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I’ve been in Athens for just over two days, but it feels as though I’ve been here for much longer – I’ve done so much already!

On Tuesday we arrived, dropped our bags in locker at one of the train stations in Central Athens before meandering cobbled streets lined with orange and lemon trees and stucco buildings with black wrought iron balconies. First culinary treat was a ubiquitous cheese pie from the street washed down with a ‘cappuccino freddo,’ a cold cappuccino, as the name implies. I still haven’t worked out how they make cold froth for the top.

After a brief glitch in setting the time on my watch, I met up with Lena, a relation of some distance, that I met in Australia aged 8. I recognised her straight away, however, and apologised profusely for keeping her waiting. She had killed the time by consuming coffee, a staple in a Greek’s hourly diet (along with half a packet of cigarettes). Lena took us by train to the Hillside suburb of Kiffissias, where we would be staying during our time in Athens. The apartment, one floor down from Lena, is usually occupied by her ailing aunt of 95 years. I’m very lucky to be staying where I am, waking up to a view over Athens obstructed only by a building similar to ours that hides most things distant.

Half of yesterday was consumed by an exploration of the Acropolis, such an amazing feature of Athens words can not describe – I have photos. After a bit more walking and coffee, Lena’s daughter, Despina, took us to Psiri, a precinct in Athens that livens up after midnight. One of her friends was called Adonis.

Today we visited the National Archaelogical Museum full of antiquities spanning the last 6000 years. Amazing.

There is so much more to see in Athens that my planned departure to the Islands has come too soon. I will certainly return after some Island hopping. The weather has been amazing, if not initially a bit of a shock. It will be great to go for a swim soon – something I haven’t considered in the last 6 months [of living in London].

Heading down to the coast to book a ferry now – will keep you updated!

Mark

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