Morning broke in Athens, and we bolted from our matchbox-sized room in search of familiar American comforts of Starbucks. Nothing says ‘good morning’ like a Grand Cappuccino and a Fredo Cappuccino to kickstart the heart.
Figure 1: Kickstarting the day at Starbucks, Syntagma Square, Athens
The day’s dilemma: a Rick Steves-inspired city walk or an exploration of the Ancient Agora? Given the early hour and our caffeine superpowers, we opted for the latter, Sorry Rick!
I must admit, I was taken aback to learn that Athens, now a bustling hub of culture and history, was once one of Europe’s most polluted cities. Looks like Athens cleaned up its act just like I finally organized my sock drawer—impressively, yet somewhat mysteriously.
Figure 2: Dressed up to explore, Athens
Agora Adventures
Our trek through the Plaka was like navigating a gauntlet of tourist traps, with knick-knacks and cheap souvenirs battling for our attention. But we persevered, heading straight for the storied grounds of the Agora.
Figure 3: Posing outside of Ancient Agora
Inside, we marveled at the reconstructed Stoa of Attalos. Its Doric columns downstairs and the fancy Ionic ones upstairs made the place look like it was dressed in its Sunday best. This massive structure, spanning 377 feet by 66 feet, made it easy to picture the bustling market days and the philosophical debates that once echoed off these columns.
Figure 4: Fully restored Stoa of Attalos, Agora, Athens
The Agora really brought democracy to life. I mean, Athenian democracy wasn’t just a spectator sport—people lived it, breathed it, and probably even complained about it on their ancient equivalent of Twitter: on the Panathenaic Pathway (the main drag of Agora)!
Two exhibits really blew my mind:
- The Kleroterion: This ancient randomizer made sure jury duty was as fair as a coin toss. Seriously, the Athenians had democracy down to a science.
- The Klepsydra: This water clock ensured that even the chattiest Athenian lawyer couldn’t filibuster their way past their allotted time.
Figure 5: Kleroterion, a voting machine to randomly choose citizens for public office
And then there’s the Temple of Hephaestus, standing proud as the sole survivor from ancient times, a real testament to the god of metalworking and, apparently, building stuff that lasts.
Brunch at I Feel
Post-Agora, we refueled with scrambled eggs and a Greek omelet at the I Feel restaurant, where they also provided my iPhone some much-needed juice. Who knew ancient explorations could drain more than just your energy?
Acropolis
Next up was the Acropolis, that rocky beacon of ancient splendor. We climbed up to check out:
- The Propylaia: Fancy palatial gates and columns that lured photographers from all over. It is surprising what all tourists like to click through.
- The Parthenon: A monument to Greek victory in the Greco-Persian wars. It is a marvel of engineering, architecture, design, and aesthetics. Unsurprisingly? not too many tourists posing in front of the building.
- The Erechtheion: Known for its porch of maidens, and the part of Acropolis visible from all of the rest of Athens.
- The Temple of Athena Nike: Dedicated to a goddess “Nike” who liked to win. A lot.
- The Lookout point: Where the Greek flag flies high, whispering ‘Freedom or Death’ in the breeze, the Greeks have been suppressed and ruled over their entire history from Romans, Europeans, Turks, and Ottomans - kind of ironic for the country that founded democracy.
Figure 6: Posing with the maidens that supported the Erechtheion!
Later, at the Acropolis Museum, we saw relics that couldn’t hack it outdoors anymore. Highlights included a giant Athena, the Calf bearer, the Krito boy, and a lamp shaped like a ship—because why not?
Fast Food and Fast History
A quick bite at McDonald’s and a local Gyros place gave us a taste of the familiar and the local, with a side of yogurt mustard—because in Greece, even the mustard is a yogurt fan. The kind folks at McDonalds even recharged my phone back to 90%; which is depleting at a faster pace than us!
Evening Walks and Indian Delights
We strolled to Hadrian’s Library, Aristotle’s School, and the Temple of Zeus, where archaeologists are piecing together history like the world’s most intense jigsaw puzzle.
Our tiredness made us finally succumb to the tourist traps lining up the streets of Plaka, and we brought knickknacks along the way.
Dinner was at Babaji, where the Dal Makhani and Matar Paneer were so authentic, you’d swear the chefs were from Delhi, not Athens. Who knew you could find a taste of India in the heart of Greece?
Figure 7: Dal Makhani, Babaji, Plaka, Athens
As we wrapped up our day, stuffed with good food and rich history, Athens reminded us that no matter where you’re from, there’s a little bit of everywhere to be found right here!