I'm not gonna talk about the football, not much to say really other than Milan are great. i love the city, i love the team(s) past and present, i love maldini, i love the rossoneri, i've always disliked inter too, milan have an affinity with ol big ears just like my team and my favourite player of all time played for them (MVB).
Athens
i know my history but i didn't really know what to expect of athens. i've never been to greece before so i went with an open mind. bearing in mind there were 50,000 odd LFC fans out there, i'm sure it wasn't probably the best way to see the city but nevertheless i have come away with a very positive memory of the city and the athenian people.
i suppose the first thing i thought when i arrived was that it was a bit of a dump. there are lots of stray dogs everywhere, litter is quite bad, there are lots of beggars and tramps but for me that is all part of the character of any city; to eradicate such things would sanitise the charm out of athens.
within a few hours though, the city (especially the older areas) had gripped me and i was caught up in the proper hustle and bustle of a real gritty historic and proud city. we stayed in Plaka, which is the historic centre of athens, and there are literally hundreds of bazaar type shops and stalls and traders all going about daily life but in the process creating interest and intrigue for every second of the open-eyed tourist's day.
there is no doubting the most specatacular way to see athens and that is from the top of the acropolis, which is a flat topped rock that overlooks athens, where you'll also find the Parthenon.
view of acropolis
it is hard when you are there not to be struck down by some extra-sensory awe of what has taken place there and who was involved. it has the same spirituality as many famous landmarks around the world, except it is more ancient.
the best part about the acropolis is the view it offers around athens. it is startling to see how the sprawling metropolis below started at the parthenon and developed from there. the city itself looks like a cocktail of shanty towns, villas, super highways, market squares and shopping malls.
the athenian people are great, very welcoming and with that typical Mediterranean passion (which i love
). however, it is blatantly obvious that is not just another Mediterranean city, there is something extra, unique almost about athens. for reasons why, look at it's history, the greek language, the athenian people and draw your own conclusions.
overall, athens is a real city that stops for no one. the mix of ancient and modern is fascinating. it is a busy, bustling, passionate city full of beautiful women and smiling faces. my only regret is that i can't speak greek, although i still learnt my Ps and Qs.
if you get the chance, GO TO ATHENS!
Athens
i know my history but i didn't really know what to expect of athens. i've never been to greece before so i went with an open mind. bearing in mind there were 50,000 odd LFC fans out there, i'm sure it wasn't probably the best way to see the city but nevertheless i have come away with a very positive memory of the city and the athenian people.
i suppose the first thing i thought when i arrived was that it was a bit of a dump. there are lots of stray dogs everywhere, litter is quite bad, there are lots of beggars and tramps but for me that is all part of the character of any city; to eradicate such things would sanitise the charm out of athens.
within a few hours though, the city (especially the older areas) had gripped me and i was caught up in the proper hustle and bustle of a real gritty historic and proud city. we stayed in Plaka, which is the historic centre of athens, and there are literally hundreds of bazaar type shops and stalls and traders all going about daily life but in the process creating interest and intrigue for every second of the open-eyed tourist's day.
there is no doubting the most specatacular way to see athens and that is from the top of the acropolis, which is a flat topped rock that overlooks athens, where you'll also find the Parthenon.
view of acropolis
it is hard when you are there not to be struck down by some extra-sensory awe of what has taken place there and who was involved. it has the same spirituality as many famous landmarks around the world, except it is more ancient.
the best part about the acropolis is the view it offers around athens. it is startling to see how the sprawling metropolis below started at the parthenon and developed from there. the city itself looks like a cocktail of shanty towns, villas, super highways, market squares and shopping malls.
the athenian people are great, very welcoming and with that typical Mediterranean passion (which i love
). however, it is blatantly obvious that is not just another Mediterranean city, there is something extra, unique almost about athens. for reasons why, look at it's history, the greek language, the athenian people and draw your own conclusions.overall, athens is a real city that stops for no one. the mix of ancient and modern is fascinating. it is a busy, bustling, passionate city full of beautiful women and smiling faces. my only regret is that i can't speak greek, although i still learnt my Ps and Qs.
if you get the chance, GO TO ATHENS!
But I'm sincerely glad you got to go.
