Unfortunately I can't post any pictures right now (I know those are like the best part of the blog), but I thought I'd let you know what I've been up to.
Although I was hoping to leave Athens on Tuesday morning, I ended up staying one more night. This gave me a chance to have one more fairly laid back day in Athens to see and do a few extra things. The first thing I did was hike up Mount Lycabettus. It was a nice hike up to the top where there's a flat area to take in the amazing 360 degree view of Athens. I walked back down and just wandered carelessly through some neighborhoods that I hadn't been in yet. I went inside a few churches and lit a candle in one. Then I stumbled upon the real Athens market place. This was not the cobble stone streets where tourists visit shops to buy souvenirs and post cards. I doubt that many tourists ever venture to this part of Athens. The sights, sounds, and smells were overwhelming. I went down one block where there were skinned sheep hanging everywhere along with all different types of organs and other meats which I could not identify. The next block was filled all different types of fish and other sea creatures. There were many carts holding a plethora of nuts and dried fruit. It was very interesting to be in this environment with everyone shouting and trying to sell what they had. Not much happened after that. I spent a bit more time wandering around the crowded streets before I headed back to the hostel. There I met up with a group of British students who had just arrived and I spent some time with them. I spent much of the evening walking around Athens with the first native Greek I had ever spent any time with.
The next day I caught a bus to Nafplio. Nafplio is such a beautiful town and is over shadowed by two huge fortresses. There is also another fortress out in the harbor, completely surrounded by water. Yesterday I climbed the 900-and-something steps up to the Palamidi fortress. The Palamidi fortress is the coolest thing I've seen so far. It was like something out of a movie. I was so exhausted from walking up all those steep steps, but it was definitely worth it to ascend into such an awesome piece of history.
Today I caught a bus to the ancient ruins of Mikines. They weren't the most impressive ruins I've seen, but they were still interesting to visit. I really enjoyed the landscape around them with its steep and rocky hills, deep valleys, and snow clad mountains in the distance. When I got back to Nafplio I got lunch and then walked up the the other fortress called Akronafplio. This fortress is supposed to be the oldest of the three and some of the town is basically built into it. Its less up kept, but still makes for a nice place to take a walk. In contrast to the stairs of the Palamidi fortress, the Akronafplio fortress is accessed by a gradual incline on a cobblestone road that winds through the fortress itself. There are some really nice views from the top. After that I walked down to a small beach made up of mostly white and pink pebbles. The water was calm, clear, and lightly blue-green in color. I sat there on the beach for a awhile and listened to the birds and the gentle sound of the waves of the Mediterranean Sea.
I'm not sure when I'll be able to write again...
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