists are known to brandish those swords and watched the gatekeeper as she summoned me through the gates, free of charge.

After Sigourney Weaver allowed me in I made my way up the Acropolis, pausing to switch between my digital and my video camera, giving them equal time, as they tend to quarrel in their shared bag. I passed by said tourists and continued pausing every so often, switching cameras back and forth. As I reached the summit, I slipped in mud and dropped my camera down the hill; no not really. Gotcha!

I did slip in mud however and the result is staring at me right now on my shoes, or rather I'm staring at it. I reached the Temple of Athena Nike and continued the camera switching, trying to avoid the group of Italian adolescents that I thought I'd left on Via Della Corso in Rome.

I checked out the top of the rock and it was seriously one of the most impressive things I've seen in my short 22 year life. To see the Parthenon, was simple amazing and now, since I've seen the Parthenon Marbles at the British Museum in London, I've seen the whole thing. I admired the view and admired some more before descending the slope, and heading toward my next stop.

Once I climbed down the opposite side of the Acropolis I made my way over to the Agora and wandered around there for about an hour before sitting down and planning the rest of my day, along side my fighting camera's because of the larger amount of time I used my digital in the Agora.

After we were all finished I continued through the Agora before I headed down one of the main streets in the Plaka neighborhood, known for its tourist trappiness and now, great Gyro booth. I had a gyro at a place I can't either spell or pronounce and continued until I found the train station I am going to need tomorrow. Once there and thoroughly confused with the ticket system, although its cheap, I continued toward Lykavittos Hill.

Now, I have climbed mountains and slopes, snowy surfaces and brush lands; but I have never felt I was going to pass out more than today when I was climbing that hill to get to the top. After admiring the sweat now pouring down every nook and cranny I have, stopped and admired the view that now is the best view I have seen in all my 22 years of being alive.

To describe it is impossible and to look at pictures will not do the trick either. But, surprisingly there was very little wind and I did the camera switching again.

After I felt that it was enough, I descended, carved my name on a cactus leave (everyone else had) and then made my way back to the hostel.

Tonight I sat on my computer for a while and listened to the Reds game before going and getting a Gyro at some place I can't spell or pronounce, but it was good and all for €1.70.

Tomorrow, I am arising early to catch the train at the train station I found before I go to to catch a ferry to the island of Poros or Paros, depending on your source. I will be staying the night there and the day and coming back to Athens on Saturday.

Cheers until next time!