Syntagma Square and Sunset

 After all the food samples we needed to walk some of that food off. So we headed to Syntagma Square to watch the changing of the guard.

 These guards do some amazing foot work and precise movements as they guard the tomb of the unknown soldier in front of Syntagma Square (or constitution square)

 They have to stand perfectly still while they are on guard. Bridget was trying her best to be like them. She has even perfected her walk to be like them, to bad she isn't tall enough or a man or she could wear the cool skirt and pom pom shoes.

 We then headed to a great spot to watch the sunset over the city. Mount Lycabettus. It is the highest peak in Athens. The kids took their first funicular train ride up the side of the mountain so we could get there in time for sunset.

The train went up the side of the mountain through a tunnel

 The view was spectacular!

little church at the top

As was the sunset.

Food tour part 2

 Walking the streets of Psari we came across this beautiful display of street lights.

 This little stop on our tour had the most amazing olive oil. I was so wishing I had checked in luggage to be able to bring some back.  All the kids went nuts with the bread and oil.  We also tried a Greek sweet called submarine.  They put a spoonful of sugary-taffy stuff in a cup of water to soften then you eat it.  

 We stopped at a spice shop. It was amazing. Loved all the smells and herbs native to Greece. The kids loved these natural sponges that came from the sea and lava rocks, all to be used to clean your body.

 Dried and pressed meats was our next stop.  I had never tried this when I was here before so it was new to me. 

 David wasn't too sure about it.  We tried some incredible feta and goats cheese too!

 Walking through the outdoor market I was reminded of all the beautiful colors and foods I loved getting at the weekly farmers markets that were outside our apartments.

 These purple and green things are olives before they have been soaked.

 We stopped to try 8 different kinds of olives! 8! and there were still more we didn't try.

 Then we headed to our next stop through the fish and meat market (this area grossed Allison out)

 That would  be pigs feet, stomach lining ,intestines, and tongue.

 Pigs head anyone?

 lamb to roast

 Greek donuts were a sweet treat after seeing all that. They are covered in a honey syrup and sprinkled with cinnamon. Served warm they are heavenly!

 Last stop.

These pitas surrounded the most amazing pork souvlaki. Delicious. Instead of the traditional tzakiki sauce it had a red spicy sauce. Which was good, but I still favor the tzakiki.

David cracked me up throughout the tour. Most of the time he was complaining and not willing to try things without some proding. He amazed me by trying most things and by the end loving the food tour and even wanting to go back to many places!

The food tour from the perspective of Allison

The food tour in Athens

In Athens, on the very first full day that we were there, we took a food tour.  We saw tons of different sights, and ate tons of different Greek foods.  We had so much that it counted as breakfast and lunch.  The food was delicious, and I loved most of it.  Everything was good, but the fish market, meat market, and this meat store wasn't the best.  The fish and meat market almost made me barf.  Of course, David wasn't a help at all and kept telling me to look at all the dead fish.  We saw fish, some whole lambs, and a pigs foot cut in half so you could see the stuff inside.  I was trying not to barf.

 Here's some cute kittys eating some fish that a person feed them.

 This is a Greek snack.  It is really healthy bread with sesame seeds on it.

 These are some pictures of a chef making this good desert called bougatsa.

Sorry, but that's all for today.  Bye!