January 26, 2016

Diary Athens: Jan 27-Feb 03, 2016

Feb 03
It's getting boring. Good weather, again.
In order to buy a house in Greece, or to open a bank account, you have to get a Tax Id number (AFM) within the area that you live. At least that is what I thought when I looked it up online.
I went to a tax office near Omonia square this morning. Stood in line, and when it was my turn found out that it was the office if you already have a tax number and relocated from anywhere else in Greece. If you live abroad, you need to go to a different office, close to the archeological museum.
So I went there. Stood in line and when it was my turn I found out that one form needed to be filled out by me, a different form by some one living in Greece with a Tax number. I guess as a reference.
Oke, I will use my friend Hara as a reference. And go back to the office on Friday. (closed on thursday)
There is a 2 bedroom appartment for sale, 4th floor with elevator. Hardwood and stone floors. Victoria Square
and the Metro are 1 block away. I went to see it.
Dining room, doors to the balcony. Two bedrooms, kitchen
There is a separate room for a washer and dryer, and 2 bathrooms
Sitting on the balcony you can see the Akropolis in the distance
Asking price is 70,000.00 euros.

Feb 02
I went running this morning, Route 1.
The weather is still very good, on the balcony, in the sun it was about 22 degrees Celsius.

Feb 01
Making good use of bus/metro pass. Went to the Plaka area twice today.
I play mandolin. Technically not good enough to play a chord over all 4 strings. I play solo mostly using the A and E strings. Last year I thought about Bouzouki's.
Soloing you mostly use the top 2 strings tuned in A en D.
So I bought a Bouzouki today....
 ebony with abalone inlay.

Jan 31
Went out running at 08.00. Route 2: Hotel-Omonia-Syntagma-Parliament Garden-Backside Akropolis-Monastiraki.
1 mile going up hill. Had a tea at the Starbucks, and then took the metro to Victoria Square, and walked back to the hotel.
At 15.00 I took the subway from Omonia to Syntagma and walked down Ermou Street to Monastiraki. A sunny Sunday. Lots of people at the tavernas.
Walked to the Monastiraki metro station. While waiting for the metro, I discovered an archeological exhibition. Although I already have 274 photo's of Athens, I did not have these.
a partial covered water conduit.
I got a chicken souvlaki near the hotel for 2 euro. It has protein, carbs assorted minerals and vitamins, a complete meal.

Jan 30
Got up at 06.15. Downstairs the bus to Romania is loading up.
 For 50 euros you can take 50 kilo luggage and yourself to Romania.
The sky was cloudy this morning. Went to the Omonia metro station, checking the prices of a monthly bus/metro pas. 30 euro for 30 days. Next year I am old and I will get it for 15 euros.
Took the metro to the Akropolis station. Copies of ancient artifacts on display.
Walked around the backside of the Akropolis. Blue sky! Walked over Odos Athinai back to the hotel.
And had a siesta.... afterwards, time for the balcony.
3 years ago, same room...
Time for dinner, I will go out and get a chicken souvlaki...
I don't watch television in the US, or really anywhere else. I have a video streamer with me and a hard drive with 150 movies and about 12 TV series. I'm finishing up the series "Justified"

Jan 29
Went running at 08.00, Route 1
Yesterday I talked to the woman who works behind the reception of the hotel, that I was interested in apartments in Athens in the Victoria square area. She has a cousin who is a real estate broker. After taking a shower I went to the lobby to go out, and the cousin was at the reception. We talked, and we will talk again.
I went out to Omonia square to look for a Greek sim phone card. I found one. I am now the proud owner of a Vodafone-Canada, Vodafone-Holland, Vodafone-Greece, Nettokom-Germany and a Tracfone-USA....

Jan 28
Did not go out today, sat on the balcony in a T-shirt and shorts and read.

Jan 27 
At 08.30 arrived in Igouminitsou, We are no longer in the Adriatic Sea but are now in the Aegian Sea.
Stretched out over 4 seats, too bad there where 3 heavy snorers in the room.
The stop in Igouminitsou was 15 minutes, arrival in Patras should be about 12.30.
Sunrise was at 07.00, blue sky!
12.30 Patras
I was the first pedestrian of the boat. Good that I did because it took me 10 minutes to walk to the bus station, where the Athens bus was leaving at 13.00! The next bus was at 15.00. The fare was 20.60 euro.
16.30 Arrived at the Kiffisia bus station, and took line 51 to Omonia Square, Ticket was 1.20 euro. From there I walked to the hotel.
16.55 Arrived at the Aristoteles hotel.

Jan 26
I took the ferry boat from Bari to Patras.
 ANEK Superfast II
Sometime tonight we'll be leaving Italy and going into Greek terrritory.
After arriving tomorrow in Patras at 13.00,  I will go on a bus to Athens, which will take about 3 1/2 hours. I am staying at the Aristoteles hotel near Omonia Square.



January 21, 2016

Italy: Jan 20-26, 2016


Jan 20 
I took 2 trains and 2 metro trains to get from Weddel to Berlin,
And 1 flight with Ryanair (good seats)
and 2 trains from Bari to Monopili.

Jan 21
Walked around the old Town.
The stores are open 7 days a week, but closed between 13.00-17.00 and sunday afternoons.

Jan 22
It rained last night, but today blue skies! Cold wind though.
The main square in Monopoli.

Jan 23
Visited the Basilica today.
 Basilica interior.
 I have never seen such intricate stone work.
 Building at the street of Purgatory.
 Tough flowers (cyclamen) in the seawind.
 Retaining wall
Monopoli started out as a fishing village

Jan 26
Taking the ferry boat today from Bari to Patras.
I have a very long day ahead, arriving in Patras after 16 hours on a boat. and of course last night it was noisy outside.
Got on a train from Monopoli to Bari at 13.22, arrived at Bari Centrale 35 minutes later. Walked out the building (towards track 1) to where the buses were stationed. (I had to take bus #20/, not to be confused with bus #20), waited 20 minutes for it. Paid 1 euro and after a 15 minutes ride, arrived at the cruise/ferry terminal.
The blue building is where you get the boat tickets and is also a waiting area.
 I had a hot chocolate and bruschetta while I waited for check-in, which was at 17.30.
 The ANEK Superfast II, going to Patras. Completely Greek, with Greek television.....
The ship has a comfortable indoor seating area, (You can also sit outside)
If it is not busy you can stretch out over 3 chairs. Wifi (5 euro until arrival in Patras), store and a cafe
 and a restaurant
I just heard that we are ready to leave. Arriving in Patras tomorrow at 13.00 hour.

Jan 27 
08.30
Arriving in Igouminitsou, We are no longer in the Adriatic Sea but are now in the Aegian Sea. Stretched out over 4 seats, too bad there where 3 heavy snorers in the room.
The stop in Igouminitsou was 15 minutes Sunrise was at 07.00, blue sky!
12.30
In Patras I was the first pedestrian of the boat. Good that I did because it took me 10 minutes to walk to the bus station, where the Athens bus was leaving at 13.00! The next bus was at 15.00. The fare was 20.60 euro.
16.30
Arrived at the Kifissia bus station, and took line 51 to Omonia Square, Ticket was 1.20 euro. From there I walked to the hotel.
16.55
Arrived at the Aristoteles hotel. 

January 12, 2016

Jan 12: Weddel

On Jan 09, a rare day of sunshine. So, I took a public bus and a streetcar to Braunschweig, which took 20 minutes total.
Last year
 Now