Purple Ferrari: BLOG 4 – INTERESTING TIMES TO BE IN ATHENS

We arrived in Athens literally as the banks closed and all Greeks were limited to one withdrawal of 60 euros per day. There were many long queues at the ATMs … and some shorter ones. Luckily, tourists with foreign cards were not affected at all and so we could gaily draw any limits – until the 20 euro and 10 euro notes ran out and we were obliged to draw in units of 50 euros (= almost R750!)

Because times are so tough for the Greeks and because the banks are shut, all public transport is free! SO…. We had a trip of almost one hour on the bus from the airport to the centre of Athens for free! We spent on night in a central Airbnb flat hosted by a young chap called Phoebs – only 23 years old. What was great was his large TV which had a BBC channel so we could see what was happening in Greece. We moved to a posh flat close to Monastiraki, near the lively Plaka shopping market area and under the Acropolis for three days … and the news continued to be the poor Greeks and the Grexit or the possible bailout plan. On the Friday evening, 3 July, we found ourselves wondering past Syntagma Square in front of Parliament and saw the crowds gathering waiting for Prime Minister Tsipras to address them, prior to Sunday’s referendum. The sight of riot police with bullet shields sent us scuttling back into the Plaka for more shopping, more souvlakia and more safety! The 7 o’clock address happened at 9pm and we could hear it from our flat!

It has been very interesting chatting to the many friendly Greeks we have met and trying to understand how they feel. Some have said that the advent of the euro seriously altered their spending abilities; some want a return to the drachma and most want to stay in Europe. Truly, we managed to be in Greece, and in Athens in particular, in very exciting times!

On Saturday, we went up to the Acropolis and marvelled at the ruins and at the fantastic archaeological museum. It was outside the museum that I was stopped by a TV crew from local TV to find out how the financial situation was affecting tourists! I was very positive – because our experience was so positive! I loved the way the interviewer said my name – just the way my Greek father used to say it! Most of you know how neurotic I am about the pronunciation of my name! It has been surprising to note how many Greeks know that my name is actually a Cypriot one!

Photos were not allowed in there and Adrian and I were both very stressed to see so many sneaky tourists taking photos nonetheless! And… even in front of a bored security lady! From there, we walked to the Panathenaic Stadium – the scene of the first Olympics of the modern area in 1896, with a beautiful marble stadium. It was boiling hot and we found yet more Greeks to chat to along the way. Then, it was back to the Plaka and more lovely Greek food.

On Sunday, we caught a train to Piraeus port – also free – and collected our tickets for the ferry the next day – always good to practise your route before a big trip too! The port is old, faded – as is most of Greece, probably because of the cash problems, yet full of character. We had another lovely Greek meal – mine was gorgeous lamb in a parcel with vegies and potatoes in basil and tomato. The train journey back was also interesting and still free! What a bonus! It is so interesting to see how people just love to chat and find out how others live – I met a lovely Armenian lady in the Plaka (from whom I just had to buy a lovely purple dress!) and we had a good chat, with her congratulating me on my freedom! I am enjoying my trip so far… lots of new experiences.

As for the amazing food...that will need a whole blog post on its own!