It's A Different City
Place: Athens, Greece
It's been 13 years since last time I visited Athens, Greece.
Many things have changed in my life in these 13 years (though many things remain unchanged even though I wish them to).
Many things in Athens also have changed. Sometimes I feel I arrived at a different city. First of all, I arrived at a new airport, a more modern and organized airport. Then, there is Athens' new metro(subway) system I hopped on. I think getting to host an Olympic Game does help a city to develop much better infrastructure and hence improves its mass transit system (though Atlanta's mass transit system still sucks after its own Olympics). Of course, most familiar things associated to Athens are still around: Acropolis, Constitution Square (and those soldiers still wearing ballet skirts and funny shoes with pompom). Even the hotel I stayed 13 years ago, Hotel Olympics, is still around.
On the date I left Taipei, I found another shuttle bus traveling between Athens and Corfu Island. It is operated by the Pink Palace Hotel (www.thepinkpalace.com). The hotel complex is described by Lonely Planet Greece as "considered the must-do hassel-free party palace for those on the European backpacker circuit." and "like a 20-somethings' summer camp." It sounds like some place for me, 10 years ago.
The bus leaves from a youth hostel in Athens at 8 pm and arrives around 6:30 am next day directly to the hostel in Corfu. Its 55 Euro price tag includes the bus ride, ferry fare, one night's hotel stay (which itself includes both breakfast and dinner). Well, should I try it? Corfu is one of the most popular Greek islands and of course it is very touristy. But it should be a more relaxing first stop for this long trip than Tirana, Albania.
Walking towards Athens train station, I accidentally found the postings for buses traveling from Athens to Tirana, Albania (finally, there is one!). Though the posting is only in Greek and Albanian, the lady at front desk does speak some English. the bus is also an overnight bus leaving at 8 pm and arrives in Tirana next morning (though I doubt it is more likely arriving in the afternoon...)
So both overnight buses leave Athens at 8 pm tonight. And where should I go to first? Go to the party parade in Corfu? Or being an intrepid traveler, going to less visited Albania. Decision, decision...
Walking around the Plaka Distrct of Athens, I found a great restaurant to have some tasty souvalaki (1.5 Euro if take-out). Some fond memories about Athens came back from 13 years ago. Walking around Athens this afternoon, I can rekindle these sweet memories from 13 years ago.
I do not need to make a decision for my next destination for another few hours...
