It was 2021 and we were in Athens. It wasn’t our first time to Athens so we were feeling pretty comfortable in the area. We purposely stay at Electra Palace in the Plaka so we have some familiarity. That being said, guidance was still needed to find some specific places.
This trip I had decided I wanted to see the view of the Acropolis from Areopagus Hill. We could see the hill below last time we had visited the Acropolis but have never been able to find it. I was on a mission. I had a real map and of course I had my iPhone GPS.
Now why I still attempt to use GPS in Athens is beyond me. Each time I do, it fails me miserably. Sometimes GPS likes to take me in the wrong direction, sometimes the GPS marker becomes confused and slowly spins around, and other times GPS does nothing.
Regardless of this knowledge, I was sure GPS was my friend so I went ahead with typing in Areopagus Hill. Much to my delight, it gave me distinct directions and we were not far away.
Following my GPS, like It was a treasure map, Steve and I set out to see the view. We turned here and there and soon we were informed that we had arrived at our destination. I was excited GPS actually arrived me to a destination without a melt down. I also was a bit apprehensive. This certainly did not look like a popular spot.
We looked around, there were no markers or signs, Just a hill on our right with a cave, several faint paths and olive trees. I looked at my real map and we appeared to be on track. I turned to Steve and said with confidence, “This is it. Let’s Go!” So off I started up a faint path and past the olive trees as Steve skeptically followed me.
We passed nobody, which was odd considering when we saw the hill from the Acropolis area there were lots of people on it. Nonetheless, I was sure this time GPS had improved and would not lead me astray. In addition, I could see the Acropolis peaking through the trees in all its glory. Soon though, the path was more like a dusty hill but I confidently led the way as if I had traveled past these olive trees to the top of Areopagus Hill dozens of times.
As we walked up the slope it became more rocky and the rocks also became more slick and I, in my infinite wisdom, had sandals on. I just don’t seem to learn, fashion over function does not work in Greece. The sandals were fine walking the streets of Athens so I never thought to change into something different.
It wasn’t long until we could see the acropolis and I was quite proud of my trusty GPS. Unfortunately we were inching along, thanks to my sandals and the increasingly slick path. As we neared the top my sandals were so ineffective that I was hanging on to Steve’s arm and was slipping with almost every step. In exasperation, I told Steve I would wait for him and he could go get pictures.
Steve shot a few pics then hollered down to me that I just had to come up to where he was to see the view! I assured him that I was fine where I was and I was not going any further. He insisted. He was so insistent he walked down to where I was, offered his arm and assisted me. In frustration, I removed my shoes and carried them while carefully walking barefoot on the rocks and holding his arm. The rocks did not feel great but it was better than sliding along. I rolled my eyes at him and said, “This view better be damn good”.
Once to the top I looked over at the Acropolis and turned to Steve and said, “Seriously, it’s great but…”. Silently, Steve pointed to the right. I looked where he was pointing and oh wow was it a glorious view it was. Steps. The other side of Areopagus Hill had steps. Steps with a railing! Here we were, climbing up a slick rocky trail only to find out we could have seen the same view by only walking up 20-30 easy steps from the street!
All in all, GPS actually arrived us at our destination. Although personally I think she is just mean spirited and has a wicked sense of humor.
The next year when we traveled to Greece I left those sandals at home!
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If you want to read more detail about this trip and read more of my short stories, you can click on the following links!!
Ordering too much Greek Food-A Short Story
No Moussaka Today-A Short Story
First Taste of Greek Wine – A Short Story
What’s Souvlaki?- A Greek Travel Short Story
The Promendade- A Santorini, Greece Short Story
5 Great Beaches in Milos, Sept 2018
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Sometimes, Google Maps leads you in a roundabout way, which can be annoying, but also amusing! As you said, you made it eventually!
Yea! And we got a workout as well! Justifies all the Greek food we ate!!
Great post! Cute photos. I’ve never been to Greece but it’s on my bucket list
Thank you! We love visiting Greece and it is always an adventure! Lori
oh yeah, gotta love when GPS does that to you. 🙂 I assume you went down the easy way. 🙂
Yes we did and with a smile!! 😃
Ummmmmm, well, will you be leaving the GPS home on your next trip? I personally am a bit old fashioned and still like “hard” maps. One only needs to get “lost in siouxland” (in the Iowa countryside) a couple of times with and without GPS, and so hard maps are a must.
But great story. Steps, who would have thought? Kind of gives new meaning to that old adage “Can’t see the Forest for the Trees!”
Exactly right on all points! I too like a hard map. I agree that rural Iowa can be hard with GPS and sometimes is as difficult to navigate the back roads as a foreign country! Have a great weekend!
Wonderful post! Definitely enjoy reading about your amazing travels!
Thank you, Rick! We love to travel and although sometimes we make it harder for ourselves it is always memorable!
Have you been up Lycabettus? There is a funicular 🙂 But the way down is quite pretty. At sunset it can get very crowded. Everyone wants to see the sun set behind the Acropolis into the Aegean sea.
Yea. We walked up it at sunrise. It was beautiful. We also walked up Phillopappos Hill for sunrise as well! We were the only ones there at sunrise on both hills! Have not been up them at sunset but maybe this year! Thanks for the tip!! Lori
Ahhhh GPS. It can get you into more trouble in 2 minutes than simply exploring can get you into in 2 hours. Sometimes, asking a local works best. I trust you took the stairs down. Still, the view was worth it, in the end. Happy Saturday Lori. Allan
We defined took the stairs down! GPS and I have not been the best of friends over the years so why I keep letting her tell me what to do is beyond ridiculous. Although on the plus side we did get a bit of exercise in!! Have a great weekend, Allan
We always stay in Electra Palace in Athens too! And this made me laugh, as I was reading it I was like…it’s just a few steps off the main road, what on earth is this route! Poor you, and your feet – GPS is a menace.
I know! Crazy that we hadn’t found it on our own it is so close to the road! I guess we have used GPS so much to find the tavernas it decided we needed some exercise!!! Electra Palace is so perfect when in Athens!! Lori
At least you got to where you needed to go, even if it meant taking the more adventurous path! That’s too funny!
We seem to get in these predicaments every now and then. Blogging and social media can sometimes make trips look perfect so I’ve added the short stories to give a bit of the real travel experience out there🤣🤣🤣