The demonstrations in Athens have been fewer in recent weeks
and it could be that the populace has understood that tourists are wary of
traveling to the Greek capital. The austerity measures have exacerbated a bad situation
here, with Greeks as well as immigrants foraging in rubbish bins in the
capital. However the Greek media report that tourism will be up by 40% on last
year's figures according. Whether this is true or not, remains to be seen.
There was a demonstration yesterday, but one protesting on
behalf of the environment - not overtly a political one. It was an irritant as
the main streets were sealed off to traffic and it cost me three Euros more
than usual plus an extra half an hour to
get to Plaka, my favourite area of Athens.
Plaka is an amazing place, situated under the shadow of the
Acropolis and the Parthenon; it has a magical atmosphere and bustles with
tourists and Athenians taking a stroll along the ancient marble streets- most
of which are pedestrianized. It has beautifully restored Neo-Classical
buildings and many souvenir shops and restaurants. You can haggle there and
that is also true in the shops selling gold jewelry.
Kidathenaeion Street is one of those streets in Plaka which
has everything from traditional tavernas and restaurants to café-bars,
pizzerias, ice-cream vendors and a small bar covered from floor to ceiling with
colorful glass bottles which has been there for at least a century, to museums
and souvenir shops. There's even a mini-market on that street. It comes http://www.tripindicator.com/athens-day-trips.html alive at night and even though Greece
is in a recession it still lives up to its name - the joke -plaka - the place
to have fun. It's the centre of frivolity during the build up to the last
weekend of Carnival when you can't walk down that street without being hit one
the head with a large plastic hammer and covered in foam and streamers.
It is also the best street to people-watch and you can see
the now older men who have made their money over the years by doing just that
and picking up men who want to go to brothels or strip clubs and taking
commission on women's purchases. These men are now a dying breed, but you can
still spot them sitting at a café in a position which commands a view of the
whole street.
There's a children's museum on the street, as well as an art
gallery and a beautiful Byzantine church. If you are lucky to be there at
Easter you will see the procession to the church on Good Friday and the people
going there for the celebrations at midnight on Easter Saturday when there are
the red eggs to break with each other. These are supplied by the tavernas for
customers who want to eat the traditional soup and spit-roasted lamb after
midnight on the Saturday.
Even in winter this street is worth a visit. It begins on
Philellinon Street which is a stone's throw from the parliament building in
Syntagma Square, so it is within easy walking distance of the city centre, and
in my opinion, well worth a visit.
