#Athens Airport parking

[fivestarparking]

Convenient and Affordable Airport Parking Reservations in Attiki

Looking for hassle-free airport parking reservations in Attiki? At 5Stars Parking, we provide a seamless parking experience with convenient and secure options near Athens Airport. Whether you're traveling for business or leisure, our service ensures you can book your parking space in advance, saving you time and money. With flexible pricing, easy online booking, and excellent customer service, we guarantee a stress-free start to your journey.

Our parking facilities are equipped with 24/7 security, ensuring your vehicle is safe throughout your trip. Offering both short-term and long-term parking options, 5Stars Parking is the perfect choice for travelers seeking a reliable and affordable parking solution. Located just a short distance from Athens International Airport, our parking spaces are easily accessible, and our shuttle service ensures you're always on time for your flight.

Make your airport parking experience worry-free by reserving your spot today at 5Stars Parking in Attiki. We offer the best rates, outstanding customer support, and a commitment to convenience and safety.

[wonryllis]

𝜗𝜚ㅤBABY YOU ARE MORE THAN JUST A DREAM! ( love at first sight with idol!reader )

────𝖺𝗅𝗍𝖾𝗋𝗇𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗏𝖾𝗅𝗒, 𝗐𝗁𝖾𝗋𝖾 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝗉𝗎𝗍 𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗆 𝗎𝗇𝖽𝖾𝗋 𝖺 𝗌𝗉𝖾𝗅𝗅!

﹙NOTES.﹚ non!idol enha falling for you. 𖥔 ݁ fluff. reqtd. fem!r. 2569wc. LIB?

𝐋𝐄𝐄 𝐇𝐄𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐔𝐍𝐆

the one who gets attracted to your light in the struggles of his life. a broke college student working multiple part time jobs to pay for his student loans. an avid listener of kpop who does not have much idea about groups, especially girl groups simply because of his busy life. it's one fateful afternoon when he's on his shift in everland dressed in his heavy bear mascot, barbequing inside drenched in sweat trying to hand out flyers and taking pictures with kids.

too tired he sits on a bench, taking off the head and brushing his wet hair when you appear with a camera seeming to be filming a self vlog. "do you need help?" you ask and heeseung falls into the rabbit hole that very instant. you're so pretty and you're also so sweet and kind, standing with him, helping him out even when you're not obligated to. smiling so beautifully and warmly at him each time he turns to look at you every other minute.

he's lost in his own world trying to make sense how he got such an amazing person to notice him and how everyone seems so interested in the flyers from the moment you step in. you offer him tissues to wipe off his sweat and appraise him for working so hard struggling but still not giving up, heeseung questions if this is real, if you are real.

he does not hesitate to ask for your name surprised when it sounds so familiar and going into a cardiac arrest upon realising you're the same idol he listens to everyday on break, your soothing voice helping him through his day.

you invite him to join you on your vlog and show you around the theme park after he's done working, at this point heeseung is soulless he has no idea how he's functioning but he is. he fumbles around to change as quick as he can after he's off, putting on as much deodrant as he can afraid of smelling sweaty around you. "thank you so much for hanging out with me!" you give him a hug at the end, "no thank you so much for helping me out," he'll never be able to get over this.

𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐊 𝐉𝐎𝐍𝐆𝐒𝐄𝐎𝐍𝐆

the one who keeps crossing paths with you like destiny, a thin line between reality and falling so hard for a celebrity. you start as his airport crush, one on whom once he lays his eyes they follow everywhere. he takes in every little detail about you from across the room watching you sit in the waiting area wondering if you're on the same flight. he feels like he's seen you somewhere but he can't bring himself to remember.

it is when he spots the various people you're surrounded with, he realises you're an idol, not understanding how he seems to have seen you before but not having clear memory of it, like how can he forget someone like that.

nevertheless he's hooked, anyone can see with the way he keeps glancing in your direction time and again. some of the crew members notice him immediately, trying to gesture to you subtly. and it works when you lock eyes the next time he looks, he turns away at the speed of light face heating up and the tip of ears getting red, he definitely gave himself away. but what to do he's so bad at pretending.

visibly upset when he sees you boarding a different flight. but fate appears to be on his side when two days later he spots you again on the streets of athens filming some group content. he's a little hesitant to do anything. he leaves to look the surrounding shops only to come back again and again to watch you.

you're on break the fourth time he does it and you lock eyes again, jay literally freezes in his spot he doesn't know what to do, feeling like his heart would jump right out onto his palms as he watches you get up and walk towards him. "hey," you speak waving to him as you stop a freaking few inches away from him. "yeah," jay mumbles, voice so cold he regrets it in a second with your face turning confused at his bleak response,"i mean hey, i'm just really nervous right now," oh my god he can't believe he also said that like jay?? "mhm," you smile,"that's cute," jay stopped working.

𝐒𝐈𝐌 𝐉𝐀𝐄𝐘𝐔𝐍

the one who falls at a chance encounter, one look and he's mesmerized. a die hard baseball fan, attending one of the matches where your group is set to perform a song. he had no clue about it but who is he to complain cause the moment he spots you, he can't take his eyes off of you, you dance so prettily, the way you move your body he's beyond hypnotized.

and your voice don't get him started at that it's like a siren calling for him, luring him into a trap he can't ever escape from. a little disappointed when the performance is over, keeps trying to find you in the crowd, looking for your pretty face amidst the others.

once he finds your seat, he's staring continuously, if not that then every two seconds. the game is long forgotten he doesn't give a shit who's winning and losing. for him the win here lies on watching you do everything. the way you smile at your members so softly, how your laugh seems to be so addicting even of he can barely hear it, when you're munching on snacks, cheering on the players from time to time. nothing's ever been this interesting to watch, nothing can beat this not even a match of his favourite teams.

had he known about you earlier he would have done everything in his power to attend every fansign, grabbing every opportunity to meet you, to be able to see you up close and talk to you, listen to your pretty voice telling him literally anything and everything.

he tries finding ways to meet you, looking closely to see if he can encounter a situation where he supposedly comes across you accidentally and compliment your performance, talking about how well you did. and lucky for him he does get that chance when he least expects it.

sad and dejected at the end of the performance, just leaving the venue when you bump into him all alone. his entire world shakes so excited he might burst any second. "your performance was so good i couldn't take my eyes off of you," he blurts out, "thanks, i noticed you looking, a lot actually," someone bury him right now.

𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐊 𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐆𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐍

the one who has no interest in kpop, he's literally got no clue about any idol and he doesn't even give a fuck about it. he's super career oriented person who supposedly has no time for all this bullshit he says. but the moment he lays eyes on you, the pretty barista on the other side of the counter of his favourite cafe he cannot help rethinking about his ways of life.

he swears he's never seen someone so beautiful ever, there's just something about you that somehow seems to keep drawing him towards you. he wonders if you're new or has he always been this blind.

the way you smile when he enters through the door, welcoming him so sweetly, the light from outside falling on your face so gorgeously he stutters for the first time in forever. boy cannot form the proper words, he fumbles on his regular order, forgets to tell his name and keeps staring and gawking so awkwardly at you, he's convinced you think of him as a creep.

almost leaves the cafe literally a step out the door before he decides he cannot let this chance go and rushes like a loser over to the front, waiting as you attend to another customer. chewing on his bottom lip and hands fiddling all sweaty with nervousness.

"yes? how can i help you?" oh my god you're still so sweet, his heart skips several beats, "uhm i- well number- pretty- no i wondering- your pretty number- i meant can i-" he's never hated himself as much he does right this moment, the most important moment of his life. "my number?" you giggle and he literally melts for real,"yeah," smiling like an idiot in love. is shocked to find out you're an idol shooting a variety show, scolding himself internally for having no idea and feeling so embarrassed.

boy thinks he has lost it now, there's no way- until "did you check your cup?" if park sunghoon could put into words what he feels now he'd write an entire essay, he's so fallen, he can't get up anymore, breaking his own rules.

𝐊𝐈𝐌 𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐖𝐎𝐎

the one who goes to support his friend and ends up getting attracted unexpectedly and unintentionally. boy has a lot of friends and friends of friends and so many girl friends and he's never ever felt the way he felt it immediately in a microsecond for you. it's like you stepped on stage just to capture his heart. he's been friends with her since middle school and the biggest supporter of her idol career. it's her first concert and he's booked frontline seat, having always watched only her famcams he's never really paid attention or noticed her members.

so the first time he sees you is live on stage right in front his eyes, so lost in watching you he can barely remember why he came initially.

your outfits compliment you so good, the way you seem so passionate and happy about what you're doing is so contagious to him. he so immersed in watching you, he doesn't realize how quickly it gets over, it's somehow good through because kept thinking about meeting you backstage with the special entry he would get for his friend.

he waits impatiently in the dressing room, legs bouncing in nervousness and excitement. he smiles and goes for a hug with his friend first, his eyes subtly trained on you, beaming with happiness when his friend introduces you to him.

repeating your name in his mind again and again,"your name is as pretty as you," he says smiling so so cutely at you trying to work his charms. everyone in the room can see it just how interested he is in you, leaving you both to talk and busying themselves in other things. it's struck by love at once for him but probably not for you, he understands that and knows it's best to be friends even though he wishes for may something more than that.

he tries not to overwhelm you while still complimenting you for every little thing. "you're so talented you had me mesmerized the entire concert," sunoo that's not subtle.

𝐘𝐀𝐍𝐆 𝐉𝐔𝐍𝐆𝐖𝐎𝐍

the one who has been silently watching from afar for so long, cherishing every glimpse. a cat cafe owner who waits for every sunday just so he can watch you playing with the cats and kittens from his corner in the shop too afraid to ever talk to you.

the first time he saw you was during new years eve, about to close the cafe in the evening when in came the last customer, his about to be favourite customer. you vibes were so soft and warm, treating the little babies so tenderly and the way you seemed so relaxed jungwon fell for that aura around you, the comfort and genuineness you emanated.

he fell so hard, he couldn't even bother to tell you to leave even when it was way past his closing time and there were numerous missed calls from his friends for their new year party. leaves for a split second to stick a happy new year note on your shoes because baby can't bring himself to say it to your face, it doesn't help that you're super pretty and that he's shy as fuck.

he's super disappointed in himself for letting you leave like that, that day. cursing himself for being an introvert every day that goes by and he doesn't see you again.

when you visit again the next weekend he's so elated he can't describe it in words, he offers you an on the house drink, something he wouldn't have ever done for anyone, you just happen to be a special someone he's fallen for at first sight and every other glance. he's whipped and he's down bad but he's a loser and he can't approach you especially after coming across a video of you performing at an award show and realising you're an idol.

though not fully satisfied he's content to see a sight of you others don't know about, including moments of you napping surrounded by cats you love. he can see you go there for your alone time so he chooses not to disturb you "i hope we can be friends someday," his note says, the one he leaves on your table the day he gathers enough courage.

𝐍𝐈𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐌𝐔𝐑𝐀 𝐑𝐈𝐊𝐈

the one who happens to be right across the door, bumping into you just at the right time all the damn time. there's been a lot of times riki is running late for things. once again he's late opening. his door in a hurry so does someone else right on the other side both bumping into each other. you look up for a split second before rushing back inside and closing the door on his face. he's flabbergasted but he's also so captivated. was such a pretty girl always living next door to him? or did the moving trucks he saw yesterday were yours?

the door opens again as you peek out slightly closing it shut again when you see him still standing there, are you shy? he wonders just then the door opens again and this time there's another girl stepping out with you trailing behind with your head down, a cap and mask on.

he recognises the other girl, saw her appear on one of the variety show he watches regularly and then realizes you must be an idol, "it suits her," he thinks out loud slapping a hand on his mouth when you turn to look back with eyes. shit. the next day he bumps into you again and then again the next day and also the day after. and with each time you seem to scurry away faster than before.

normally he wouldn't care at all but he's honestly been so bewitched by you since the moment he saw you he can't stop thinking about you, searching up your videos and watching you constantly.

"wait!" he tries to stop you once but you look at him weird and run off so quick he's baffled, worried he scares you too much. he didn't even do anything though?

"hey, just wanted to let you know i don't mean any harm, just wanted to introduce myself and maybe be friends? i know you're an idol but it doesn't matter to me, i won't snitch or anything if that's what you're scared about. xoxo, your next door neighbour, riki." he waits behind his door and slips the note from under after noticing you walk out of yours from the peephole. "hey," he steps out when you smile reading it.

