On February 24th I attended a monthly General Meeting of Members of
the Women’s International Club at Athens which holds a very high
reputation for organizing interesting events covering a range of
subjects from culture to cookery, international relations to dinner
dances. This was no exception, as following a chat and mix coffee
hour we were treated to a fabulous lecture by the well known
guide/archaeologist/classicist, Machi Karaniki. She took us on a
whirl wind visit to the Berlin Museum, most specifically the
Pergamon section which took our breath away and begged the question
why so much fuss is made of the Elgin Marbles!
After the lecture we were served a light stand-up lunch of the
highest quality; not only was the food delicious, it was
interestingly served – smoked salmon coils in the bowl of a Chinese
soup spoon, likewise a dollop of avocado mousse; there were tiny
little (French, it transpired) potatoes cooked and served with a
little bacon, crispy spring rolls with sauce, tiny little toasted
sandwiches and a ‘shot’ glass filled with chicken in aspic – not the
easiest thing to manipulate with a glass in one hand, but worth the
juggling as it was light and tasty. There were meatballs and
crudités and dips and other canapé style bites and as each serving
tray became ¾ empty it was whisked away and replaced with a fresh
and full one. Everyone raved about the sweets!
The chefs and waiters were constantly on the look out for something
that needed attention and I saw one bring a chair for an elderly
lady, without being asked, which made her life so much easier.
There was parking in the underground garage and we were expected by
the attendant and the concierge took our tickets when we left as our
time there was gratis. It was a breeze getting to the hotel along
the Attiki Odos that has changed everyone’s life immeasurably, so
there were no complaints from members living in north or south
Athens. Although we had arranged our own bus for people coming from
central Athens, they could just as easily have hopped on the metro
and been taken door to door.
It was a glorious clear, bright Athenian day and we had a fabulous
time at the Sofitel which can be strongly recommended for efficient
and pleasant service and good catering. We then dropped into Ikea
and spent a happy hour wandering round and bought all those things
we couldn’t live without any longer!
On February 24th I attended a monthly General Meeting of Members of
the Women’s International Club at Athens which holds a very high
reputation for organizing interesting events covering a range of
subjects from culture to cookery, international relations to dinner
dances. This was no exception, as following a chat and mix coffee
hour we were treated to a fabulous lecture by the well known
guide/archaeologist/classicist, Machi Karaniki. She took us on a
whirl wind visit to the Berlin Museum, most specifically the
Pergamon section which took our breath away and begged the question
why so much fuss is made of the Elgin Marbles!
After the lecture we were served a light stand-up lunch of the
highest quality; not only was the food delicious, it was
interestingly served – smoked salmon coils in the bowl of a Chinese
soup spoon, likewise a dollop of avocado mousse; there were tiny
little (French, it transpired) potatoes cooked and served with a
little bacon, crispy spring rolls with sauce, tiny little toasted
sandwiches and a ‘shot’ glass filled with chicken in aspic – not the
easiest thing to manipulate with a glass in one hand, but worth the
juggling as it was light and tasty. There were meatballs and
crudités and dips and other canapé style bites and as each serving
tray became ¾ empty it was whisked away and replaced with a fresh
and full one. Everyone raved about the sweets!