May 27-June 4, 2017
Athens, nicknamed as ‘The Old Woman of the
Days’, is the eighth largest city in Europe, and one of the oldest metropolitan
in the world. Also a centre for the arts, philosophy, architecture, home of
Plato’s Academy and Aristotle’s Lyceum, Athens is widely referred to as the
cradle of Western civilization and the birthplace of democracy. Its location
makes a pioneer in shipping, finance, commerce, media, entertainment, trade,
education and tourism. Located at the west side of the city, Piraeus port is
the largest passenger port in Europe and the second largest on globe. This
favourite jewel in Athena’s eyes, delivers her delighted spirits, remains the
secrets of vicissitudes among the marble streets.
My first glimpse of Athens was from the
reading from children’s books and Daily News Taiwan, ‘Depth Travel’ issue. At
the age of 13, I contributed my composition ‘Rêve in Athens’ to the junior-high
yearbook, and in my freshman year, we had to study Greek Mythology at
Introduction of Literature; I gained loads of credits from the seminars of
‘Comparative Mythology’, ‘Greek Tragedy’ and ‘Latin’ for the completion of my
academic degrees on Comparative Literature since 2003. I keep discovering the
cultural and anthropological meanings behind those Marvel or DC movie heroes by
applying the classic heroism studies; therefore, Greek mythology never ever leaves
me, or I shall say, I always have the heart for Greece, even though, at the
arrival of Athens International Airport, it’s all Greek to me.
And Athens gives me a certain level of
impacts. The café and tavern of restaurants are so beautiful with happy diners
and blossoms of flower, every turning of Plaka area is a frame of postcard.
Alas, there are too many child beggars on the streets in the metro wagons and
at the parlor of diners; there are countless friendly stray cats at every
corner where we can imagine, they are not dodging, but following all around people
instead. On the boulevard, even at the very centre of city, there will be an
abandoned hotel, next to a full-packed residential apartment, yet another
closed bank, side-by-side with a mini Gyros restaurant, then standing an unfinished
concrete structure near a greenery inner yard. The graffiti is Athens’ wallpapers,
coexisting with the kiosks no matter the size of the blocks; Hondos Centre, the
department store chain in Greece, the interior design and the product display
is as if the time goes back to the 80s. The hotel we stay, is 200 meters away
from Omonia metro station, we have no idea why it looks like a Little India, but
we just got asked by a young man for the wish of purchasing marijuana while passing
by a ruined mansion, at least twice a day (My hubby is very likely to report it
to the police of Greece, though).
THE ATHENS RIVIERA
Taking tram from Syntagma metro station, it follows the coastline and we reach to a southern beach area such as Glyfáda or Voúla. So called ‘The Athens Riviera’, it offer breathtaking views and a shopping paradise to visitors. There are numerous free or private, isolated or crowded, pebble or sandy seashores to choose from. Along the shore we find a mini café, which provides the richest flavor of Greek coffee on earth. Lingering all the way for over 3 hours, we do not see any beggars sitting on the floor or any shabby architecture with graffiti. At Voúla beach (final destination: Asklipiio Voulas), we order a glass of beer and fresh squeezed orange juice, bathe under the sunshine, enjoy our chats, watch some young Greek boys swimming half-naked together with the waves. This is Athens, this is ‘c’est la vie’.
#Athens #Greece #café #citycentre #Glyfáda #Voúla #beach
#Athens #Greece #café #citycentre #Glyfáda #Voúla #beach
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