Halandri: The most popular version of the name of Halandri is the one referred to the Turkish landowner Hala Bey, the owner of large plots of land during the Ottoman rule. A different theory supports that Halandri was named as such because it had sheltered a thousand men (Hiliandrion (Hilioi=thousand, andras=man) => Halandrion). In ancient times it was called Flya, referring to the fruitful land of the area.

Zografou: The municipality of Zografou is one of the best known areas of Athens and owes its name to Ioannis Zografos, a man who used to own a large land outside the center of Athens in the early 20th century and sold it in small plots to 100 families, who then formed the Zografou community (back at the time they used to say that someone lived on the Zografou estate). Later on, one of Zografos’ sons, Sotiris, became the first mayor of the municipality.

Psyri: The gentrified neighborhood of Athens was named after an islander from the island of Psara (which was called in the Middle Ages Psyra) arrived in the area and built a church to honor St. Athanasios. The man was called by the locals Psyris (meaning Psarianos, someone from Psara) and in turn the area was renamed into “Psyri” and not “Psirri” (with a double r) as commonly mistaken today.

 

Psihiko: One of the prevailing theories of how this area got its name refers to St. Philothei, who is said to have opened a well there where the farmers and passersby would drink and ease their thirst. Psyhiko in Greek means favor or charity, and St. Philothei was well known for her charity work and the monastery she founded in the area. There is, however, another version of the story telling that the ancient marathon runner Pheidippides reached this particular area and died there after telling the people of Athens that they had defeated the Persians (Psihiko derives from the Greek word psihi for psyche/soul).

Kolonaki: The prestigious neighborhood of Kolonaki got its name from a small column set in the central square of the area by the people of Athens during the Ottoman rule in order to pray to God to help them survive the plagues and illnesses of the time. The small column has a diameter of 30 cm and height of 2 m.

By Stella Tsolakidou

To read the complete article please visit: greekreporter.com

With such a huge need for aid and assistance among the refugees in Greece, we've created this article in order for the community to know how and where they can help first-hand.

We've done our best to collect accurate information and although some of these initiatives are by organizations, do keep in mind that many of them have been organized by individuals in the community. The information below has been gathered via various social media pages and we'd like to thank everyone for making these posts available. (Note: The information has been outlined in random order.)

Individual Initiatives:

A) St Paul's Anglican Church in Athens: Contact Fr Malcolm Bradshaw - anglican@otenet.gr

B) To send donations to Thessaloniki: Please send parcels to Craig Wherlock, Oikopolis, Ptolemaion 29a Thessaloniki.

To send parcels to Lesvos: Please send parcels to Eric Kempson, Eftalou, Molyvos, Lesvos, Greece, 81108.

* All donations small or large are appreciated. Baby milk, diapers, wipes, sanitary pads, soap, track suit bottoms for men and women and underwear are all needed.

C) Donations Needed - Small easy to carry activity kits for refugee children. Contact: Eileen Botsford Mmc at activitykitsforrefugeekids@gmail. Also see:  https://www.facebook.com/ebmmc/posts/10156049897995541:0. New drop off collection box set up thanks to our volunteers and Women's Care Medical Group Practice: Sorou 3-5 Marousi - Map: http://bit.ly/1WvUv8q

D) From the Greek Forum for Refugees ~ items needed and collection addresses:

Items Needed:

Long lasting food:
Rusks, biscuits, water, evaporated milk, juice, oil, meat, pasta, rice, pulses, evaporated milk, juice, tomatoes, canned, sugar, etc

Clothes: mostly for men and children.

Baby products: baby milk, bottles, creams, wipes, diapers, hats-Sport Shoes
Sheets / Towels

Toiletries: toilet paper, sanitary napkins, toothpaste, toothbrushes

Medical supplies: gauze, bandages, normal sera, antihistaminic ointments, antiseptic, adhesive dressings for wounds, cooling spray for wounds.