TAGLIST ( open. ) @kangseulgithegreat @s00buwu @luvyev @pockyyasii @nctislifue @ashtxrie

[triggerblaze345]

https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/news/new-fund-help-wildlife-trusts-restore-rainforests-britain

[endlich-allein]

Now boarding: The Rammstein Europe Stadium Tour 2024! Tickets go on sale exclusively for LIFAD members on Monday, October 16 at 11:00 CEST. General pre-sale begins Wednesday, October 18 at 11:00 CEST at rammstein.com/tickets

Rammstein Europe Stadium Tour 2024

11.05.2024 Czechia, Prague, Airport Letňany

15.05.2024 Germany, Dresden, Rinne (Open Air Gelände an der Messe)

16.05.2024 Germany, Dresden, Rinne (Open Air Gelände an der Messe)

24.05.2024 Serbia, Belgrade, Ušće Park

30.05.2024 Greece, Athens

05.06.2024 Spain, San Sebastián, Estadio Anoeta

08.06.2024 France, Marseille, Orange Vélodrome

11.06.2024 Spain, Barcelona, Estadi Olímpic

15.06.2024 France, Lyon, Groupama Stadium

18.06.2024 The Netherlands, Nijmegen, Goffertpark

23.06.2024 Ireland, Dublin, RDS Arena

27.06.2024 Belgium, Ostend, Park Nieuwe Koers

05.07.2024 Denmark, Copenhagen, Valby Parken

17.07.2024 Austria, Klagenfurt, Wörthersee Stadion

18.07.2024 Austria, Klagenfurt, Wörthersee Stadion

21.07.2024 Italy, Reggio Emilia, RCF Arena (Campovolo)

26.07.2024 Germany, Gelsenkirchen, Veltins-Arena

27.07.2024 Germany, Gelsenkirchen, Veltins-Arena

[tripcraft24]

Mastering European Travel: A Complete Planning Guide

Europe is a dream destination for many travelers, offering a rich blend of history, diverse cultures, stunning landscapes, and culinary delights. Whether you’re planning to explore the romantic streets of Paris, wander through the ancient ruins of Rome, or hike the rugged Scottish Highlands, there’s something for everyone on this continent. However, to make the most of your European adventure, planning is key. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know to master European travel, from budgeting and transportation to must-visit destinations and cultural tips.

1. Choosing Your European Destinations

Europe is vast, with over 40 countries to explore, each offering a unique experience. Depending on the length of your trip and your interests, you may want to focus on specific regions or cities.

Popular Regions to Consider:

Western Europe: France, Germany, Spain, the UK, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

Southern Europe: Italy, Greece, Portugal, and Croatia.

Eastern Europe: Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic, and Romania.

Northern Europe: Scandinavia (Denmark, Sweden, Norway), and Finland.

Central Europe: Austria, Switzerland, and Slovakia.

Key Considerations for Choosing Destinations:

Your Interests: Do you love art, architecture, history, nature, or food? Different cities and regions specialize in different experiences. Paris is perfect for art lovers, while history buffs may prefer Athens or Rome.

Budget: Northern and Western Europe tend to be more expensive, while Eastern and Southern Europe can offer more budget-friendly options.

Travel Seasons: Consider the time of year. Summer is popular but crowded, while winter can offer cheaper rates and a more authentic local experience (though weather may be an issue in some regions).

2. Setting a Travel Budget

Travel in Europe can range from affordable to luxurious depending on your choices for accommodation, dining, and activities. Here’s a breakdown of what you should consider while budgeting:

Accommodation

Hostels: Ideal for solo travelers or those on a budget. Many hostels in Europe are clean, safe, and offer private rooms as well.

Airbnb & Vacation Rentals: A great option for couples or families wanting more space and kitchen facilities.

Hotels: Mid-range hotels offer comfort without breaking the bank, while luxury travelers can indulge in Europe’s many five-star hotels.

Budget Tip: Look into staying in less-touristy areas or smaller towns outside major cities, where accommodation tends to be cheaper.

Transportation

Flights: Europe is connected by an extensive network of budget airlines (like Ryanair, EasyJet), but be mindful of extra baggage fees and airport locations, which can be far from city centers.

Trains: The European rail system is world-class, especially for intercity and regional travel. Consider a Eurail pass if you plan to visit multiple countries by train.

Buses: Companies like FlixBus offer affordable and extensive bus routes throughout Europe, a great option for budget travelers.

Car Rentals: If you plan to explore rural areas or smaller towns, renting a car might be the best option. However, parking in cities can be expensive and difficult.

Dining & Food

Street Food & Markets: Many European cities have excellent street food and local markets where you can sample delicious, authentic dishes at a fraction of the cost of dining in restaurants.

Cafés & Casual Dining: Lunch specials or “prix fixe” menus often provide good value for money.

Fine Dining: If you’re a foodie, Europe boasts some of the world’s best Michelin-star restaurants, but these will increase your food budget.

Activities & Sightseeing

Free Attractions: Many European cities have free attractions, such as parks, historical landmarks, and even museums on certain days of the week.

City Passes: Consider purchasing city passes (e.g., Paris Pass, Rome Card) that provide free or discounted entry to top attractions, as well as free public transportation.

Tours: Guided tours can be a great way to learn about a destination, but opt for group tours if you’re looking to save money.

3. Planning Your Transportation Around Europe

Getting around Europe is relatively easy thanks to its well-developed infrastructure. Here’s a breakdown of the main options:

Flights

Budget Airlines: Low-cost carriers such as Ryanair, Wizz Air, and EasyJet make it easy to hop between major European cities. Keep an eye out for flash sales and be mindful of hidden fees, such as those for checked luggage.

Major Airlines: For longer flights or transatlantic travel, consider full-service airlines like British Airways, Lufthansa, or Air France, which often offer more comfortable experiences.

Trains

Europe’s train system is one of the best in the world, making it easy to travel between countries and cities. Countries like Switzerland, France, and Germany have high-speed trains, while others, like Italy and Spain, also offer scenic routes.

Eurail Pass: If you’re planning to visit multiple countries, consider purchasing a Eurail pass, which offers unlimited train travel within a set period (e.g., 7 days, 1 month). This can be a cost-effective way to explore Europe, especially if you're covering long distances.

Buses

FlixBus & Eurolines: For budget travelers, buses are an affordable way to get around. They’re slower than trains but can be a great option for night travel, saving you both time and the cost of accommodation for a night.

Car Rentals

If you plan to explore remote or rural areas, renting a car can offer flexibility. However, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the local driving rules and road signs in each country, as they can vary significantly.

Public Transportation

Most European cities have excellent public transport systems, including buses, trams, and metros. You can buy day passes or city cards that offer unlimited travel for a set period. In cities like Paris, London, and Berlin, public transport is often faster and more convenient than driving.

