After arriving at my hostel, I met a few girls from my room and with our stomachs growling, we took to the streets in search of dinner. Within moments, we found ourselves walking along a cobblestone road lined with restaurants. The restaurant owners all outside on the sidewalk, blocking the path of all pedestrians, greeting us with a hello, opening their menus and describing the food, inviting us in. Dinner was wonderful! I ordered Chicken Souvlaki - Pita, grilled chicken, potatoes, raw onion and parsley salad, tomatoes, cucumbers, and Tzatziki Sauce - a cucumber-yogurt-garlic sauce that is delicious!
The next morning, I joined a walking tour all over town - Theater of Herodes Atticus, Roman Agora, Temple of Zeus and the Adrianos Gate, the New Acropolis Museum, and the Panathinaiko Stadium - home to the first international Olympic Games held in 1896! The highlight of the afternoon was visiting the Acropolis and Parthenon. The view of the city was spectacular and the Classic Greek architecture was stunning.
I spent the afternoon roaming the Monastiraki, Plaka and Psiri neighborhoods, seated at the base of the Acropolis. The streets are filled with shops, architecture and food - frappes (instant iced coffee) and gyros in the hands of many, the smell of chicken and lamb cooking on the rotisserie, souvenirs and tourists, sandal and jewelry shops, and lovely art galleries displaying canvases filled with Greek landscape, white homes with blue roofs, and brilliant sunsets!
