Don’t Comprise the Young People’s Future | Athens
Graffiti in Alleyways
After dropping off my luggage, I set out to explore the neighborhood the only way I knew: by running. Athens was living up to its reputation—noon had turned the temperature up to a blistering 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The concrete jungle only seemed to intensify the heat, turning the city into a sauna. My feet, still swollen from the flight (a rookie mistake—I’d forgotten to wear my compression socks on the flight), were not exactly thrilled about the situation.
Navigating the narrow, cobblestone or marble-like sidewalks, I found myself constantly weaving through pedestrians. Running on the roads was out of the question; they were too chaotic, so I was confined to the sidewalks, halting every quarter mile at traffic lights. Ah, the joys of urban running—the quicker I embraced the unrelenting rhythm of stop-and-go the sooner I could enjoy city running!
I ran from the City Center towards the Syntagma neighborhood, passing the famous Panathenaic Stadium. With a capacity of 50,000 and dating back to the 4th century B.C., the stadium was originally constructed by an Athenian named Lycurgus and later rebuilt in marble by the Roman senator Herodes Atticus in 144 A.D. It gained international fame as the venue for the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. Though I hoped to run a few fast laps inside, the entrance fee was a deterrent. Instead, I discovered a hidden 500-meter racetrack encircling the stadium’s rim, offering some of the city’s most breathtaking views. Accessible only through a green gate on Archimidous Street, this track is free to use as long as you steer clear of the stadium itself. Mornings here are serene and magical, with views that include the Acropolis, Lycabettus Hill (ideal for photographers like me looking for the perfect shot of the Acropolis and the Parthenon), and the gleaming white stadium below.
The Young People Busy at Work
After a brief stop at the stadium, I continued my run towards the Temple of Olympian Zeus. The admission fee kept me from exploring further, so I admired the ancient ruins from behind the fence. I also took a selfie by Hadrian’s Arch, marveling at its enduring presence. The remnants of the Roman Empire were evident everywhere in Athens, a reminder of the city’s rich, layered history. As I continued my run, I couldn’t help but notice the graffiti splattered across buildings. Something seemed off, but no one around me appeared bothered—except for me, of course. It wasn’t until a few days later, while mingling with locals at various cafes, that I began to unravel the story behind the city’s colorful scrawls. According to the locals, Greece had a rough ride with its finances. The country, having tricked its way into the EU, accumulated significant debt, primarily to Germany, the main lender. When Greece teetered on the edge of default in 2008, Germany, a major player in the lending game, pressured Greece to adopt austerity measures. These measures were supposed to bolster the Greek economy, but instead, they pushed the country into a deep recession that lasted until 2017. The effects are still palpable today evident in the graffiti that now decorates the city. Wages were slashed, many went unpaid, and countless Greeks fled in search of better opportunities. Unemployment skyrocketed, and the youth, disillusioned and frustrated by the actions of their government, took to the streets with spray cans. Trains and buildings became their canvases, as public spending on cleaning was drastically slashed. Thus, graffiti became a defining feature of Athens. Moral of the story – do not compromise the young people’s future.
Acropolis with the hidden village of Anafiotika on it’s feet
As I continued my run, passing beneath the majestic Acropolis, the Parthenon loomed overhead. This ancient marvel, constructed between 447 and 432 B.C., is a testament to the pinnacle of ancient Greek architecture. Dedicated to the goddess Athena, it graces the Acropolis of Athens as a centerpiece of a grand temple complex. Despite having weathered earthquakes, fires, wars, explosions, and looting over the centuries, the Parthenon remains a steadfast symbol of ancient Greek and Athenian culture. Today, it stands as one of the world’s most iconic structures, a living relic of ancient Greece’s enduring legacy. For perspective, Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England, dates back to around 3000 B.C., the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt were constructed around 2560 – 2500 B.C., and Great Zimbabwe emerged around the 11th Century A.D. It’s remarkable to consider how these ancient wonders have stood the test of time, constructed without the aid of artificial intelligence, computers, or cranes—though I wouldn’t rule out slave labor as part of the construction equation of these ancient structures.
Bustling Cafes, restaurants and patisseries
What truly captivated me during my week of city runs was how my perception evolved. Initially, the graffiti across Athens stood out like a sore thumb. But as I continued my exploration, my attention shifted to the bustling cafes and patisseries nestled in every corner. Each half kilometer revealed new spots to indulge my senses. By the end of my first run, I had fallen in love with the city. Athens embodies the saying “don’t judge a book by its cover.” It’s a city that surprises and delights, a testament to its vibrant and resilient spirit.
