Friday, October 29

After breakfast we checked out of our hotel and moved over to our Hapimag apartment, just two short blocks over. This location could not be better for us; 100 metres west is Adrianou, the heart of the Plaka, 300 m. east is the Zappeion race center and another 500 m. beyond is Panathenaic (Olympic) Stadium.



We simply dropped our bags and went on with our day while M&G went over to race HQ and then up to the Acropolis.

While M&G toured the Acropolis, we did the small streets of the Plaka on our way to meet them in the heart of the Monastiraki area for lunch on 'Souvlaki Row'.


Monastiraki Square



My pork souvlaki plate. Surprising to me, tzatziti sauce is not served automatically here - it's an extra cost item billed as Tzatziki Salid (see the plate with the white goop).

We went our separate ways after lunch. We visited the Ancient Agora in detail after having simply rushed thru it last visit.



Overlooking the Agora

Then it was up the north slope of the Acropolis into the Anafiotika neighbourhood, home of 19th century immigrants from the Cyclades islands. Finally we headed back to the apartment, picking up groceries along the way.

Having had a substantial lunch we decided to dine lightly on cold cuts, cheese and olives on the rooftop balcony while watching dusk settle around the Acropolis.


Afterwards we walked over to the Zappeion for the special anniversary event which included a multimedia presentation of the history of the marathon, awards presented to past winners of marathons around the world (surprisingly, most had never done the original route) and finally a concert by composer Mikis Theodorakis and his orchestra (contributed to soundtracks for Zorba, Serpico among others).



-- Post From My iPhone

Location:Κωνσταντίνου Τσάτσου,Athens,Greece