![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
xaaraIt's absolutely beautiful out. The weather makes me want to dress in tight red and black clothes and strut down the street in my long red "Carmen Sandiego" coat and a black fedora. Problem is, the image would work better with a supporting cast, and I think most of my guy friends would take it the wrong way if I called them and said, "You up for a round of being cartoon!cool?" I swear I'm not crazy. Just impulsive. Okay, so maybe a little crazy. :)
Had the most fantastic meal at the Parthenon (restaurant, not to be confused with The Parthenon in Greece) last night. The gyros were incredible, and the feta cheese tasted like it actually came from Greece. If I closed my eyes tightly enough and scooted toward the smoking section, I could almost picture the sidewalk cafés I frequented in Athens.
Those cafés were droplets of heaven on earth. (Is it strange that my heaven comes with cigarette smoke and the smell of fresh squid and bad wine?) All through my trip to Athens, I slept most of the day away, getting up to do the obligatory touring before dark, then finding my way to the pedestrian marketplace. The marketplace, crammed with people speaking every language I've ever come across, was always tight and musky, and the air there was filled with every scent known to man. It's indescribable, but it hearkens back to the first days when Athens was the center of half the known world, when Athens was the apex of civilization. It smells like old leather, sandalwood, incense, and oranges.
But the marketplace. I would wander up and down among the stalls, occasionally stopping to finger the merchandise but seldom buying anything. It was enough just to know that I was there, in that moment, at the heart of something so basically human that it took my breath away. Then I'd go track down a cup of coffee and a corner table at which to sit with my notebook and scribble randomly. Whatever came into my head was good enough to write there on the hazy line where fantasy blends with reality. It was a euphoric week.
When people ask me about visiting Athens, they always ask about the Parthenon, the Acropolis, the Agora. I tell them about the markets, the cafés, the winding side streets. I tell them how glorious it was to be an American in a pre-9/11 almost-Middle East. Mostly, though, I tell them to go. Go to the city, immerse yourself in the culture and the language, buy a red rose from a street vendor, and when you go to see the ruins, look up and watch how the columns hold up the sky.
<<<<>>>><<<<>>>><<<<>>>><<<<>>>>
Dawn
I have a summer reading list. I swear, all teachers must've gotten together at the beginning of time and created rules for torturing teenagers....
was i there at the beginning of time?
But ugh – Shakespeare. Romeo and Juliet. Enough to fry my brain.
I'm curled on the couch, confused by stupid Capulets and Montagues, when Spike comes in, sees me, and flips the book over to look at the cover. Without comment, he takes the play, sits, and starts reading at the top of the page. The words suddenly make sense.
I fall asleep to the sound of his voice.
Had the most fantastic meal at the Parthenon (restaurant, not to be confused with The Parthenon in Greece) last night. The gyros were incredible, and the feta cheese tasted like it actually came from Greece. If I closed my eyes tightly enough and scooted toward the smoking section, I could almost picture the sidewalk cafés I frequented in Athens.
Those cafés were droplets of heaven on earth. (Is it strange that my heaven comes with cigarette smoke and the smell of fresh squid and bad wine?) All through my trip to Athens, I slept most of the day away, getting up to do the obligatory touring before dark, then finding my way to the pedestrian marketplace. The marketplace, crammed with people speaking every language I've ever come across, was always tight and musky, and the air there was filled with every scent known to man. It's indescribable, but it hearkens back to the first days when Athens was the center of half the known world, when Athens was the apex of civilization. It smells like old leather, sandalwood, incense, and oranges.
But the marketplace. I would wander up and down among the stalls, occasionally stopping to finger the merchandise but seldom buying anything. It was enough just to know that I was there, in that moment, at the heart of something so basically human that it took my breath away. Then I'd go track down a cup of coffee and a corner table at which to sit with my notebook and scribble randomly. Whatever came into my head was good enough to write there on the hazy line where fantasy blends with reality. It was a euphoric week.
When people ask me about visiting Athens, they always ask about the Parthenon, the Acropolis, the Agora. I tell them about the markets, the cafés, the winding side streets. I tell them how glorious it was to be an American in a pre-9/11 almost-Middle East. Mostly, though, I tell them to go. Go to the city, immerse yourself in the culture and the language, buy a red rose from a street vendor, and when you go to see the ruins, look up and watch how the columns hold up the sky.
<<<<>>>><<<<>>>><<<<>>>><<<<>>>>
Dawn
I have a summer reading list. I swear, all teachers must've gotten together at the beginning of time and created rules for torturing teenagers....
was i there at the beginning of time?
But ugh – Shakespeare. Romeo and Juliet. Enough to fry my brain.
I'm curled on the couch, confused by stupid Capulets and Montagues, when Spike comes in, sees me, and flips the book over to look at the cover. Without comment, he takes the play, sits, and starts reading at the top of the page. The words suddenly make sense.
I fall asleep to the sound of his voice.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2004-06-21 09:42 pm (UTC)You once went to Greece?? You lucky arse. It must be simply beautiful there...I haven't really gotten the opportunity to just travel. I've been to three countries, but not just for the [ure purpose of soaking it in; Canada was my birthplace, the United States...well, yes...and China is my homeland. I just came back from China...I miss my relatives already...but in any case, it must have been a wonderful experience.
And the post before this- music from an LotR sountrack- that automatically puts you on our "we love you!!one!!1!eleven!!" list. ~.^
(no subject)
Date: 2004-06-22 05:26 pm (UTC)My turn for squeeage: Ooh, China? I've never been there, but it's on my list of Places to Visit. Maybe in a few years...
Traveling for the sake of traveling is the most wonderful experience - I hope you try it sometime. I definitely recommend the eastern Mediterranean.
LotR soundtracks rock. Period.