Gyros & Changing of the Guards (July 21)

Today was more of a take-it-easy, wander around type of day. We’d all seen and done what we wanted to see and do, so we were using the day to just hang out in Athens. We didn’t plan to meet until 11 at the gangway, so I got to sleep in until 10:30!!! That was EXACTLY what my body wanted. I skipped breakfast (sleep > breakfast) and met the gang at the gangway at 11.

We didn’t know if the taxis were still on strike, so we decided on the bus. It turns out the taxis weren’t on strike anymore. As we were walking out of the port, a group of taxi drivers were standing there advertising their taxis. Since we already had decided on the bus (and it was a lot cheaper), we said no thanks and kept walking. Well, the taxi drivers decided they would follow us- they clearly thought stalking was going to work. I can’t even tell you how long they followed us, yelling at us telling us to take their taxis. None of us turned around or acknowledged them, and they STILL wouldn’t leave! We were wondering if they’d get on the bus with us!

The busride into Athens was interesting as always. At times, it was extremely which my sensitive tummy didn’t appreciate very much. I was sitting on an aisle seat and was apparently a roadblock for bags and purses- as deduced by all the whacks in the head and shoulder I got from them. It seemed longer than I remembered, but finally we got there. Oh, and plenty of feet and suitcases walked over and rolled over my bug-bitten feet! Anyway, we got off and brought Brittany near the Acropolis. She was the only one who hadn’t seen it, so we showed her where to go, made sure we had phones to communicate if we needed to, and decided to meet back in an hour. After we sent her on her way, we stopped at a Pharmacy (for Katie this time!). She’s been having knee problems and all the walking was hurting her, so she got a knee brace. Next stop: mini market to get Greek yogurt and Sprite for Julia (really—I wasn’t kidding with the whole new diet thing!). I had some water earlier and it just didn’t settle well. It’s so weird that I can’t even drink water! When we found the mini market, everyone decided they wanted to try Greek yogurt so we got enough for everyone—and honey! We found a little shady area to sit and enjoy our snacks. Then on the way back, we visited George’s store again. We looked around, got what we wanted, and then met Brittany. By then, everyone was really hungry. We set out to find a place to get Gyros. I had decided that I needed to have authentic Gyros at least once before I left Greece…I had to! We all ordered them, and I got halfway through and realized it was a bad idea and stopped. At least I got half of a Gyro! Then I picked up my 1.5 Liter Sprite and started sipping away. After dinner, we decided to go BACK to George’s again (3rd time, 4th for some) to get more souvenirs. We just loved it there! We went back, bought some more things, and said goodbye for real this time.

We took the metro to Syntagma Square and got there just before 3 to see the changing of the guards (every hour, on the hour). The other girls saw it when we were in Mykonos and said it was something we HAD to see. They were guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It was a very serious thing, but it did look a little goofy! Their outfits and their routine for changing guards is just so……….unique. These 6-foot-tall men have tap-shoes with HUGE black cotton ball puffs on the end of them, tassles hanging from behind their knees, and skirts, and do this kicking and stepping routine that looks a little bit awkward with their height- it was definitely something to see! They would tap their shoes, then kick their legs out horizontally. It lasted about 7 minutes! The commander would walk up to them, adjust their uniforms, hats, and guns, and would even wipe the sweat off of their faces! They were not allowed to move at all. After they were done, we took pictures with them. Brittany slipped on the ground and almost slide-tackled the guard! She missed him by about an inch, but we wondered what would happen if she had hit him since he isn’t allowed to move! After taking pictures, we took the metro back to Piraeus and made our way back to the ship.

Since we’ve been back on the ship, cup of noodles, fro yo, Gatorade, and sprite can pretty much sum it up. I bought them at the pool bar and brought them to dinner with the gang. Darwin had made a sign that said Reserved for Darwin’s “Angles.” He brought us all chocolate puddings for dessert- my favorite on the ship! Too bad I couldn’t have it. :( When I told him, he said he was sorry, leaned over to look in my cup of noodles, and told me I needed to drink more broth! Yes, sir! I ended up being really hungry still, so I put some spaghetti into the broth and letting it soak, then eating it. Yeah, my stomach didn’t like the idea and I found out later. For the rest of the night, back to the strict diet!

We were out on deck later, saying goodbye to Greece as it grew farther and farther away into the sunset. Let me just tell you- this sunset was AMAZING (as usual)! We are seriously so spoiled with them. Ocean sunsets are incredible. The colors were so deep that when I stared at them I felt like I couldn’t even take in all the color. Such deep reds, pinks, purples…amazing.