May 10
Nea Marki
Big cities are always a challenge to enter or leave and Athens did not find itself to be an exception. In addition to the traffic, learning how they drive and that 2 wheeled vehicles pay little attention to traffic control devices like traffic lights there were the hills. Just little ones, like a ½ mile and gentle like 13 to 15%. But the good thing was there were not many like 20 or 30 or maybe more, I lost track. Just up and up and up.
Down, you ask? Not that I found, just up.
How can that be, you ask? Why do you have so many questions?
At the end there was one down. It went on and on. Not a good hill as the road was in very serious need of repair, had many intersections, and many twists and turns.
Complain, complain that’s all you do. First about the ups and then the downs. Don’t you like cycling?
Ok, actually I did enjoy the leaving of Athens on a bike. It gave me confidence that I was getting strong again and that hills were not going to be a problem. Also that I could still find my way around. Good things, but if there is no conflict there is no story. So, if I have to suffer so do you.
Last night I stopped at the local cheese and wine store that also had fresh fruit and some other small store items. I asked the ladies to help me prepare a small meal of cheese, meat, bread and wine for my last meal in Athena. They took over, running around the store selecting this and that. Cutting cheeses and meats, picking the right bread but when came to the wine the little one took me by the hand and pulled me to the wine rack. She had no idea which wine. I told her a dry red Greek would do fine. After much discussion we came to an agreement. She insisted that I stop at the store in the morning before leaving Athena to tell her how I liked the wine.