4. Travel Tips for a Smooth European Experience

Understanding Schengen Zone Rules

Most of Europe is part of the Schengen Zone, which allows for visa-free travel between member countries for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. If you're visiting non-Schengen countries (e.g., the UK, Ireland, Romania), you'll need to check specific entry requirements. Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months after your return date.

Learning Basic Phrases

While English is widely spoken in many European countries, especially in tourist areas, learning a few basic phrases in the local language (hello, please, thank you) can go a long way in enhancing your experience and showing respect for the local culture.

Currency & Payments

Currency: The Euro is used by 19 of the 27 EU member countries, while others like the UK, Switzerland, and Scandinavian countries have their own currencies.

ATMs & Cards: Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, but it’s always a good idea to carry some cash, especially in smaller towns or rural areas where card payments may not be accepted.

Packing Tips

Pack Light: Europe’s cobblestone streets, narrow alleyways, and public transport systems can make it difficult to manage heavy luggage. Stick to a carry-on if possible.

Adapters: Europe uses different electrical outlets than the US or UK, so make sure to pack a universal adapter.

Safety & Travel Insurance

Europe is generally a very safe destination for travelers. However, it’s always a good idea to stay aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded areas where pickpocketing can be common.

Travel Insurance: Make sure to get travel insurance that covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and lost luggage.

5. Must-See European Cities and Experiences

While every traveler’s preferences will differ, here are some can’t-miss cities and experiences:

Paris, France

Highlights: The Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and charming neighborhoods like Montmartre.

Tip: Visit in the early morning or late evening to avoid crowds at popular sites like the Eiffel Tower.

Rome, Italy

Highlights: The Colosseum, Vatican City, Roman Forum, and the delicious Italian cuisine.

Tip: Book your Vatican tickets in advance to skip the long lines.

Prague, Czech Republic

Highlights: The Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, Old Town Square, and the famous Astronomical Clock.

Tip: Visit during the shoulder season (spring or fall) to enjoy fewer crowds and milder weather.

Barcelona, Spain

Highlights: The architectural wonders of Antoni Gaudí, including the Sagrada Família and Park Güell, and the lively Las Ramblas.

Tip: Try to catch a local flamenco performance for a taste of Spanish culture.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Highlights: The Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum, and a boat ride through the iconic canals.

Tip: Rent a bike to explore the city like a local.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Highlights: Edinburgh Castle, Arthur's Seat, and the historic Royal Mile.

Tip: Visit during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August for a world-class arts festival.

Conclusion

Mastering European travel requires a mix of careful planning and the willingness to embrace spontaneous adventures. By setting a clear budget, choosing the right transportation, and familiarizing yourself with the regions and cultures of Europe, you’ll be well on your way to a memorable and stress-free journey. Europe’s rich history, vibrant cities, and breathtaking landscapes offer endless opportunities for exploration.

[nastyavolk-cp]

Little Owl - Yandere Platonic Athena x "Reader" (Part 2/3)

Read the first part here and part three here

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[ January 14, 2023 ]

Alexia helped her mother to put as many things as they could in the suitcases, wrapping a few valuables that belonged to Alexia's maternal grandparents in a single suitcase and so the two managed to vacate the simple apartment and were also able to sell it in time the furniture, cutlery, Alexia's books etc for some of her mother's acquaintances.

Even though in the nick of time, Alexia and her mother succeeded in their mission, all that was left was to go to the airport and catch a plane to Cluj-Napoca, where her father would be waiting for them. Alexia managed to store all her clothes and shoes in the large suitcase while in the backpack she stored her computer and personal things, as well as three books that she was very fond of. Of course, she was also carrying the Percy Jackson book.

So mother and daughter took the taxi to the airport, Alexia the whole time looked at the window, exchanged a few words with her mother and as soon as she got tired of looking at the window she took her cell phone out of her bag and her headphones. She puts on Spotify the song 'Dust and Gold' by the band Arrows to Athens, a song she had recently become addicted to.

After a long time, the two finally arrived at the airport. As soon as they took the bags from the taxi, the two went to the check-in counter, managed to get the tickets and dispatch the bags, passed through the x-ray and finally they were going towards the boarding gate. As soon as they got close to the boarding gate, they took the seats next to each other. It was around 11 am and the two were hungry, so Ekaterini decided to go to the cafeteria to get something for them to eat, asking Alexia to take care of the hand luggage.

Alexia took Percy Jackson's book out of her backpack and went back to where she had left off. As she was reading, out of the corner of her eye she saw a female silhouette standing in front of her. Thinking it was her mother, Alexia looked up but to her surprise it was the same woman she had been talking to in the park a while ago.

“Hello, Alexia, we met again.” The woman said as she held a small suitcase. The woman was quite tall, even by Alexia's standards which she was 1.52 cm, she had olive skin, light eyes and very straight black hair. And she wore a formal outfit, a beige shirt with a high collar, a blazer and black pants.

“Hi, how do you still remember me?” Alexia asks and the woman just shrugs and gives a small smile.

“Our meeting was… memorable, to be honest.” The woman answered, but there was something about her that Alexia knew was wrong. Alexia has never told anyone, apart from her parents, that she can read auras. And this woman, since the first time they met, didn't possess a human aura. Alexia thought that no way at the first time, but now that they are talking again she was 100% sure that this woman was far from being a human being. 

"What are you? And don't even think about saying you're human." Alexia asked after gathering enough courage, immediately the woman stared at Alexia with surprise but soon her shocked face changed to a devilish smile. Then the woman grabs Alexia's chin and just says.

"You are smarter than the rest. Find out for yourself.” Then the woman leaves with the same smile, that was enough to make Alexia very apprehensive. There was really something wrong with that woman and there was nothing good in her aura. And at the same moment that the woman disappeared from sight, Ekaterini returns with a bag of croissants and a bottle of water.The mother immediately senses something wrong with her daughter by her expression of disbelief.

“Did something happen, Sandra? Why are you making that face?” Ekaterini asked worriedly, Alexia stares at her as the woman sits down beside her daughter.

“Mom, do you remember when I was a kid I could spot bad people?” The girl asks and after a few seconds of thinking, Ekaterini nods but still doesn't understand what she's saying. “Just now, a woman approached me and I had seen her before in the park near our house. And when I met her, she exuded a strange aura that I didn't understand, but now in this reunion I'm sure she's not a human being.”

Ekaterini chewed on her croissant as she fixed her daughter with a look that Alexia herself could not decipher. As soon as she swallowed what was in her mouth, her mother said a little worried.

