Athens

The first order of the day today was to get my phone set up. That took quite a while, and it was 11 am by the time I got headed to Athens. Of course that meant that by the time I walked from the tram stop to Monistiraki, it was lunchtime! Luckily my kebab stall is still there and was open. I panicked at first when I didn't see lamb on the menu, but when I asked the guy he assured me he had lamb -whew! Delicious lamb pita, loaded with tzatziki, tomatoes, onion, lettuce and french fries. Yum. Sorry, no picture - I felt too conspicuous as the only customer sitting there! (most people get takeaway)

Once my hunger was sated, it was time for the poet sandal maker shop. I spent an hour there along with a couple from China, as the sandal maker customized the fit of our sandals. This was much different from when I had gone in July 2009; it was much busier then, and the sandals were sold as is off the shelf. I really enjoyed getting custom-fitted shoes! I also got one of the two pairs I'm bringing back for others; I have to go back tomorrow and get the final pair.

Afterwards, I wandered Plaka for a while. I found the folk art museum but it is closed on Mondays. I didn't find anything worth buying though. I meandered up a boulevard I walked a lot last year, going past the market. Some of the stalls were still open, so I got some oregano and lavender.

I swung around and headed back to Syntagma Square, and along the way found a little cafe back in a courtyard. So I stopped and had an espresso and rested my feet for a while. I really wanted a pastry, too, but they had no Greek pastries so I skipped the treat.

Charlotte and I consulted via text and since I had accumulated a lot of bags, we agreed to meet in Glyfada and have dinner there. I suggested the taverna we ate at last year, which had tasty food. Unfortunately, when I got there it was closed - stupid Monday!!! So we ended up at a creperie that was pretty good. I'll get my Greek food in the rest of the week. :-)

So tomorrow, back to Athens, maybe a stop in Piraeus, and then we're off to Hania, Crete tomorrow evening!