The seedy side of Athens (13-15 with a day trip 17)

Rocking up in Athens was not without seedy surprises. Athens, definitely not a beauty, is a city with a lot to offer, from the imposing Acropolis to heated nightlife. Sweltering and overwhelming though, the muchness of Athens can get to you fast. Using my Greek to get tickets for the bus from the airport, we made our way to Hotel Lozanni, in an area known as Omonia. Omonia oozes seedy vibes - strutting streetgirls, dirty lanes and 'pickypockets' galore.

Now reader, I am susceptible to attacks of paroxysms. Paroxysms involve emotional excitement so extreme I get bubbles of affection well up in side of me. Paroxysms mixed with nervous energy characterised my expectation of seeing Dave.

I arrived at Hotel Lozanni to learn that he had arrived earlier. Owing to an admin fuckup, he'd been placed in a room with my mum and I - just one double bed! Now I don't know about you, but the thought of that was uber twisted! After running up to see him (and walking right passed him - perched at the computer) reunion was hot and off we trudged to sort out the accommodation accident. Of course, the unexpected is where adventure begins.

Dave and I wandered out to find a place for mum nearby. Poor boy, off on his first European adventure, shared his first impressions of Athens. On the x95 bus ride from the airport, the bus driver hit a dude side-on riding a scooter. Being a bus driver committed to passenger deadlines, he proceeded to zoom off. At the next set of lights, scooter dude caught up and had 'words' with the bus driver - it was all greek to Dave but the meaning was pretty explicit. On arrival in Omonia square, Dave felt someone trailing him only to feel his hand trying to get into his back pocket. Grabbing his arm hard, he intimidated the guy into backing off.

As we walked the streets near Lozanni for a hotel, we spotted some dressy girls. Dave pointed out they'd been there all day. At first he thought, she's a bit overdressed, but returning later (is she still waiting for a bus?) he'd realised she was working those streets. There were so many that he describes it as like Where's Wally? aka 'which one is not for sale?'.

On a related note, we rocked up at one hotel to inquire about rooms. They seemed inexpensive enough so we took mum there to have a look. I went up and they were very pretty indeed. Whilst we were settling the payment though, several of those working girls walked in, accompanied by male companions. Mum freaked so we took her around the corner - she"d get no sleep or peace in a hooker hostel!

Whilst we had some nice meals in Athens, the seedy atmosphere was sinking our spirits. Worst luck of luck, the Acropolis was closed for days! We were able to wander the Agora (ancient marketplace) but the Acropolis workers were on strike. A sneaky forward flash - we managed to see it later though!

Working on a tipoff from a lovely Estonian girl called Christie who worked the bar at Lozanni, we headed out to the island of Aegina. Athens we decided, could wait for later, so after two days we said yiassas! to Athens and mum, sailing to the island Aegina. Our Aegina experience and our stay at Erato backpackers deserves another post. So for now I'll be celebrating the death of my teens in Santorini!

Na ste kala.