Sunday, April 17, 2016

Athens, Greece: It's All Greek To Me

Our trip to Greece is best summed up by, "Why didn't we do this sooner?" On perhaps bunk advice we've picked up along the way from family and friends, Greece wasn't a even on our radar. During the past couple of year, our friends made it sound like we were missing out. With an infant and her grandparents in tow, the ease and proximity of Athens from Alexandria-a mere 90-minute flight, more than ever, we were sold.

The first stop was Athens, where we camped out at an airbnb apartment in the Thissio neighborhood. Thissio is right under the Acropolis stashed between Gazi (nightlife haven) and Psirri (antiques, cafes, and street art). All was within a short walking distance. It was a shame we didn't venture out of our three kilometer radius.

As Ana said, "We'll go back...if not for the sights, definitely for the food and wine." 


For 12 Euros you can purchase a ticket to gain entrance to all the antiquity hot spots. We bought in at Temple of Olympian Zeus.  
Odeon of Herodes Atticus hosts many events in the late spring/summer.
Old Temple of Athena
Old Temple of Athena
Parthenon
View from the Acropolis.

Detail of Theater of Dionysu.
Another view from the Acropolis.
Parthenon with less cloud cover.
A view of Theater of Dionysu.
A walk around Omonia Square where all the protests start, as one local mentioned to us.
Ximena discovering bees.
Along with street art and tagging, political posters were part of the urban landscape.
The train near our hood.
Junk collector dream.
The Acropolis.
Temple of Olympian Zeus.
Along with feral cats, dogs also occupied the streets.


Sweet ride part 1.


Sweet ride part 2. Sure beats the wood panel design of the plagued station wagons from the 70s.
View of the Acropolis from Ancient Agora.
Temple of Hephaistos.
Stda of Attalos aka one-point perspective example. There were plenty of students roaming around doing cheeky antics like putting caps on statues and sneaking off for a cigarette. Sounds like a place to bring adolescents.
Making way for...
There was no shortage of street art and galleries in Psirri.






A nice installation of a Alice In Wonderland inspired project.
The gallery was covered from floor to ceiling.




Just in case we were missing one of America's finest rice beers.


The dog did it.
Thissio is mostly scenic and lined with outdoor cafes and old churches that are tagged.
More of the same.
A punk clothing shop.
While the Acropolis Museum had a lot to offer, the biggest attraction seemed to be the impressive Lego model of the Acropolis.
Fast forward to the end of the trip after island hopping Naxos and Santorini, we needed some down time. The southern tree-lined suburb of Voula. Voula provided the clam after the storm. 
Most of Voula's inhabitants we can across were either well-to-do socialites making the scene in upscale markets and cafes or retirees looking to soak up the sun.  
A makeshift alter along the sea. I was a bit perplexed by the bottle of cooking oil inside.
Sweet ride part 3. The neighbors car of where we stayed. Perhaps a garage is better suited for such fan antique.

Thursday, February 4, 2016

Images of Alexandria from Sept-Dec 2015

This post has been sitting in the queue for quite a long while. Our return to Alex a photos below. 
A major concern and condition upon returning to Alex was would there still all those amazing brands of potato chips still available every 50 meters? 
Speaking of amazing snack foods, The Flying Chef has moved into our neighborhood.
We missed those election days where every inch of the city is plastered by political posters.
An Egyptian haircut is ALWAYS an adventure. This barber taught me to call women "mooza" which translates to banana. The conversation might go: Mexican bananas are hot!
Typical traffic outside our school.
This has always been one of my favorite buildings in the city. It transcends typical Alex architecture.
Smurf birthday cakes are still all the rage.
Merry Christmas 2016, we are a year ahead of all the rest.
There is a new tram in town, a fancy one with seating and snacks.
An inside view.
Our school is getting a new pool.
A scene from this year's annual fundraiser gala. Included was the paparazzi ready to welcome the guests.
This year's theme was the 70's, but more like disco.
Don't forget to fly in skinny fire twirlers from Beirut.
Ana and I protested disco and went as punks!
Camels in the hood.
Ana's dad picking out dinner.
Looking for Waldo.
Free range chicken.
If you've been looking for these, they have them here.
Around the corner.
Free delivery with each purchase.
Love the color.
Close quarters.
No it's not the S&M turd brothers driving around in the love machine.
Need a gift from Egypt? Taking orders now.
Say it with style.
Duck duck goose.
City living with great views...
with a view of a pool and antique cars.
Show me your your over D.
People we work with.
Stalking.
There are signs telling people not to fish there.
This boy was fishing out plastic bags and throwing rocks at his friends.
K8+8, Sara, and Esme paid us a visit from Ethiopia.
Our kind of candidate.
Still got the blues, Tears in heaven, Things 4 laugh and other Slayer hits.
The secret to successful DIY buildings.
Do you think the giant "Chill out" signs that line the national highway have meaning?