Athens 2

Athens 1 was such a good post, but it frigging wouldn't send.

So this is Athens 2. The communists are marching down the street chanting with red flags waving. I'm sitting in the foyer of Titania Hotel and outside I can see the police are preparing their shields tear gas and masks. Tomorrow is the election.

This,  the home of democracy.   And we started our day with a tour of Athens, and up to the Acropolis.  Our lovely little group of 21 had a guide called Aphrodite, a short neat woman in her prime who was really thoughtful and clear in her delivery. Our little group merged with the throngs of others climbing to the Acropolis,  each groups guide holding up a number or a flower, but our Aphrodite held up a green folder.

It was so hot and we treasured the shadows and shade of the olivegroves, where we listened to the history of these monumental classical temples to the Gods.

16 years ago the new acropolis museum was built, and it really is a beautiful modern building that reflects the space, form and grandeur of the Acropolis up above. Below are glass floors that look down into ancient and more recent ruins like a layer cake of history.

And in a spacious way it displays the statues and treasures of the Acropolis, some of which are replicas by those taken to the British Museum.

You get the impression of Athina being some woman. Born out of Zues' head in a day, she held a spear and shield, wore a helmet and a medallion of the head of Medusa.