Trudging Through Millennia
Ever since I landed this morning, around 11am, my sole goal has been to not pass out. Figuring I couldn't stay asleep for more than 10h, I'm trying to make it to 9pm. Hopefully, I can stretch out taking a shower.

It took me about one and a half hours, between immigration and the metro, to get to the hostel. But it worked out swimmingly--it's a decent place, and they had availability. Since it was already afternoon, I decided to hide indoors at a museum. I walked to the National Archaeological Museum, which is pretty much the museum in Athens. I managed to get through most of it before my legs gave out. I may go back when I return, but I wanted to get a basic handle on Greek archaeology, since ancient ruins are going to be my focus. I took the [even more] scenic route back to the hostel, stopping at a travel agency to arrange my boat trips for the next week or so. I also popped into the Popular Musical Instruments Museum (it was free). I went in intrigued, given my interest in music, and it was cool that many of the displays also had headphones playing the various instruments. But I may have underestimated the effect my tiredness would have on my ability to appreciate music that didn't conform to my precepts of timbre and musical keys. Wah-wah-wah! That's seriously what it sounded like. All of it.

On the plus side, I bough SPF 4 sunblock, while resisting the urge to buy much else. I really don't need to saddle myself with souvenirs on the first day.

I've been meaning to try a low SPF block. I sometimes burn, so block seems like a good idea, but I get almost no color with SPF 15. I'm planning to test run on one of my forearms tomorrow. But the big test will be Mykonos--where all the beaches are nude. I'm curious enough to try it, but I may stop at just tanning my backside. Partially because my naked penis shame hasn't eroded as much as my naked butt shame, but also because the prospect of a sunburnt penis is terrifying.

On a happier note, the hostel is crawling with non-American anglophiles. Imagine this: a stubbly, tan, redhead, with short, wavy, surfer-esque hair, who is so muyscular (not beefy; more definition) that his worn out t-shirt hands an inch from his stomach. I love that.

Okay, think I've killed enough time. Hopefully I can sleep past sunrise!

ps I'm stuffed with gyros and spanikopita.

Labels: Athens (GR), bar trip

- posted by roger @ 8:05 PM