My Week in Athens… Jun 7

So I’m on a bicycle kick these days – my first springtime venture a few weeks ago left me braver, and I’m convinced that drivers actually see me as they fly by…

Early on Sunday morning, I dragged myself out of bed and jumped on my bike… The sun and the birds were my only company as I left from Kifissia, and made my way down Kifisias street, past Golden Hall, in through Psihiko, down into Panormou, over the hills of Kolonaki, Syntagma, around Plaka and finally reached my destination in Thissio.

The whole ride took me less than 90minutes – no traffic, no danger, no worries! I loved it. The city took on a different character – it was like watching a movie, seeing sites and scenes that you would never ‘catch’ on foot. The lady washing down the street in front of her door, the couple out walking their dog, the group of people entering the church, the group of men sitting down at the kafeneio for their morning coffee… There was something about riding by these scenes of everyday life, at just the right speed, that made me smile…

Then, after my own morning coffee, I picked up my bike and got on the train at Thissio station, for the ride back home. (Sorry, my cycling ambitions are still ‘one way’…!) Lucky for me, bicycles are allowed on the Athens metro system - you can take your bike on the last car of every train, no issue.

A gentleman in a white suit got on at Monastiraki station, with his bicycle in tow, and said “Good morning” and “Where are you off to?”… Turns out he rides his bike everywhere – always has – and ignores his kids’ requests to buy a car. “At my age, I just need my bike!” His age: 85.

Get out there….

Until next week,

Jack

In this weekly space, keep up with ‘Jack’ as he navigates daily life in Athens… Anecdotes, stories, hits & misses, the good, the bad and, well, the rest…