Off to an Island...

Ashlynn had the entire weekend off, so we set off on Saturday for Aegina, the closest island located just 17 miles (27 kilometers) from Athens. First we had to take the metro to Piraeus Port, which was easy to get to, and buy ferry tickets. We thought that the older gentleman who offered to bring us to the correct dock worked there, but turned out he just wanted a tip. Was definitely worth it though as the port was not easy to navigate.

We took this “flying dolphin” hydrofoil which took only 35 minutes to get to Aegina, which was half the time of a traditional ferry. 

The seats were very comfy and despite the windows being pretty scratched up, the views were great.

I particularly liked the paintings on the far side of the port.

The port in the city of Aegina was beautiful with crystal clear water.

Despite not being born under a water sign, Ashlynn gains energy just by being near water.

Search for Dinner and Cocktails...

Ashlynn had a second casting that first afternoon, so I wandered around.

That evening we headed to a restaurant that Ashlynn had spotted on the hill below the Acropolis, but it was closed. We then happened upon a set of stairs surrounded by a bunch of restaurants.

After looking at a lot of menus, we gave up on finding vegan moussaka. I enjoyed regular moussaka while Ashlynn had the first of many stuffed peppers, one of the few vegan options at regular Greek restaurants.

Afterwards we headed to Six Dogs for a cocktail. This photo doesn’t do justice to how cool it was sitting in this garden bar filled with candles.

As much as we loved Six Dogs, we couldn’t justify having more than one of their expensive cocktails. We were happy to find this funky little bar selling €5 and €6 cocktails.

Visiting Ashlynn in Athens...

I arrived in Athens on the evening of November 8. Ashlynn met me at the airport and we took the subway into the city. Athens is much less expensive than Paris, so she could afford to have more space and stay longer. This worked to my advantage as she had a double bed in a one-bedroom apartment that she was happy to share with me for five nights. We had a late dinner of souvlaki (known in the US as gyros). Here she is the next morning in her little kitchen.

We ate breakfast each morning on her third floor balcony. She usually had oatmeal, but would sometimes join me in eating a spinach pastry from the bakery next door.

While Ashlynn didn’t have any jobs while I was in town, she had several castings so I tagged along and waited outside while she had the short interviews. Although public transport was very affordable, Ashlynn prefered to walk for the exercise and to further explore the city. On average, she walked around 12 miles (20 kilometers) per day. Our first walk together took over two hours. Along the way, we passed this husky with piercing blue eyes...

...and walked through several hilly neighborhoods.

While this half was interesting, the second half was along a major thoroughfare, so we took the subway back after her casting at a bridal store.

Was surprised how often there were signs in the loo not to flush the toilet paper.

Ashlynn was thrilled to get fresh coconut from a street vendor for the first time since our last visit in 2010...

...and to have me treat her to some good vegan food. We especially thought it was cool that Veganbeat used large pieces of spaghetti as straws for their juices, a sustainable and tasty option instead of plastic.

First Greek Test Shoot...

Ashlynn had several test shoots while in Athens. Her first was this unusual vintage-style shoot by Greek photographer Efi Gousi. Ashlynn said she was told to look dead, which she did a particularly good job of in this shot.

The other model was Ukranian, but surprisingly it was Ashlynn that was dressed as a babuska. 

Second Couture Show...

That same evening Ashlynn walked in the Autumn/Winter 2018/2019 Haute Couture Show for MI-RO, a Greek design duo.  

The red floor and pillars of red flowers looked quite surreal. Go to 3:35 on this video to see Ashlynn for yourself.

First Couture Show...

On the final day of fashion week in Athens, Ashlynn walked in two haute couture shows featuring custom-fitted high-end clothes. The first show was for Greek designer Vassillis Zoulias in the atrium of Zappeion Hall, built in 1888 as the first purpose-built building for the modern Olympics. 

Since the venue was a circle, there wasn’t the standard end of the catwalk for each model to be photographed. Instead, rather than having seats, a section of the circle was set up as a photo studio.

All my digging around paid off as I found these cool close-ups.

Such a bummer that we missed watching Ashlynn in such a spectacular venue.

More Urbex...

I managed to get lost on trail, but luckily I wasn’t alone. Rumple and I both enjoy photography, so stuck together and took a bunch of photos of the abandoned buildings.

Can’t remember which building was which, but one of these photos is likely from the remnants of a brick-making factory dating back to 1721.

Eventually Opee hunted me down and led us to the beer check and then we were on trail for the remainder of the hash. It was great fun!