• Stay calm.
• Relocate all flammable materials around the building to closed and protected areas.
• Close all the passages (chimneys, windows, doors, etc) to prevent sparks from entering the building.
• Shut off all the gas and liquid-fuel supplies.
• Open the gate of the garden to facilitate fire-fighting vehicle access.
• Put a ladder outside the building so that someone is able to climb immediately on the roof. 
• Switch on the interior and exterior lights to increase visibility

To read this article in full, please visit: thisisathens.org

The real Greece… I spent Sunday in the village – the place where my father was born, the place where most of my extended family lives, the place that feels most like the ‘real Greece’. And of course, the place where one finds that most central event of Greek culture: the ‘Sunday family meal’.

Food is love. If you’ve ever doubted that, you haven’t met my Theia Maro. The Sunday meal is planned days in advance – with fact-finding phone calls to figure out what we all want to eat (‘anything but lamb’, I say), with plans and revisions and more plans. And then a last-minute change to the menu because ‘the butcher had some really great lamb’.

We all gathered together a little while after midday, told our stories of the previous weeks, complained about the state of the nation, talked about the weather (Theia Maro, it turns out, is also an expert meteorologist who can predict weather patterns days in advance), and generally shared the mundane aspects of our daily lives – all the things that connect us and make us ‘family’.

And then it was time to clink our wine glasses and eat. But it’s not enough to simply sit around the long table and consume. There are important rituals during the Sunday family meal, which must not be avoided. These include explaining the meal, critiquing the meal, comparing to previous meals, planning future meals – all of this in the wonderful multi-decibel choir of voices of every Greek dinner table.

I remember the exact same scenario from almost every Sunday (or any day!) meal, back when I would spend summers in the village, back when it didn’t mean as much. These days, it feels good to know that some things never change, in spite of ourselves and the world around us.

The Sunday Family Meal, Greek-style!
Location: a village near you.

See you 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…

• Stay Hydrated: During a heatwave, keep your water intake to around 3 liters. Drink water regularly throughout the day, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, as they can dehydrate you.
• Stay Indoors During Peak Heat: Try to stay inside during the hottest parts of the day, typically between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Use Fans 7 Air Conditioning: Keep your living space cool with fans, air conditioning, or by spending time in public places like malls or libraries if you don’t have AC at home.
• Wear Lightweight Clothing: Dress in loose-fitting, light-colored clothes to help your body stay cool.
• Take Cool Showers: Lower your body temperature with cool showers or baths.
• Limit Physical Activity: Avoid strenuous activities during peak heat hours. If you need to exercise, do it early in the morning or late in the evening.
• Check on Vulnerable People: Ensure elderly neighbors, children, and those with health conditions are safe and comfortable.

• Create Defensible Space: Maintain a buffer zone around your home by removing dead plants, trees, and other flammable materials. Keep your lawn hydrated and trimmed.
• Use Fire-Resistant Materials: If you’re renovating, consider using fire-resistant materials for your roof, siding, and decking.
• Clean Gutters & Roofs: Remove leaves, pine needles, and other debris from your roof and gutters regularly.
• Install Screens on Vents: Use fine mesh screens to cover vents and eaves to prevent embers from entering your home.
• Seal Your Home: Ensure that windows and doors are properly sealed to prevent cool air from escaping and hot air from entering.
• Create an Emergency Plan: Have a fire evacuation plan in place. Make sure all family members know the plan and practice it regularly.
• Prepare an Emergency Kit: Keep an emergency kit with essentials like water, non-perishable food, medications, and important documents.

• Provide Water: Leave bowls of water outside in shaded areas for stray animals to drink. Check and refill them regularly.
• Create Shade: Set up makeshift shelters with cardboard boxes or other materials to provide shade for stray animals.
• Avoid Leaving Food Out: While it’s good to help strays, avoid leaving food out during peak heat to prevent spoilage and attracting pests.
• Contact Local Animal Services: If you see animals in distress, contact local animal rescue organizations for assistance.
• Spread Awareness: Educate your neighbors and community about the importance of helping stray animals during heatwaves.

Additional Tips

• Stay Informed: Keep updated on weather forecasts and heatwave warnings through reliable news sources or weather apps.
• Recognize Heat-Related Illnesses: Be aware of the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, such as dizziness, nausea, headache, and rapid heartbeat. Seek medical attention if needed.
• Use Curtains & Blinds: Close curtains and blinds during the day to block out direct sunlight and keep your home cooler.
• Use Energy Wisely: Avoid using heat-generating appliances like ovens and stoves during the hottest parts of the day. Opt for no-cook meals or use a microwave.

