Sunday, 2 April 1978
Taxi [from airport] to Athens – 120 drachma. Battered Mercedes. Cloudy and cold – 15oC.
Walked to [National] Gardens as room not yet ready. All the men in dark suits. No women about. Traffic very noisy. Had roast chestnuts. Wit [Elsie] received hot change. Walked through Gardens area, Exhibition Hall, ruins of Temple of [Olympian] Zeus.
Titania Hotel, Athens
Back to Titania Hotel about 12. Excellent room in front overlooking the main street. Looked for a restaurant. Went to Floka’s. Swordfish shish kebab, Greek salad and tea [350dr]. Crepe Suzette [200dr]. Grossly overpriced.
Porter had lived in Bristol Road, Hurstville 2 years ago.
Elsie flaked out about 4.15 (and slept til next morning). I had a couple of hours sleep.
Walked around Omonia Square and subway. Lots of eating snack places. Men everywhere, no women. In the underground, men standing in groups with one person dominating the loud conversation. The place was a hive of activity. Men with small wheeled carts selling books, nuts, tapes, drinks. I tried a plate of chips, minced hamburger steak and frankfurt.
View from hotel toward Omonia Square
Another view from hotel to Omonia Square, Athens