2015-02-28

Images from the non-touristy side of Athens (pt.1)

Most people visiting Athens come here during the sunny months of the year and visit the main tourist attractions / archaeological sites for a couple of days before heading off to the islands or some other inland destination. So, they never get to see the side of Athens that locals do and which, for some twisted reason, I seem to prefer, at least photographically. On the other hand, it is true that if I visited Greece during the summer months I'd probably rather spend more time in the countryside or the islands than stay in the often sweltering heat of Athens. 

"Pedion Areos" park; view towards the west of Athens, Greece


So, take these next two posts (and a few previous ones) as a public service to those of you who will never get to experience our narrow streets of greyness, the sprawling urban jungle or a cold, windy and rainy day during your Greek vacation. All these photos (9 today and another 9 in the following post) were shot from a terrace in Gyzi neighborhood around dusk, on such a grey, winter evening last January, as a storm was fast approaching from the west. I like the ones towards the end better, but all of them together provide a "picture" of the gradual setting of the light and the coming of darkness which gives the city a much different character.

Evening view towards the west of Athens, Greece; "Pedion Areos" park and OTE building at Patission St. on the right
 














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2015-02-15

A February week in Athens

February is -among other things- the month of carnival celebrations in Greece, with private parties as well as festivities organized by local authorities, mainly geared towards kids. It is also the month in which Athens usually catches its "two days of snow every three years".
This past week included both of these things, with a cold current from the North covering part of Greece with snow, on Tuesday and Wednesday, only for the weather to gradually get better from Thursday on, making it easy for the City of Athens to stage its usual carnival celebrations at the yards of the Zappeion Megaro in the city center, this noon.

We call this "snow-covered"!

Snow in Athens, Greece, 11 Feb. 2015

Snow in Athens, Greece, 11 Feb. 2015

Snow in Athens, Greece, 11 Feb. 2015 - hazy view from Galatsi peripheral road

Snow in Athens, Greece, 11 Feb. 2015 - hazy view from Galatsi peripheral road

Snow in Athens, Greece, 11 Feb. 2015 - Galatsi peripheral road

Carnival festivities, Sunday 15 Feb. 2015 - Zappeion Megaron, Athens, Greece

Carnival festivities, Sunday 15 Feb. 2015 - Zappeion Megaron, Athens, Greece

Helium balloons between the columns of the Zappeion Megaro during the annual carnival festivities, Sunday 15 Feb. 2015 -  Athens, Greece

This could be a great idea for a B-movie script (Dinosaurs at the Acropolis!) - Carnival festivities, Sunday 15 Feb. 2015 - Yards of the Zappeio Megaro, Athens, Greece

Stilt walkers among the crowd - Carnival festivities, Sunday 15 Feb. 2015 - Yards of the Zappeio Megaro, Athens, Greece


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