We flew into Athens on 10 February, 2003. Immediately froze to death. After a month in Southeast Asia with temperatures from 75 to 100 degrees, the 40-something of Athens seemed cold. The flight took nearly eleven hours, but we are now 3/4 of the way around the world.We took a cab from the airport. Seasoned world travelers that we are, we were horrified to see two meters, one running very fast. We thought you had to add the two meters together. It appeared that the cab ride might go over 100 Euros, worth more than 100 dollars. The ride ended up costing only 50 Euros. Two days later I figured out that the meter that we thought was rapidly adding Euros was actually a clock!! Duh!!
The Euros will make European travel much easier. The bills are simple, with no bills smaller than a five Euro bill. Lots of one and two Euro coins. I have not seen a penny, and don't think they exist. The dollar was worth about 1.1 Euros last year - now it is worth only about 92 Euros. Bummer.
Visited the Acropolis and the Parthenon. Fascinating to visit the birthplace of democracy, with parts of buildings and ruins from 2,500 years ago.
We also visited the historic Agora, the marketplace of ancient Athens. The Plaka is the old town below the Acropolis, full of fascinating shops and restaurants, narrow streets and plazas. You have to bargain for everything you buy. Beth and I are terrible at this, and usually pay too much.
Greece feels even more foreign than Thailand. Perhaps because we were in Thailand so long.
We were going to the Greek Islands, but it is very rough and cold. Many of the Ferryboats are not running because of high seas. So we will fly to Italy instead. We think Italy will feel like home. On to Rome!