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Fun fact of the day: The word “agoraphobia,” which means a fear of crowded spaces or enclosed public places, comes from the Greek word “agora” which means marketplace. Another fun fact: I was at the original Agora in Greece. Life is sweet.

So our last day in Santorini was fabulous. We laid out on the black sand beach all day, only punctuating it with sleeping and eating and receiving free drinks. Seriously. We did not even go out to a bar and we managed to get a grand total of 6 free drinks during the course of the day. One beach bar/restaurant, Yazz, gave us these giant fruity concoctions stuffed with fresh fruit and made us sit outside, like some kind of advertisement. After filling our stomachs with drinks, we decided to go to a cute little place for lunch, where we got an amazing Greek appetizer plate, Greek salad, and Greek pizza. When we were done, our waiter brought us free glasses of ouzo, a Greek specialty. Its clear at first, then turns cloudy when you pour it on ice. It tastes like licorice and is really strong so we pretended to drink the whole thing but we really just poured our glasses into a water bottle when he wasn’t looking. After laying on the beach some more, we decided to go to Fira, which is like the “city” in Santorini, but could not manage to catch a bus so nixed that plan and stayed in Perissa Beach and got another amazing meal at yet another restaurant along the beach. We had salad, mussles, moussaka, and the waiter brought us free shots of raki, a Greek digestif, which is pretty sweet and delicious.

Me, a drink, and a beach. Heaven.

The next morning, our ferry back to Athens (which was 8 hours long!!) was at 7 am, so we woke up, had some Greek yogurt and honey, and the wonderful owner, Stelios, drove us to the port at 6 am. We boarded the ferry, fell asleep, and arrived in Athens before we knew it. In Athens, everything was pretty much closed because it was rainy and a Sunday, so we checked in to our Hostel (hostel Zeus) which was no Stelios Place, then walked around. We ended up going to a famous sandal-maker who had made sandals for pretty much everyone from John Lennon to Jackie O. His son was working there and was super nice. I really wanted sandals but they only took cash, which I didn’t have. Lu got the John Lennon style. Maybe next time I go I will get some… After that, we people watched in the big square under the Acropolis hill and ate feta cheese and watched the street vendors yell at each other and try to sell a wide variety of crap. I was really rooting for the guy only selling little, dirty battery-operated cats and dogs that walked and growled and came from a trash bag. He sold one. After that, we had dinner at a place with live traditional Greek dancing and music, which was the highlight of the place, because the food was the only sub-par food I had all vacation.

The next morning, Lu and I got up very early and hiked up to the top of the Acropolis before all the tourists got up. Along the way, I bought a traditional Greek doughnut, which is a giant doughnut covered in sugar. I fed some to two stray dogs and they ended up leaded Lu and I all the way up the mountain. It was pretty cool. As much as I don’t like seeing stray cats and dogs, for the most part, people in Athens and Greece in general treat them well. Upon arriving at the top, entrance was free because it was apparently a Greek holiday so we went in. I don’t really know how to describe the Parthenon and the Temple of Athena and the Acropolis to someone who hasn’t seen it, except to say it is awe-inspiring. To see these ruins where Socrates used to stand and to look out and see all of Athens is really breath-taking and this is one thing I think everyone should do before they die.  After walking around and climbing back down the hill, we walked around ancient Agora and an old burial ground and went to get our last Greek meal before flying home. We had an entire meal for only 6 euros! A gyro and a Mythos beer were a good ending to an amazing trip. So Lu and I parted ways, I flew home to Copenhagen, and ran to my boyfriend who picked me up at Norreport station and was slightly amazed at how different I look when I experience sun, ready to spend my last week in Copenhagen.

Parthenon in the Acropolis.

The Parthenon and I.

One of the Temples of Athena, looking out over Athens.

I’m so glad I went to Greece, even though I had doubts because of bad reviews of Athens and strikes, riots, etc. It was beautiful and I really liked Athens, despite what people say. Sure, it was a little dirty and sometimes sketchy, but it was warm, had amazing food, some of the best historic sites in the world, and the people are friendly. I couldn’t believe how smoothly everything went for Lu and I. We had no problems with transportation, scary people, anything. It was probably the smoothest vacation I have ever had. So thanks to Lu for traveling with me, and to Mom and Dad for letting me do this. The next time I go, I’ll bring you guys along!

Looking out at Athens from the Acropolis.

Back in the US in 3 days. Can’t believe it.

Love,

H.

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