Thiseio, Athens
I’ve arrived at my accommodation in Athens, in an area called Thiseio (θησειο). This is last Saturday we’re talking about. Having unpacked and had a nose around my apartment, I found it more than satisfactory. A large entrance hall/sitting room, a kitchen with wooden cabinets, probably the originals from the 70s or 80s, but with all the mod cons, a bathroom though small, functional, and a bedroom. A quick iron of a clean shirt and I was out for a walkabout, some photos from which were up on the blog yesterday.
According to Wikipedia: “Thiseio or Thissio (Greek: Θησείο, pronounced [θiˈsio]) is the name of a traditional neighbourhood in downtown Athens, Greece, northwest of the Acropolis, 1.5 km southwest of downtown. Long ago, the name was derived from the Temple of Hephaestus which was mistakenly known as Thiseion in reference to Theseus, the mythical king of Athens, which gave rise to the neighbourhood being named Thiseio.
The area has many cafés and cultural meeting points. Thiseio is served by the nearby Thissio ISAP station or Thiseio metro station.”
After a wander about there, I headed for Ermou Street. “Ermou Street (Greek: Οδός Ερμού, Odos Ermou, “Hermes Street”), is a one and a half kilometer-long road in central Athens, Greece, connecting Kerameikos archaeological site with the Syntagma Square through Monastiraki, Psiri and Thiseio.” This street started with second-hand shops, street markets, the old flea market at Monastiraki, and then later gave way to stylish shops and even more cafes. I was looking for a new pair of shorts but not being the greatest of shoppers, I gave up after one quick tour around Marks & Spencer which I found to be smaller in the menswear department than the one in Rhodes, and thought I’d just keep my eye out as I walked. I didn’t go as far as Syntagma as we’d been there only a couple of months ago, and so walked back to Thisieo where, after another shower (the temperature was nudging 35 +) I took myself out for the late afternoon/evening, staying in the neighbourhood.
The paved street, with craft stalls either side, led me up the hill and around the base of the Acropolis to the Parthenon museum (also visited a few months ago) and I noticed that there was a festival taking place at the Theatre of Dionysus Eleuthereus. “…a major theatre in Athens, considered to be the world’s first theatre, built at the foot of the Athenian Acropolis.” Glancing at the banner advertising what was on, I discovered that there was a production of Sondheim’s ‘Company’ and so rushed to find the box office. Closed (only open 10.00 to 14.00) and asked at the other ticket office, the one for the Acropolis/Parthenon. I got a bit of a grumbled response there from the young chap who was clearly miffed at having to work all day in a small cabin in that heat, and so decided to check the banner again in case there was a phone number. It was then I noticed that the show wasn’t due until July 9th, so that was out of the question anyway.
In the evening, I hung out at one of the cafes with an orange juice before deciding where to eat. Having had two baguettes on the boat that morning, one for breakfast and one for lunch, I was in dire need of something wholesome and so settled at ‘Lontos’, a restaurant/café with outside and inside seating and a roof terrace (I discovered later). A few restaurants on that street have roof terraces, and wonderful views of the Acropolis lit up at night, but their prices reflected that, so I stayed downstairs and watched the world go by. A massive salad and a glass of wine later and I was starting to feel the effects of the journey and so headed home. It had been a long day of walking, sweating and sightseeing (though I didn’t take many photos) and an early night was called for. I wanted to be refreshed for the awards ceremony the next day, which will be the topic of conversation on the blog tomorrow.
