Just
some advice
The
Athens streets are very safe but watch out for
pick pockets in crowded areas. A good idea is
to buy a pouch with the belt loop you hang inside
your trousers next to your skin as well as to
use your hotel room safe. Also watch out talking
to girls in some bars. You might end up with a
big bill. Its always better to play it safe as
Athens gets over 4.000.000.
strangers in town every year!
Make
sure you drink enough while sightseeing in Athens.
Dehydration is much more expensive than water.
Plastic bottled mineral water is readily available
from the many Athens corner kiosks in 2 sizes:
1 liter and half liter and costs 1 euro and 0.50
euro respectively. Don't pay more, always carry
your own water when sightseeing as site vendors
notoriously overcharge. The Athens tap water is
safe to drink. It's a fact that if you drink a
lot of alcohol you are going to perspire more
initially. Then you'll get even more dehydrated.
Do
not forget to bring a good sun block cream or
buy it in Athens on your arrival. A good idea
also it to get a little sun tan before you expose
your skin to the Greek sun.
Traffic
in Athens can be real busy at times and most Athens
drivers have their own set of traffic rules. Stay
off the road a much as possible and, even when
crossing the road at a pedestrian crossing, look
before you cross. Some drivers are also color
blind.
Attire
in Greece is generally casual except when entering
churches and monasteries. Women are expected to
wear a below the knee skirt and a hat/scarf for
church entrance as well as a buttoned up blouse.
For men trousers and a shirt (no sleeveless) should
be worn.
You
always get back what you give. Be nice to people
and they will be nice to you. The Greeks are no
exception. Remember that the success of your vacation
mostly lies with you.
Independence
Day
Independence
Day, 25th March, fills the streets with parades
and celebrations, both secular and sacred. In
Athens, military parades will be held together
with church celebrations, keeping the streets
both busy and sometimes blocked.
In
1821, Greeks vigorously rose up against the oppressive
Ottoman Empire which had occupied Greece for nearly
four hundred years, embarking on the ultimately
successful war of independence. Bishop Germanos
of Patras boldly raised the Greek flag at the
monastery of Agia Lavras, inciting the Peloponnese
to rise against the oppressors.
On
this day in the Orthodox calendar, the archangel
Gabriel appeared to the maiden Mary and announced
the news: she was pregnant with the divine child.
Bishop Germanos chose this day to deliver a different
but not unrelated message: a new spirit was about
to be born in Greece. The churches celebrate the
Festival of the Annunciation with pomp, ceremony
and joy.
Travelers who don't throw themselves into the
spirit of the day may be frustrated with delays,
unexpected closures and a general lack of attentiveness
by the Greeks who are busy with the dual holiday.
"Ochi" Day
October
28th is one of Greece's public holiday. It commemorates
the day that Mussolini's request to allow Italian
troops into the country at the beginning of World
War II was refused ("Ochi" being the
Greek word for "no").
In
memory of this significant day in Greece's history,
celebrations take place all over the country with
lavish parades of soldiers, tanks and armored
vehicles showing their spirit and pride and the
resistance that will exist for generations to
come. It is a unique manifestation of Greek pride
and is a must see for visitors in the country
at the time.
17th November
This
day will be filled with commemorations of 17th November 1973 when
a student uprising at Athens' Polytechnic University was brutally
suppressed by the military government which had seized power and
many students were killed.
The
government of the "Colonels" was backed
by the United States as part of a Cold War strategy
to reduce the influence of communism in the region.
Because of the US support of this suppressive
regime, many Greeks still harbor resentment toward
the United States and distrust its interventions.
17th
November parades and protests always disrupt travel
to some degree. To avoid encountering this activity,
ask your hotel staff what streets are likely to
be involved and plan accordingly. Most commemorations
will be in larger cities, with Athens seeing the
most vigorous displays. These will include the
Polytechnic University, the American Embassy,
and the related streets. It might be an ideal
time to have a look at the other side of town.
Theatre
Festival
Theatre
is still very popular in Greece. Athens alone
has almost fifty permanent theatres where you
will see every kind of drama you can possibly
imagine.
In
summer, there are some performances in English
but at most other times of the year, the performances
are almost entirely in Greek. Of course, they
are still enjoyable in their originality. It is
at the various summer festivals that you will
get to see the classics performed with exceptional
enthusiasm and talent.
The
best-known festival is the Epidaurus Festival.
The picturesque setting in an ancient amphitheater
makes the shows at this celebration of theatre
really special. There are also performances in
some of the other ancient theatres at Dodona,
Thassos and Phillipi.
In
Athens, you just can't miss the Hellenic Festival
and the performances in the Odeon of Herodus Attikus
amphitheater (Herodeion). On our Festivals
in Athens pages, you will find the complete
program of the Hellenic Festival and the performances
in the Herodeion this summer.
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