I had a love and hate relationship with Athens.
Athens is a typical big city that is so cluttered, which in turn, really is atypical of Greece.
I mean there are places in Greece that are populated, but Athens is just a whole ‘nother level.
It’s congested. It feels grungy. Too populated. Noisy. Mucky. Vandalism everywhere. Cars, people, just too much going on.
Good thing we lucked out that there wasn’t any rally going on at the time.
However, I cannot deny the historical presence, importance, and splendour Athens has to offer.
Athena still looks smokin’.
Ooops! 🙂 I kid, I kid.
Athens is like one big historic open-air museum.
Something that I always love about a city.
See more of Acropolis here – https://thesophomoreslump2.com/2016/03/17/the-acropolis-of-athens/
I get to visit where the very first Olympic game was held.
It’s nothing when I was there, but just being there is very cool in concept. I was battling with a mosquito, and I felt like a champion coming here. 🙂
I know the pictures don’t show the messy side of Athens, and that it doesn’t look very crowded. But I decided to just show the beautiful side of Athens. Plus, I shove any person who gets in the way of my pictures. 😀
I don’t know exactly where I put Athens on the invisible list of my most favorite cities. 🙂 A lot of people get turned off by it. But then again, I like it dirty sometimes. Ooops! 😀 Seriously, I really love how there is just so much to see and explore in Athens.
Seen here are Acroplis and Parthenon, Temple of Zeus, National Archaeological Museum, National Gardens, Parliament Building, Lycabettus Hill, National Library, Athens Academy, Monastiraki Square, Olympic Stadium, and a whole lot more I could include if I wanted to.
As a tourist, in my opinion, I actually love it. But I would not live here in a million years.
Last Calls …
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The Sophomore Slump 
Could you imagine how would Athene look like if all the artifacts from around the World museums were returned to this city?
I know, right. I often wonder about how others have artifacts, statues, etc. that don’t originate from them. Actually that’s a lot of that in Greece too. Some artifacts I should be able to see in the same location in Crete, but no, I have to go some place else in Greece just to see it.
Looks so amazing, romantic, historic, thought-provoking…and I do LOVE that very first statue! a mini holiday this 😉 Thanks!
I actually don’t know about romantic… but then, yeah, it can be. 😀 Thanks for the comment and visit, Morgan.
Ha, I also shove people out of my way 🙂 🙂 🙂
High Five! 😀
I also don’t like people messing up my photos. I really must get to Greece.
You would love it here. Their personalities are not too far from Italians, I think.
I love it Rommel! Prob wouldn’t want to live there either, but it has beautiful energy and it touched my heart. ❤️💚💚
I didn’t peg Athens to be a heart-toucher. Ahihihi 🙂
I hear you. Rommel. A classic city of great contrasts. Must admit when I was in the Olympic Stadium I did not have an opportunity to battle. Lucky you. 🙂 I will acknowledge they have some delicious food there. Amazing memory kindling photos. Thanks.
I decided not to because I wanted the focus to stay on the historic side of Athens. I’m so glad somebody brought that up about food in Athens. Thanks, Eric!
I always think that Athens looks terrible but is a wonderful place to be!
Athens really is a travel whoa and woe. 😀
I’ve never been there. I’ll have to make do with your pics Rommel – which work pretty well!
Yeah, same goes with me when I look at other travel blogs. 🙂
Great shots, especially your illustrating the city as a perpetuator of sprawl. I’ve never heard of anyone pointing that out before.
I actually surprised. Before coming to Greece, people have warned me about 1) driving dangers in Greece and 2) Athens unpleasant look. I think they exaggerated both statements. 🙂
I live in Athens the last 35 years of my life. I love to hate this city but I could not live anywhere else…Behind the smog and the depression there are unbelievable places in Athens. Most people (even Athenians) have not the slightest idea such places exist within half an hour drive from the center. Here are some random photos. All these places are in Athens but no visitor ever gets to see them:
https://goo.gl/jJlH42
https://goo.gl/QUuYFE
https://goo.gl/CoFQzC
https://goo.gl/IkDVQg
What I always say to visitors is to read some history before visiting. Know the significance of the places. The ruins are not so impressive on their own. When you know what you are visiting, when you know the influence of these ruins into the shaping the modern world then the WOW factor is multiplied.
I actually lived in the same kind of city in the capital of Philippines, so I am used to this kind of environment. Not a problem to me, really.
Very nice climbing pictures you shared here. And thanks for the comment and visit, Planar.
You have really managed to showcase the positive side of Athens.
Personally, some might not agree, I think the goods outweigh the bad.
It seems that in Athens, even mosquitoes are athletes! 🙂
🙂 They were nothing on me though. 🙂
Rommel, I love these photos, but I enjoy reading your story even more 😉 What a fun post to read. Thanks.
Sometimes, I just couldn’t help myself but throw in some light cheap jokes. 🙂
I loved your post! Athens is really a place we all love to hate! But a place we also love! The downtown part is dirty but it hides some of the most historical places to visit and some really fascinating hidden corners!
Like I said, Athens is a travel whoa and woe. 🙂 Thanks for the comment and visit. Nice blog you got there.
I love Athens. The messiness, the grit and the dirt contrasted with the historical beauty and relevance. When I stand on top of the Acropolis and look down at the anthill, I am reminded where it all came from. And I love the anthill too.
Good to know you love Athens. A lively city of contrast, indeed.
Athens is a really unique city. Wonderful photo gallery, Rommel. You didn’t say just how many people you shoved out of your way to get these amazing pics. 😅
You don’t wanna know, Syl. You don’t wanna know. 😀
😳
Hi! Interesting post you have here, my friend. Edifying and entertaining at the same time. Thanks for sharing.
Hello! Love your pictures of Athens! It’s such an amazing city.
Are you working for the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Tourism,dear Rommel?Just a rhetorical question to show you my admiration for your photographic work!You did get the real spirit of Athens!
I’ve spent time looking at your pics taken in Greece. I can see that you don’t take pictures, but you sure do make pictures, and I love your word insights too. Thank you!