Athens, Greece (Part 1)

Greece was somewhere I've always DREAMED of going after watching Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants in high school. I just wanted to see white and blue everywhere with clear waters! The night before in Barcelona we decided to watch the movie to get ready for Greece. As we were coming up from the underground in Athens we were so excited to see what we saw in the movies (even though it weren't in Santorini), but what we saw were run down buildings and a liquor store that was blocked off by windows so you no one could go in, but get you needed through a tiny window slot. We were so confused to where we were and felt a little nervous walking towards our hostel because of the amount of creepy looking men everywhere and no women anywhere... Thankfully we arrived in Athens during the early evening so the sun was still up. We later found out that our hostel was in the center of the Red light district which made us really nervous, but during the next few days we went on our free tours and really enjoyed Athens, but it was the first time I realized I hated being a tourist and how it all made sense that in some places people hated tourists/Americans. 

It was in Athens where I realized that the movies glamorizes so much of the world! I knew that Athens had strikes going on and weren't doing too well economically, but I was so shocked out how bad it was. It clearly showed everywhere you went especially the amount of stray dogs we saw on the streets. It was SO heartbreaking. I felt so guilt being there taking pictures with my fancy camera and just being a tourist. On our last day in Athens we had to check out of our hostel early and spend 24 hours at the airport due to a 24 hour strike that closed down all transportation to the airport. 

I definitely learned so much in Athens. I know it was someplace God wanted me to go and realize how many people in this world need prayer and how BLESSED I was living in America! I felt guilty being a tourist because I was able to simply slip away from the strike and leave, while the people in Athens had to face it everyday.

Even though Athens was the total opposite of Barcelona..I loved it that much more!

I loved how no one checked monitored the metro tickets (>< bad of us to not pay, but it seemed as though no one was doing it heh..), loved the cheap awesome GYROS that were only 2 euros + made friends with the owner who laughed at us every time we walked in to order it..which was pretty much 3x a day lol), awesome shopping areas, soso much history, finished writing ALL my postcards and sent them all out, got amazing tans, spent so much quality time with Priscilla, having the entire room to ourselves & finally...the hostel DOING OUR LAUNDRY FOR US! :'') + helping me break my lock on my locker because silly me locked ALL my stuff including the keys to my lock in the locker! loll

only 20 people were on this flight to Athens........

Thanks!

Our first Greek meal! DROOL

Olympic Stadium

love all the greek letters

Reminded us of sunny california

Guarding the Parliament HEHE

Looks harder then it looks. Prisiclla and I tried doing it lol...

Greek Princess LOL

our cool tour guide

felt like we were on top of the world

I want some now. I want to cry T.T

Athen's Beach

colorful rocks

our clean clothes all folded and packed up!

Inside the New Acropolis Museum

Hiking up to the Parthenon

CUTE OLD COUPLES MATCHING. :'')

 turned my bag into a backpack = easy access for pickpockets. Didn't care at that point >< it was SO HOT

Bye postcards!

 A lot of people will be receiving postcards from Athens HEHEHO

Our final thing to do: Doctor Fish, heal our feet!

we couldn't relax or breathe. IT WAS SO WEIRD hahaha

Priscilla's foot. I seriously couldn't even look down...I cringe..

OUR LAST GYROS :(. Got 2 each!

got out toes painted after our fish pedicures!

P.S. On our way to the airport we met a sweet American lady named, Cecile Moochnek who shared with us about her life traveling. She was so sweet & invited us to her art gallery in Berkeley! Cecile Moochnek (Kris, thought of you! Hopefully I get to visit soon!)

Part 2 post coming soon!
xx