Athens (Thursday July 3)

We arrived in Athens the morning of July 3 after a long, packed Delta flight from New York. By metro, we checked in at the Hotel Attalos in Monastiraki, and set about exploring central Athens trying to shake off the effects of jet lag. Since Athens was in the midst of a heatwave (temperatures in the high 30's), we made a bee-line for an outdoor cafe in Plaka. Never underestimate the restorative powers of a bottle of Mythos beer...

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From Plaka we ventured into the central market of Athens, lined with outdoor stalls of fresh fruits and vegetables, dry goods, olives, live chickens, and just about anything else you can imagine. Jet lag and heat finally getting the better of us, we purchased a bag of olives, a bottle of water, and retreated to the comfort of the hotel for a much-needed siesta.

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The roof of the Hotel Attalos has a small terrace and bar with a terrific view of Athens and the Acropolis, our main sight-seeing destination for Friday.

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