It’s Greek to Me

Our hotel Academias is in a swanky shopping neighborhood, but as it’s a boutique hotel in an old building, the systems were a bit of an issue. We were used to plumbing sensitivities, but a little bit of a surprise here considering the nightly rate and as the front desk associate advised, it’s like this in Greece everywhere.

But we also woke up to the electricity being out and as a precaution, didn’t take the elevators even though there was minimal electricity. We did revive ourselves with a scrumptious breakfast before heading out. The hotel does promote its Greek education roots with inspiring quotes and it’s Plato lounge and bar:









On our way to the bus stop as I walked ahead, I was able to evade a bit of water being thrown from a 3rd floor balcony and heard some Greeks calling the person above stupid. I was able to warn Justin and my mom just in time before buckets of water being thrown over - my mom thought I was yelling about a bug, but I was saving her perm and from being absolutely drenched. As we waited for the bus, we saw a person continue to water plants and just toss lots of water over the balcony. It felt very European.

We took the #230 bus through the city and passed Syntagma Square where we saw the ending of the Changing of the Guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The guards were wearing navy today instead of the white we saw last Sunday. We also saw French flags paired with the Greek flags lining the road, presumably in honor of President Macron’s visit. Last night in the square, we saw an Armenian Genocide Remembrance demonstration as we cabbed it to dinner - lots going on in this historical square.

We arrived after a few easy stops at Philopappou Hill and only walked up a little to the Prison of Socrates. Traditionally believed to be where he was held, tried, and executed, but it may just be symbolic as historians believe the actual prison was near the Athenian Agora. Either way it was fun to visit:





At the summit, is the Filopappos Monument which we could see from other hills and a church. But we didn’t make the climb and enjoyed another view of the Acropolis:





We walked back down and actually in between the hills of Philopappou and Areopagus. We saw people last week climbing Areopagus and again today, as it’s where St. Paul preached. As my mom reminded me, her grandfather’s saint name was Paul. We enjoyed the buskers’ music and what appears to be Greek Boy Scout troops all over. A selfie of us walking down:



Along the hill and in less than 10 minutes, we could see the Temple of Hephaestus and Ancient Agora:





Five minutes from there and further down, we saw the Roman Agora and Tower of the Winds. We opted to look from the outside instead of entering, as we just generally enjoyed the buskers and people-watching.



The Tower of the Winds, at the other end of the Agora entrance is an ancient octagonal meteorological station. With sundials and a water clock, it also had a wind vane that merchants used to estimate when their next shipment would arrive in port:



Then we found ourselves in the heart of Monastiraki Square and walked up to Varvokias Agora or Central Food Market. Super authentic and local, it smelled fishy but you could tell it was all super fresh:





Then we meandered through shopping alleys and streets and stopped in for iced coffee and freddo cappuccino at a café. It wasn’t even 1 pm yet, but we had leisurely done a big loop. The weather was absolutely ideal for our last full day in Greece. After our rest, we returned to the hotel for some midafternoon respite.

Five minutes from our hotel and on our way to dinner, I suggested drinks at the rooftop bar of the Hotel Grande Bretagne based on a suggestion by my friend Jamie. It’s one of the oldest and fanciest hotels - surprisingly, there was a lot of security but they let us through so we could enjoy the epic views and the sun preparing to set with heavenly rays:









Mama Kim had fun taking photos as we were getting tipsy and enjoying the vibes of our last night:







I had booked Nolan Athens for dinner which is a Greek-Japanese fusion restaurant. Being a bit tipsy, we refrained from alcohol, but I enjoyed this olive lemonade:



We shared cucumber salad with a goat yogurt and shiso dressing, a fresh crab salad with merengue, seabream tartare with pistachio, Pilmeni - a seafood noodle in beef broth and lemongrass, scallops, Thai-style shrimp, rice cakes with miso and goat cheese, skirt steak, and chocolate dessert. All “nostimo” and hit the spot!



On our walk home, we walked through the Greek food and beverage festival being held in Syntagma Square. We enjoyed some live music and dancing!



My mom said she’s being waiting for an opportunity to yell “Opa” and smash some plates on this trip. I said I think they only do that at weddings and if she wanted to, she should just do it randomly. Obviously, I was joking but the festival definitely felt very authentically Greek!