Yesterday me and Julie visited the National Gardens and walked around Plaka to document the area we live in and around with our cameras. Usually we are running through the gardens instead of photographing them. They have a really nice pond that is full of turtles. One day I ran past a turtle that had escaped from the pond and was meandering down the dirt path. I debated picking it up and bringing it back to the pond but decided to just leave him be. They also have a bunch of small streams, ponds, and pools there. A pool sized pond holds tons of fish that are so pretty. I never knew anything was in it before because the walls are raised and I can't look in really when I'm running past. Lots of statue things hidden within the maze as well. It's such a nice place to walk through because everything is so good for you. The sound of water, a bunch of animals walking around, lots of greenery, turtles and fish - a lovely saturday afternoon.
In the evening we, the whole Odyssey Group (about 18 of us I think) went on the Athens Bar Crawl. It promised to take us to 4 bars/clubs and a shot at each one. Prior to the crawl we were to receive a gyro and choice of beer or wine (which ended up being boxed). Long story short- we only got two free shots really. It was alright as in it wasn't a terrible night. But for 20 euro it really wasn't worth what we got. We couldv'e gone to all the places they took us on our own. Most of them were nearby to where we live or in Gazi where we could easily walk over to because we have been over in that area. Most of the places were very crowded. We couldn't stay at the first one they took us to because there wasn't even close to enough room for such a big group as us. That's all right though. It was a decent time and the guides were really friendly.
Today I woke up and went down the Monistriaki Flea Market. It happens every Sunday so I haven't had the chance until today to see what it was like. I ended up going down some new streets that I didn't realize had all these interesting and unique stores that are there permanently. Walking down further past the regular stores I could go down for what seemed like ages to find people who had set up their own little stands with all sorts of things from furniture and knick knacks and socks and strange kitchen gadgets you would never really use. Basic flea market kind of merchandise. I found one shady flea market shop and bought two pairs of earring for 5euro. I'm happy with them. It was nice to see all the chaos of the flea market and walk amongst the crowds. I stopped into the shop of a well-known Poet/Sandal Maker. There, they make sandals for you right in front of you. You pick the design and they fit you and nail the straps and leather soles together. He's made sandals for Jackie O and some other famous people. All over the walls were articles that have been written about that shop. I guess he is a pretty reknowned poet as well. He isn't the only sandalmaker there though. The one I talked mostly to lived 10 years in NY and went to Parson's School of Design. He had his degree on the wall framed there. Really nice guy. I think I might go back for some sandals. Might as well. The main famous poet/sandal maker guy is pretty old now. I watched the Parson's guy make a pair of sandals for a girl there. Pretty cool.
Me, Julie, Kara, and Danae went to lunch after I got back. It took us a while to pick a place and we kept sitting down at restaurants and then getting up either because we wanted outdoor seating or didn't like the menu or it was too expensive. Eventually we made a decision. I ate my first moussaka today. It was pretty delicious. It reminds me so much of shepherd's pie and fills you up in the same way those do.
After lunch most of my apt decided to take a trek up Lycabettus Hill. We are told it is the best view of Athens and after getting up there I don't doubt it. It took us about 15 minutes to get to the top. There is a bell tower and a small church up there which I don't know if it is used much as a real church anymore. They had a few restaurants too which I'm sure are crazy expensive to eat at. We found where our apt is by looking for the church that our apt is next to. You could see everything- the Acropolis, the National Gardens, the Olympic stadium rings, even all the way out to the Mediterranean Sea.
We finished off the night with a family dinner of stir fry (which was delicious) and watching American Psycho together.
And now the weekend is over and I must go to bed. Goodnight all!
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