when in....athens?

As a part of my study abroad program, we were each assigned to go to a Member State or candidate member of the EU for a European Study Tour, culminating in a a mock parliament in Brussels, Belgium. I went to Athens to hold interviews and gain some knowledge of their perspective, but I also had quite enough time to explore the city. Basically, I ate kebabs, crepes, waffles, and meze all weekend. My roomie and I had a chance to check out the Museum of Cycladic Art and a bit of the Benaki, which had a really odd contrast between ancient artifacts and modern art.

(walk up to the Acropolis)

(the Erechtheum. We all know what the Parthenon looks like, and I found this to be much more fascinating)

(Panathenaic Stadium)

The best way to see everything was a bus tour, so we spent an afternoon cruising around on the top of a double decker. We toured the Acropolis, which was absolutely incredible, and then visited the Panathenaic Stadium. On the last day, we boarded the bus again but, this time, to Piraeus, which is on the coast. Even in January, the weather was perfect. After enjoying kebabs at a restaurant directly on the water, we headed back to kill some time in Athens.

(kebab in Piraeus. Yes, it is swinging)

(Pireaus. JANUARY?!)


Valuable lessons learned:
-People will urinate anywhere. It doesn't matter if it's on the side of the biggest road in Athens.
-130 pound dogs exist. In fact, they are legitmate citizens of the city and are apparently too good to accept your scraps.
-The Omonoia metro station is an American girls worst nightmare. But, McDonalds serves as a wonderful place of refuge.
-Waffles and crepes are always a great idea for a snack.
-Despite economic woes, there's always time to do nothing in Athens. Zonar's is always open...