Day 45: Gorgeous Greece!

My flight to Athens was at 10:20 so I planned on catching the 8:00 bus to the airport. I was running a little behind but I booted it to the bus stop and made it with a few minutes to spare. Unfortunately I was at the WRONG bus stoop. I realized pretty quickly so I ran (as fast as I could with a massive backpack on) to the correct stop. But as soon as I started to run I saw my bus drive past me...there was no way I was going to make it to the stop in time so I slowed down and accepted the fact that I would have to wait half an hour for the next bus. But would you believe it only a few moments later the bus appeared again (I guess it just made a loop and came back around) so I hopped on the bus and made it to the airport in great time. Talk about someone lookng down on me!

Check-in, security and the actual flight all went smoothly. The flight flew by (haha pardon the pun) and before I knew it I was in Athens. I hopped on the metro and got to my hostel with no problems. I was prepared for the worst- most people I've talked to don't have anything nice to say about the city, but I LOVE it so far! It was hot and sunny which probably helped, but it seems very clean, the signs are in Greek AND English (thank God because I have no idea how to pronounce a triangle) and everyone speaks PERECT English. Its true what they say about the Greek men though- lots of cat calls and things like that, but its been harmless so far! I was going to go see the Acropolis today (the 12 euro ticket is good for a week and it gives you entry into pretty much all the historic thing here!) but I decided to save all that for tomorrow. Instead I grabbed some lunch- had my first (in Greece anyways) gyro and it was amazing. I've been eyeing up the Greek salads and they look SO good. I am definitely getting one tomorrow! (and probably the next day, and the day after that, and...)

I have been dying to get some gladiator sandals this whole trip but most of the stores so far just had their winter stock in. But not in Athens! They have a bunch of shops solely dedicated to sandals! The one problem: quite pricey (about 30-40 euros). I'm hoping I can find a less expensive pair, but better quality than the pair I bought at home for $8.50 and they totally fell apart!)


I also bought my ticket for the overnight ferry to Crete tomorrow night. To ease my worries I asked the guy at the front desk about the islands situation- he said things are definitely dying down but they are still worth checking out...and things will still be open! Phew! That makes me feel a little better, thats for sure!




The hostel has a rooftop bar with an amazng view of the Acropolis so me and a few people in my room went up there to enjoy some beverages...and the scenery! All the monuments are lit-up at night so its absolutely beautiful! After having a few drinks we went off in search of some food. We were going to sit down to eat but we realized that they pretty much double the price when you do that! So instead we got some take-away (I had the BEST beef gyro for only 1.80 euro!) and wandered around. We made our way up to near the Acropolis and pretty much got to see the entire city! What a great way to spend my first day in Greece!

Love, Dianna