I have always loved Greece. For a long period of time I thought that Greece is only the north part of the country where I used to go during summer holidays as a kid. A little bit later, I realized I was wrong, that Greece has other parts as well. Much later, when I was 36, I visited Athens for the first time, and I had a chance to see the southern part of Greece. Greece was the first country I have visited abroad. I was 7 years old in the summer of ’87, when I went with my parents and my sister to a place called Paralia Katerinis. For most Serbias it is known just as Paralia. Obviously not informed, like I was not back then, people do not know the meaning of the word paralia which means “beach”. Finally I learned that when I moved to Greece, in 2016. Anyway, Paralia was and doubtless still is one of the most popular vacation places for Serbian people. Anytime when I think of Greece I can recall my memories of that place and my mornings going to the bakery with my father and buying chocolate milk in glass packages. Nice memories..
I visited Greece 31 years ago. Since then, I was coming to Greece often, mostly during the summer period, like I mentioned above. My holiday days were not lasting long, not more than 10-15 days. It was never enough time to think about Greece and things that I love in Greece.
Now, living in Athens for more than two years, I had a lot of time to observe and form a feeling what it is nice for me in Greece, most specifically in Athens. The following ten things are some random things that cross my mind in no order of priority.
- In every cafe and restaurant in Athens, and I believe in all parts in Greece, a waiter will bring you water before ordering anything else. Also, during your time in cafe, a waiter will come and pour water in your glass to be full all the time.
- Fresh fruits and vegetables are available during the whole year and more importantly, the taste is amazing. Going to the market on Fridays in my neighborhood in Athens is one of my favorite activities in the city.
- Great climate! Dry air and a lot of sunny days during the whole year (more than 300 days) makes living in Athens pleasant. One can think that weather is not important, but who did not live in Athens, do not know, I would say.
- Due to this wonderful climate you can drive on motorcycle in Athens for most of the year. This is a big advantage because one can by pass the big traffic and to pass smoothly between cars and to be the first one in front of the traffic light. I was surprised with the number of motorcycles in Athens and later I understood that it is helpful in many ways like speed, no parking problem and nice breeze while you drive.
- Street musicians on the pedestrian roads of the city. Very often you can hear really nice and emotional music and you would definitely stop to observe and admire for a while. Many of them play the beautiful Rebetiko music, the music came from the region of Minor Asia.
- Open air cinemas! Since I discovered this in the center of Athens, it became my frequent activity during the summer. Nice part of the open air cinemas is the fact they work as a cafe, where you can drink and eat. Among the chairs there are also tables where you can put your glass of beer. I was never before a fan of breaks during the movies but now I don’t mind. It is usually the right time for another beer.
- Release Athens music festival! Every year in the center of the city it is possible to follow concerts of known bands from all over the world. The nice thing about this festival is that the place of the concerts are next to the sea in place called Platia Nerou (Square of water).
- You can find many interesting parts of the city to stroll around. One part close to the street Athinas is interesting because you can feel the old spirit of the city and find yourself imagining the city in the past, maybe 50 years ago. A lot of hand made shops and little crafts you can find there and also, every time you will discover something new (or old).
- Roof cafes are one of the nicest experiences in Athens in the areas of Plaka, Monastiraki and Sintagma. Most of them have a view on Acropolis and it is possible to make nice post cards photographs with this beautiful ancient temple as a background.
- The metro in Athens functions really well and it is clean, on time, and a life savior in a busy city like Athens.