On a whim I mentioned to my Albanian mother and father that I would like to go to Greece. The next thing I knew I found myself sharing a private taxi on the way to Athens with my Albanian Grandparent’s cardiologist. The whole journey took about 12 hours total from Vlora to Athens. I think Greek drivers are some of the most crazy in the world even outdoing Egyptian drivers!
When I arrived in Athens I was greeted by the younger sister and daughter of the woman and her father who run an architectural business in the office next to my Albanian mom’s pharmacy. The familial connections continued in Athens. I think from now on the only way I’m going to travel is with Albanians.
My first taste of the Greek coastline.
The driver, myself, and another passenger in the taxi.
A famous battle was fought at this gorge. I couldn’t tell you what battle or what the place is called though. My guidebook on this part of the world is sorely lacking. I do not recommend getting the Lonely Planet Europe on a Shoestring book. Sure it gives you a broad overview but you miss most of the interesting stuff!
Bridge to the Greek island of Peloponnese. It was built for the Olympics.
In the superb National Archeological Museum in Athens. Note the schwastika motif on this 4000 year old pot.
On my way back from the museum I was caught in what at first I thought to be a military takeover of Greece. It turns out that I happened to be in Greece during their national independence day. Parade was the word of the day. Every branch of the fighting forces of Greece was represented.
The all female special ops unit of the Greek military. I would not want to meet any of those women in a dark alley late at night!
The scuba men backed up by the Nordic ski patrol!
I believe this is the navy female officer’s corps.
Another all-female fighting unit. I think these may have been air force or paratroopers.
Why are these guys the only ones with bullet-proof vests? It seems a bit unfair to me!
Marching into battle armed with a trombone.
The mountain rescue corps backed up by yet more frogmen.
During the march I took several videos. The are below.
With the parade over I headed for the Acropolis.
Outside of one of the Roman theaters.
My Albanian companion while in Greece. Traveling with Albanians is the ONLY way to travel!
It appears that aliens have landed on the acropolis in the form of scaffolding and cranes covering the major ancient monuments.
A funerary monument on the next hill over.
The acropolis from Mars Hill.
Part of the Roman agora and the octagonal tower of the winds.
The dogs have the right idea in Athens.
Sunset outside of Athens. One of my friend’s friends had come down from Vlora for the weekend with his car so we went out driving to see the scenery.
My old haircut. One thing that I admire in Albanians is their straightforward nature. They all told me to get a haircut so when I went back to Vlora I went to the nearest barber and asked for the latest and greatest style in Albania.
At a roadside stand buying some magazines. In Greece all forms of pornography are sold openly at every news stand and on every street corner. Coming from Tunisia where such things are banned and rigorously confiscated by the authorities, it was a bit of a novelty.
The tomb of the unknown soldier in front of the Greek parliament building. Yes, the honor guards are dressed ridiculously.
Back at the Acropolis. The last time we tried to get in it was closed because of the holiday.
The mass of touristic humanity flooding over the acropolis entry.
The Parthenon, by far the most famous building in Greece.
The Caryatids.
Once again, the jigsaw puzzle that is the Parthenon is being attempted.
Looking off the top.
I absolutely adore photogenic people!
Going down into the site museum.
Surely one of the largest ancient theaters in the world. This theater once stretched up to the path seen in the lower portion of the photo.
The remains of the once massive temple of Olympian Zeus. The temple took more than 700 years to complete, being finished by emperor Hadrian in 131 AD.
The extra terrestrials have a strong grip on the Parthenon!
The temple of Olympian Zeus.
The Roman stadium still in use today and site of the first modern Olympic games in 1896.
The changing of the silly guards.
Into the ancient agora.
In the Roman Agora. The octagonal Tower of the Winds. Each side has a different wind on it presented in relief.
The Greek power distribution system. This is the only above-ground distribution I saw in Greece.
A random monument in the middle of Athens.
Flower on the Acropolis.
The postcard view of the Acropolis. The next hill over from the Acropolis has the best views in all of Rome but NO TOURISTS ever go up there! Next time you’re in Athens, make sure you get up on that hill.
Funerary monument.
This is one of the ferry lines that dock at the Athens port. Those of you who speak Arabic might get a kick out of the name.
That’s it for Athens! I headed over to the international bus station, bought a ticket, and boarded the bus back to Albania. My time in Greece was well spent. I am sure that I’ll be back!