Athens

Inclusion/Συμπερίληψη

As I was walking through Syndagma square in downtown Athens, I came across an unusual scene. A group of youths were in the midst of a group hug and making strange noises similar to wolves. A rare thing to see especially in this day and age. They all looked like modern day hipppes. Someone standing next to me asked them what this was all about, and one of the girls said ‘inclusion’ with the most serene, and truly geniune smile I have seen in years.

Then I heard from someone else that they were pan handlers from all over Europe and this is their show of solidarity.

I am not sure what is was all about. but, I found their free spirits and positivity truly refreshing.

Καθώς περπατούσα στην πλατεία Συντάγματος στο κέντρο της Αθήνας, συνάντησα μια ασυνήθιστη σκηνή. Μια ομάδα νεαρών βρισκόταν στη μέση μιας ομαδικής αγκαλιάς και έβγαζε περίεργους θορύβους παρόμοιους με τους λύκους. Ένα σπάνιο θέαμα ειδικά στις μέρες μας. Ήταν πολύ χίπικο. Κάποιος που στεκόταν δίπλα μου τους ρώτησε περί τίνος πρόκειται και το ένα κορίτσι είπε «συμπερίληψη» με το πιο γαλήνιο και αληθινά γνήσιο χαμόγελο που έχω δει εδώ και χρόνια.

Τότε άκουσα από κάποιον άλλο ότι ήταν ζητιάνοι από όλη την Ευρώπη και αυτή είναι η επίδειξη αλληλεγγύης τους.

Έτσι, δεν είμαι σίγουρη περί τίνος πρόκειται, αλλά βρήκα το ελεύθερο πνεύμα και τη θετικότητά τους πραγματικά αναζωογονητικo.

In the Valley../Στην Κοιλάδα..

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me.– Psalm 23

A little prayer for humanity in these trying and difficult times.

Παρόλο που περπατώ στην κοιλάδα της σκιάς του θανάτου, δεν θα φοβηθώ κανένα κακό: γιατί είσαι μαζί μου. με παρηγορούν το καλάμι και το ραβδί σου.-Ψαλμός 23

Μια μικρή προσευχή για την ανθρωπότητα σε αυτούς τους δύσκολους καιρούς.

Dream a Little Dream..

I took a stroll through the Psirri district of Athens. Little Kook cafe always has the best decorations. This seasons’ theme is Peter Pan.

“Come with me where dreams are born and time is never planned.” Peter Pan

“Stars are beautiful, but they may not take part in anything, they must just look on forever.” Peter Pan

“Dreams do come true, if only we wish hard enough. You can have anything in life if you will sacrifice everything else for it.” Peter Pan

Final Goodbye/Τελευταιο Αντιο

Students carry a sign that says: ‘Τhese hearts only find comfort in justice’

I went for a stroll downtown today. It’s been a long, long time.

It was a extra chaotic day downtown, with the Acropolis Rally and the funeral service for Mikis Theodorakis still taking place, and the unexpected rainy weather. I didn’t expect any of these events to happen today.

I stumbled upon legendary Greek composers’ Mikis Theodorakis funeral service at the Metropolitan Church of Athens. He passed away on the 2nd of September, and I assumed that his casket would be in Crete by now where he is originally from. There were a lot of people with red roses in their hand waiting in line to enter the church and his other hardcore fans stood singing his songs in front of the church. It was very moving with the somber weather and the birds flying over us right after a lyric alluding to the birds was sung.

Therea are still a lot of tourists and it was very crowded and busy.

Varibobi Fires (Athens wildfires)

A terrible disaster unfolded yesterday in the north east area of Athens. It is an area with a beautiful forest. The ‘lungs of Athens’ as it is called. In Greece we have wildfires every summer and we’ve had numerous fires this summer, but the Varibobi fire is huge and unusual. The area is a refuge for those living in the concrete jungle and who want to quickly escape the city.

This summer has been an unprecdented hot one for Greece. We are into our second heatwave of the summer and yesterday was the 7th day of the heatwave with temperatures reaching a high of 47° C in some regions. We couldn’t go outside because it is just unbearably hot, and we are advised not to. Heat exhaustion and/or sun stroke are things that you don’t want to ever experience.

The southern Meditteranean is suffering from excessive heat and fires everything made worse by climate change. I am afraid that it is only going to get worse if the worlds’ (corrupt) leaders don’t finally take REAL and DRASTIC measures.

Varibobi the following day

Other areas of Greece suffering from wildfires include Elia (where the town of Ancient Olympia is located), Northern Evia (biblical catatastrophe), Messinia, Arcadia.

The air quality in Athens is so terrible we are advised to stay in doors. And it is ‘raining’ ashes.

Pray for Greece and the whole world, because I’m afraid that wrath of mother nature is not over.

Evzones At Night
At ‘The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier’
The changing of the guard at the Greek parliament.

Night time photographs of the ‘Evzones’-Greek presidential guards. I was just walking by when the ceremony began for the changing of the guard. I have photographed it before during the day, but I decided to take some night photographs too.

This took place after a anti-mask protest at Syndagma square across the street. A lot of action that night :0

Athens Landscape
The best preserved-in Greece- Temple of Hephaestus in the distance
The Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens.

A few photographs that I took of the stunning view of the Acropolis, and the rest of the center of Athens, from a roof top cafe. These were taken weeks before the strict measures for covid-19 were implemented again. The downtown core is a hot spot for covid-19 cases are going up. It was inevitable, not the least bit surprising as it can get congested in the touristy areas with the cafes and social distancing is not possible. No one wants to wear a mask outdoors, but now with the new measures people will have to if the want to go downtown. So, I guess we will be headed for another lock down soon as the fatalities are increasing, and I probably won’t be heading downtown for a long time. 😦