David S. Demarest

Two days ago I said I wasn’t planning on posting, but here I am anyway!

We arrived in Greece yesterday, opting to take the Metro into the city. What a fantastic system! It is clean, secure, fast, and moves a really large number of people. Forty minutes from the airport for Euro 6 each, or at todays exchange rates about $8 US.

We found our hotel. The book was right – an outdated cinder block Communist era style building that leaves much to be desired. But what shoudl one expect for Euro 90 – after all it is within walking distance of the Acropolis! My being tired did not help, but we are adjusting and spent a few hours yesterday afternoon and evening walking the streets taking in the sights – and believe me, there are plenty to take in! And we haven’t even gotten to the ruins yet!

After arriving back at the hotel, Sally went to do some email and I went to the terrace bar. The look on Sally’s face was priceless when she arrived, turning the corner to come face to face with the Acropolis situated not too distant from where we sat. I have a photo to post but don’t seem to have a USB port, so pictures will have to wait.

As often seems to happen on these sort of trips, we arrived to news of a likely strike (agian) on the 20th. Expectations are the strike will include transportation workers (airport), thought they don’t formally announce the strike plans until the day before. According to our plan, that is the day we are (were) supposed to fly to Santorini. As a result we scurried around exploring options. End result – cancel Delphi, schedule transport by ferry to Santorini via two nights on Paros, and then back to the pre-planned itinerary. We hope. Anyway, it is not all bad, as the islands should be great and the ferry a nice way to see some of the area. Keeping our Delphi tour, getting stuck in Athens, and losing the island time was not the most attractive of options.

I will do my best to get a few photos posted soon.