Athens on the Cheap Part II
Sunday, we slept in and decided to head back into the city to see things we had missed on our first day. Our first stop was for lunch. I was delighted that we had a very attractive waiter who brought us all the complimentary water we wanted. After spending the last year in Germany where a small glass of water costs roughly $3 and no refills, we were most grateful. I also had the best lamb I’ve ever eaten. It was so tender that I did not even need a knife. We found a special Sunday only flea market which sold the widest variety of stuff I have ever seen. Keep in mind that I lived for a year in Korea, but this Athenian market tops even Nandemun and Dandemun (sp?). I saw everything from dishwashers and shower heads to motorcycle luggage nets and surplus American military gear. We also saw three young men running, apparently for their lives. Then we saw two cops running after them - the customs police! The young men were selling black market Louis Vuitton and D&G purses and I have to give them credit for their methods. They actually wear most of the purses and for items too large to wear, they lay on a large sheet. When customs police come after them, they grab the four corners of the sheet, make it into a bundle, and run at speeds that should make Olypmians blush. Mad props to them. I fully support anyone who cheats tacky designer crap that runs for $10,000 simply because it has some fruity guy’s initials on it. Instead of police finding real criminals, they chase down street vendors who have to make a living somehow.
Anyway, after the market we headed to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for the changing of the guard. Ladies will especially like this - extraordinarily attractive Greek men (hello, Adonis) wearing poofy skirts and pom pom shoes, marching very high and leaving little to the imagination. One of the guards was the very same one pictured in my guide book and of course I took photos next to him. We then relaxed with ice cream cones in the National Gardens and watched a guy fly a trash bag. I swear that is exactly what he was doing. He filled a huge Hefty bag with bag, tied a string to it, and wandered around literally flying a trash bag. So if you are looking for a business venture in Athens, may I suggest opening a kite store?
We went back to the hotel, intending to take a dip in the ocean, but the beach was rocky and actually quite gross. Instead, we settled for wading just to say that we touched the sea. We had more souvlaki for dinner and bought some luscious chocolate pastries for dessert.
Monday was pretty boring. We checked out of the hotel, found some quick lunch, and spend the remainder of our time sipping Starbucks frappichinos on what we think is Greece’s version of Rodeo Drive. The flight back was uneventful and enjoyable, thanks to the free wine, and the Prague airport was entertaining enough. I think we were home by midnight with no adverse effects other than listening too much to some silly Greek music we bought at the airport.
All in all, Athens is highly recommended. Though if you are faint of heart, make sure your hotel doesn’t have free porn.