THERE WAS MORE TO ATHENS

I know that I said I would I would be writing from Crete next, but I realize that I’m not finished with Athens. I never told you about the dogs of Athens. There are many dogs wandering the streets and ruins of Athens.

They don’t bother anybody and they are happy to be patted or just left alone. When I asked our guide about them, she said that they are the pets of the city. They are not wild, but they don’t belong to anyone. They are treated with medicine if needed, they are fed and they just roam and live where they want. They all seem to be shepherd / lab crosses and you can see them all over the city – usually sleeping or walking about.



There is marble everywhere. On the sides of buildings, the floors, the sidewalks, counters, walls, stairs – it must be deadly when it gets wet. It can be so slippery at the best of times – I was so glad for my rubber soled walking sandals. Up at the Acropolis – which is entirely made of marble…you are seldom walking on anything else. The patterns on the walkways are different from each other. It was really beautiful, but you had to be careful walking!



Now about the bathrooms. The first one I saw, I just had to take a picture. Just where is a lady supposed to sit??? Do a quick check to make sure it's not the men's...it isn't! Then when you close the door for privacy, there is a sign on the back of the door that says don’t throw toilet paper in the toilet….please put it in the garbage container. Ok – so picture this – you are squatting over the toilet trying to hold your purse (which if you’re lucky is already around your neck)…then while balancing carefully you have to pull of 4 or 5 squares (if they come off easily – NOT) wipe yourself. Now you have to get the lid up from the garbage container - most do have lids (there is a handy foot pedal - give me a break) pop the paper in (you are still balanced aren’t you?) …then stand up pull up your pants …and oh my god. Now that was only about having to go #1 …I don’t even want to think about #2.

Now I think to sum up Athens in a few words...traffic…cabs…vacant buildings…people smoking everywhere…(except perhaps while they are in the toilet as mentioned above – that would just be impossible)…marble…olive trees…ancient ruins…churches…sooooo many banks and keeping your balance! Now we can move on to Crete.