This week I am playing host and tour guide to a good friend of mine who is visiting for ten days. She is a Canadian who has spent the past 8 months living in Paris, on a sabbatical to ‘fulfill her dream’ of learning French and living in the City of Lights…

She has been in Greece twice before, and this time is staying in Athens… She asked for a ‘normal’ weekend – nothing touristy, nothing out of the ordinary. Ok, I can handle this. After some laundry and the usual Saturday chores, we wandered out… It was, by all accounts, an ‘average’ weekend afternoon – couple of long coffees with friends, aimless wandering, people-watching, comments about closed-down shops and the general state of things, mixed with comments about the sunshine and the kids playing everywhere and the sheer number of people who were outside enjoying the day… We took the Metro back home, ordered-in from the Noodle Bar, and called it an early night.

Sunday was much the same. Early-morning earthquake (!), lazy morning, late lunch at a taverna with friends, a visit to the Thissio outdoor market looking for a ‘lambada’ (easter candle) – and we even made it to a movie at the Mall in the evening.

What stays with me is not what we did or where we went or what we ate… What stays with is a simple statement.

“I love Athens”, she said. “I feel so comfortable here.” And she meant it.

This city is a lot of things, to be sure. Despite a list of rational reasons to be here (or not), Athens to me is a feeling – one that sneaks in on a warm afternoon in Thissio, and remains long after the weekend is over.

See you 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…

Thinking about reconnecting with your Greek roots? Here’s a simplified breakdown of how you might be eligible for Greek citizenship by descent:

1. Parental Heritage: If your mother or father is a registered Greek citizen, you qualify automatically.
2. Born in Greece: If you were born in Greece and one parent held legal residency for at least five years before your birth, you're eligible.
3. Out-of-Wedlock Birth: If your parents weren’t married, citizenship is granted through a Greek mother. If the father is Greek, legal proof of paternity is required.
4. Adoption: Adopted by a Greek citizen before turning 18? You’re entitled to Greek citizenship.
5. Third-Generation Greeks: If a grandparent was born in Greece or naturalized, you may apply—though your parent might need to claim citizenship first.

Your eligibility may also depend on when you were born and your parents' marital status at the time. To avoid pitfalls, consult Expat Law early on—accurate legal advice can save time and money.

Building Your Case: The Required Documentation

Once eligibility is confirmed, the next step is to secure your Certificate of Registration, the official record of your status as a Greek citizen. Here's what you'll need:

• Valid passport and birth certificate
• Christening/baptism certificate (if applicable)
• Passport-sized photo that adheres to official guidelines
• Your children's birth and baptism records (if applying for them too)
• Parents’ marriage certificate, indicating civil or religious union
• Parents’ and grandparents’ birth certificates (plus death certificates, if needed)
• Proof of Greek municipal registration
• Divorce or name change documentation (if applicable)
• Recent criminal record certificate
• Certified Greek translations of all documents
• Registration of foreign marriages in the Special Registry of Athens.

Once everything is in order, you will book an appointment with the Greek consulate closest to you and submit your application along with a €150 fee. Keep in mind, though, that processing may take up to two years, so plan ahead.

The Application Process

With documents in hand, you’re ready to submit your file to Greek authorities. A carefully assembled application boosts your chances of approval—every accurate document and form gets you closer to reclaiming your heritage.

The Perks of Greek Dual Citizenship

Greece allows dual nationality, meaning you don’t have to give up your existing citizenship. As a Greek citizen, you gain:

• The right to live and work in Greece and across the EU
• Access to Greek public healthcare and education
• Voting rights in Greek elections

But citizenship also comes with duties. Be sure to understand any tax obligations or, for male citizens, mandatory military service requirements.

Let Expat Law Guide You

The journey to Greek citizenship can be complex, but you don’t have to do it alone. Expat Law offers personalized legal support tailored to your unique background, including in-depth guidance for more complicated cases like asylum, deportation defense, and dual nationality.

Contact Expat Law here:

📧 kyveli@expatlaw.gr
📱 +30 694 555 1914 (call or text)

Have questions or need guidance tailored to your case? Don’t hesitate to get in touch—we’re here to help!