More on Athens

Me and my new friend Catalina traveled together for the 2nd day and started from the Ancient Agora— The site of the Ancient Agora in a very green space and a very beautiful view of the Acropolis. We saw the Temple of Hephaestus, the best preserved ancient Greek temple, the Attalos Stoa, the museum of the agora which is a reconstructed ancient building. From the agora we walked towards Kerameikos. 

• The Kerameikos is the site of the ancient cemetery of Athens. It also houses the Dipylon Gate, where the Panathenaic procession would begin. It has a museum showcasing many of the grave stele and other archaeological items found on the grounds.

We walked all the way from Kerameikos to the olympic stadium.  Athens hosted the 2004 Summer Olympic Games. While most of the sporting venues were located outside the city proper -in various locations throughout Attica- the entire urban area of Athens underwent major lasting changes.  

The National Archaeological Museum of Athens is the largest archaeological museum in Greece and one of the most important museums in the world devoted to ancient Greek art. It was founded at the end of the 19th century to house and protect antiquities from all over Greece, thus displaying their historical, cultural and artistic value. 

My host family kindly agrees to accommodate Catalina so we may travel together to the islands easier. I helped her to move her bags to my host family, then I realized how hilly Athens is. The sprawling city is bounded on three sides by Mt Ymettos, Mt Parnitha and Mt Pendeli; whilst inside Athens are twelve hills which provide a refuge from the noise and commotion of the crowded city streets, offering amazing views down to Saronic Gulf. 

Many friends emailed me their concern regarding traveling into Middle East at this moment. I am watching the situation and will adjust my plan accordingly.