■Miracle Greek

view from Akropolis

Cruising by ship makes us feel how large the earth is. One and half day had past since we left port at Brindisi. But we were on the sea still. We were very tired because the seats of cabin didn't recline. Other backpackers were sleeping on the cold deck. In the morning, we came out as soon as it was daylight. Then a magnificent view of the blue ocean opened out before us. We had been on the deck until the ship reach at Patras port seeing the blue ocean.
　Our ship arrived at Patras port in the afternoon, but we didnt know how to do there. A couple of Japanese came to us and said that we have no train today, so we must take a bus. They were also tourists, and they were touring all over Europe. We decided to follow them. After some hours waiting, we took a bus for Athens. When we heard greek misic in the bus, Fumiyoshi felt that this is not Europe but Asia, Japan is getting near. The other side, Kunie thought how far we have come. We got to Athen in the midnight. That night, we settled to hotel quickly, and went to bed.
　We did not satisfied our bed and shower, but the breakfast was good. That was buffet ( smorgasbord), it has many kind and quantity. Grapes were so good for us. After breakfast, we went to market at once and bought 6 apples by 100Dr.
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in front of Parthenon
　Next, we went a jewel shop at old city, we beat down 2 rings (91,600Dr/1ring) the price to 10,500Dr. We love these rings still now, and we thank Georgena at the shop. And she told us that big earthquake occurred on Cairo where is our next destination. We get out the shop, and walked toward Akropolis. So many people were there though it was so windy. We took many photographs each other, but we could not take them without other visitor in background. Akropolis was very impressive, of course, the city view from there was also good. We can't get that dreamy sight out of our mind.
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in front of the Diet Building
　After visiting the Greek church, we rested and wrote cards at Syntagma square. we bought a candle stand from Russian lady at the roadside. Everything was going all right. Everything was happy. After we had dinner, we took a bus for airport from Omonia Square.
　We decided to go to istanbul because of earthquake on Cairo. We went to airport and looked for our flight. But we could not find out it. Fumiyoshi was so absent-minded as to mistake flight number for departure time. Our flight was 12:35 tomorrow. We returned central Athens. After all we got extra day in Athens.
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It was to have been the last dinner !?
　We stayed another hotel at that night. Next morning, we could not get up early. When we got up barely, we shouted for joy. Because a magnificent view opened out before us. We could see "Akropolis". Athens was just ruins like Roma. "Akropolis" was its symbol. We could not enjoy the extra day. After going to post office, we started for airport.
g005.jpg Akropolis
from 4th floor diningroom

　On the way to airport, Fumiyoshi felt uneasy. The view from the window was different from yesterday. Uneasy had come true. We arrived at west airport not east 2 hours before to departure time. We were completely at a loss. Only we could do was waiting for bus for east airport. Time had past in vain. We prayed...
　Then, we could see the wonder bus coming to us. It was for east! God did not abandon us. We got into the bus, but it did not start soon. We felt the time was so long. After all, we could depart from Athens to istanbul thanks to miracle and Greece people.