![\"\"](\"http:\/\/pisarro.org\/aboutnick\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/FSC_2764.jpg\")
<\/a>Before walking too long, we reached the Arch of Hadrian<\/em>, which is still quite impressive. Hadrian, the Roman emperor, had the arch built in 132 AD, and he went to Athens to celebrate its inauguration. Then we went to the Lysicrates Monument and Square,<\/em> the only surviving monument that was once in that square. Next came Acropolis Hill<\/em>. Acropolis means “high city,” and as such, it was a natural fortress. The road has many olive trees on both sides, which reminded me of the ones we saw in Sicily.<\/a><\/p>\nAfter much more walking we realized we were tired and hungry. Suddenly the air was filled with the scent of food being cooked. We passed a restaurant called P’sara<\/em> and we wanted to have lunch there, because psara is the Greek word for fisherman, and that is the origin of \u00a0Pisarro, our surname. However, \u00a0every table was taken. Nearby Feeling exhausted after such an active day, I was relieved that our hotel was such a short walk away.<\/p>\n 9,014 steps<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" We awoke at 9:45 AM and were the last people into the breakfast room before it closed. Hastily, we decided to do the “old town” walk. We did so unprepared, without our backpack, our sunscreen, our water bottle, or our walking sticks. Before walking too long, we reached the Arch of Hadrian, which is still … Continue reading Greece 2024, Day 4 \u2014 April 13, 2024<\/span> <\/a>After that we approached \u00a0the neighborhood of Anaflotika,<\/em> which consists of many tiny residences built along side of \u00a0hilly, rocky, narrow paths. After more walking, we reached \u00a0the Roman Forum (the Agora<\/em>). An \u00a0open-air piazza \u00a0like this one was constructed in every city that Rome conquered. Nearby is the Tower of the Winds<\/em>, which, according to our tour book, was once a clock, a weather station, and a guide to the planets. \u00a0The \u00a0tower features \u00a0carved \u00a0reliefs \u00a0that \u00a0depict \u00a0the \u00a0eight \u00a0traditional \u00a0winds \u00a0of \u00a0the \u00a0world \u00a0as \u00a0angels, \u00a0who \u00a0bring \u00a0in \u00a0the \u00a0weather. \u00a0This \u00a0angel, \u00a0who \u00a0is \u00a0holding \u00a0 the \u00a0curved \u00a0rudder \u00a0of \u00a0a \u00a0ship, \u00a0brings \u00a0in \u00a0good \u00a0sailing \u00a0weather.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>was a restaurant called Melina<\/em>. We found a table there.<\/a> The restaurant was dedicated to the actress Melina Mercouri<\/em> and had many photos of her on display. We ordered fish and chips. This doesn’t sound Greek, but it was not prepared in the familiar way. The coating was very light, and the seasoning was oregano. The fish was incredibly fresh. After lunch, we made our way back to our hotel so that we could rest before meeting our travel group.<\/p>\n<\/a>Our guide, Angelos, was \u00a0Greek, \u00a0and was about my son Nicholas’ age. Like almost everyone we encountered, he spoke perfect English. There were twenty-six travelers in our group who were from ten different states, mostly couples and also a few solo women. Many had been on Rick Steves tours before, but for others, it was their first venture. We were \u00a0each asked to introduce ourselves. I was intrigued by someone who said his favorite movie was La La Land<\/em>. because we knew Justin Paul, its lyricist, who went to high school with our daughter, Carla. I don’t recall what I said my favorite thing was, but I’ll always remember that Nick said his \u00a0favorite thing was me!!!<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>After \u00a0the meeting we walked to a nearby restaurant called Gods’<\/em> for dinner. The meal consisted of a Greek salad (it had may of the salad ingredients with which we were familiar including \u00a0olives, peppers, \u00a0cucumbers, and red onions, \u00a0but no lettuce); raw veggies with a \u00a0variety \u00a0of dips including tzatziki; deep fried cheese; a choice of main courses (we chose pork in a lovely sauce, while others chose chicken or pastitsio, \u00a0a baked pasta similar to lasagna. Dessert was Greek (of course!) yogurt topped with local honey, which was fresh, \u00a0light, and perfect!<\/a><\/p>\n