July 19 A Little Excursion

Yesterday morning I gathered my courage and took the city bus into Athens. Luckily this bus driver knew some English and when I asked what I should do with my ticket, he said put it in the machine and motioned to the back of the bus. I inserted the ticket in the slot and it beeped. I stood undecided if I had done it correctly or if the machine was to take the ticket, and he said "one time". I said thank you and sat down.

When the bus emptied at the downtown terminal, I sat for a few minutes on a low wall in the shade to get my bearings, trying to familiarize myself with the area so I would recognize it when I returned. I looked for street signs and it took a while to find them. It was a very busy intersection. Meanwhile the street sweepers were cleaning papers and cigarette butts from around my feet. After a bit I figured out which direction I needed to walk and in about ten minutes found my destination, the Municipal Art Gallery. When I went in I inquired if I needed a ticket (in Greek) and they answered (in English) It is free; upstairs.

I enjoyed the exhibit. It was the work of graduates of the 7th Workshop of Painting of Athens University of Fine Arts. The exhibitors were to respond to the film "Metropolis" in any art form. There were drawings on digital paper, oil on board, canvas, and paper, photos, video presentations, and symbolic representations using articles from everyday life. I liked the explanations of how and why they made the creations they did - trying to express the ever-changing feel of the city at the same time reflecting the grit of real life. When I was finished I thanked the attendant and she asked where I was from. In my halting Greek I managed to tell her I was from America and staying with friends in Haidari for the summer. She wished me "kali kalokeri" (good summer) and I responded in kind. I found my way back to the bus station easily and saw with relief that the A15 bus was waiting, as the sun was getting high and hot. I was home by l1:45 and pleased with my excursion. I spent the afternoon writing, exchanging emails and studying Greek. This evening, Theodosia tells me, we will attend a chuch fair, so be sure to take a nap and take no pills! :-)