a last day in Athens

There is a bit of ritual about my last days in Athens.  It is a collection of places that must be visited, food that must be eaten, moments that must observed, a cumulative reflection of the trip - and the summers past.  This year was no different - even though we stumbled off the cruise ship on no sleep (we stayed up our last night on the boat to watch the ship pass back through the Corinth Canal and then to see our last sunrise on the Mediterranean), Sonia and I managed to cram in all the requisite last day activities. (link to the entire Flickr slideshow)

 After catching up on a bit of sleep with a nap at the hotel, we ate a long last lunch at Byzantino's in Plaka - touristy, but totally worth the excellent food.  Go early in the day to get a serving of roasted potatoes - I learned years ago that they run out by the time the dinner rush starts.  Shared plates of roast pork and potatoes and a dish of tortellini (aka the most magnificent thing ever) kept us going until dinner at the gyro man. 

Venturing down Ermou to the sandal man - I can't leave Greece without my requisite pair of custom fit leather sandals, I wear them every day and have since that first visit to his shop in June 2005.

Stops at our favorite stores - we discovered a new H&M on Ermou and even though we had both run out of money, it was still fun to window shop.

A last trip up to Syntagma for free internet, people watching, and cold Viennoise chocolates.

Dinner at my favorite gyro stand, Antonis on Andrianou.  A last walk through the bustle of Plaka at night.  There are few places I feel more at home than amongst the crowds on those tiny old streets.

After a movie at the rooftop theater, walking up to the Acropolis for a last glimpse of the Parthenon illuminated in all its glory against the dark night sky.  The requisite tears that come with being in the presence of something so holy, so sacred.  It never ceases to take my breath away. 

~RLM 

Comments

[Melody]

*tears*

[Melody]

*tears* This song makes me think of your post...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Sp0ccQVy1og&feature=related