It's noon. I'm in the National Bank of Greece down at Omonia Square. I've been told this is the roughest area of town and I should beware while visiting this part of town. I did not look that rough as I walked through it but who am I to say. I'm new here. I stopped into a number of banks trying to buy Euros but they all directed me to Omonia Square as this is where there are exchange offices. One of the banks referred me to the National Bank of Greece and I thought this might work out better it being a national bank and all.
I walked past an archaeological dig right outside. I'm not sure what the story is behind that dig but it looks like they stumbled upon something and now it's a major excavation. It's history being uncovered. I think it's amazing. There's history everywhere I walk.
I got to the bank at noon and took a number, 662. They are on 559. It looks like it's gonna be a long wait which means it's time to get out the journal and get comfortable. I decided to take a trip to the mens room and this was a new experience, a hole in the floor. A porcelain hole in the floor but still something you need to squat over if you need to take a shit.
Finally at 12:45pm they call my number and guess what, I was in the wrong line. Sounds about right. I get directed to the correct room and take a number. This room is not nearly as populated so I'm only there for a few minutes. They exchange dollars to Euros at :
1 dollar to 1.29 euros
500 dollars get me 389.95 euros
With my banking done I head to the Acropolis and it is fantastic. It took a while to get up there. My leg is still throbbing. I stood at the foot of the Acropolis just like Zeus, Apollo, Poseidon and Chip Knight. Sounds right.
The tourist industry is alive and well here as the top of that hill is busy with tourist. I imagined it would be quieter. I imagined I would find a place alone, some solitude for a couple of moments of profound contemplation. It was not too be. ---- I ate a snack. Took a few pictures and went back down the hill. This experience was every bit as powerful as Tiger Kingdom and Elephant Park.
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