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Arrival at Eleftherios Venizelos (Athens International Airport).
Long after people-watching grew tiresome,
we head over to the train station to finally see the city.
The sun still below the horizon,
it’s now Sunday and the trains start running two hours later than expected.
Reflected light in the airport restroom window.
More waiting until it’s light outside
and we board a modern, clean car bound for the heart of Athens.
We have difficulty deciphering Greek writing for our stop information,
and we realize that without some sort of key, the effort is pointless.
Through the metropolis, the hour long train ride rumbles,
and the urge to sleep is a fight for the risk of missing our stop.
At Victoria Square, we disembark exhausted.
A few turns around the station and we arrive at Zorba’s Hotel.
The room is not ready yet, but the desk man suggests we wait in the computer area.
Within minutes we are unconscious.
The blackness is interrupted by the desk man announcing the room is ready.
Once inside the cool, dark room we collapse on the bed for the rest of the morning…
…After the much needed nap, a search for laundry and food is needed.
The desk staff introduce themselves and recommend a laundrette.
They also invite us to the hotel bar for a complimentary drink later in the evening.
The food was so tasty a second round was necessary to take back to the room.
The family that ran the cafe even gave us a free beer.
The rest of the night in the room resting and preparing to explore
the true force of the ancient city in the morning.
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