Athens

A Cultural View/Μια πολιτιστική άποψη

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Mr. Varoufakis

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The impressive Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center just recently opened its doors to visitors. The cultural center is located in Kalithea, Athens and, from certain vantage points, offers stunning views of Athens, one can see the Port of Faliro and the Acropolis. For months, before its completion, seeing the cranes in the sky brought a refreshing air of optimism to the economic stricken Greece. The center has a huge  library, a pond for sailing, yoga lessons, cinema room, as well as activities for children.

Athens By Night
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Roman Agora under the moonlight

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Entrance to the theatre of Herodes Atticus

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Photography exhibition outside of the theatre

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Greek Parliament

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The Evzones at Syndagma

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Hotel Grande Bretagne

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Water fountain at Syndagma square

Some night shots of Athens when I went downtown for the full moon festivities on the 9th of August. Most of the archaeological sites and museums were open and entrance was free. There was a huge crowd below the Acropolis enjoying the music and checking out the ancient artifacts and admiring the August full moon.

The Athens Mini Tour
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A few lucky foreign students get a tour of the Acropolis.

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Hadrians’ Library

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The Roman Agora

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In the distance is the ‘The Tower of the Winds’ below the Parthenon.

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A mosque built by the Ottomans below the Parthenon. Now it is a museum.

It’s always fun to go downtown at the beginning of tourist season when the weather  is warmer and the sun is shining. It makes my camera very happy. I think I took 100 photos! So many things to capture, from the people enjoying their stroll or the others at the coffee shops or restaurants, to the old buildings and the much older temples, nothing escapes my eye.

Carnival Street/ Oδός Καρναβαλιού

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The street is lined with dessert and ice cream shops.

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So cute and pretty!

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The ice cream lady in costume.

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All kinds of gelato.

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That’s a tall order.

On my May-day excursion through touristy downtown Athens I stumbled upon this very vibrant street in the ‘Psirri’ area. The carnival atmosphere was a delightful surprise to see in the artsy but decaying part of the city. I did not know about this street with its’ colourful and lively shops,  I think that it’s fairly new. I had a lot of fun taking pictures of everything that caught my eye.

Στην εκδρομή μου την Πρωτομαγιά πήγα στο τουριστικού κέντρου της Αθήνας, και σκόνταψα σε αυτόν τον πολύ ζωντανό δρόμο στην περιοχή του Ψυρρή. Η καρναβαλική ατμόσφαιρα ήταν μια ευχάριστη έκπληξη στη καλλιτεχνική , αλλά aποσυνθετική περιοχή  της πόλης. Δεν ήξερα για αυτόν τον δρόμο με τα πολύχρωμα και ζωντανά καταστήματα, νομίζω ότι είναι αρκετά καινούριο. Πέρασα καλά τραβώντας φωτογραφίες όλα τα όμορφα πράγματα που έπεσε στην αντίληψή μου.

 

Retro Festival

The ‘Retro Festival’ in Athens’ Gazi area is for the nostalgic people who yearn for the good old times. A place where you can spot some of your old furniture from your childhood home and cars you’ve probably never have driven in. It’s a place where hipsters and old people collide; and a few minutes in you start to feel regretful for throwing away old 70′ and 80’s items that are now considered cool.