An Afternoon by the Sea

Today we decided that we should go to the Sea. After all, who knows when I will get back here again? It would be a crime to be as close as this and not dip my toe into the Mediterranean, even if it is cold. Although I brought a bathing suit to go for a swim, I have no desire to join the Polar Bear Club. The water is not frozen but it is not warm either. The weather is 50 degrees warmer than it is in GH, but it is still not hot.

Walking to the Metro, we see Athena everywhere. She is certainly the patron of Athens. Scattered amongst the new and restored buildings are piles of restorations in progress. They are everywhere. I am surprised that there is so much still here. I would have thought that the building material would have been long ago used in some newer project. Mr Jon Cool is having a grand time.

We took the metro to Piraeus and looked around. This is the working port of Athens. It is where we will begin our trip today. No matter where you look there are ruins of something or other – some are labeled and some are not. It is going to take a long time and a lot of money to get them all restored. By the time we make our plan, we are all starving. There is something about the sea breeze that makes us hungry. We walked along the quay for a bit and considered the street vendors offerings. We looked in several restaurants and finally decided that we wanted to go farther down the coast to see the Sea where it wasn't so congested. For only the second time since I have arrived in Romania, I went to a McDonalds. It was a familiar port, so to speak, and so we didn't have to figure out the menu. This one is decorated in a nautical theme with life rings on the walls. The front was entirely glassed in so that we can see the water while we scarf down those familiar quarter-pounders.
A few dollars lighter, we walked farther down the quay until we found a bus that would take us down the coast. We found a delightful restaurant and sat by the window and watched the activity. There was still no beach to speak of – only a dock that went all the way to Piraeus in one directions and who knows where at the other end. It was simply lovely. We watched ships sailing by. There are huge freighters and cruise ships plying the waters. More interesting are the smaller boats that are probably locals out for a day in the sun.