Athens Airport was in darkness as we touched down ten minutes ahead of schedule. Mr Stelios has provided a direct Edinburgh (of course) flight to Athens. As soon as it was announced, Hector had flights booked for myself and Marg, the February Week would be best enjoyed in the tranquil atmosphere that is the Greek Capital. Last August we arrived at Syntagma Square, minus one HTC Desire HD and a Canon Digital EOS SLR thanks to the thieving bastards on the tram. The riot police were out in force anticipating further demonstration. Thanks to my loss I remain more interested in my own Micro-Economics than Greek Macro-Economics.
On boarding the Metro this evening, a text from Yvonne asked if we were OK. My Sky News App on my replacement phone updated me on the current affairs: a full blown riot was under-way at Syntagma, our Metro was headed there. Four stops out the Metro busy, suddenly we were at our destination, Monastiraki. The authorities had closed down some stations for the day, now to negotiate the throng on the streets. I knew our hotel the Plaka was near Panaghia Kapnikaria, the old church on Ermou. Walking up Ermou we passed people of all ages, some wearing masks. That we were walking against the flow dragging our bags making the walk that bit more challenging. Approaching the church a young Doris stopped Marg and told her not to go any further, there was trouble ahead. She suggested we turn right and stop heading towards Syntagma. Serendipity or what? Our hotel was fifty metres to the right. Our eyes were nipping as we entered the lobby.
From our balcony we could see the floods of people streaming back from Syntagma, the number of explosions was more in keeping with news footage from Home. Flashes and bangs were frequent, we were not going out, we hadn’t eaten since Edinburgh Airport.
To the roof garden
The view of the Acropolis from the roof garden was one major attraction of this hotel, apart from its central location. Others were there, trying to take photographs. Clouds of tear-gas wafted around us, we all had to bail, eyes nipping, throats burning. All except Marg who was determined to get one last photo.
Are you remembering this is a Bier Blog?
The rooftop bar was closed, I doubt if it is open in winter. The Mezzanine Bar was our new safe and enclosed haven. This is a goldfish bowl overlooking the junction outside. Masked chaps were displaying their bravado outside. One of our assembled guests produced a camera. Something was thrown at our windows, the glass cracked one metre behind Marg, we withdrew to a table out of sight of the window. We were now prisoners in our own hotel. A Soda Water and a small bottle of Mythos, both for Hector and a Cappuccino for Marg were produced along with our only sustenance for the evening, salted Nuts. Marg then went to negotiate a Brandy and Coke. When she ordered a second I thought I had better keep her company, and so a large Metaxa was the Bier of Choice to end the evening.
Breakfast of Champions
The time difference is such that when I awoke at 07.00 there was nothing for it but to get up. The Greek Parliament have passed the new austerity measures. 100,00 demonstrators were out here last night, Syntagma Square has been damaged. Marg and Hector will soon set off to see what we are permitted to see. Meanwhile there is food on offer: the Bacon is superb but with Green Olives even better.
The Hotel where we kept refuge:
The Plaka Hotel – 7 Kapnikareas, Athens, 105 56
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It Nice to see the Greeks welcomed you with open arms…or should I say firearms……always a good story…….