“Honey, are you sure about this? Isn't it just your impression?” Ekaterini knew very well that Alexia wasn’t into lying, however that made the woman very apprehensive and worried. Alexia instantly regretted having mentioned this, but she chose not to go into more detail about this story of gods and decided to eat the croissants her mother had brought and also drink some water.

The subject quickly died down and was dropped for several minutes until their flight was announced and they went to join the boarding line. After a long wait, mother and daughter finally board the plane. Alexia sits in the seat next to the window, from which she could clearly see the runway and also see the cloudy weather.

Alexia leaned her head against the inner wall of the plane, just waiting for them to fly away and she could see Athens from above. The girl wondered how the God Helios felt seeing the polis while he pulled his solar chariot, but she had no doubt that it would indeed be a very beautiful and breathtaking sight.

After all the passengers boarded and the stewardesses gave the boarding instructions, the plane finally started to move and it didn't take long for it to start the flight. Alexia followed everything from the window until finally they reached the air and the girl watched Athens shrink in size as the plane reached higher altitude.

After a few minutes all Alexia could see was just the dense clouds which started to block her view of the cities, for some reason Alexia started to feel sleepy and before she could even speak to her mother, the girl felt her eyes widen. closing after much resistance she surrendered to sleep.

→→→✦←←←

Alexia's eyes slowly opened and she found herself in a familiar place, it was the same temple she had dreamed of the other time. It hadn't changed a bit, the only difference being that in front of her was a giant owl, almost the size of an adult, sitting on the marble throne.

“Miss Romanescu. I have to say it's a great honor to be able to meet you.” The owl said and Alexia stared at the bird in shock. The girl had never dreamed of talking to animals and this is the first time she is lucidly dreaming that a giant owl is talking to her.

"Who are you?" Alexia asks and the owl stares at her with its huge black eyes. It was surprised by the fact that someone asked for its name.

“My name matters little, little mortal. I'm just here to give you a warning.” The owl responds by avoiding Alexia's question, but immediately the girl is curious about what the owl would warn her about.

“And what is it about?” The girl asks curiously.

The owl leans forward to face the girl closely, then responds.

“As you are so wise, there is more to you than just being a mere mortal, little one.”

Alexia got lost in the owl's words, she had no idea what this talkative being was trying to tell her.

“I'm sorry, but can you be more straightforward? I kind of don't understand what's going on." The Greek asked and the being maintained its majesty while she answered.

“Your eyes see a lot, but there are things you still cannot understand. It doesn't matter - the first piece of the puzzle fell into place. Soon, you will understand your fate.” The girl instantly regrets having asked because the more she tried to decipher what the owl was saying, she was more and more lost just like Percy Jackson when finding out about the Greek gods.

“Am I part of a prophecy or something? Like, those prophecies the gods make for a reason.” That might not be the answer, but it was good to at least try.

“Use your eyes, little mortal. They can see more than you let them to. You shall know me...when you are set in your place.”

This dream is getting too weird, she had the impression that she was Alice and that giant owl was the Cheshire Cat because instead of getting answers, she just got new questions.

“And why am I even talking to you?” It wasn't quite a question but Alexia couldn't deny that she felt extremely stressed about this dream and wanted to wake up at any moment, but her curiosity prevented her from trying.

"You met my mistress - a few times actually - and she wanted me to...inform you about the coming change." The owl said firmly, ignoring the girl's rhetorical question, and the answer caught the teenager's attention a lot.

"What do you mean change? And your mistress... wait... Athena...?” The penny had finally fallen on Alexia, if she goes by the logic of Greek mythology, the only deity that has owls as her symbol and is also the one who is attracted to wisdom and knowledge, there was no mistaking that it was the Goddess Athena during that time. So that means.

..

"There it is - The Spark of Wisdom within you." The owl says in a tone in which it sounded that she was proud that Alexia had finally understood the situation she was in.

“Wait… so that woman I met in the park and who was just at the airport, was she Athena all this time??!!” Alexia was in an absurd state of bewilderment. It was surreal that the strange things that had happened to her were because she had met the Goddess Athena in person!

“Yes, Little Owlet. The Goddess Athena has seen a glow for you and you must take her place at her side.” Once again the teenager stared at the owl with a look of shock and doubt, why would Athena want her, a mere mortal, to stay by her side? There was no logic in what the owl told her.

"What do you mean by that? Why does she want me?” The simple fact that the Goddess of Wisdom herself wanted her by her side was unknown in Alexia's mind. Instead of answering, the owl just says, in a calm tone:

“That's up for you to find out - Little Owlet. Now, it's time for you to wake up."

“No, WAIT━” Before Alexia could ask one more question, her world began to darken and the owl was out of sight. Then Alexia would hear someone call her name several times and she knew she needed to wake up right away.

→→→✦←←←

“Alexandra, wake up.” Ekaterini nudged her harder, this time causing Alexia to wake up at once. The Greek girl rubbed her eyes and glared at her mother, who immediately said: “We're about to land, honey. You fell asleep the whole trip, did you have a good sleep?”

Alexia immediately considered whether she should tell her mother about her eccentric lucid dream, but chose not to say anything and pretend she didn't remember.

“I don't remember exactly, but it was okay, I think.” Alexia answered and Ekaterini didn't ask any more questions. The girl looked out the window and saw that the plane was already flying over Cluj-Napoca and that, unlike Athens, the day was sunny and radiant and it was almost 2 o'clock in the afternoon.

It didn't take long for the plane to finally land on the runway and after almost an eternity, Alexia and her mother got off the plane, picked up their luggage and went smoothly through customs. As soon as they cleared customs and arrived at the airport lobby, they could immediately spot Darius, who was holding a white sign reading “Welcome, Ekaterini and Alexandra” in Greek and with the Romanian and Greek flags drawn on it and with several hearts on it. From Alexia's perspective, there was no man who loved his family as much as her father.

“How far have you come, I was so looking forward to seeing you again.” Darius says as he pulls Ekaterini into a passionate kiss, then he pulls his teenage daughter into a tight hug and then plants a kiss on her head. “How was the trip to get here?”

“Everything went well, only our little Alexandra decided to take a nap during the whole trip.” Ekaterini says with a smile and Darius gives his daughter a mischievous look.

“Is that true, Alexandra?” When Alexia was a child, she couldn't tell if her father was serious or goofy when he called her by her full name. The truth is that her name is a tribute to an uncle of Darius who had died when her father was still a child and they used to be very close. When Ekaterini found out she was pregnant, the name Alexandru or Alexander immediately echoed in their heads, but when they learned that Alexia was a girl, they both accepted that Alexandra was an ideal name for her.

