Athens for a Day

Faviana, the baby and I had reached our cousin Annoula's house at 9 pm. She waited for me at Γαλατσιου and she then directed me to her Dad's house. Αντωνη unpacked the car of the numerous organic Tinian meats and vegies that my Dad sent for the relatives. Then we went back to Anna's, unpacked the luggage and Αντωνη took the car to park it by his house.

The next morning Anna drove us to the train station on her way to work and at 8 am Faviana, the baby and I took the train to Monastiraki. We slowly made our way up cobblestoned pedestrian-only Ermou Street. There was so much to see for a little girl of six. She loved the little church in Monastiraki. She went in and lit a candle and walked around. Faviana was deeply impressed by one beggar who only had stumps for legs. She kept asking me if I saw him. There was a six piece band playing waltzes and tangos. I felt like I was in Liepzig, Germany for a moment where hearing violins and cellos playing on the street is the norm. Oh look, a moving statue. We heard two little boys playing baglamas and singing rembetika. There was also a laterna on another corner. Faviana walked around it several times listening to the tinny music box notes. Then Syntagma square, Syntagma station with its museum-like gallery on the mid level, and then the Evzones.

We walked through pigeons at the tomb of the unknown soldier and walked with Evzones from the Vouli to the square for the guard change. Faviana watched the ceremonial guard change with deep interest. She walked out of the square like an Evzona and we made our way back down Ermou. We took the train back to Eirini station where Anna picked us up on her way back from work. She asked us where we went and was a little surprised that we can spend so many hours on just one little street....

We spent the rest of the day with Anna at her house and it was so nice to catch up with her. She's moved out of her parents and has her own place. Quite an independant move for a Greek person. Most single Greek people continue to live with their parents. She's making it on her own!

We caught a few hours sleep, a quick ride to the airport and then onwards to America.