Farewell Europa (Athina, Greece)!

The last stop on our tour of Greece was Athens, home of Katie's fore-fathers. Literally. Here's what's great at the end of a long trip - having a family member around to take care of you and feed you fabulous food.

Athens was a great city, and reminded Katie and I of New York. Except for that whole "Acropolis" thing. We don't have huge 2000 year old monuments to our ancient culture cropping up in the middle of cities over in our part of the New World.

The view of the Acropolis from the Temple of Zeus

Katie and I made our pilgrimage to the Acropolis, which was impressive, and yet under construction. How can a ruin be under construction, you ask? Why would someone even concieve of such an idea?!? I have no clue, except to say that perhaps too much history makes a culture a bit batty ;)

Katie and I in front of the Parthenon!

My favorite building on the Acropolis, the Erecthion (pretty Karyatids!)

The modern city of Athens clearly sprung up around the ancient and medieval Greecian cities. One of my favorite parts of walking through the city is that one is very likely to come upon the following around every busy cosmpolitan corner:

Lurking Medeival Churches:

Katie's Father graciously acted as our host for the few days that we were in Athens. This meant that we got to meet all of his crazy (and wonderful) family and friends.

Dinner with Katie, her father and friends

Alas, after our fabulous tour of Greece, I made it back to Italy for only 3 days, and then I was America bound. Farewell beautiful Europa, my heart grows heavy, my soul longs to hear your siren song once more. Until that time, though, I'm really going to enjoy the plumbing advancements and ethnic food selection of my native land!