Maybe this will fix Greece
The Reds........there are two small Communist Parties in Greece. Between them they make up about ten percent of the electorate. Their t.v. and radio commercials consist of big booming voices.
When the Nazi's came the Reds were the most effective of the Partisans. Their courage is legendary.
The cats of Greece..............even the feral cats are favored. They seem to be in better shape than ours. They have an obvious function and they are every where. Dogs are not so fortunate.
The Parthenon..........built in 447.BC My photographs do not do it justice. Intact till 1687 when munitions stored by the Ottomans caused extensive damage. It is still one of the wonders of the world
An old black and white photo with water stains my Yi Ya had in her room caused me to delve deeper into who I am. I am still digging.
A regatta of sail boats in front of our ferry on the way to Aegina Island
Sunset from our hotel room the first night on Aegina
The line of rocks barely in view is the remnants of an old Roman Harbor.........one of two
One was for the military and one was for commercial ships.
Swimmers today use them to sit on
Here is a story from MOL today. The entire building once belonged to the richest family on the island. They made their money through sponge diving. The building was in the family for generations. Eventually they lost their fortune and the building fell into disrepair. Several firms have wanted to retrofit it but the cost is enormous. Never did like artificial sponges
Most of Greece has volcanic soil. There is grass but it is not lush. That is why there are few if any cows. Lamb is the preferred dish. Despite the lack of what I would call good growing soil.........flowers abound
I have no idea what this one is........but it is one of many
Back on Aegina Island there is a small park to the left of the waterfront Church. There is a small statue of Kapodistra the first President of modern Greece. A dozen times a season German tourists ask me in English about the Statue. I answer in Greek and they finally figure it out more or less phonetically.
There is a Post Office but despite my most sincere entreaties they will not put a bench out side of it for me.
A seagoing yacht. On Poros Island every spring there is a huge sale of vessels like this. They line the harbor and the sales people put out white tents with champaigne and chocolates
The residence and museum of a famous artist whose name I have forgotten. But being married to an
art teacher I was not going to escape the two hour tour.
The guide asked my wife if she could help her find a job in the States
Part of the property belong to my friend Dimitri. His grandfather came from a real hard scrabble area called the Mani and settled in Ayia Marina. Dimitri and his brother actually took an old hotel and cut it in half.
Now they are each hotel owners. The location though is right on the beach and it is a great one.
This is part of Dimitris Hotel...........Look beyond though to the abandoned building further away.
From 1967 for seven years, Greece was under the yoke of a military dictatorship
The wife of one of the Juanta tried to build a luxury hotel. The Junta fell. Her husband is still in jail and goats and sheep wander through the framed out hotel
Mt. Lycabettus.......the highest point in Athens. I freakin walked the last half mile to the top because my taxi driver left me on the wrong side of the mountain......there is an easy lift for the use of sane people.
Note the Acropolis in the far distance. Also the ocean and what should be Piraeus.
Nice little coffee shop and chapel on top.
These are the Evzones.............the Greek Honor Guard. They are just finishing the guarding of the Greek Parliament and the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I thought I had a great shot when this guy jumped up and started marching with them
The Museum of the Acropolis.....World Class. Now give us back the Elgin Marbles
Going to work in the morning with the sun in your eyes. Note the Acropolis above him
The tea garden at the Museum of Anthropology. In a great city a quiet oasis
When staying in Athens I generally use the Best Western Museum Hotel. It is across from the Polytech and one block from the Museum of Anthropology............one of the great Museums of the World.
Also recommend the Museum of Bzyantine Culture and the Museum of the Cyclades There are a dozen smaller museums. consult your guide book.
I prefer the British books......they have a handle on things..........Rough Guide and I believe Lonely Planet is theirs
The Greek Parliament Building.........known for raucus debates and occasional tear gas. It is mostly choreographed with the Police telling the demonstrators you can go this far.......some times yes and sometimes no. They burned down my favorite restaurant one year......but I forgave them
A teacher lecturing her class at the Museum of Archeology. Even the 7 year olds understand Greek
The Temple of Olympian Zeus. The Tallest Columns in all of Greece and the oldest Temple. Easily visable from Amalia Street.
I'm not sure what will fix Greece, but we need something to fix this thread.
The Inter Island ferry lines are subsidized by the Government. They allow people to travel between Islands and the Mainland at reasonable prices
This is a typical boat. Several vehicles are loaded on the lowest level. There is frequently an escalator to bring passengers up a level to the lounge. The lounge is large with comfortable seating and tables. There is a small past food prep and vending machines. Music is piped in and there are several t v's scattered about
They rarely work. The ferries are very efficient in keeping to a schedule and are a pleasure to use.