Sat April 20. Nat Botanical Garden

Sitting outside between ligustrum bushes on our balcony, seranaded by the guy on the Pan Flutes below (see very last photo of blog), overlooking Parliament's Keplt guards, hearing traffic noises below, I sit to blog. 

We had our 4 hours of tourist time today. That's plenty. We are off to Israel on an evening flight tonight. Late check out makes this all easy. 

At the end of Athens, what do we think? 

Athens hit the zenith 2500 years ago. Hard to compete these days with building the Parthenon, the birth of democracy, inventing calculus, trigonometry, and the intellectual atmosphere of philosophers. 

There was a second boom time in the late 1800's, with massive neo-Classic buildings, still being used, that were homes then. This hotel, the Parliament. The Zappelon (we walked by it today.) 

Why no museums, or any mention, of those ideas of 2500 years ago? I saw ONE mention of Socrates, having used the Agora as a gathering place. No mention of Pythagoras, Euclid, not much of Pericles (democracy.) A few mentions of Homer when the Greek gods of the sculpture are described. 

The lasting imact of the Athenians of 2500 years ago is huge. It's their ideas that are the lasting impact. I salute them. I see nothing physical here that does. 

Started the day bringing in our laundry, let it all dry on our balcony on hangers last night. One carry on suitcase per person makes you do these things. Over breakfast read about the Boston Marathon bombers have both been found, Boston is off lock down. A sigh of relief. 

Cold day for Athenians. Saw people in fur lined coats. It was high of 70. Mike was one of only a handful we saw all day in shorts. Yes we stick out as tourists. At least he wasn't wearing madras shorts. 

Off we started towards the National Botanical Gardens behind Parliament. Who did we meet klomping down the street but those Klepts, who were off to change guards.

Then the Garden. About 50 acres we guess. It was manicured, isn't well taken care of now.

Dogs live there, with tags. Big dogs.
They ignore people.
 They lie right in the middle of the paths.

And turtles, and turtle doves.

Lots of citrus trees, all in bloom and quite fragrant now. Trimmed up so there's openness under them. 

Then walked to the Panathenic Stadium. Built in 350 BC, seats 50,000 people. Rennovated in 138 AD by Hadrian (with money from that magnate Herodius Atticus.) It's right next to a major road, open to the road. Very low key. The roads are 1/3 motorbikes, 2/3 cars.






 













Can you imagine climbing up these marble steps, 2,000 years ago...perhaps intoxicated. No hand rails. And not in snazzy sneakers, but in slippery leather sandals?

Yes that's Mike.  











Here's your Greek alphabet challenge for the day. Sites of the Olympic Games. 

Back through the garden to the Zappelon. Love the colors, brown-red, mustard yellow, refreshing light blue. These were the same colors used on the Parthenon of 2500 years ago, according to the Acropolis museum. 

Just elegant. An oasis of calm and cool in the midst of a bustling, noisy and hot city. 

Back through the garden. Alleys of citrus, wisteria, palm trees. 

We had lunch at the Armani Cafe. Found the place where the top stores are, Kolonaki. The 'ritzy' neighborhood. Dozens, literally dozens of on street cafes. Not even street-side, they put the tables onto the street. Trees in this area. Makes a HUGE difference. Pedestrian alleys where motorbikes, and even cars will venture. Packed with people, drinking coffees, eating croissants or other pastries. 

And smoking. You see people smoking everywhere. Remember ashtrays on the tables in restaurants, well here's one. That's an espresso freddo, and an orange chicken salad... panini. I have never gotten yet exactly what I thought I ordered. So you just go with it. It was delicious. The bread was like a biscuit. 

Back to the hotel, through the upscale shopping district. 

Music box being played outside Louis Vuitton

Notice the Pan Flute. . Music along the walkways everywhere. 



I feel very comfortable in Greece. Took us days to find the neighborhoods we liked. Venture off the tourist path. Just look for the Chanel and Louis Vuitton stores.... good food will soon follow.