Around Athens

Last weekend, while everyone was taking huge ferries to Santorini or Mykonos, we hopped on a bus to Cape Sounion, about an hour and a half away from Athens. There sat an amazing Temple of Poseidon, with HUGE Doric columns and a view that will take your breath away. We visited the temple for a bit, took some good pictures, then headed to the beach to some relaxing and sun bathing. We heard about this grotto from another girl who went the weekend before. I am always up for an adventure, so we swam around the cape looking for it. We finally stumbled upon it, and it was amazing. The grotto was a small opening to a fairly decent sized cave, which the sea extended into. The echo inside was a little erie, but worth the 20 minute swim.

We stayed at Sounion to watch the sunset.

I also ventured to the Athenian Flea Market.

Not as bad as a Turkish Bazaar, but pretty close. Everyone is in your face, either trying to sell you somethings, push you out of the way, or pick your pocket. They sell everything, from old shoes, to books, watches, pirated movies, cameras, maps, jewlery, silver, antiques, clothes, megaphones. Everything you didn't think you needed

until you realized you didn't have. When I go back, I definitely need to work on my haggling skills. Canal Street in NYC taught me at least one lifeskill!

This weekend, we headed over to Hydra, an island off the coast of Athens, with incredible views and amazing tavernas. We spent the day lounging on the rocks and window shopping at all the little boutiques and mom&pop shops. The island does not allow motorized vehicles of any sort. The main mode of transportation was by foot, but there were the occasional donkey here or there, which meant the need to occasionally dodge the donkey droppings. I'm safe to say that I did not step in any of it, but I came pretty darn close.