Day 2

We both woke up very early this a.m.; actually I woke up at midnight and took a homeopathic sleep aid (tryptophan, etc) so I could sleep through. I did wake up (the 2nd time) at 6:30 to find Greg sitting up in bed, wide awake. He got us some coffee from the lounge and once we were reasonably coherent, we showered and got breakfast.
Today's agenda was Acropolis---phone store (to add the aforementioned data) and then lunch at the Grand Bretagne Hotel (recommended by a Greek American friend who used to teach orchestra in Virginia). Not wanting to risk another cab drive, we walked about 3/4 mile to the nearest subway stop. I had to stop and ask a couple of times: "Kyrie, pou einai to metro?" (Sir, where is the metro) and they kept pointing us further. We took the line up one stop to the Acropolis stop (very clean with depictions of the friezes from the temples on the walls). We walked up one small hill, turned left and then walked up another long, but gradual incline. We found the gate to the Acropolis monument, walked some more, bought tickets, then walked up some very steep slippery steps.

I don't know who any of these people are :)

approaching the Polyneion. 

We wuz here :)

Most of us are going through some heat, but can I say, it is REALLY hot here. 

We were at the gate before nine and both of us were extremely hot. 

We took our time walking around and looking intently. It's very easy for me to see and not really absorb what I've seen. I want to be able to remember this and recall the feeling of being here. I have only mild recollections from a visit here almost 30 years ago and don't want that to happen this time. 

After we completed our tour, we walked back down the hill and found a row of taxis. After our experience yesterday, I knew to ask the price before we got in! So I asked, 'possa yia Syntagma?' 

The cab driver I asked wasn't first in line and started getting yelled at by the other drivers. The first in the line said "five euro, six euro or only your love" (in our short experience here, most people in the tourist business a) speak very excellent English b) are very attractive and c) are extremely charming. .  .

He took us directly to the phone store and it was only the proverbial eight euro!

At the phone store, another attractive and charming man fixed our phones so we can get data as well as voice service. 

We then walked over a couple of blocks to the Grande Bretagne to make reservations for lunch (at least two hours later). Because our feet and legs were guasto (Italian word for 'broken'), we found the nearest cafe on a quiet street and had a water and soda. Everyone in the cafe was Greek and my day was complete when at a table of 'mature' gentlemen, one started working his worry beads. 

We walked around the shopping district (just west of Syntagmou) for a bit and before long, it was time for lunch. Our view here: 

Greg had a wonderful past with sausage and octopus.

I had sea bass. The flavors were very subtle. 

We didn't want to be rushed and therefore, missed the last shuttle to the hotel. We re-traced the morning's steps to get to the subway and then walk 20-25 minutes to the hotel. At 3:00 p.m. In intense heat. 

We took a nap (collapsed) when we got back to the hotel. When we woke (around 6 p.m.), we went next store to a restaurant where we could get a sandwich for later: 6.5 euro vs. 12-15 at the hotel. We put it in the mini-bar and then went to the pool, where we lounged and read until we could see this (Acropolis illuminated and in the back ground). 

Kali nikta, everyone (Good night!)