22 Hours in Athens

Turns out the ferry to Chios only goes at 9 pm so while stuck in Athens I went wandering. Had the quickest ever tour of the Acropolis/Parthenon as it closes at 3 pm every day and I was the last one in. Fifteen minutes to walk the 60 steps to the top, have a whistle stop tour and leave again. The tour guides were very adamant I should leave as soon as I got up there but I managed to sweet talk George and Yanis into letting me take their photographs and walk around with them while they were closing up. Cheeky, I know - they were lovely, informative and gentle, but it was apparent they couldn't wait to get to the pub!

On the long way down the mountain, met another fellow, Roberto (very proud of his Greek mother and italian father) who wanted to discuss the refugee situation with me over coffee, but as we were both in a hurry, we settled for setting the world to rights in the parking lot. Great conversation in English and Spanish - oh and he was beautiful to look at too. It left me wondering why an obviously sophisticated, well travelled, educated man would stand in a parking lot to have a conversation with a complete stranger - but it turned out he was also a quiet warrior and wanted to hear a different take on the situation. It was inspiring.

A little further down the mountain I met another George who handed me a card and told me about a restaurant serving delicious authentic Greek food in the heart of the Akropoli area. Turns out this George was born in Australia of Greek parents and came back to Greece when young. He was also 'easy on the eyes' as my friend Lia says. :) and a really warm, nice fellow - one of those people you sometimes meet that when they talk to you, nothing else in the world exists but your shared connection. As I knew I had to take the ferry in the evening and it was getting late, I decided, why not? We all need to eat.

The restaurant, Liondi is down the road to the right just past the museum (Makrygianni Street 19-21Athens, Greece), owned by a very cheery guy called Emmanuel. Super friendly staff and the chef, one very chraming Stavros, (who incidentally trained Greek chefs in Valleyfield near Montreal in the 90s), came over and asked me what I felt like eating and he'd make it to measure, and as he said 'fresh, fresh fresh' - The absolute best Greek marinated chicken breast and veggies sauteed in a creamy garlic sauce, I ever had. Phenomenal! And to top it off a lovely free desert and a glass of traditional Mastiha. All in all a wonderful experience - an inexpensive treat for a budget traveller like this quiet warrior. ::).