It was a full moon the other day, and Electra and I ventured downtown – something we rarely do. In fact, we hadn’t been downtown in a couple of months. So, I’m not sure what I expected to see, to be honest. Judging by the media horror stories, endless lines of homeless, perhaps, and forlorn pensioners queuing by ATMs?
I can tell you what I did not expect: A beautiful walk on the unpronounceable Dionisiou Areopagitou Street. The half dozen street bands that played anything, from rebetika to jazz. The leisurely pace. The relaxed atmosphere. The jasmine in the air. The amazing meal we enjoyed (Okay, that last one I did expect, as we had it at the excellent roof restaurant, Point-A – which is owned by our friend, Katia).
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- Goofy author and the view from Point-A
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- Acropolis from Point-A
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- The entrance to Herodion; a theater built in 161 AD and is still in use.
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- Acropolis at night
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- Full moon over the Acropolis Museum
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- Acropolis, from Dionisiou Areopagitou Street
I also did not expect the surreal image of a young boy on a unicycle, spinning around a couple of teens with a remote-controlled helicopter hovering above, a few feet from a couple with a guitar, singing under the jasmine-covered fence under the Acropolis. I tried to capture all that on video, but the lighting was just too poor. Marginally better was the video I’m attaching here, but at least you can enjoy the music and Acropolis.
On that note (pun intended), I’ll leave you for a few days to recharge my batteries. No, I’m not going anywhere, but I’ve decided to have a break from my PC, as my eyes desperately need to be placed in screen-saver mode for a few days. Apologies in advance if I’m late in responding to your emails and comments. So, I wish you a lovely August 15th (it’s a big thing here in Greece), and I’m looking forward to rejoining you on the 24th with a 6-part special on Bookbub.
I’ll only be offline for a few days, but if you miss me, feel free to read my award-winning children’s book, Runaway Smile for free!
Nicholas, I thank you for the reminder that my granddaughter & I experienced when visiting Athens. We lunched at a lovely hotel near the Greek Game statue that welcomed the world athletes. Back on our ship we sat on our deck and soaked in the nights dark sky with a golden moon above us. It was so picturesque and seemed like a parting gift. Again, thanks for the lovely reminder. I so appreciate your work and have purchased you children’s book for a dear friends grandson…He’s always smiling!
I’m so glad you had a lovely time. As for you gifting Smile, you made my day. Thank you 🙂
Loved your photos and video. Sounds like a wonderful evening out. Enjoy your break.
Thanks! It really was 🙂
It’ lovely to know there is still pleasure – magic, even – to be found in Athens. We had a brilliant holiday in Paxos in June. So pretty. Today in Edinburgh is hot and sunny (but there are some threatening clouds on the horizon!). Enjoy your break.
Thanks! Wish I could visit, even with the clouds 🙂
I love what you do with words. Reading you is a treat. Keep up the great work.
I’ll be glad if you could visit my blog too 🙂
Aw, thank you so much – and welcome. I’m now following you, too 🙂
Thank you 🙂
Sounds like an amazing night out. Magical, in fact. And the August full moon is the best for that as we Greeks know. Enjoy your holiday 🙂
You too! It’s coming up, isn’t it?
Everyone needs some rest and relaxation. Yours is well deserved. Cheers! 🙂
Aw, thanks 🙂
As you can see, I still visit your blog, though 😉
Rest your peepers, see ya on the 20th.
Oh, I’ll be popping in and out before that. Can’t keep me away from the blog for so long 😀
I know what you mean! I’m addicted to mine!
Sounds like a lovely evening. I sure know what you mean when you say your eyes need a break. Mine feel like they’re bugging out of my head. Enjoy, my friend. I’m looking forward to your upcoming posts about BookBub.
Thanks! I think you’ll enjoy them 🙂
Enjoy the break Nicholas and delighted that you had a wonderful evening and hope you have a restful break.. we will keep your seat warm.. hugs
Thank you so much, Sally! I fully expect to come to a warm seat 😀
Enjoy your break. Thanks for sharing the photos of Athens in the moonlight.
A pleasure! Somehow, sharing makes it more memorable 😀
Enjoy the break. The evening sounded perfect.
It was rather lovely! And thanks 🙂
NIcholas,
Reminds me of the first time (1998, I think) I traveled to Greece. Sat in an outdoor restaurant with the Parthenon right above us, just like in your picture. Great wine, great dinner, perfect temperature—serene. All good memories!
Your country has so much! They just need to get things settled and advertise, advertise and advertise to get the hordes of tourists coming back.
Nice! We’ve had a couple of pretty good years, tourism-wise, which is surprising (at least to me). Looks like people want to help. It’s things like that, that make me optimistic 🙂
Nice video! Enjoy the break. Our local school took about 30 high-schoolers for an educational combined with fun trip to Greece recently, last month. The pictures were fantastic and they all had a wonderful time. What a beautiful place.
Thank you, Grace! Glad to hear the kids enjoyed the trip 🙂
I meant Nicholas not DWP ( In England that stands for the Department of Work and Pensions- they are always on holiday!)
Ha ha. I was so confused, Philippa! I wish I was on holiday!
Lol – cheeky 😀
I was supposed to be this week, but it proved to be an incremental process 🙂
Beautiful pictures. Makes me want to see your lovely country someday. Have a wonderful break – very healthy idea that I shall emulate next week!
I thought you were ON HOLIDAY??
