Athens, Greece Monday 1 June 2009

Today we walked over to Lykavittos. Before walking to Lydavittos, we stopped at the very small and very old chruch across the street, Mitropoleos Chaple. The guide book stated it was a 10 minute walk from Syntagma Square. It took us about 30 minutes to walk from Syntagma. We stopped several times to check our map. We passed on walking up or down (done that before) and just took the CableWay train. It was only 6 Euro's per person for up and down. You could purchase a 1 way ticket. We were able to visit inside the St George Chapel on the top of the hill. Also we could see all of the surrounding Athens and surburbs. Unfortunately it was very hazy and smoggy. There is a front moving in and it will be cloudy by evening. The extra mosit probably increased the haze.
We stopped in the cafe on top of Lykavittos to get a drink and some potato fries. The cableway ticket got us a 15% discount on the cafe bill. Things have really charged since 1976. New ticket office, new trains and also a very new (and now expensive) resturant. The old tarverna is gone.

We walked back to the hotel and then got a taxi to take us to our old apartment near Glyfada. We recognized the old main base gate. The old red and white checked water tank is still standing. There is a traffic light at the entrance to the old base and the taxi was able to cross Vouligamenis Ave and turn on to our old street. It looks like the surrounding buildings are is better condition now than when we lived there. We were able to take pictures of the outside of 17 Aphrodites St. We recongized the buildings next to our old apartment. The old empty lot down the street is now a fenced playground. The building is in very good shape.

We will walk down to Monostraki Square for supper this evening.

Emily