Locations and hours you can send your offers and contact numbers:

1. Greek Forum of Refugees
Contact info: 2130282976, 6948408928
You can send or bring the your offers directly to our office Gravias 9-13 Athens ZIP: 10678 from 11-5 pm

2. Solidarity4all. Contact Info: 2103801921. You can send or bring any of your offers that are included in the list above, EXCEPT from clothing, to our offices 74 College, Athens, from 10 to 5 pm

3. KYADA. Contact Info: 2105246516. You can send or bring your offers directly to our office Sofokleous & Pireos 35, Athens from 9-3 pm

E) The Charitable Arm of the Orthodox Church called Apostoli, has organised two "Banks" for the collection of Pharamaceuticals and Toiletries. From there they will be distributed to the areas of most need and where they are already in action.

Pharmaceuticals and medicines should be brought to: 
Social Pharmacy of Apostoli-Municipality of Kallithea 
Andromachis 100 (Ανδρομάχης 100)
 Kallithea. Contact Persons: 
Mrs. Ioanna Kolotourou & Mrs. Antigoni Tsortou
Tel. 210-9532712

Items required include: Medicines for diabetes (for example Glucophage tablets) or Medicines for stomach (for example Losec or penrazol type)
plus items you would take for travelling - eg Paracetemol, Imodium, Cetavlon, Iodine, maybe cough sweets - Soothers (or the Greek equivalent), medicines for children, plasters etc.

Toiletries should be taken to:
 Apostoli HQ. 
8, Hera str. & 37, Despos Sechou str.
GR-11743 Athens (Neos Cosmos) 
Nearest metro Sygrou-Fix.
 Contact Person:
Dr. Vasileios Meichanetsidis, JCD

Items needed include: Toothbrushes and Toothpaste, Shampoo, Soap, Wipes for Adults and Children, Handwash, Shower Gel, Disposable Nappies, Feminine Hygiene products, etc.

Groups & Organizations:

Note, many of these groups are in Greek, but you may contact them in English in order to get involved.

Amurtel Hellas
This group works in the camps with pregnant and birthing women as well as mothers and infants.
Contact email: amurtel.gr@amurtel.org

Greek Forum of Refugees
http://www.refugees.gr/en/
https://www.facebook.com/Greekforumofrefugees

Refugee Air - Let Them Fly
http://refugeeair.org/

Αλληλεγγύη στους πρόσφυγες - Solidarity with Refugees in Greece

https://www.facebook.com/pediontouareos?fref=ts

Helping Hands Greece
http://www.helpinghands.gr/index.php/en.html
https://www.facebook.com/Helping-Hands-Athens-Refugee-Ministry-126394204211/timeline/?ref=hl

Helping hands of Rhodes/Χέρια Βοηθείας της Ρόδου
https://www.facebook.com/helpinghandsofrhodes?fref=ts

Help for refugees in Molyvos (Lesvos)
https://www.facebook.com/HelpForRefugeesInMolyvos?fref=nf

RefugeesWelcome GR —Ανακοινώσεις
https://www.facebook.com/RefugeesWelcomeGR

Praksis
https://www.facebook.com/ngopraksis?fref=ts

Baby Feat
https://www.facebook.com/babyfeat?fref=ts

UN Refugee Agency
http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/home

The Salvation Army In Greece
http://www.salvationarmy.gr/

Medecins Sans Frontieres ~ Doctors Without Borders
http://www.msf.gr/node/3053

International Federation of Red Cross ~ Hellenic Red Cross
https://www.ifrc.org/en/what-we-do/where-we-work/europe/hellenic-red-cross/

CrowdFunding & Donation Websites:

Rain Ponchos For Refugees
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/rain-ponchos-for-refugees#/

YouCaring ~ Aid to Children of Syria
https://www.youcaring.com/victims-of-war-428474#.Ve0o4O2VevJ.facebook

UN Refugee Agency ~ Syria Crisis
http://donate.unhcr.org/international/syria

Crowrise ~ Fundraiser for Julien Marios
https://www.crowdrise.com/1525

If you would like to add an initiative to this article or send us an update, please send a detailed email to ideas@xpatathens.com.

