8.31.2011

Touring Greece: Athens

My time in Athens this year was unfortunately short - I was only able to spend one afternoon and evening there before flying home to Cincinnati the next day.  Although I would have loved to stay longer, I did have enough time to wander around the city with my camera, trying to capture its unique spirit.

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The acropolis (in the background), was the defensive center of the earliest settlement in this area.  Later, in the 5th c. BC, it became the symbolic center of the Athenian empire.  Today, the ancient monuments there can be seen from all over the city, keeping modern Athens' past alive. 


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I LOVE souvenir shops, so a walk through the super touristy Plaka district is always a must for me. 


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There's just something about cheesy souvenirs that makes my heart race.  I can rarely come home from a trip without a refrigerator magnet or a stack of postcards. 


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The apartment where I stayed this year could not have been in a better location.  This is the view from one side of the balcony...


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...and this is the view from the other!  It's tough to beat that. 


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Watching the sunset over the Parthenon with a good bottle of wine and some good friends was the perfect way to end the summer abroad.   

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Γειά σου, Ελλάς.  




I'm an archaeologist who lives in America during the year, but travels to Italy and Greece to conduct research every summer. 

4 comments:

Sewfast said...

Thank you for your Athens pictorial...we are traveling there in November to see our daughter run the marathon. I'm so excited to go there as I have never been.

Alkyoni Pap. said...

Hey! That's Monatiraki square! (I get ridiculously giddy when someone posts about my country). Have you ever visited the Tzizdaraki Mosque?

Τα λέμε!

laurie said...

i spent three weeks in greece about fifteen years ago - your photos brought all that magic back! thanks.

Alli (One Pearl Button) said...

I'm glad you all liked the photos! Sewfast, you are going to love Athens. Alkyoni, I've never been to Tzizdaraki Mosque - I'll have to make time for it next year!