From Athens with Love: March 2011

Thursday, March 24, 2011

When the almond tree blossoms

You can see small almond trees blossoming all over the city now. It is the sure sign of spring in Athens but like everything in Greece the tree holds its hidden story.

In Greek mythology there is the Queen of Thrace, Phyllis, who thinks her lover will never return again. They had arranged to be married, but before the marriage ceremony could take place, Demophon was recalled to Athens for the funeral of his father. She waits for her fiancée to arrive over promised time and finally in despair commits suicide.

The Gods are so moved by her love, that they transform her into an almond tree. Eventually her lover returns and finds only a little tree. He embraces it and it starts to blossom beautifully, and becomes an ageless symbol for constancy in love and eternal hope.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Mr. Papandreou, I assume?

Me talking with (and posing with him to photographers) Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou when he arrived at the Acropolis Museum in Athens today. He is a very warm, pleasent and nice man in person.

Friday, March 11, 2011

Everyday life in Greece

Even Greek austerity measures planned by the Greek government have been met with wild protests in Athens, still everyday life continues at the heart of the families.

Greeks have seen bigger horrors in they history than this. They will survive - ones again.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Spotting signs is free fun

If there is one form of advertising that everyone understands it is the sign. Athens is full of funny, quirky, lovable or even sometimes questionable signs.

Spotting them is free fun for everyone. How about some of these for starters?

After a hard day or especially a night out in Athens wouldn´t you want to have one of these?

Lack of available parking spots makes people to do crazy parking moves in Athens...

and you can always win this sign glued on your windshield.

But don´t you worry a thing. You can always gather your strength and continue shopping and pampering yourself in thousands of great little shops of Athens.

Have a fun day out there! :D

Five continents of animals

The Attica Zoological Park has four sections: Zoological Park, Dolphinarium, Dinosavropolis and Okeanopolis. It extends to a total area of 20 hectares and is designed as a miniature of five continents of the world with more than 2 000 animals from 350 species.

It is very clean, fun and animals are very well kept. Nice day in the park is not only about watching the animals but learning valuable lessons, experiencing the world and the environment in which we live in and even walking amongst some of the animals. Visiting the zoo is a celebration of senses and offers a great feeling of relaxation.

The most impressive part of the zoo is the third largest bird collection in the world followed by recently opened, the first and only, Dolphinarium in Greece. The Attica zoological Park truly reaches its goal to raise awareness of the animal kingdom and gives an good effort to preserve endangered species for all of us. Somewhere round 60% of the zoo's animals are rare or even threatened by extinction.

Ticket fare for adults is 15 € (in addition to zoo ticket 3 € for the Dolphinarium). Reduced prices are for persons over the age of 65, below the age of 12, students and for different groups. Children under the age of three and disabled individuals have free entry. Remember to check the offers for example of family passes!

Open Mon-Sun from 9.00 until sunset. At Yaloy, Spata. Information 0030 210 663 4724 210.