I’ve decided to go back to Lesvos for American Thanksgiving because the reports coming from the island continue to be extremely disturbing. Several friends expressed interest in going with me so we’ve formed a group to go together. Yeehaw! Life is always better in teams.

Our plan is to help address some of the basic shortages, particularly with the fact winter is coming. We’re researching viable options including tent structures, emergency blankets, jackets, waterproofing, etc.

We’ll go with at least two vehicles and our supplies by ferry to arrive in Lesvos on November 25th. We’ll stay through the 29th. While there, we’ll probably spend most of our time either on the beaches or in the camps of Moria/Kara Tepe, depending on where we feel we can do the most good. This may change as the needs and situation changes.

My brother and his family made a donation that we’ll use to buy our initial shelter supplies. We aren’t formally fundraising as we aren’t a non-profit organization but we are giving people the opportunity to join in by sending us donations if they are so inclined. For those of you who didn’t know me before the current yoga instructor era, for many years before that I was a high tech and venture capital chief financial officer. So while we may not be the most qualified to take donations, we’re probably not the least qualified either. Our commitment is that 100% of any donations go directly to help the refugees. Please contact us directly if you’d like to donate.

We’ll be posting updates here as we kick the project off.

And for anyone reading, I’ll add that before I went to Lesvos for a weekend in September, I hadn’t actually done anything to help with the crisis. I point that out just to say if you haven’t done anything to help, don’t feel guilty. We are all a bit confused about how to get involved….

For me the evolution was: do nothing–>  read the news/see the pictures of the crisis and start feeling kind of terrible–>  walk around wondering if I can/should be doing something to help–>  make some attempt to do something helpful (in my case go to Lesvos for a weekend, unsure if that was even going to be useful…)–>  refine the effort and offer some more meaningful help. You are probably somewhere on that continuum…. And this might be your moment. 

 

To learn more about Lynn visit her website here: http://www.lynnroulo.com/

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Read about the story of two brothers, how they found sucess and their love for Greece. A Greek word that can't be translated into any other language and discover unique events taking place in the city of Athens!

Remember to stay connected with us through our weekly newsletter, Facebook, and Twitter!

These restaurants are where the locals go and Greece Is is here to share their secrets!

A truly Athenian experience, Ama Lachei is set in a neoclassical building that was formerly a school and offers straightforward, tasty food with a friendly service. Try the couscous with chicken and follow it with an exceptional dessert. Grab a spot under the grape trellis in the garden.

Address: 69 Kallidromiou, Exarchia

Telephone: 210 384 5978

A quiet little sidewalk spot on both sides of an inclined pedestrian walkway that seems miles from bustling Kolonaki, this is where locals hang out for coffee and beer. Ideal for a visit before or after a movie at the nearby outdoor cinema.

Address: Dexamenis Square, Kolonaki

Telephone: 210 722 4609

To read this article in full, please visit: Greece Is

Flexiwork, remote working, and digital nomads are the words on everyone’s lips at the moment. Digital nomad being a person who doesn’t need an office, just an outlet and Wi-Fi, and they can work anywhere in the world. Positions that come with the freedom to move are highly sought after, and there’s more freelancers in circulation than ever before, but despite the rise the phenomenon is still fairly scarce. There are still employers out there who are struggling to let their employees break free of the regular 9-to-5, stay-in-the-office set ups.

 

 

There has been an increasing demand for companies to allow their staff to work from home. With the skyrocketing cost of childcare, remote working allows for parents to not only work from home, but have flexible schedules as well, allowing for them to provide more care to their children without the eye watering nursery bills. It reduces the cost of food, transport, and even clothes, when workers don’t have a set office to go to every day. One company even offers staff to have “hangover days”, for when they can still work but just need that extra bit of shut eye and the blinds drawn low.

