And I am off...

Hey everyone,

Thanks for the comments. Mom - I had to get rid of the clock because the time was really off on my end. But I will try to get it back up and working properly.

As promised, I am posting before I leave for Italy. Sometimes, the Greeks can be frustrating! I was told 2 days ago that there was a train to Patra leaving at 6:00am. That way, I would have plenty of time to get to the ferry. So when I went to buy my ticket yesterday, the earliest train is 12:00pm. That leaves me 2 hours to get to the ferry port, buy my ticket and board. Hopefully, the trains are on schedule! Oh well, if I miss it I will just have to wait. I guess that is the beauty of having an open schedule - I can do whatever I want or whatever I am consequently forced to do!

Greece has been wonderful. At times it has felt like the same Greece I knew three years ago when I was here. But I also feel that Athens has changed. Most things are exactly where they were three years ago (of course the sites aren't going to change - I meant that my favourite Gelateria in Monastiraki is not there!) but the city has a different vibe. And I love it! It seems a lot rougher and grittier than before. I'm not sure if that is because they are a little more removed from the 2004 Athens Olympics so the city has returned to how it was before the Olympics. Nevertheless, there is still plenty to do and see.

This time in Athens, I tried to do completely different things. I have spent hours each day (8-10) walking around the city and just soaking up the atmosphere and sights. My feet are killing me but when I eat dessert for breakfast each day (think cream filled pastries soaked in honey and covered with icing sugar) I have to walk a lot to prevent myself from gaining weight! My sweet teeth are getting the better of me!

Yesterday, I went to the National Gallery and the Benaki Museum. They are two fabulous exhibits of Greek art. And I don't know why they are overlooked in most guide books. It was very peaceful to just walk around and see beautiful paintings and artefacts.

As expected, most places were closed yesterday (the main shops along Ermou, pharmacies, etc) but it was nice to walk through Monastiraki - the major flea market of the week is on Sundays - and look at other peoples junk! But I couldn't buy anything as I don't have alot of space in my back, darn! :)

So, Naples is my first major stop in Italy. My guide book describes Naples as "filthy, large and overbearing: it is crime-infested; and it most definitely like nowhere else in Italy... A couple days here and you're likely to be as staunch a defender of the place as its most devoted inhabitants." (The Rough Guide to Europe on a Budget, 730). What a nerd, I even cited my quote! Anyways, it sounds like an intriguing place to visit. But I don't want everyone to worry about me - I will be stayting at the best hostel in the city and they offer tonnes of assistance and things to do as a group. Plus, Mom and Dad are fine with it!

So, I bid you all farewell until I reach my destination in Italy - Naples (boy, I do sound like a nerd!)

Love, Lisa