Yes, you read that right. With two whole days left of our Grecian adventure, the biggest task was how to survive two days in a foreign country with little money and no access to credit cards; because they were stolen the previous day by mean ol’ Italian men in the metro. Read Horror in Athens.
Two Days til Departure
Bestie was set to leave the evening after we got robbed, leaving me with two whole days by myself. Solo travel amiright? Well, it didn’t exactly work out that way when I realised I was actually scared to step out of the apartment and my free spirit to explore and be adventurous was shackled to the bed post after the harrowing experience.
The morning after we got robbed in Athens, we were both reluctant to step out. But persuaded by our growling stomachs and low-key determined to have our last gyro together, we cautiously stepped out. Suddenly, everyone seemed more suspicious and less friendly. We didn’t have to walk too far to find a local restaurant; who as luck would have it, served us the best gyros in town (almost). We still have a hard time deciding whether the first gyro we had was better or the last gyro. I guess, both were special in their own way.
THE BEST GYROS
- The first gyro held the promise of a great adventure and an even greater reunion.
- The last gryo held the celebration of an eventful reunion and a toasty ‘til we meet again’.
- Greek food, in the end, did well to say hello and bid goodbye to us with the perfect gyros.
First Gyro Last Gyro
After an early lunch, we headed back to the apartment so the bestie can pack up her things and head to the airport. I initially planned to accompany her until Syntagma; where I would buy a few more last-minute items, and maybe enjoy a wine overlooking the stunning acropolis, but that plan went out the window after our unfortunate incident on the metro. Sorry, Greek metros, wish we had a better goodbye!
Bestie departed in the afternoon and I took a walk around our dodgy neighbourhood on the hunt for a local grocery store. For 50 Euros, I managed to buy a bottle of Greek wine, coffee, breadsticks, tzatziki, chocolates, and the delectable, sugar-covered loukoumi bites.
By early evening, I went back to the restaurant we discovered earlier in the day to get some dinner, which consisted of Tzatziki and French fries – paired with my bottle of wine of course! A fitting end to a mellow day.
What could make this view more beautiful? (check the next picture!) Greek wine with a Greek view
One Day til Departure
My usual routine that I had adapted took a break on my last day. I woke up a bit later than usual, had some wine and croissants for breakfast and started packing and cleaning up the apartment.
Check-out from the AirBnB was at noon, and my flight was at midnight. I had 12 hours to kill, with my suitcase. By noon, I found a café to relax in for an hour.
For lunch, I headed back to that scrumptious restaurant for my last gyro. I stayed here until 4 in the evening, eating gyros, drinking fine local wine and watching Netflix. I even got a gyro to go, so I could have it at the airport as my final goodbye to Greece!
Airport Gyro
The cab ride would cost roughly 60 Euros. My lunch accounted for about 20 Euros, and I had a bit to spare as well, which I decided to hang on to in case of an emergency.
I got to the airport a little after 5pm, leaving me with another 4 hours to kill until I could check-in. After endless circles around the airport, gliding through duty free aisles where I bought some Ouzo, and endless Netflix episodes later; I checked in and boarded my flight on Oman Air by midnight.
Will I Visit Greece Again?
On the mighty Mount Olympus and with a promise to Zeus, I definitely will. 6 months since my trip and I’m still dreaming about their cuisine and all the places I have yet to visit!
Til we meet again Greece.
Yours truly,
Imperfect Traveller