 

But there are a select few of the office no-shows that don’t stick to one location. Digital nomads, often freelancers but not always, are those who travel around the globe while still clocking in their regular 40 hours a week. Digital nomads range from solo travellers who jet off all around the world, to immigrant workers or people with friends and family outside their home country who want to visit them – without having to take time off to do so. It enables workers to enjoy “the best of both worlds” as it were.

Digital Nomads

 

But what about digital nomads? How do they fit into all of this? Unlike the work from home crew, digital nomads aren’t tied to any one location. They still share the same issue however, of asking their boss for permission. Although convincing your boss to let you work from home is one thing, convincing them you can work from Bali is quite another.

 

The best way to approach the subject is by sitting down with your employer to talk it out in a casual meeting. Explaining where you’ll be going, the hours you plan to work so it can align it with the office hours, and having researched tools for them to keep track of you and your work is a great step in the process. The goal in convincing is to stress that you will continue to deliver your work and remain contactable in emergencies, just with a slight time difference.

 

But overall, the digital nomad lifestyle has a lot of positives for those who like to go off the beaten track and can cope with extensive travel. Other benefits besides waking up in a beach house in Thailand every day, include having a lower cost, but high quality life, as well as diminishing work stress, and enjoying all the activities a place has to offer once you close your laptop.

 

If you’re a digital nomad looking for a place with super fast Wi-Fi and barista made coffee while you work, then look no further than our list of locations to find a Spaces near you, and find out which city is next on your list.

 

 

 

 

To date, the video has attracted more than 1.260.000 internet users and has over 360.000 views.

 
















To read this article in full, please visit: news.gtp.gr

Work on the long-anticipated renovation of the lower part of Syntagma Square has finally begun, 17 years since the original plan.

The project foresees the widening of the sidewalks near the start of the pedestrian Ermou Street and the creation of a new public space that will serve as an entrance point to the capital’s commercial and historical core. Approximately 1,000 square meters of space will be freed up for pedestrians. 

The plan also stipulates the planting of 28 tall trees, visible pedestrian crossings, pergolas for shade as well as modern lighting systems. Interventions facilitating the disabled will also be included.

Greece is taking one more step toward reducing its environmental footprint announcing that it would be subsidizing the purchase of electric taxis as part of a four-pronged transport ministry strategy.

Transport Minister Costas Karamanlis presented the “Green Taxi” program during the 5th E-mobility Conference held in Athens this week. The decision is part of the government’s ongoing effort to accelerate the country’s transition to green practices beginning with the replacement of older, polluting vehicles, including private cars, taxis, and public transport, with newer, electric vehicles.

The “Green Taxi” program is funded by the EU’s RFF recovery tool and subsidizes the replacement of older taxis with fully electric vehicles. Karamanlis said funding could reach as much as 20,000 euros. At the same time, he said the government was moving forward with plans to install charging infrastructure at taxi stops.

Currently, there are 1,200 public charging stations available after the ministry entered a deal with the managing companies of the country’s highways, he said. The goal now is by 2025, to have developed a comprehensive network of 12,000 charging points to reach 25,000 across Greece by 2030.

Karamanlis said the government had already announced incentives for the purchase or lease of electric cars and motorcycles. Indicatively, he said, in 2021 a total of 6,967 electric cars were registered compared to 480 in 2019 with the market share going from 0.4 percent in 2019 to almost 7 percent last year.

“Today, according to official EU data, Greece is the EU country with the largest rate of change in the electric vehicle market,” he said.

The minister went on to add that an e-registry and app that include detailed information on the network of publicly accessible chargers is set to be fully operational in the coming months, aimed at ensuring the best possible utilization of the charging network and the maximum convenience of users.

To read this article in full, please visit: news.gtp.gr