When In Athens, Do Like the Greeks Do. . .

After we checked into our two rooms at the Electra Palace Hotel (I know, it sounds like an ABBA hit song), it was hard getting everyone moving. The plan was to check out the rooftop swimming pool, and then go get a late, light lunch (a little energy might get the Bolger troops going).

Once I saw the view of the Acropolis from the rooftop pool/restaurant/bar, I made a command decision to rally the troops to lunch there. While it is not exactly the finest in Greek cuisine (Maddy and Torie had spaghetti, Julia a club sandwich, and Carol and I had various salads), the view is pretty spectacular.

Thus refreshed, we headed off to see some of the sights. The goal on the first afternoon when coming to Europe is to always see a couple of cool things and stay moving until dinner. Immediately going to bed is a huge mistake, because then you never quite get right.

So we marched off in the 88 degree heat (although the humidity wasn’t bad) to Hadrian’s Arch, which was built by the Romans in AD 131 to honor emperor Hadrian (of course!) Looking back through it gives another great look at the Acropolis. (It’s almost like they planned it that way! They did? Oh.)

Right next to that is the Temple of Olympian Zeus, which sounds like a great name for a rock band. There are ten or so huge Corinthian columns still standing, of the 104 original columns. Also nearby are the remains of Roman baths, homes, and other nearby buildings. All in all, an impressive area to stroll around, given that the Temple was begun in 515 BC (the stimulus package had passed two years sooner, but they didn’t want to overstimulate the bad economy by actually spending the money during the recession. Although the first ever "cash for clunkers" program led to many new chariots on the road at a time when Greece’s domestic chariot industry was struggling thanks to those cheaper Roman imports.)

We then looped over and visited the Olympic Stadium from the first modern Olympics in 1896 – which was also the sight of the original Olympics in 330 BC. The site is called Panathinaiko Stadium, which proves that they need to sell the name rights to Fed Ex or something we Americans can pronounce. (Let’s hear Brent Musberger say – "You’re looking live at Panathinaiko Stadium for today’s 100 meter race. . ."

We cut through the national gardens to the Greek Parliament building. We watched the Evzones (soldiers) do their fancy routine at 5:30 as a precursor to the changing of the guard at the Greek Tomb of the Unknowns. After a rest for water and some ice cream for the girls, we walked a few more blocks past the hotel to the Panagia Gorgoepikoos, a small Byzantine Church built in the 12^th Century. Carol’s tennis skirt allowed her entrance, while those of us in shorts just had to make do with wandering around the outside and getting glimpses inside.

That church is right next to the larger Metropolis Cathedral, which we were all allowed in. The girls were most interested in seeing the bones in the reliquary of the Saint.

After badly needed showers, we headed off to a casual Greek dinner at O Platanos, on a side street in Plaka. My friend Terry Nelson had recommend it, and it was good, inexpensive food in a nice relaxed outdoor setting. So far the service has been amazingly prompt and attentive. Not sure if that’s the Greek style, a sign of a weak economy, or boredom because it is August and crowds are down a bit. Either way, we’ll take it.

The girls each had a bite of my stuff vine leaves. They reacted as though I was ignoring the Geneva Convention on torture. I had a different opinion.

After dinner we walked back through the market streets, and Carol and I went to the rooftop bar for a drink and view of the Acropolis lit up at night. We concurred that of the places we’ve stayed, this hotel has the most impressive view ever. It’s hard to argue with 26 centuries of history from your table at the bar.