After the Euromicro conference I met Oziel in Athens, where we spent the weekend before heading back to Sweden.

I came into Athens on bus from Patras. There was little evidence of the
fires that lashed the edges of the city along the route that we took. But I was on the bus as the train was not running. What surprised me most was how much the back streets of Athens felt like Mexico City in their chaos, design and materials used.

The hotel was a very pleasant surprise. On the roof there was a pool with views to the Acropolis and other surrounding mountains. Coming from Sweden the mid-afternoons were far too hot. So we were able to spend this time poolside, and still feel apart of the city.

Our other great experience in Athens was courtesy of our Swedish student IDs. These got us into every architectural site and museum for free. This also meant we were able to skip to the front of the queues, and flash our IDs like we were part of some sort of police operation.

And the sites where everywhere. Not to the same degree as Rome, but there is a definite feel that the city has just grown up around its ancient history.

Coming from Sweden we found Athens relatively cheap. Even in the tourist areas. Taxis were affordable, and public transport was ridiculously cheap.

It was also wonderful to have some good food. While I do enjoy my köttbullar, I do begin to crave other [authentic] offerings. And I had enough lamb to keep me going for some time at least.