Travels With Jim Explores Athens – Part One

The tour bus arrived on time although it was a little difficult to tell that it was actually the right bus. It was a little bigger than a mini-van and kinda cute, really. It was 7:45 in the morning already well into the 90’s. If I had traveled to Greece several years ago I might have passed out in the sheer heat. But since I have lost 120 pounds in the last two years and essentially have no body fat I’ve been soaking up the heat wherever I go.

Travels With Jim Explores Athens - Part One

I prepared for my first Athens tour. I put everything together the night before so I was sure not to forget anything. The Greek continental includes far more than the plethora of bread and pastries that seem to be an American staple. While breakfast was a hurried event this morning it was quite pleasant. I have found myself somewhat annoying the wait staff when I make it clear that I am wanting more than just two or three drops of coffee.

Exploring Athens, Greece

The first bus was a wee blue thing that whisked me off to Syntagma Square where we were transferred to the mother ship, a much larger air-conditioned coach. I realize it’s somewhat odd, but I turned the air conditioning off. We essentially went nowhere for about thirty minutes while waiting for the smaller shuttles to bring yet other mesmerized tourists to the mother ship.

Athens in the Morning

This is Athens

In retrospect I think the bus was the safest place to be. Athenian drivers have only one objective, and that is to get where they are going. As a pedestrian it is not a good idea to challenge a Greek driver. When I was in Italy I was amazed, even frightened at how they drive. In the film Under The Tuscan Sun there is a line that the yellow light which means slow down because red is next and that means stop, is merely a vague suggestion in Italy. If you happen to travel in places like Italy, Greece, France and the UK it’s important to note that pedestrians don’t have the right of way and you may be taking your life in your own hands if you forget this. Even I have nearly been creamed a couple of times primarily because I was looking the wrong way.
Syntagma( Πλατεία Συντάγματος) Square is a central location in Athens. One of the most interesting places is the Greek Parliament. If you happen to be walking through the square on the hour you can see the changing of the guard. I did not see it on this day but on another when Yioryis and I were doing a marathon walk through a myriad of neighborhoods in Athens. The changing of the guard takes place just in front the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Μνημείο του Αγνώστου Στρατιώτη).

Greek Parliament

The changing of the guards is quite intersting to see. It’s unlike any other guard changing ceremony I had ever seen before. In order to become one of these guards (a great honor in itself) you must be 100% Greek and you must be at least 6’2″ tall. My friend Alexander (Αλέξανδρος) never qualified for such a position partly because he is only 6 feet tall but more because there’s just no way he could stand at attention in the blazing hot Athenian sun for hours at a time and not move at all. I’m quite certain I couldn’t do that either.

Changing of the Guard

I was impressed that in Greece you can see the guards, and you can have your picture taken with them in a respectful manner. But there is a third guard there who makes sure that these men are safe. Quite frankly I would find it impossible to stand there for any length of time under those conditions. Oh and did I forget to mention the traditional uniform. I was wearing shorts and a thin tee-shirt. To be dressed to the hilt in what appears to be heavy wool in the sweltering Athenian Sun would be a challenge in itself.

Jim- Guarding the Guard

Also within just a short walk are some of the oldest and most interesting neighborhoods in Athens. I know I was in Plaka (Πλάκα) and Monastiraki (Μοναστηράκι). I’m not so sure I was in either Psiri (Ψυρρή) or Kolonaki (Κολωνάκι). I was really only in Greece for a rather short eighteen days and while I did see and experience many wonderful things I know I will have to return many times in order to see and experience so much more.

Athenian Neighborhoods

Streets of Marble

Some of the more famous sites are all within a very short distance of Syntagma Square. In future blog posts we will be traveling to places like The Acropolis(Ακρόπολις) , The Theater of Dionysus which I was able to see from a distance, The ancient Agora of Athens (Αρχαία Αγορά των Αθηνών) where Yioryis heard and translated for me some much younger Athenian men note that when they are as “OLD,” as these two guys (Yioryis and me) they hope to be in as good physical condition. I will also take you to Philopappos Monument (Μνημείο του Φιλοπάππου) at the top of the hill of the nymphs and finally to Lycabettus Hill where I was essentially and almost overwhelmingly struck with the sheer enormity of the city of Athens Greece.

An Early Morning Jaunt to Philopappos

I have a surprise for my loyal readers. But of course you’ll have to check in to see what it could possibly be.
And this is merely The Athens Experience. Just wait until we set sail for the Islands of Greece.

Sailing in Santorini

For more information and a slew of other pictures from all sorts of world adventures take a trip over to Travels With Jim.
Jim & The Athens Experience continues tomorrow and every day thereafter. So come travel along with me. We have some fabulous destinations to explore as well as the tales to spin.