Red cherries: 1.99 / kilo
Peaches: 1.49 / kilo
Tomatoes: 0.50 / kilo
All sorts of olives; from 1.80 – 4.00 / kilo
Apricots: 1.49 / kilo
Grape leaves: 8.00 / stack
(All prices are in Euros – pronounced :evro” in Greece, spelled Evpo.)
Before we got to the market, we passed one of the many pet shops, where they sold pets, including exotic animals like tropical birds and chipmunks.
We decided to hop on a tourist tram to take us around the city. Saw some of the sights and drove through normal business and residential areas. Motorcycles are more numerous in Athens than in any other city I have visited.
We hopped off the tram at the Parliament Building in Syntagma Square, and strolled through the huge gardens to while away the time before the changing of the guard. The gardens are well-maintained and well laid out, resulting is a pleasing experience. For some reason, there was a large number of some specific plant flowering at this time that smelled really bad. I wonder why they planted so many of them....
Just before “the hour” we joined the other tourists around the guard area in front of the tomb of the unknown (soldier?). The guards, in traditional Greek regalia, including kilts and “pom-poms” on their shoes, went through a formal orchestrated ceremony to change the watch. It is similar to the ceremony in Arlington cemetery but much more stylized and choreographed.
Then the tourists all stood next to the guards for photos, but none of us was so inclined.
Lunch was pastries at tables outside a pastry shop. Spinach-cheese pie, feta pie, cheese pie, and a cream pastry for dessert. I call them “pies,” but they are either filo wrapped or similar to what we know as tapada. Delicious, of course. The girls drank “frappe” (ΦΡΑΠΠΕ), iced espresso with milk, beaten in a blender.
After resting at the hotel for a couple of hours, we went to the Keiramikos Cemetery historic site. Remarkably, very few people knew of it or where it is to be found. We had to convince the taxi driver to go where we thought is was, and then just to let us out of the cab, since he had no idea. Just then a drenching downpour began and we took refuge under the awning of a magazine kiosk. While we waited, we were talking about the cemetery, and a young man overheard us and told us where to find it. Since it was raining, he urged us not to miss it: “If you can't go today, then you must come back tomorrow; it is very important.”
When if finally stopped raining we walked over to the site with just an hour left until closing. It is one of the sites related to the Acropolis, and included in the overall admission, which we – after all – had not had to purchase. Admission to this one site was 2 euros. The site included large segments of the city wall of ancient Athens and foundations of forges and homes, but it again began to rain torrents. We scampered under a roof that protected an archaeological dig and waited 20 more minutes until the rain subsided.
Why is it raining in the dry season????
When we finally resumed our tour of the site, there was only about a half hour left before closing. The cemetery itself was located mostly outside the ancient city walls, and still contained many grave markers, although most of the markers were collected at the edge while the archaeologists decide where they are supposed to be located. Some of the gravestones were elaborately carved depicting, for example, the life of the warrior or the family setting of a head of family. It is said to be the largest and best-preserved cemetery from the period. We made it to the exit gate just as they were sliding it shut.
By the way, the Greek word for “exit” is “Εξοδος” or in capital letters: “ЁΞΟΔΟΣ.” All you college students should be able to read this.
We had decided to go the the Psiri section of town for music and dancing (spectators only, of course), so we started walking in that direction looking first for a place to eat dinner. After listening to the hawking of many restaurant promoters, we ended up at a restaurant overlooking the Roman Forum, with the Temple of Thission above us in one direction, and the Acropolis above us in the distance in the other direction. The promoter promised live music starting in just 15 minutes. Of course we didn't believe him, and told him so.
About 20 minutes later, the two musicians began playing (guitar and bouzouki) and singing mostly Greek but some popular songs. They were quite good, and we enjoyed their music through dinner.
We ordered stuffed grape leaves, called “dolmades” here, even though you Sephardim call them “yaprakes.” In addition, we had fried feta and a Greek salad (aren't all salads in Greece Greek?). The food was great.
An hour an a half later, the musicians were still playing and singing – NOT HAVING TAKEN A BREAK LONGER THAN 1 MINUTE TO DRINK SOMETHING. Iron men! As we left, I had to apologize to the guy hooking in the customers, telling him that I thought the musicians were great. We all thought that this dinner experience was the best so far.
We finally left to go to psiri, but we didn't feel the need to search out a music venue, since we were so satisfied with the music at dinner. But we wanted to scout out the neighborhood. The girls were hesitant to enter the narrow streets of the neighborhood, even though the literature assured them that the area is safe. If finally led them into a delightfully hip area of the city with numerous night clubs, cafes, and bars, some of which had music, all of which were full to overflowing with patrons.
A juggler was in the street, drawing a crowd, and just finishing his act as we walked up.
When we were ready to head back to the hotel, I started to lead the way through dark, narrow streets again, and I got complaints about who might save us if we were to run into trouble. I pointed out that the main street was no more than two blocks away, and everyone reluctantly followed me. Thirty seconds later we were on the main street, and two minutes later we were entering our hotel.
Time to turn in after a busy day.
No comments:
Post a Comment