Gallimaufry#104

DAY 7—Athens

We spent nearly half of the day at the Santorini airport, waiting for our 45-minute flight back to Athens. Thankfully, we didn't have to relive that nightmarish 3-hour ferry ride as we had on our journey here. But that's a story for another time, one I will share in a future post.

STREETS OF ATHENS

Church of Panagia Kapnikarea

The Church of Panagia Kapnikarea, located in the heart of Athens, Greece, is one of the city's oldest and most iconic Byzantine churches. Its history dates back to the 11th century, making it one of the oldest surviving churches in Athens. The church is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and its name, "Kapnikarea," is derived from the Greek word "kapnikon," which means "of the chapel," suggesting its role as a chapel during the Byzantine era.

Church of St. Mary Pantanassa

Greek signs are hard to read!

A shop selling nuts, dried fruits, herbs, spices, and more.

This stranger, who was sitting at the bus stand, waved to me and flashed me a smile while I was taking photos around me. When his bus arrived, he was about to alight, but just before stepping on board, he turned around and waved to me once more. It was a simple yet heartwarming gesture! Greeks are such friendly people!

Monastiraki Square

*GYPSY FLOWER SCAM

A couple of girls (gypsies, I was later told) with a bunch of fake roses accosted us and attempted to force a flower into my hand, insisting that it was a gift. Fortunately, we had earlier been cautioned by our tour guide, so we ignored them and kept walking ahead. The girls continued to tail us. At one point, I felt one of them attempting to reach into my neck pouch, but I held on tight to it. When I said, "Don't touch me!" she mumbled something in a foreign language and became very aggressive. They persisted in following and pestering us. We quickly walked into an ice cream shop, and they vanished like shadows in the bustling streets.

*The gypsy flower scam typically involves an individual offering a seemingly free gift, like a flower or a small trinket, often in a public place. Once you accept the gift, the person might then aggressively demand payment for it, often using intimidation tactics or creating a scene to pressure you into paying.

Strolling toward our dinner destination in the neighbourhood of Thissio. 

Handicraft stalls line the cobbled Apostolou Pavlou promenade.

Views from the restaurant's rooftop