Positive Thinking Vol. I – III, An Athens Re-Run

Vol. I: Flying to Athens can be surprisingly easy sometimes …

Friend of mine took a plane from Cologne to Athens via Thessaloniki airport; he jumped off
the plane at Thessaloniki airport, drove with the bus to the main building, picked up
his luggage there  (“Ah, d*, I know I will have to queue up again for my flight to Athens with my luggage to be checked in again…”), and found himself indeed in the queue at the counter.

Finally, standing right in front of the lady at the counter, she just smiled at him, saying:
“Why haven’t you just been waiting in the plane for your take off to Athens?” “…”.

Vol. II: Where is the bus?

Wonderful service – a bus shuttle from the hotel to the art fair.
Thomas and me looking for it one morning and – took a Taxi finally because we could not identify the bus in a row of several busses going to, hm, where?

Next morning, second try, with the bus waiting right there in front of the hotel.
As Germans, you know, according to Greek standards we entered the bus much too early,
the driver told us. Others joined us and we all decided then to head off to the fair.
At first the driver nearly knocked down a motorbike driver, then nearly ran down a pedestrian, drove into a one way street reversely and finally let us off at the exhibitors entrance…
Wow, we were happy to be on terra firma again – even in the sandy dust
(did the others notice that the driver only had one eye?).

Vol. III: Wishful Thinking?

Conclusion:  Expect the unexpected, but think positive, it helps. Critize adequately only.

(Rusty nods too…)

 

 

This is how I FEEL about Athens

 

AthensMh, I admit, Almut did a good job here, I told her also to draw my impressions this time (tax(es) are crucial..).

Coming from Berlin by plane: easy to reach (but even only 2.5 hrs in a box in the dark is hell), nice weather, mind the time and culture change (+ 1h and different life style). DO NOT MISS the Akrópolis! Uh, very hot for my paws at 2 pm … And in the midst of the crisis I experienced the controversies …

RICH & POOR

Yachts in the harbor with berthing place costs of 25,000 bucks per day and the ships
are able to blast the same amount into the air in one day
&
Top museums that cost EUR 5 only to enter

Incredible posh houses and buildings
&
old and new ruins

Extravagant tube
&
taxis with over 250,000 miles on the clock

Rich, good looking and well educated entrepreneurs
&
ordinary people who once had a job and now have to drive taxi

Etc. pp. …     Everybody visiting Athens can add his or her experiences.

But you can meet people who are really willing to build something up – and – no surprise – it is the arty people… Of course, my feelings and impressions do not show the whole picture – being part of the art athina fair my viewpoint and program has been special, I know.

What is real? What is artificial? Who is telling stories only and who is telling the truth? Me? I just opened my senses, had walks&talks with people and friends (do not miss the National Gardens!) and this is the result.

P.S.: Almut really loved your Greek Salad – and missed the Retsina on your menues… and, too bad, I did not get a Zeus plate for me; but: the dogs I met were relaxed.
(written in a Mediterranean Greek mode – late lunch and a little rest – working later and late)

And do not forget the sports…