We went to Greece shortly before Christmas. Spent a couple of days in Athens then went elsewhere in Greece for several days before returning to Athens a week later. A couple of days prior to leaving, Athens was impacted by severe riots. We actually thought about cancelling the trip but did not want to blow the investment we had made in airline fare. We went and had a great time. Militant "anarchists", whose numbers were actually rather small, created a destructive swath through the city only a couple of days before we arrived but we were amazed at how quickly Athenians had repaired the damage, literally overnight in many cases. Riots and protests persisted while we were there but they did not really impact our visit, in fact, we actually started going to watch out of curiosity. In any event, the protests/riots were never as widespread or popularly supported as the media led us to believe, 99% of Athens was at any given time totally under control.
As European cities goes, Athens is not the most attractive by any stretch of the imagination. The architecture is not particular distinguished but it does have several iconic places like the Acropolis and the city also encompasses several high hills that allow for great views of the city. Here are several photos that hopefully convey an image of the city to those who have not had a chance to visit....
The Acropolis (photo from Filapoppos Hill). Much to our chagrin, the Acropolis workers were on strike while we made our first pass through Athens. When we returned, we visitied but it was on a cold, wet and windy day.
The Parthenon at the Acropolis. The place was essentially a major construction site while we were there.
View South from the Acropolis on a crappy winter day
Acropolis from Filapappos Hill with Lykavittos Hill behind. We climbed Lykavittos on the last day for an incredible view.
Wandering around Omonia and Psirri middle class districts in Athens. Athenian merchants simply displayed their mechandise on the streets.
Outdoor Meat Market in Psirri
Street scenes in Monastiaki
Touristy area at the base of the Acropolis known as Plaka
Syntegma Square. The building in the background is the Greek Parliment. The area was highly impacted by the rioting. In the picture the missing slabs were removed by the rioters to produce the stones to throw at the police. In the second picture, the damage was repaired a few days later.
The anarchists also vandalized a Christmas park in Syntegma Square and burned down the Christmas tree. It did not take the Athenians long to rebuild the park and replace the tree.
Police deploying into Syntegma Square as protest (usually accompanied by a riot) is beginning to kick off.
I was warned by the police shortly after not to take any pictures of them, I was also advised by Athenians that the anarchists were attacking people with cameras.
Most, but not all, of the damage was repaired quickly, some buildings were burnt out and were beyond a quick fix.
I went past the above H&M Store on Ermou, the main shopping street, two days after it was attacked. The street was nearly completely repaired other than H&M and was packed with Christmas shoppers.
We also took a stroll into Exarcheia, which is where the rioting started, to see the outstanding National Archeological Museum.
Next door to the Museum was the Polytechnical School where the anarchist had barricaded themselves and were busy making petrol bombs for the next riot (Greek police are banned by law from entering the Universities). Stenciled out in front of the school were pictures of the kid who was killed while throwing petrol bombs at the police a week earlier which triggered the riots.
The final pictures were from a climb of Lykavittas Hill on our last day in Athens.
Lykavittas Hill from near the Acropolis
Slopes of the hill covered in Yucca and cactus
Church on top. The lady sweeping was the only person other than my wife and I at the top.
Views from the top....
