Athens is well and truly in holiday mode. This means that many locals have left the city, there is less traffic, no line-ups, a sense of calm… For those of us who remain in the city during August, life goes on, although admittedly at a reduced pace and a not-so-secret desire to ‘get out’!

Resigned to tough it out and enjoy August in the city, I spent the past weekend catching up with friends before their mass exodus. I was reminded of the many faces of Athens neighbourhoods – the variety of visuals and communities one encounters. A world away from the historic centre, daily life in the northern suburbs reveals an interesting mix of different ‘hoods…

On Sunday I met some friends for breakfast at White Spoon in Cholargo. This is a hip little corner spot, with good coffee (!) and tasty food – omelettes, baguettes, salads. Interesting space, good service – I’d call it ‘cool and low-maintenance’ – busy with neigbourhood locals reading their morning papers…

In the afternoon, I ventured up (way up) to Dionysos, 20km north of the city centre. This is a very nice, well-organized and mostly well-to-do residential area, surrounded by forest and the Penteli mountain. While Athens was scorching, Dionysos was pleasantly warm – I’m told that snow is quite common in winter!

I finished the day off with an evening barbeque at a friend’s apartment in Maroussi. Maroussi is one of those neighbourhoods with something for everyone – apartments & offices, the usual shops, cafes & restaurants – but with enough variety to satisfy most tastes.

Athens truly has many different faces and neighbourhoods– quite handy when one’s vacation turns into a ‘stay-cation’…

Until next week…

Jack

White Spoon
Mesogeion 234, Cholargo
210 653 3645

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...

Architect and co-owner Giagkos Agiostratitis designed bakù with the intention of creating an inviting and eclectic atmosphere reminiscent of the town Βakù. Custom made furniture, warm woven fabrics, crystal sconces and rare rugs from Βakù create a timelessly stylish and warm ambiance to complement the dining experience. Bakù is one of the first restaurants in Athens to have an open style bar, which has become a prominent feature in the space. The ivy-clad courtyard, complete with a fireplace creates another magical dimension to the restaurant.

The Margi
11 Litous Street
Vouliagmeni 16671
Athens-Greece
Tel. +30 210 8929000
Fax. +30 210 8929143
themargi@themargi.gr

Reservations department
Tel. +30 210 8929128
Fax. +30 210 8960229
reservations@themargi.gr

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Based on The Seven Countries Study which took place during 1958 to 1970, it was discovered that the control group of 700 rural Cretan men had exceptionally low death rates from heart disease, despite moderate to high intake of fat, and lived to a ripe old age.

The type of fat was olive oil and the beneficial health effects are due to the oil’s high content of monounsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants.

The Cretan people were mainly land owners, farmers, and rural agricultural workers. Traditionally living off the land, gathering wild herbs and fruits, growing their own vegetables and raising animals for meat – particularly chickens, lambs and goats.

To read more, please visit Carolinacrete.hubpages.com