Athens

 We have been in Athens twice on this trip with the last time flying back from Malta. We have flown Ryanair which is a low budget airline that we have found to be quite efficient and cost effective. It is no frills, not even water offered and if you don't have your boarding pass printed before you go to the airport they charge you 75.00! But for the price we make sure we do! 

The first time we arrived at the airport we took the Metro train into the city since our accommodation was only steps away from the Metro stop. It was rush hour and the train was packed with people being pushed into each other so I put my bag down by my feet, unfortunately the pickpockets did their job well and when I went to get my travel pouch a day later it was gone! 

I was upset at the loss and blamed myself for not being more careful but the good news is they didn't get any cash, got my cards but I cancelled them before they were used. Also Don carries the passports so they were safe and we always carry two sets of cards, one each. The biggest hassle was on the phone contacting everyone and changing card numbers! Though couldn't let it ruin my outlook on Athens so had to move on, another lesson learned!

Athens was cold and windy that first evening as we tried to find a place to eat, fortunately there were heaters everywhere!

Our little apartment had a view of the Acropolis so the next morning we set out to explore this part of the city...

And our first impression was not good, the place is filthy and filled with graffiti...

Everywhere...

And many decrepit buildings...

The section we walked through had many street people living in the parks, on sidewalks, etc. This van was passing out meals...

Most people we spoke to in Athens, including out hosts spoke about " the crisis" and explaining how tough it was to live in Athens now as thingswere expensive and wages were low. One of our hosts has an MBA from a British University, works in banking and has his wages cut to 1000 Euros a month, another one works in the American Embassy and just had his pay cut by 200 Euros a month. Times are tough for the Greek people, yet we found them very friendly and helpful.

As we walked we saw lots of people out trying to make a few dollars with crafts and so on...

 

This lady was selling her knit goods...

In the tourist areas everything is closed this time of year so it was nice not to have to contend with crowds, but we could have used some warmer weather as Athens was the coldest place besides parts of Portugal that we had visited this far...

  

But finally the Acropolis came in view...

It is a bit of an uphill walk but the site is well worth a visit...

The Acropolis of Athens is an ancient citadel located on an extremely rocky outcrop above the city of Athens and contains the remains of several ancient buildings of great architectural and historic significance, the most famous being the Parthenon . The word Acropolis  comes from the Greek words ἄκρον (akron, "highest point, extremity") and πόλις (polis, "city"). Although there are many other acropoleis in Greece, the significance of the Acropolis of Athens is such that it is commonly known as "The Acropolis" without qualification.

Even though it is winter there were still a few people visiting...

There is a beautiful amphitheater on the grounds that holds 17000 people and was built in the sixth century BC. It was the first ever theatre built out of marble. It is magnificent!  

The Parthenon is a former temple, on the Athenian Acropolis, Greece, dedicated to the goddess Athena, whom the people of Athens considered their patron. Construction began in 447 BC when the Athenian Empire was at the peak of its power.

It is undergoing major renovations to keep it together. It is a massive building with huge columns...

Here you can see the white pieces which are newly installed...

The site is quite large with other beautiful buildings...

I really liked this temple to the goddesses 

Some detail...

The hill also gives great views to the city of Athens...

Athens has a population of  4 million and is a major shipping port...

It is also in a valley with mountains in the distance...

  

Crowded neighbourhoods 

There are also great views surrounding the Acropolis 

Besides its' Metro Athens also has a tram that goes from the Center of the city down to the seaside. This area is more prosperous with large homes...

Expensive cafes which were crowded...

Two cups of coffee cost 12 dollars, so obviously the well off people live in this neighbourhood! 

There was also a long promenade which we walked back on to see the sights...

Some were bundled up at the beach while others...

Were enjoying the water!

The main religion in Greece is the Greek Orthodox Church with many churches, almost all have domed roofs...

 As we passed this one, the door was open so we went inside. It was very brightly decorated with pictures of saints everywhere...

As usual we also did a lot of walking around the Center of the city as well as taking the bus so as to see the different sides of the city. In this neighbourhood the streets were marble with beautiful homes...

No graffiti here!

We saw lots of street performers...

This little guy stopped long enough for a photo...

Syntagma Square is the central square of Athens with the Parliment Building on one side...

 

On the front of the building is a memorial to all fallen soldiers which is guarded by the Presidential Guard...

The city has lots of beautiful squares...

Some more chaotic than others...

But always great for people watching...

Theses men were enjoying their game...

This neighbourhood was crazy with people selling everything on the sidewalks...

Crowded markets...

Busy streets...

Though just around the corner was a sunny spot for lunch...

And of course a Greek salad...

Athens has many beautiful buildings including these on the University campus...

And this marble stadium built in 1896 for the first modern Olympic Games...

It holds 80,000 spectators! 

Athens has much history and beauty, so even with a rough introduction we enjoyed our stay here, now off to the Islands!