Athens, Greece

On my way to Athens, Greece.

After a 50 year hiatus, I return to Athens my dream city. The birthplace of modern civilization, souvlaki, Acropolis, and so much more.. 50 years ago, my “mate”, Rick, and I travelled to Europe. We were 17 years old and lived on about $1.50 a day. We hitched a ride with a bloke and his chic from London to Istanbul and continued on to Athens, Greece. I adored the Acropolis and I still do. More importantly, as a result of that summer traveling with Rick Steiner, sneaking into youth hostels to take showers, sleeping in parks, scrounging, depending on our wits sometimes to survive we developed a bond that lasts to this day. Rick is not much for traveling anymore but we still talk, write, see each other occasionally in Las Vegas. The moral of this story is: Take an adventure with someone you hardly know, on a dare like ours. If you survive, at the end you will have created a long lasting memory and friendship. Try it, you’ll see I’m right.

Athens isn’t that same as it was 50 years ago or perhaps my memory isn’t the same. Yes, that is much more likely. Here is what it looks like now.

My son and I took a one day sailing trip to 3 islands. A most wonderful day.

A few more photo memories of Athens.

My final day in Athens, I climbed up to the Acropolis, very early, to beat the crowds. Success, only 30 plebes ahead of me. Sheeesh!