'A name of a brave warrior.' That's what her parents said when she asked about her name. After the meeting between the three after almost a month without seeing each other physically, Darius guided the two to the car in which they accommodated their luggage and entered so that they could go to Grandma Bianca's house, or as Alexia calls her Bunicuţă, which means 'Granny' in Romanian.

Grandma Bianca lived in a region a little far from the city but where she could easily go by bus whenever she wanted and to anywhere. During the journey, Darius and Ekaterini exchanged flirtations and updated each other on banal everyday things. Alexia found it impressive that, even after 17 years of marriage and plus three years of dating, their love seemed to never change and that they had no eyes for anyone other than each other.

Alexia remembered very well how they had told her how they had met. In short, Ekaterini did an exchange in Romania for a whole year and there she met Darius when she was working at the university where he studied in Bucharest. It was as if the golden arrow of Eros had hit each other when they only stared at each other for a few seconds, Ekaterini swore that before her Darius was more beautiful than Adonis himself, white skin, a defined face with high cheekbones, straight black hair and the clearest eyes she's ever seen in her entire life. As for Darius, he saw himself before the beauty of Ekaterini, a woman with tanned skin, long dark brown hair that surpassed her hips and mesmerizing black eyes which changed the life of the Romanian man forever.

It didn't take long for them to get to know each other better and start dating. Even though Ekaterini was Greek and she had to go back to Greece, he swore that even from a distance he would still love her and that he would never leave her for another woman. After a couple more years of just texting, a few visits and never thinking about other people, Darius decided that as soon as he graduated, he was going to move to Greece so they could be together. Said and done, as soon as he graduated he went to Greece and after a while they got married. And of course, they had Alexia after a while.

Ekaterini and Darius firmly believed that it was fate and that they were soulmates, as much as Alexia didn't really believe it, she couldn't disagree that her parents' love story was romantic and worthy of a Hollywood movie. But as soon as she stopped thinking about it, something came to mind, it was a feeling that something was following her. Alexia looked out the window but saw nothing and suddenly the conversation she had with the owl in her dream came to haunt her.

Apparently the woman Alexia talked to on both occasions in the park and at the airport was none other than the Goddess Athena herself. Of course it wouldn't make any sense, but Alexia was able to read people's auras and that woman wasn't human at all, so the theory that this woman is a goddess is not her madness or delusion.

'You shouldn't think so badly of me.' A familiar voice echoed in her head, Alexia almost jumped out of her seat in fright and looked around, there was only her and her parents in the car and the two were distracted talking to each other. Immediately Alexia responds in her head without vocalizing.

'What do you want from me, Lady Athena?'

'You, what more would I want?' The goddess answered Alexia's question wryly, as if what she wanted was the obvious one that the girl shouldn't be asking about.

'Why? Why me?' Alexia questions, but just as Athena was about to respond, Darius immediately calls out to her and takes the focus away from Alexia.

“Honey, what's on your mind? You are very quiet.” Darius asks his daughter with a worried tone. The girl immediately becomes embarrassed and begins to think about how to answer her father.

“Well, I'm kind of anxious because I'm going to start school in the middle of the semester and most likely I'll be the only foreigner in the classroom…” Of course, that was just a lame excuse for her not to make her parents suspicious. Apparently, Darius has fallen for his lie and through the rear view mirror he gives his daughter an encouraging smile.

“Don't worry dear, I'm sure you won't have a problem with that. I always suspected you were more Romanian than Greek after all.” That last sentence was to provoke her mother, who gave her husband a light elbow. 

And finally they had arrived at Grandma Bianca's house. Darius stops the car in front of the gate and gets out of the car to open it, as soon as the gate is opened the Romanian man returns to his car and he parks the car in the garage. The entire family gets out of the car and as Darius goes back to close the gate, the two women get their luggage out of the car. In a matter of minutes, Bianca appears at the front door with a huge smile showing all her teeth, it had been almost 3 years since they had seen each other due to the pandemic and Bianca was now finally able to receive her daughter-in-law and granddaughter with all the affection and love as she always did when they came to her house.

“Bunicuţă!” Alexia exclaimed when she saw the lady, Bianca immediately wrapped her youngest granddaughter in a tight and happy hug, finally being able to hug her after so long without seeing each other.

“Oh Alexandra, now I wonder who you look like. Darius or dear Ekaterini?” Grandmother Bianca says and immediately Darius and Ekaterini discuss amicably who Alexia resembled the most, although Bianca always saw Alexia similar to her brother, Alexandru, in terms of personality and sometimes when she looked at her when she was little there was no doubts that Alexia was very similar to Bianca's deceased brother.

After the emotional meeting, the family gathers at the dinner table to have lunch and then clean things up. Grandma Bianca made the best food in Alexia's opinion and for this lunch she made cabbage rolls with polenta, something Alexia had loved since she was a child and Ekaterini couldn't stop loving it either.

After lunch, Alexia pulled her own suitcase and backpack to pack her things in her room. The room in question was one in which there were two bunk beds, because in total there are 4 grandchildren, including Alexandra who is the youngest of them.

Once Alexia managed to arrange her clothes in the dresser and adjust her personal belongings, she finally rested and lay down on the bottom bunk of one of the bunks. Alexia faced the orthodox cross that was above the entrance door of the room and even though she was not religious, she started to say a prayer but was stopped by Athena who said:  

'It won't save you, nothing will keep me from you, Alexandra. You will be mine.' Alexia immediately froze and fear gripped her body.

"Leave me alone." The girl pleaded in a frightened tone, but she heard the goddess chuckle softly inside her mind.

'No, honey. I don't think I will.' The goddess of wisdom replied and that only added to Alexia feeling panic rising and her heart pounding painfully inside her ribcage.

“I won't let you get me, I won't.” Alexia said trying to gain courage and confidence, but instead she felt fear and more fear.

‘My dear... What makes you think you can stop me? Regardless of your wisdom, you are human and don't stand a chance against a goddess. Just make it easy for yourself and give yourself to me.'

Athena's voice irritated her, especially after hearing such nonsense. Immediately, Alexia gritted her teeth and whispered angrily.

"Go to hell!"

'I'll fix your language.' Athena says in a typical mother's lecture, but Alexia was not satisfied.

"I'd rather go to Tartarus than stay with you." She had no idea how she gained such sudden courage, but she knew it would have consequences, however she earned a snarky laugh from the Goddess of Wisdom.

'Don't let Hades hear you say that, Little Owlet.'

"Why me?"

'You'll find out in a week. Enjoy your time with your mortal family while you still have it.' That sentence was enough to shatter Alexia's confidence and make her blood run cold in an instant.

"I hate you." She said without thinking, it took a few seconds for Athena to respond but instead of being angry, she sounded calm and even confident.

'We’ll see about that, Alexandra.'

[schrijverr]

Page 200-201

[Both page 200 and 201 have six photographs on them. On page 200 the upper left one is of Eddie in a red phone booth, behind him is the Big Ben. He has sunglasses on and a hat in which he is hiding his hair along with bright tourist-y clothes. He is smiling excitedly.]

Calling Steve from London

Gareth Smith, 1994

.

[Next to it is a photograph of Eddie on the phone in a pub. There is a beer in his hand and behind him is a bar of people drinking and laughing. They had managed to sneak out and not be recognized, since a folk band is playing and drew a different crowd than they do.]

Calling Steve from Dublin

Jeff Parks, 1994

.

[The upper photograph most on the right is of Eddie in an airport as he happily talks into the phone. Behind him are Chris and Jeff glaring at the paparazzi that is being held back by security, while Eddie is oblivious.]

Calling Steve from Amsterdam

Gareth Smith, 1994

.

[Below that on the most left is a photograph of Eddie at a payphone again in disguise as he talks excitedly on the phone. He is now imitating Manneken Pis even if the person on the other side of the phone can’t see him.]

Calling Steve from Brussels

Chris Turner, 1994

.

[Next to it is a photograph of Eddie in a hotel room. He is sitting in the windowsill, leaning against it as he looks over the Paris skyline while chewing on a toothpick. He looks a bit melancholic and wistful as he listens to what is being said to him over the phone]

Calling Steve from Paris

Gareth Smith, 1994

.

[The most right is a photograph of Eddie at a gas station somewhere in the middle of nowhere, calling from a payphone with the tour bus behind him. The Corroded Coffin logo is splashed across it and a group in the background is pointing at him, but he seems oblivious as he happily talks into the phone.]

Calling Steve from the Road

Jeff Parks, 1994

.

[The upper left photograph on page 201 is of Eddie next to the Spanish Steps while on the phone in disguise. A fair of sorts is going on on at the square in the background that Eddie points to, despite not being seen. There is a lollipop in the hand he’s gesturing with, while Chris leans against the wall next to him as he smokes.]

Calling Steve from Rome

Gareth Smith, 1994

.

[In the middle is a photograph is of Eddie with big eyes as he watches the Acropolis. However, despite his awe, there is a payphone tucked between his shoulder and ear. He is describing the sight to the person on the other side.]

Calling Steve from Athens

Jeff Parks, 1994

.

[To the upper right, there is a photograph of Eddie in Berlin, the wall had only fallen a little over three years ago and many remnants are still upright. Eddie is in front of one of those, calling home, as the graffiti behind him asks to be reunited with loved ones, being allowed to go home. Eddie himself looks a little anguished yet relieved as he hears the other person talk over the phone.]

Calling Steve from Berlin

Chris Turner, 1994

.

[The lower most left photograph is of Eddie in full stage makeup, having big dramatic eyeliner around his eyes and his hair teased to all hell. He is in a leather vest that is hanging open to reveal a mesh shirt through which all his scars and tattoos can be seen, leather pants and high boots with straps and buckles. He looks like he is about to step on the stage, but he is still on the phone, twirling the telephone cord with a shy grin. Gareth in a leather harness is facepalming behind him.]

Calling Steve from Budapest

Jeff Parks, 1994

.

[Next to it is a photograph of a hotel room, out of the window one can see the colorful houses of Copenhagen, however, the cheery atmosphere does not reach the room. Eddie is on the bed, while on the phone, crying. Chris is next to him on the bed, an arm wrapped around him, so Eddie can get comfort by burrowing into his side. Jeff is sitting on the other side of Eddie, handing him a sweater that belongs to Steve.]

Calling Steve from Copenhagen

Gareth Smith, 1994

.

[On the furthest right is a photograph of Eddie calling from another airport. This time they haven’t been spotted. He is dressed in sweatpants and his own merch with messy hair. His face is split in two as he talks. They’re about to get on the flight home.]

Calling Steve from Stockholm

Gareth Smith, 1994

~~

<<Prev Next>> AO3

[redsbrainrot]

An extremely controversial ranking of Mariokart 8’s 95 courses.

I know there’s 96 but I’ve missed one and can’t figure out for the life of me which one it was. Please help.

Wii rainbow road - nostalgic banger, made easier in this game tho

3DS rainbow road - fucking beautiful, was my number 1 but wii just had a special place in my heart

Big blue - a masterpiece

Mount wario - another masterpiece

Coconut mall - let down by its remakes but still a classic

Maple treeway - pumpkin spice latte

Waluigi stadium - it’s fucking waluigi stadium

Daisy circuit - a beautiful and classic course

Sunshine airport - the star cup in 8 is just the best cup

DK’s snowboard cross - prefer Wii’s but I still love it nonetheless

Waluigi pinball - DS had me in a chokehold

Daisy cruiser - mesmerising

Squeaky clean spirit - probably the best new course out the whole pack

Bowser’s castle 3 - simple but fucking amazing

Bowser’s castle - a banger

Mute city - speed

DK mountain - why are the turns harder to pull off in 8

Peach gardens - was my favourite as a 6 year old

Excitebike arena - carnage

DK Jungle - the great banana

Dolphin shoals - George Michael

Electrodrome - boing

Singapore speedway - shiny

Moonview highway - wii nostalgia

Merry mountain - um overhated it’s fucking Xmas themed

Wario stadium - again, loved it on DS and 8 did it justice as a remake

Koopa cape - the most butchered wii remake

Rosalina’s ice world - SUPER OVERHATED IDC I LOVE IT THE MUSIC WAS BEAUTIFUL IN 8 DEFINITELY A STEP UP FROM 3DS SUCK MY DICK

