April 14, 2011

Athens

on the train to Athens

We went to Athens by train. It takes almost 6 hours from Thessaloniki and it is a beautiful journey, especially in the spring. Greece has an interesting landscape, with high mountains and large fields.

on the train to Athens

Large tunnels cut through the mountains and obscure the view at times, but there are a few places, in between the tunnels, where the view is breathtaking.

on the train to Athens

Πήγαμε στην Αθήνα με τρένο και η διαδρομή είναι πολύ όμορφη, ειδικά τώρα την άνοιξη. Τα ψηλά βουνά και οι πεδιάδες είναι πραγματικά εντυπωσιακά.

on the train to Athens

We went out for a coffee with Maria, it was so much fun!

Πήγαμε για καφέ με τη Μαρία, ήταν τέλεια!

coffee with Maria

I got a few random pictures from the bus...

Athens

The Greek Parliament

Η Βουλή

the Greek Parliament

We were lucky to see the guards changing in front of the Parliament. I've been to Athens many times, but I think this is the first time I saw it.

Changing guards in front of the Greek Parliament

The inscription on the upper left is from Thucydides and reads in Greek "Ανδρών επιφανών πάσα γη τάφος". The translation is "For distinguished men the whole earth is their grave". It's from Pericles' Funeral Oration and I found this lovely translation from Wikipedia, which includes the rest of the passage: "The whole earth is the sepulchre of famous men; they are honoured not only by columns and inscriptions in their own land, but in foreign nations on memorials graven not on stone but in the hearts and minds of men."

Changing guards in front of the Greek Parliament

The Acropolis looks beautiful at night!

The Acropolis at night

We had a wonderful time and I can't wait to go back!

Περάσαμε υπέροχα και ανυπομονώ πολύ να ξαναπάμε!

in Athens

9 comments:

  1. Aw the pictures are so amazing. Athens looks gorgeous

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  2. Love birds! H pio oraia photo ap oles einai i teleutaia!
    Philhellene

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  3. These photos are gorgeous! I have to get to Greece some day.

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  4. Beautiful. I would love to go there, someday.

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  5. Ελπίζω την επόμενη φορά που θα έλθεις να πιούμε και μαζί ένα καφέ!!
    Καλό Πάσχα!!

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  6. Wow what lovely photos. Gosh 6 hours on a train. Did you manage lots of knitting? I love the colour of the shawl you have on.

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  7. Gourgeous scenery! Only seven weeks until I get to see some Greek scenery again, yay!

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  8. Every time I read that you are living in Thessaloniki (though I know it but that makes me aware of it) I do feel so close to you because our little dog Myrtille was born and lived there for about the first 3 months of her live. Just a year ago now that we picked her up at the airport over here. What an adventure fur such a little creature. But I think she is happy with her new life in Germany and doesn’t think back.
    Your time in Athens seems to having been a success. Thanks for sharing the pictures of your beautiful country that is kind of totally unknown to me exept for maybe Greek restaurants and some facts from the antique Greece…
    Tina

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