FIRST IMPRESSIONS

The bus ride from the airport to the hotel conflicting impressions of Athens.

We rode through the Greek Capitol glimpsing the ancient past, recent past, present, and future of the city.

The Ellinikon, Athens, Greece Photo Credit: Holcim Building

The first impression I had was of a city that is experiencing great growth.  Dozens of cranes along the highway was evidence of this growth.  Modern buildings were in various states of construction.

There historically have been reasons why there were no skyscrapers in Athens.  Threat of earthquakes, respect for archeological sites and other factors contributed to this.

Athens certainly seemed like a bustling city on the move until we drove through the older (not ancient) parts of the city

GRAFFITI: SECOND FIRST IMPRESSION

What seemed to be the downtown area seemed mostly shuttered and was covered in graffiti. Our guide said the austerity measures in 2010 drove many people out of the city.

For the most part it was not cool commissioned graffiti like in Glasgow, Scotland.  

The city was tagged.  There was no space on most walls for additional "art."  It made the city look dirtier and sketchier than in really was.

It seemed as if there has been no effort to restrict or regulate graffiti in this part of Athens.

There is beautiful graffiti hidden in the clutter. Some took up the entire side of a building while others had to be stumbled upon.

ATHENS: THE RUINS