Athens today. After spending an entire day walking around this city, I can tell you that Athens translates loosely to, “City of Excessive Graffiti”. I doubt there’s a single can of spray paint left in the entire city.

Our Athens hotel (at least our room) is a bidet-free zone.

Went to a Greek cooking class this morning. First step was to walk to the farmers market to buy all the fresh veggies and meat we would need for our class. The meat vendors all use these round wooden tables to do their butchering. All just out in the open. In the heat. You know, so all the bacteria can incubate and spread. Walked by one butcher as he was amputating pigs feet. I might be vegetarian now.

It’s hot in Athens. I bought a ridiculous floppy hat to keep the sun off my face, neck, and shoulders. Pale people problems.

Came back to the cooking studio, where we learned how to make moussaka, feta cheese pies, and Greek salad. Delicious! Confirmed once again that Greeks *never* put lettuce in a Greek salad. Just never.

Had a couple of free hours this afternoon, so Ken and I walked around the Plaka (the old district of Athens). Did I mention it’s hot? Now imagine being a human furnace (thanks peri-menopause). But I’m a human furnace in a ridiculous floppy hat.

Sightseeing this afternoon. Walked around the Panathenaic Stadium. Hot. Like absurdly hot. Everyone is jealous of my ridiculous floppy hat.

Stopped to watch the changing of the guards at the parliament. My god, they must be hot. The big Pom Pom on the top of their shoes conceals a dagger. Holdover from the whole Ottoman rule thing. Badass.

Drove to the Temple of Poseidon along the Sounio Bay to watch the sunset. Tried to make an offering to Poseidon to finally get me off the boat. Scads of people up there. I had to throw an elbow or two to get a couple of pictures!

Had dinner at a fabulous restaurant by the sea. We got to choose the exact fish we had for dinner. Also had ouzo. Maybe too much. Bedtime.