Palermo Day 2

We spent the day walking around and hanging out on the boat. Not much to see in Palermo, either that or we just weren't as interested. Food was mediocre at best. Thank goodness or the boat because it was certainly our highlight. I didn't mention yesterday when we landed in Catania(took a bus to Palermo) that I saw my first active volcano! Did some quick research and Greek mythology designates the Catania volcano as a place where Zeus punished/imprisoned Typhus. Kind of interesting. I didn't see any lava, but lots of steam coming it of that mountain. Very cool.

Now we are off to Athens, the last stop before home. We're hoping to benefit from their economic troubles right now as we've heard that citizens there have cash withdrawal limits and tourism has been affected. Two more days on this amazing trip.(ok I'm homesick like crazy but really need to see the Acropolis first)

Athens Day 2

After sleeping for 13 hours we got ready for an unplanned day. The news was filled with Greek bank closings and the troubles people in Athens faced($withdrawls were capped to 60euro a day) and the big decision to stay with the euro and be forced into compliance in a payment plan for their debt or return to Greece's own monetary amount. We decided to ride the train to Piraeus and see what kind of boat ride we could finagle. We found out when we went to the metro that the government had stopped charging fare. It had cost $6 euro to get to the hotel and now we wouldnt have to pay again for transportation anywhere. We arrived in Piraeus and eventually bought ferry tickets to Aegina. The ride was 45min each way. We were able to walk around the dock and beach areas of the island and have lunch before our return to Athens. Overall I think the islands

have more to see and do, we just didn't have that kind of timeline or enthusiasm left. Tomorrow we leave at 1pm to return to the states. It's time to come home(: