Off Guard

Athens, Greece

The Acropolis (now under renovation) can be seen from all over Athens

Sunday in Greece, even Athens, translates too “not a lot open” and as official winter timings were in force (that means even shorter working hours), many attractions closed early.  We’re still coming to terms with Greek “timings” and the official long lunch….  Still, we made it to Parliament House to witness the Sunday Changing of the Guard.  Despite the crowds, we saw some of the review and the Cap’n chalked up yet another military performance to his list of many.  (For anyone interested, the uniforms are derived from traditional Klepht costumes worn by resistance fighters during Ottoman times. The pleats number 400, one for each year of Ottoman occupation. )

Afterwards, and to further embellish his military learning, our military buff Cap'n stopped to browse the National Historical Museum.   GS though, being on something of a national costume mission, dashed off to Plaka to visit the National Folk Art Museum, then took the slow road through the shopping district (tourist-tat heaven - although there are some nice pieces to be found) back to the hotel.

Monastiraki Square

Antique & Flea Market areas of Monastiraki

Having had a couple of nights of appalling stodge (Greek style) in our local area, we caught Big Red (indeed a useful taxi) down into the Monastiraki restaurant district and found, incredible as it seems, an Indian restaurant.  Heaven!  Must be nearly time to come home….

Who needs lions over your front gate?