Yay, have a lovely time off 🙂
Thanks for the lovely pictures and the video, Nicholas. I enjoyed this piece. Have a good rest. 🙂
Thank you! You too 🙂
Lovely pictures, great video. It must be lovely to live among such history and mystery. Enjoy your time off and visit with your friends. It is always great to have a time to recharge away from this electronic miasma we’ve wedded ourselves to.
We do need that every now and again, don’t we? 🙂
Thanks! Growing up, I had assumed that everyone has 3,000 old stuff just under the surface (case in point: we had some topsoil brought in when we built our house. It came with a stray Macedonian-era column). It took me a while to realize that’s not the case 🙂
Love the personal post, Nicholas and I’m happy to hear that life isn’t apocalyptic over there. Although, that might make a good story… (always a writer, right?) Although I’m still waiting on your other book to be written.
Erm, thanks, but I’m not actually on Bookbub. I’m merely posting a series of marketing posts drawing on their excellent Bookbub Insights newsletter 🙂
Jeez! Sorry!!! I read your post first thing this morning, before I was really awake. So we’ll blame the misunderstanding on that…
lol
Lol – no sweat 😀
😀
Enjoy the break. Trying to picture that surreal combination you mentioned and it’s probably best that I try again when I’m more awake.
It was weird, believe me…
Beautiful pictures and a happy looking Nicholas! Enjoy your time off and relax. Looking forward to having you back 🙂
Thank you! I’m probably be lurking around, don’t worry 😉
You deserve to have a little break. But I understand how hard it can be to stay away from WP
Not that I don’t enjoy your usual book-related posts Nicholas, but it was great to see something of everyday life for a change. Nice to see that life continues in the summer streets of Athens, despite all the financial machinations.
And that restaurant has a teriffic view across to the Acropolis!
See you on the other side of your break.
Best wishes as always, Pete.
Thank you, Pete!
I try to balance my personal life-related-posts (which I always dread that everyone will find incredibly boring), with the useful-info ones.
Somehow, you guys always surprise me with your appreciation (as measured by visits and Likes) of the personal posts. So, double thanks for that 🙂
have a lovely break…..and proof again that the media is awful!:) janet.
Lol – even I was worried going downtown 😀
Sounds like a glorious evening, Nicholas, and what fabulous views you had during dinner! Enjoy your well-deserved break, look forward to seeing you back here again soon xx
Thank you so much, Helen! I probably won’t disappear as much as I think, mind you 🙂
Enjoy some chill time 🙂
Thanks! We all need some downtime every now and then, don’t we? 🙂
Sure do
Ah… Lovely. I’m just stepping back from the web for a few weeks, myself. I’ll look forward to reading your bookbub feature when I return to the interweb. I hear of people achieving tens of thousands of downloads with them so I religiously submit my book every month and equally religiously they tell me, politely, to piss of! Mwahahahahaaargh! I did find a great thread on Kinfleboards though in which they themselves asked that authors keep resubmitting. I might have more luck when I’ve finished constructing my series as a box set and submit that for a promotional price.
Cheers
MTM
Lol – that’s not very nice of them now, is it? 😀
I always feel like I’m on holiday as soon as I hear Greek music! We went to Italy this year, which was lovely, but we did miss our annual Greek trip! Next year might be quite a big family reunion over there!
You are so lucky living in such a wonderful city! I’m glad that the difficult times aren’t dominating over there. My mum says island life is continuing much the same as it always has. Enjoy your break!
No, no, I understand. You make a Greek blogger friend, and it just so happens that you don’t visit Greece that year (crosses arms, looks away). Nothing personal, I’m sure (taps foot).
Haha! Wish I could take a second holiday sigh! Our Irish summer has been so grey and dismal this year.
So sorry to hear that. *mental note: don’t post any photos from the beach*
I’m used to that! My mother does it all the time!
Oh, you poor dear! Our parents are just as bad. While we were in Edinburgh, they’d call and tell us how they’d spent the whole day on the beach, or fishing, or what have you 🙂
Which island is your mother on, again?
She’s on Kalymnos. Yes, she’s quite merciless!
Such a nice place. I wonder if all the climbers drive your mom nuts, though 🙂
Nope. I think it’s probably the other way around!
LOL 😀
Have a lovely break Nicholas I’ll be doing the same from August 15th too! Or at least that is my intention!
Ooh, nice! Hope you have a lovely break 🙂
Thanks Nicholas, you too. 🙂
Nicholas, that sounds like a beautiful night out 🙂
Thanks for sharing the experience.
Indeed, it was! We have a couple of friends visiting from the Netherlands, so we’ll probably repeat it soon enough 🙂
In much the same frame of mind! Glad to discover there is still life in Athens, seemingly serene. Always relieved when the diligent need to escape. Have a good and regenerative break.
Aw, thanks! It will give me a chance to catch up with my reading, including two certain shorts I’m looking forward to reading 😉
Reblogged this on Have We Had Help? and commented:
Even though his country is being financially punished by the EU, our Nicholas can still take his wife Electra out for the evening. What a true gentleman he is. 😉
Loved seeing the site’s of Athens! Enjoy your sway from the computer break! Look forward to the Bookbub when you’re back. Christine
Thank you! I believe you’ll enjoy it 🙂
Sounds lovely! I hope you have a pleasant interlude, and looking forward to Bookbub info.
Thanks! I think you’ll enjoy it 🙂
Enjoy the break Nicholas.
Hugs
Thank you so much, David! Hope you, too, are enjoying the summer 🙂