Athena Pappas

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  • Monthly Archives: April 2019

    • Adventures in Greece: Part VIII

      Posted at 10:02 am by athenapappas, on April 24, 2019

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      After spending about a week island hopping (from Santorini to Ios to Naxos and Paros), I headed up to the northern region of Greece known as Epirus to visit family. This rugged mountainous region is located near Albania and is where my grandparents were both from. The landscape here is breathtaking.

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      One of the stops I made was to the church of my great-grandfather. In the Orthodox faith, priest can be married as long as they are married before they are ordained. In fact, the Pap prefix in a Greek last name means that you had a priest in your family.

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      Inside the church, the iconography is faded, but you can still see the craftsmanship that went into even this simple village church. img_6467

      A common traffic jam in the village…sheep crossing!

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      Although my grandparents both came from very tiny villages, I also have relatives in the coastal town of Preveza. This area is notable for being near the site of the Battle of Actium in which Mark Anthony was defeated. This Venetian clocktower has been the emblem of the city since the 1700s.

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      Walking along the quiet streets, there are plenty of cafes and small stores to stop in. Because Preveza is a coastal town, there is also great seafood!

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      After a few days up north, I headed back to Athens for one last night before flying home. I still had a few souvenirs to find, so back to the Plaka. The Tower of the Winds, above, is a really fascinating building. Each motif represents a different wind direction and the temperament the ancient Greeks gave it.  img_6530

      As night started to fall, my time in Greece was coming to a close. Here is the view of the Acropolis from Monastraki Square.

      img_6448Final sunset on my Greece trip.

      Posted in Adventures, Greece, Travel | 0 Comments | Tagged Greece, Travel
    • Adventures in New York: Bronx Zoo

      Posted at 9:00 am by athenapappas, on April 17, 2019

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      Despite having lived in New York City for seven years, I had never ventured to one of the city’s biggest attractions…until last year! The Bronx Zoo covers over 260 acres of land in the Bronx Borough of New York City. If you have the IDNYC, you can get a free one year membership (there are plenty of other perks, too. I highly recommend it).

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      There is so much to see! We spent quite awhile exploring the indoor world of birds.

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      There are also tiny primates like the lemurs.

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      There is also the mouse house, home to creatures such as the chinchilla.

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      Whether you are a longtime NYC resident or just visiting, I highly recommend taking the time to visit the Bronx Zoo. There are plenty of sights and activities for guests of all ages, you could easily spend a day (or two) there!

      Posted in Adventures, New York | 0 Comments | Tagged Bronx Zoo, New York, NYC
    • Adventures in Greece: Part VII

      Posted at 9:00 am by athenapappas, on April 10, 2019
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      From the island of Ios, we set sail for Naxos, the largest of the Cyclades islands. Once a cultural center, the island is now a popular tourist destination. Although not as well known as the party-island Mykonos or the geographically unique Santorini, Naxos is beautiful in its own right. The streets of Naxos town are picturesque as they wined their way up to the Venetian Castro at the center of the old town.

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      The (slight) hike to the castle is well worth it. Take time to explore the shops, everything from touristy knickknacks to antiques, along the way. There is also a small archaeology resume at the castle, but you can also explore around the outside.

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      The symbol of Naxos is the remains of the never completed Temple of Apollo. The landmark you see standing is the Portara, or the lintel of the temple.

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      Welcoming visitors as they arrive on the island, the Temple is prime for sunset viewing. The temple itself was never completed but the framed lintel stands as a reminder of Naxos’ power in the region.

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      After watching the sunset, we wandered down the streets to Taverna Apostolis. This restaurant has a beautiful courtyard for warm weather dining. We started the meal wtih fresh baked bread and olive oil. This was followed by a Greek salad was served in a fresh bread bowl!

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      It wouldn’t be a Greek island adventure without a plethora of sea creatures. We also had the grilled octopus appetizer, soft and succulent. For my main course, I had the pasta with prawns, which did not disappoint. A delicious meal al fresco.

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      The final stop on our island tour was Paros. One of the sites central on the island is the church of the Panagia Ekatontapiliani, dating back to the Byzantine era. Lemon trees dot the courtyard.

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      The streets of the quiet island can only be described as picture-perfect (photo credit: Theresa Lloyd).

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      Along the main streets of Paros, you can find plenty of cafes and beach areas for relaxing. img_6441

      Sail boats bring in the fresh catch for the evening’s meal.

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      There are plenty of places along the coast to watch the sunset.

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      The island of Paros is a great stop while visiting the Cycladic island. From there, we set sail back to Athens!

      Posted in Greece, Review, Travel | 1 Comment | Tagged Greece, island, Naxos, Travel
    • Restaurant Review: Peter Luger, Brooklyn

      Posted at 9:00 am by athenapappas, on April 3, 2019

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      Established in 1887, Peter Luger Steak House is a New York institution. Cash only, no reservations online, Peter Luger is the epitome of old-school Brooklyn. Their NYC location is right by the Williamsburg Bridge, which used to be a trek for Manhattanites but now a popular tourist destination. It isn’t easy to get a reservation here, the phone line is often busy, waits can stretch up to hours. For a special occasion, it is worth the trouble. In September, I took former Brooklyn ADA Jared Mogil (most famously know for his work with the Brooklyn DA taking down a gun-trafficking ring) to Peter Luger for his birthday. Our meal did not disappoint!

      We started with the above picture bacon strips as an appetizer. It may feel over the top to pay so much for a few bacon slices, but the thick cut meat is well worth it for the taste and experience (don’t skimp on the Peter Luger sauce).

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      For the entree, you can’t go wrong with the classic steak for two. We selected the creamed spinach (not my favorite here) and the French fried potatoes for two (a must order). The steak was cooked to perfection, the presentation by the waitstaff is impeccable. The Peter Luger sauce is great on everything from steaks to fries to bread (yes, you can find it in local grocery stores).

      If you are looking for an old-school New York steakhouse experience, I highly recommend checking out Peter Luger.

      Posted in Adventures, New York, Restaurants, Review | 1 Comment | Tagged Brooklyn, NYC, Peter Luger, Steak
    • Recent Posts

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      • Adventures in Spain: Toledo
      • Adventures in Spain: Madrid Day 2
      • Adventures in Spain: Madrid Day 1
      • Adventures in Spain: Barcelona Day 2
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