Athens 2

So we had to return to Athens on our return trips from the Greek Islands and spent some more time in this unique city. After our third trip through Athens it seemed like a second home to us all and we were getting very familiar with the city and it’s pulse.

During the heat of the day we explored the many neighbourhoods of the city on foot and with transit, when it was working. We took the tram one day to the seaside suburb of Glyfada a great neighbourhood of beaches, high end boutiques and great coffee shops. No one makes a better Espresso Freddo then the Greeks.

Gazi Graffiti

We explored the old industrial neighbourhood of Gazi, which is now the home to countless nightclubs and restaurants. But the one thing that is so pronounced here in Europe and especially in Athens is the proliferation of graffiti. All across Europe we have seen so much graffiti in even the best of neighbourhoods and no one seems to even notice anymore. Athens is especially so overrun with this questionable work of art that Laurence spent a day just photographing some of the more creative murals.

Athens Graffiti

We had the absolute pleasure of having a hotel with an amazing roof top deck with an unobstructed view of the Acropolis. So every night we make it our ritual to watch the Parthenon lit up at night and sip our favourite Greek drink Tentura. Tentura is a aperitif made of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and of course the all important liquor. In fact two of these shots right before bed time make for a good night’s sleep.

Acropolis at Night

Our view from Hotel Roof

We also have gotten right into the excitement of the World Cup Event. As every bar in town has a large screen facing the outside patio area we have spent countless hours sipping the local brew and getting into the soccer action with the locals. We soon found a favourite local bar only a few blocks from the hotel and frequented that establishments most evenings, the owner soon was very friendly and rewarded our patronage with several rounds of complimentary shots of raki, ouzo and tequila. Go Holland Go!!!

Riot Police getting ready

And as you have probably heard Athens is going through some very difficult times with high unemployment a spiralling debt problem and a corrupt government, creating an environment of frequent demonstrations and sporadic strikes. So every day you had to check to see if the transit was working or what the city was like for the day. So one Tuesday they announced a general strike of all services and warned that the city would be shut down. We knew that we were confined for the day to only places we could walk to as our hotel was in the centre of the city.

Tear Gas shot in crowd

So on that day Laurence and I decided to walk over to the Kolonaki neighbourhood where we had found a great fruit juice stand. As there were no cars on the road it made for a great walk but our fruit stand was only blocks from the main town square and government buildings. So we soon in an area with riot police ready for action as we heard the demonstration a block away. Our curiosity got the best of us and we went right into the square where they were demonstrating. At first it was a typical union protest with banners and thousands of people. So Laurence played news photographer and took pictures of the action and the riot police and army on the side lines. Then from within the crowd someone through something at the police and a small riot commenced, so the riot police went in to full action. Before we knew it we were breathing in tear gas and Laurence was running up the road with all his strength screaming at me to run. The mayhem only lasted a few minutes but it was an experience like no other. We were never in any danger (that’s for my mom) but we now know what teargas feels like on the eyes and throat, not something we want to do again. In the end they broke up the demonstration and everyone went home including us, with a most unique memory.

Greek Policeman (one for the girls)

Athens will always hold great memories for us, with amazing ruins of a great civilization, fantastic food, mom Bishara teaching us Greek and of course tear gas.