It was part of the plan this time around to go walk in the streets of Zografou, where I lived during my studies here in Athens, 30 years ago.
Time stood still. I did too, trying to understand what changed. It was the trees! Or so I thought. Still, they are now 30 years older.
A lot of shops closed down. Crisis everywhere. Nevertheless, cafes with tables right on the sidewalk, still in every corner.
I visited Antifanous 8, where I spent my first year here in Athens during my studies. The times with my cousin Marios and Elena, the gypsy with the bear on Sunday mornings, our discussions and analysis on a variety of subjects until dawn, cousins Marina and Sophia, and Charis and Antonis Pafitis – all unfolding in front of my eyes…
Abydou 36 was my host for the remaining of my studies in Athens. It was a brand new building 30 years ago. Somehow, I expected to see something similar. It`s funny how images are stuck in our mind. The building aged. The images however are still everywhere. Time stood still.
Late in the afternoon my journey took me to my cousin Helen Kontemeniotis – Kassesian. So much to say, so many years to catch-up. So happy to meet her family too, after so many years. I was stunned to see her younger daughter, Mima, now 30-something. Last time I saw her she was …5! What a beautiful young lady!
By midnight I was back at Zografou area, and intercepted my buddy Spyros. My brother-in-arms. My comrade. My brother. We go back 30 years. Nothing changed. Only his mother is now gone, my dear Mrs Foula, who had me like her own son during my studies. May she rest in peace.
Σπύρο, μου λείπεις.
Zografou
Pizzeria here, 30 years ago. Now a cafe.
Used to come for pizza here.
The server insisted: This has been a cafe for ever. Then again, she wasn`t even born 30 years ago, when this was a pizzeria.
Athens cafe. Tables almost on the sidewalk.
Plaza
Summer Theater (open roof). Still there!
Up and down.
Up and down.
I have no hope.
Fruit market on the sidewalk.
Abydou 36. Lived the last few years of my studies on this street.
Abydou 36 - it was a brand new building 30 years ago.
Abydou 36
With cousin Helen
Christina - thanks to FB, I feel pretty close to this lady.
With Christina and Mima
With Christina and Mima
With Christina, Mima and their father
With the whole Kassesian family.
Spyros with Bob.
With Spyros
With Spyros
With Spyros and his friend George, a brilliant mind.
Trees - 30 years older.
Sidewalk on Papagou Ave.
OXI (NO!)
Zografou
Antifanous
Antifanous
Antifanous
Antifanous 8. I think the main entrance has changed.
I still recognize a few names!!
Antifanous
Antifanous
Antifanous
End of Papagou - There was a pizzeria here. Now, a cafe.
Pizzeria here, 30 years ago. Now a cafe.
Used to come for pizza here.
The server insisted: This has been a cafe for ever. Then again, she wasn`t even born 30 years ago, when this was a pizzeria.
Athens cafe. Tables almost on the sidewalk.
Plaza
Summer Theater (open roof). Still there!
Up and down.
Up and down.
I have no hope.
Fruit market on the sidewalk.
Abydou 36. Lived the last few years of my studies on this street.
Abydou 36 - it was a brand new building 30 years ago.
Abydou 36
With cousin Helen
Christina - thanks to FB, I feel pretty close to this lady.
With Christina and Mima
With Christina and Mima
With Christina, Mima and their father
With the whole Kassesian family.
Spyros with Bob.
With Spyros
With Spyros
With Spyros and his friend George, a brilliant mind.
Trees - 30 years older.
Sidewalk on Papagou Ave.
OXI (NO!)
Zografou
Antifanous
Antifanous
Antifanous
Antifanous 8. I think the main entrance has changed.
I still recognize a few names!!
Antifanous
Antifanous
Antifanous
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