From Athens with Love

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.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Controversial art

The streets of Athens are covered with paint by local “artists”.

It is no wonder because that has been the case since the ancient times and has been a part of the city since its birth.

There are some works that are without a meaning, lack of talent and done out of a pure boredom. On the other hand there is also a large amount of art out there that has a message. They are also skillfully done and emotive.

At least emotions are awakened by the property owners, who call this kind of art Greek tragedy or vandalism and who have an ongoing battle with these kinds of artists. Little do they care that the opposite troops says they have just transformed boring walls to a street gallery of beautiful art.

Anyway, while street art is there, here are some of the thrilling and mouthwatering pieces from the streets of Athens. Try to find them out or sit back and enjoy!

Areas popular with street art are the Exarchion, Plaka, Psiri, Gazi. Comment here if you think you know where a peace of street art in the picture is taken. Anyone, anyone? :D

Friday, February 18, 2011

OCC - the dream of art

The brand new Onassis Cultural Centre (OCC) is Athens' emerging cultural space for theatre, dance, music and art. The OCC covers an entire city block and can be found from Syngrou Avenue. It is located next to the headquarters of the Ethniki Asfalistiki insurance company, and opposite Panteion University.

From the outside the OCC is airy and white huge building with innovative use of white marble bands. Inside it has sixteen levels, nine of which are underground. It includes an 880-seat amphitheatre, a 220-seat auditorium, 5th floor lecture/exhibition space, underground exhibition hall, a number of open spaces and Liquid Sky meeting point.

The ground-floor has a nice bar-café for sipping few drinks. From the top floor one can find the jewel of the OCC. There is a restaurant just waiting for one of those long Greek diners with a good company. During summertime it has a rooftop terrace that offers stunning views of the Acropolis, Lycabettus hill, the Philopappos monument and the Saronic gulf. The only downside is that The OCC is rarely open to the public to just walk in. You usually need a reservation to enter.

There are three easy ways to purchase your tickets to numerous events: online, by phone or from the OCC box office and some other selling points in town. Tickets go on sale three weeks before an each event. Reduced prices are for persons: over the age of 65 or below the age of 18, unemployed, with disabilities (and their companion), and students in educational institutions.

Open Mon-Sun 12.00-21.00. Syngrou Avenue 107-109. Information/Tickets: 0030 210 900 5 800.