WOW! WOW! WOW!

Let me first start on the house. It was amazing. I don't know if you would be able to find a better place to stay in Athens. It is right at the foot of the Acropolis, which you can see in the photos, but it is even better. You are a maximum 5 minute walk from both the Acropolis and (in the opposite direction) the strip where there are many shops and restaurants. It is actually a circle around the Acropolis.

The house is so well maintained and comfortable. It seemed like a 5 star hotel only it was a house. In the bathroom there were shampoo bottles, shower gel, soap. You name it, it was there.

The kitchen/dining room was full of treats. The cupboards had everything you needed, from spices to condiments, pasta and much more. The fridge was generously stocked with milk, juice, beer, wine and water. There was fruit, cheese, cold cuts, bread, jam, butter, and other goodies. It was really just an awesome feeling that we could actually just 'check in' and not have to go running around to get some food for the day etc. Oh ya, and there was a traditional Greek desert which she made herself for us in the fridge; it was lovely. All this and I had booked her place less than 24 hours before our arrival. Talk about getting lucky.

Now for Rania; where should I start. Firstly, her response and communication while trying to book a place in Athens was great. Even though not being very proficient in English. She kept replying to my queries until about 2 am Athens time. Her directions to her place were spot on as well. While walking up to her place from the metro station (my wife, our 3 children, myself and our many heavy bags) I spotted Rania walking down to greet us with her dog Milou (spelling). She helped us with the bags even when we insisted we were OK. She insisted more and eventually won; she actually ended up carrying more than we each individually had.

She gave us the tour of the house and gave us some tips of where to go for all our needs. She also gave us some maps and other helpful resources. After answering all our questions, she and Milou left us to enjoy the wonderful place.

The following day, I received an email from Rania asking me if we would like for her to take us to the Temple of Poseidon and to the beach and we happily accepted. She also insisted that it was up to us when to depart as it was our holiday, which was so thoughtful in and of itself. The next day, we went to the Temple and the beach (where we met a friend of hers and her beautiful daughter). It was such a wonderful day. When we got back to Athens we decided to have dinner together along with her friend from the beach and her husband and daughter. I could not have imagined that we would spend the day out the way Greeks do.

The final day, Rania met us at the house and took some pictures of my family (she is a photographer by trade). We also got to take a nice one all together. Finally, she helped us to the station where we said our final goodbyes. Oh yes, and she bought each of our children a beautiful charm (which she made them promise not to open until they got on the plane); wow were they ever excited.

I can honestly say that I have never met anyone after only 3 days that I can sincerely say I feel became my friend, even family. This lady is a gift and she really, really, really does it for no other reason then she doesn't know any other way to be. Rania is a real treasure, and as all treasures there aren't too many like her.

Σας ευχαριστώ για τις αναμνήσεις, Ράνια (Google Translate; an inside joke)