Impressions of Athens

My three and a half days in Athens were pretty much spent exploring different parts of the city centre visiting historic sites, exploring markets and less-travelled streets, and discovering local restaurants and shops. Below are a few impressions and pictures from my brief time in the city:

• Contrary to the opinion of many visitors to Athens - many of whom are only stopping over to continue on to the Greek islands - I didn't find the city particularly dirty or busy compared to other major European cities. That said, my visit didn't take place during the height of tourist season, in the middle of summer.
• Athens is full of wild dogs and cats. The dogs ('skilos' in Greek) are mostly tame and are often seen sleeping in the sun; the cats ('gata') are... like cats anywhere.
• Marble or marble-type sidewalks are damn slippery in the rain. Watch out, grandma.
• Greece's economic problems to not seem to be affecting the bars and cafes, which are often busy. The one Starbucks I visited in the shopping district was full of young people who didn't seem to mind paying over $4 for a regular coffee. Espressos elsewhere are generally around $2.
• Motorcycles and scooters are very popular, but there are few cyclists in Athens (maybe because there motorcycles and scooters everywhere). I've biked in many major European cities, but the style of driving in Athens made me think twice about renting a bike.
• Greek food is, so far, very wholesome and delicious. Nothing complicated so far (e.g. stewed veal with mashed potatoes and bread; gyros; or cabbage stuffed with meat and rice), but very good and not expensive. Beer is also cheap and available everywhere. As I write this I'm sampling a $7 bottle of Greek wine (not bad!).
• All the Greeks I've met so far are very friendly. I help that I try to speek a bit of Greek to them at first, but I've had conversations with waitresses, taxi drivers and shopkeepers (including staff in a heavy metal record shop, where they knew all the prominent Canadian metal bands).
• I'm surprised at how many tourists haven't tried to learn any Greek at all beyond 'thank you' (efharisto). Learning how to say basic things like 'hello' (yasas), 'do you speak English/French?' (milas aglika/galika?), 'how are you?' (ti kanis?), 'how much is this?' (poso kani?) and 'delicious' (nostimo) is not hard and will get you a lot farther.
• Toilets don't seem to accept toilet paper. You gotta put it in the bin. Make sure you don't drop anything in the bin!

Odeon of Herodes Atticus, at the Acropolis

Overlooking the Acropolis

Arch of Hadrian (also how they'd say it in Quebec)

Some ancient shit

Tourists

Great lunch!

 

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