This is ironic since basically all of Greece is located on the seaside. Not the only amazing facts. Next to Golgota and the Capitol, the Acropolis is one of the hills on which Europe was founded. So as we got nearer to Christmas and the holy days became holidays, the question of where I would spend them was quickly answered. Athens β for the first time.
Walking the area between shady Omonia Square where my hotel was located, Syntagma Square, infamous for the austere protests of the anti-austerity movement between and , and Monastiraki Square, where the show goes on around the clock, Athens was intimidating.
Even for a die-hard urbanite like myself. Nonetheless, the streets were still busy, bursting with people. People rushing, pushing impatiently. People standing, observing. Between them, street musicians playing sad stubborn tunes. Hawkers selling huge colorful balloons, sesame pastry, leather belts, raffle tickets. To both sides of the streets the usual chain stores like Zara, Sephora, Tezenis. Yet, between them, many empty, abandoned buildings covered in graffiti β the wild, angry kind.
The entrances of these rundown structures are granting shelter to a disturbing number of homeless. But also other individuals who might have their reason to stay in the dark. Who is just poor β and who might be a threat? Sadly, we often perceive both as one. Yes, as I arrived, Athens was standing before me, she moved a bit too close so I could smell her breath and feel her energy. She looked me in the eye β a long, hard stare. Finally, she gave me an ambiguous, slightly condescending smile and opened her strong arms to pull me in.
She had my back. After the whirlwind of impressions and emotions of the first evening at this metropolis that can definitely be a bit rough around the edges, it was good to meet with an Athenian the next morning. Someone who was born and raised in this city. Someone who would take me to places but most importantly someone who could answer all the questions I had and put things in relation.
