wandering Athens

I still haven't done any official sightseeing in Athens yet, but after my attempt to check out the National Archeological Museum yesterday failed, I decided to just wander on foot. I made it to Strefi Hill, where there's a gorgeous panoramic view of the city. Very satisfying. :-)

What do Greeks do after 3pm?

Everything seems to close at 2 or 3pm here.

Banks all close at 2pm.... that's okay.

I walked to see the National Archeological Museum yesterday, and they had already closed at 3pm (apparently, despite 80 degree and humid weather, they're still on "winter hours").

I wanted to try the museum again tomorrow (skipping some morning talks), and to check out the Acropolis afterward (requires a literal hike). And, guess what? The Acropolis closes at 3pm.

Why in the world would an archeological monument, which apparently doesn't even have a visitors' center somehow, close at 3pm? Does that mean you're not allowed to hike there anymore?

Hmmm.... the Greeks must be having a big party after 3pm every day that I haven't found yet...

In Athens, Greece!

Yesterday I arrived in Athens, where I'm presenting a paper at EACL. It's my first time in Greece, so I'm excited to explore!

Initial observations:

• So far, no real travel mishaps! This either indicates that I'm becoming an expert traveler, or that I'm running out of new things that can go wrong. ;-)
• Pollution and smoking. There's too much of both here, and I'm going to get a year's fix of exhaust inhalation within the next few days...
• The weather is beautiful... but HUMID so far! I hope that I packed appropriately. The forecast said high of ~75, low of ~45 each day this week, but it's definitely feeling warmer, especially as the trains don't seem to have AC. Lots of stickiness; hopefully it will go away before I climb up to Acropolis and the Parthenon later this week!

But I don't mean to sound negative at all. Like I said, I'm excited. :-) I've only walked around briefly, but wandering several blocks south of my hotel to catch a different metro line, I caught a glimpse of the Acropolis area. Lots to see! And I'll post pictures when I can.