The heat is on. This is, clearly, an understatement. The temperatures of the last week have made the topic of ‘the weather’, so common in rainy northern climates, the topic of the day across the city. Have we finally joined the rest of the world who complain about the weather on a daily basis? Hopefully not. But one could be forgiven for doing so this week…
With air conditioners taxed to their maximum, and fans spinning out of control, the midsummer ‘get out of Athens’ feeling is creeping up… For those of us still in the city (and there are many of us these days!), the question is how to enjoy our days and nights while dealing with this heat. For me, the question has become ‘who is arriving or departing today?’ – as I deal with an influx of friends and travelers at my place.
Moving into the city centre has meant that I’m now the preferred destination for friends visiting Athens. I’ve been lucky (!) to have a series of visitors in town for the past month or so. I’ve got my city tour down pat – Plaka, Monastiraki, Acropolis (entrance fee not included), Syntagma, Kolonaki, Exarheia. And even a trip down to the seaside for those who have the time. Nights out in Gazi, in Plaka, at Plateia Karitsi, etc are also included in Jack’s Athens Package. I love to show people my Athens.
The trouble is, they love it here. And they inevitably tell their friends, who also jump on a plane headed for Athens. And before you know it, you have a house full of people with cameras in hand, who can’t wait to see what they can see. At this point I have sweat through all my t-shirts and most of my sneakers. And we’re only at the end of July. Surely it can’t get any hotter…
In my next life, I will own a bed-and-breakfast. With air conditioning.
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…
If you’ve driven by Kyprou street in Glyfada, you may have noticed a rash of double parked cars on a certain block. And if you looked closely, you would see a line forming at a little store. It seems that the advent of a do-it-yourself frozen yogurt bar “YooMoo” in Greece has been a success! What’s not to like? You walk in, you choose your flavors, serve yourself, add toppings, weigh and pay- and then you can either run home or sit in the friendly surroundings. If that’s not enough, consider this- the frozen yogurt is FAT FREE!
How it works: Firstly, choose as many flavours as you like and mix them up as you please. Then go crazy on the toppings - naughty, nice or a mixture of everything! Once you are ready, just weigh your creation at the counter and pay by weight. Let loose and moo!
YOOMOO
KYPROU 51
ESPERIDON SQUARE, GLYFADA
TEL: 210 8985150
Do you have a recommendation or recipe to share? Send it to us at ideas@xpatathens.com!
Retail sales volume posted a significant rise in October 2014 compared with the same month in 2013, while the constant decline in prices meant there was only marginal growth in turnover, according to data released on Wednesday by the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT).
Sales volume grew for the fifth month in a row in October, at a rate of 3.7 percent year-on-year, while turnover posted a 0.5 percent expansion.
There is also an increase in the sales volume for the whole of the period from January to October 2014, from a year earlier, which confirms the slow but steady rebound in the retail sector.
To read more, please visit ekathimerini.com
By Dimitra Manifava
