How to live in Athens in a period of tough economic crisis

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Before our departure 14 October 2011 for three days in the cradle of civilization 'Western friends and relatives have asked if it was just the case to go to Athens three days in the period of its greatest economic crisis in history, our response was always the usual ... "Imagine if we just happen to be in the midst of chaos, strikes, disruption in the 3 days when you go ... do not worry!" And instead to worry so much ... .. and ...
Let's start with easy jet flights from Malpensa Friday, October 14 one way for 30 euros per person (full general strike greek!), After 2 hours of flight delays we arrived at Athens airport 16 hours (30 km from the city ') and here begins the ordeal of how to reach our hotel in the center. Usually it takes (to Trains) the suburban train (yellow) for 7 euros takes you to the metro station Douk Plakentias where you take the blue line and arrive in the center (Syntagma) from which you can 'decide what to take to get another towards their hotel. Unfortunately, nothing! Neither trains, or subway, or bus, or taxi, when the Greeks are on strike do I have to say ... seriously.
Do not give up and find the other Italian private company KTEL bus outside the airport for 5 euro brings us close to Omonia Square, then walk from there across to the hotel, so that we reach only to the 19.30 evening! But when we get to the Hotel Tony we definitely raises morale, fantastic location under the Acropolis, is given to us for 65 euros a spectacular new 40 sqm studio, very clean in the area supetranquilla (Koukaki) and close to everything by parking meters 'Syngrou-Fix in 5 minutes! Dinner in the beautiful restaurant "Stro" Acropolis overlooking recommended by Tony a nice walk in the Plaka and then straight to bed ahead of Saturday and Sunday dedicated to seeing all of the possible. Unfortunately the worst was yet to come ... .. Saturday and Sunday, the Greeks decided to prolong the strike well that chaos, museums and archaeological sites closed at all discouraged tourists roamed the city looking for something not to open go home and have to say I missed the weekend, we are in the same situation. Keep in touch with the Italians known in the air and create a sort of "Holy Alliance" where everyone just came to know of a museum open or any other "old stone on display" sent a text message to others to warn them! We do not we hit even when the temperature is added to the discomfort already reaching a height of 12-13 ° in a city that in mid-October at times still nearly 25-27 °! We visit all that hard and you can, walk and walk through the city between the picturesque districts of the Plaka, the Acropolis in the streets in tourist (Adrianou, Pavlou), the shopping streets of Ermou which leads directly in front of the building Perikleous parliament and, on the beautiful pedestrian street lined with restaurants and bars Eolou, the district of Monastiraki, Syntagma Square, Omonia Square, Square Kotzia. Walking can see the many ancient Byzantine churches of the city (Kapnikerea, Gorgoepikoos, Agias Apostles, etc.), we can see some archaeological sites from the outside as well, however, the Ancient Agora 'by Temple of Hephaestus, the ancient agora and the Roman its beautiful tower of the winds, the temple of Zeus and Hadrian's Arch and the stadium Panathinaikon. We walk and we run into the triptych Panepistimiou street with the National Library, the University of Athens and the Academy up to the National Archaeological Museum but unfortunately are closed. We can also see the Cathedral of Athens under renovation and to enter on Sunday in the beautiful and modern Acropolis Museum where you will see the famous caryatids. We could not miss a turn and a jump to the National Gardens on Mount Lycabettus of which is visible throughout the city 'in Athens (7 euros per car). During this hike, however, we noticed that the crisis can feel and see, come out of the tourist areas as soon as you get close to Omonia Square we see poverty, neglect, beggars and tramps, in addition to and do not forget anything, even the garbage collectors went on strike so the result has been to see a city in the Neapolitan style, that is, with heaps of rubbish everywhere. Also to fully enjoy the atmosphere of Athens, on Saturday night we decided to go to dinner with all the Italian friends known, and we decide that we are in Syntagma square in front of the presidential palace ... .. pity that when we leave the subway 20,000 to be before we the building! We are involved in the protest against the cuts and sacrifices required to the Greeks, took some pictures then we steal away to the Plaka. We arrived on Sunday evening, but happy with the bitter taste of not being able to because of the general strike to enter the real place where you go to Athens, that is the Acropolis. Unfortunately we are discouraged because Sunday night is "rumored" that maybe it would open on Monday morning at 13.30, then to 11.00 but still too late for us that we had to be at 12.00 at the airport to go to Cyprus. On Monday morning when we wake up at 9.00 am resigned now comes the fateful message from one of our Italian friend who tells us that the Acropolis is open! As fast as Usain Bolt not the best we could do in front of the entrance and buy the ticket 12 euros for 7 archaeological sites and for 4 days, we will serve only the acropolis, but we are not interested, so then I'll give at 2 German tourists who just arrived in Athens with a sleeping bag will look at us and thank you to say the least surprised by so much grace! Finally, the Acropolis, the majestic entrance of the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Panathenaic way, the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, where Athena defeated Poseidon, the Theater of Dionysus and the Theater of Herodes Atticus, and finally the spectacular views of Athens to Piraeus, to the mountain and towards Lycabettus Philopappou! This alone is worth the trip all the waiting, the hardships of strikes, the garbage, now we can leave for Cyprus happy! What can I say more? That Athens regardless of strikes, demonstrations, cloudy, garbage remains a city that deserves a visit, rich in history and culture, and unique charm.