Day 473, 28 Sept '15, Athens Central Market, Birkenstocks, Feast, Airport... Bags lost, bags found and off home... to Cyprus!

When we first planned our little side-trip to Athens a couple of weeks ago we thought three days wouldn't be enough. Seems we'd forgotten exactly how hard-core we can go in a new city with so much to see. Turns out that whilst we might end up housesitting in Athens one day, we have no need to come back otherwise. Possibly for a jaunt to the Greek islands or for day trips around Athens such as the Oracle at Delphi, but the city, she is done. We were up bright and early today (Monday) and finished our packing (not that much had come out in three days), stashed a change of clothes in our carry on bags and headed out for one final look-see. This morning we followed our noses from the hotel, through Omonia Square and onto Athinas Street. Destination? The Athens Central Market. Considered by some to be the third agora of Athens (after the ancient Greek and Roman agoras). Definitely a hustling and bustling place. In fact, like us, you've probably seen pictures or footage of the market during the recent coverage of the Greek crisis. It's where long faced butchers and fishmongers were hanging about looking particularly miserable since no-one was splurging on luxuries like fish and meat. (When you could only get €60 a day out of the ATM, cash expenditures were no doubt examined verrrrry carefully.) We enjoyed hearing the spruiking of the fruit and veges in the outside market and then headed into the fish and meat halls (there are over 70 stalls in this massive covered market). Now you may have heard us singing the praises of Spain (everyone else has) - super low cost of living, friendly people, excellent public transport and infrastructure) - it really is our spiritual home. Don't worry - you won't be hearing us singing the praises of Greece or the Greeks anytime soon. Excellent healthy fast food to be sure... and not expensive, but not a particularly friendly bunch. We felt it in particular in the markets. Patently obvious we were a) tourists and b) not Greek - so the chances of us cooking up a storm in our hotel room, pretty low. But apparently we were breathing far to much air and generally getting in the way of real customers (... well there weren't many of those either). Still - fun to have a look around and see the great fresh produce. The streets around the market are also full of quirky little shops and market stalls. Picked up a much needed pair of linen cargo pants for €1; bought toothpaste at a pharmacy and found out that the full moon was actually just the precursor to a blood moon eclipse that we'd missed (oh well); and saw the start of Athens' Chinatown (also Little India/Pakistani town etc). Our walk took us to the end of Athinas Street and into Monastiraki Square (seriously... 3 days - we know exactly where we are). Headed back to the church and square in the middle of Ermou Street and spent almost an hour sampling Birkenstocks to try and find something rugged, comfortable, supportive and not too silly looking in the way of a sandal. Succeeded! Apparently in a week's time they will have broken me in. Given all the posters of posh models wearing Birkenstocks... I may well have metamorphosed into Giselle Bundchen in a week's time as well. In which case these babies were a bargain! We are very fortunate in most ways, but really got lucky having had all our entries to the sites and museums for free this trip due to the last weekend in September being European Heritage Days Free Weekend - the savings certainly subsidised the new sandals. We had one final stroll from Monastiraki to Acropoli and said a mental farewell to Athens. Back to the hotel for a shower and freshen up and then checked out on the dot of 12 noon. We had asked about the possibility of a slightly later checkout... but it must have gotten lost in translation as the manager on duty seemed to think I'd asked her to cut off her right arm. Never mind. Luggage behind the counter we tootled back to cheap and cheerful Greek eats street behind Omonia square. Again we split our business between the two restaurants - a souvlaki and a half litre of wine at the first and pork kebabs, chips, bread and tzatziki at the other. €12.50 and we were full and pickled. Quite a splurge for us for one day's food. We splurged once more on a cab to the airport which was worth every cent and it seemed no time at all until we were on the plane to Larnaca, Cyprus. That's when the clock started again and we were on the tarmac for half an hour whilst medical attention was sought for a lovely lady (not the original expression) who was bonked on the head by her lovely friend's (also not the original expression) walking sticks that fell out of an overhead locker. Finally we left Athens, dinner on the plane, first off the plane, and, for the first time ever, the last people standing at the baggage carousel when the music stopped. No bags. That's not one, but two missing bags. "Damn it to hell" (also not the original expression... gosh the censor has been working overtime). Then I put two and two together and thought like a Greek. Reading the screen above the carousel it said "Push Chairs can be found near Counter 5 at the other end of the concourse". As it turns out so can sports gear, boxes and our two back packs that had had some special security inspection at Athens Airport. Far too many colourful country patches on them we think. Must have raised eyebrows. Heaven only knows why... if we were doing something shonky we'd have plain, black, easy to be confused luggage like most people seem to have. Finally out the door we met our new owner friend and were soon on the way to our new home in Cyprus. Mañana, there will be news!