My Last 2 Days in Athens
By Helen Grubner. Filed in Uncategorized |
Left my accommodation on Wednesday… first to go down to the small Square at the end of the street to feed the pigeons and cats, before walking to Anafiotika. A little known spot which can be tricky to find, Anafiotika is a picturesque tiny neighborhood of Athens, located on the North Eastern side of Acropolis hill. You could be forgiven for thinking that you are on a Greek island as this area is a hidden gem within the metropolis of the city.
The houses were built in the 1800’s by workers who came to Athens from the cycladic island of Anafi, at the request of King Otto, to perform renovations on his palace. Many of the residents today descend from the original families who arrived in the area and there are 45 of the original houses left.
Walking up some steps, I came upon a very friendly Greek who invited me to sit down and he offered coffee, although I requested just a drink of water. We chatted away in Greek and he told me that to help make ends meet, he had put his house on Airbnb and he himself was living in an undesirable area where there are many non Greeks and the “mafia” reigns. Naturally, he doesn’t like it there so every day he goes to Anafiotika to pass the time. I have posted a Video on my Facebook Profile page of this lovely man playing and singing to me, a song which originates from the island of Syros… my next stop.
Moved on from there to the Agora or Athens Public Market, a maze of covered stalls selling fish, meat and produce. Then a long walk back through the suburbs of Psyri and Thissio, stopping to eat and drink when needed.
It is now Thursday and the temperature is forecast to rise to 31°C, therefore, I won’t be walking 12000+ steps today as on most other days. I’ve eaten a Souvlaki, had a double Greek coffee, now a nice cold beer and soon to order some food. Sitting in Oionos Cafe in the Plaka, where the waiter has given great service over the past few days… participating in the wonderful pastime of watching the world go by.
It will be an early start for me tomorrow… the ferry to Syros departs at 7.30am, arrives in Hermoupolis at 11.15am. From there I will catch the bus to Kini, described as a small fishing village on the western side of the island. I’m looking forward to 2 weeks of beach, walks, eating, drinking, sleeping and little else.