Royal raceway - pretty pink

Yoshi valley - playing this with noobs is the best

Melody motorway - 3DS nostalgia

Grumble volcano - meh

Mushroom gorge - best on wii

64 rainbow road - meh, still fun

Wario’s goldmine - prefer it on 8 cause wii was just rage inducing

SNES rainbow road - shroom high

Shy guy falls - mew woosh

Kalimari desert - meh

Piranha plant cove - ooh pretty :0

Hyrule Circuit - dun duuuun dun dun dun dun dun duuuuun

Cloudtop cruise - meh

Mario circuit - can’t even remember which one this was

Toad harbour - used to love it but now I get bored

Yoshi’s island - never played it so don’t really care

Boo lake - good remake

Tick tock clock - got bored of this one

Cheep cheep beach - loved it on DS

Vancouver velocity - music is alright

Mario kart stadium - boring

Ribbon road - pretty good (would swap rankings but I cba)

Rainbow Road 8 - I wanna like it but it’s just so meh

Moo moo meadows - fight me

Piranha plant pipeway - alright I guess

Baby park - mehhhhhhhh

Mario circuit DS - mehhhhhhhh

Alpine pass - done dirty

Sydney sprint - eh

Toad circuit - get fucked

Sweet sweet canyon - cool aesthetic lame ass gameplay

Paris promenade - alright

Choco mountain - overhyped

Thwomp ruins - not keen

Mario circuit - again I don’t know which one this is

Sherbet land - no

Snow land - no

Koopa city - I like the vibe but I hate it online

Animal crossing - mEh

Riverside park - a let down

Donut plains 3 - heheheheheb 69

Athens dash - alright

Bangkok rush - mEh

New York Minute - eh?

Berlin Byways - music is good but it’s boring

Tokyo blur - for Tokyo this sucks

Toad’s turnpike - womp womp

Water park - water who

Twisted mansion - just put luigi’s mansion in instead and we’ll all be happy

Madrid drive - this comes up like 50 times online and I hate it

Sunset wilds - boring

Dry dry desert - I hate the desert ones

Ice ice outpost - wouldn’t pick it

Super bell subway - liked it at first but it got old quickly

Wild woods - sick of it

Sky High Sunday - an eyesore

LA laps - not enough shit

Shroom bridge - had enough shit

Sky garden - let down

London loop - easy, boring

Rome avanti - the city tracks just flop huh

Ninja hideaway - I HATE IT I HA IT HATE IT

Mario circuit 3 - why is this in every game

Amsterdam drift - I hate the dutch

Dragon driftway - I cant stand it

Bone dry dunes - worst track ever

Cheeseland - wait no, this is. I hate cheese land. It makes me feel sick. I’m lactose intolerant but I love cheese. But I hate cheese land. Whenever anyone picks it I officially hate them as much as I hate this course. Kill it. Burn it. Erase it. Get rid of it.

[mishika-1612]

The Ellinikon Masterplan seeks to create a new vision for the future of Mediterranean coastal development in Greece. It takes a restorative approach to the management and design of existing natural and built resources to breathe life into the Athenian coastline. It establishes a new paradigm for integrated and sustainable living, transforming the site of a former airport into a vibrant district. It will feature several diverse neighbourhoods that bring together residential, shopping, working, leisure, entertainment and cultural activities around the largest coastal park in Europe.

The site lies close to the heart of the city on the Athenian Riviera and is serviced by metro and tram lines. The restorative approach of the masterplan builds on the history of the site and enables the repurposing of existing infrastructure. It seeks to transform the site into a polycentric district of several walkable and mixed-use neighbourhoods that benefit from their proximity to the Aegean Sea and the large metropolitan park. Each neighbourhood is self-sustaining and integrated with the urban fabric via a series of green pedestrian connections. A smooth transition in building form and height allows for compatibility with the existing vernacular. 50 percent of the area of each neighbourhood will be given back to local communities as social infrastructure and welfare or cultural facilities, paving the way for commercial development with unprecedented social and cultural value.

The design introduces a new standard of sustainable living, integrated with nature. The metropolitan park will increase the allocation of open space per Athenian resident by 44%, playing an integral role in the greening the city. The design is optimised in terms of views and orientation, transport links, environmental and social impact, and integration with local communities. The masterplan also seeks to reconnect the city with the sea by creating subterranean connections tunnelling under the main avenue that currently traverses the site. The masterplan is enabled for smart applications, aiming at delivering an innovative and future-proof framework for the future growth of Athens.

Situated at the heart of the masterplan site, Marina Tower embodies its core principles to create a sustainable exemplar for contemporary living. The design draws inspiration from the ecological and cultural elements of the Mediterranean landscape and from Athens’ vernacular architecture to create an innovative design approach. The tower’s massing has been designed from the inside out to celebrate its unique location, immersed in nature. All apartments have dual aspect and enjoy unobstructed panoramic views of the coastline and incorporate naturally ventilated interiors.

[jkanelis]

'Old country' beckons

In about three weeks, I am going to drive to a parking lot near Dallas-Fort Worth airport, park my truck and then get ready to board an airplane for a lengthy flight across the Atlantic Ocean. I will land eventually at Eleftherios Venizelos airport in Athens and will begin 10 days of total relaxation in my ancestral homeland. I will stay in a bed and breakfast place near the Acropolis. Then I…

[fivestarparking]

Convenient and Affordable Athens Airport Car Parking Services

Looking for reliable Athens Airport Car Parking Services? Discover 5 Stars Parking, your trusted choice for secure, affordable, and hassle-free parking near Athens International Airport. Our services include 24/7 security, valet parking, and convenient shuttle transfers, ensuring peace of mind during your travels.

With 5 Stars Parking, you enjoy competitive rates, long-term and short-term parking options, and excellent customer support. Located just minutes from the airport, our facility is designed to save you time and provide maximum convenience.

Book your spot today at https://5starsparking.gr/ and experience premium car parking near Athens Airport. We prioritize safety and comfort, offering a seamless parking experience for business and leisure travelers alike.

[brookstonalmanac]

Events 8.13 (after 1900)

1900 – The steamer Deutschland of Hamburg America Lines set a new record for the eastward passage when it docked on Plymouth, England, five days, 11 hours and 45 minutes after sailing from New York, breaking by three hours, six minutes its previous mark in its maiden voyage in July. 1905 – Norwegians vote to end the union with Sweden. 1906 – The all black infantrymen of the U.S. Army's 25th Infantry Regiment are accused of killing a white bartender and wounding a white police officer in Brownsville, Texas, despite exculpatory evidence; all are later dishonorably discharged. (Their records were later restored to reflect honorable discharges but there were no financial settlements.) 1913 – First production in the UK of stainless steel by Harry Brearley. 1918 – Women enlist in the United States Marine Corps for the first time. Opha May Johnson is the first woman to enlist. 1918 – Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW) established as a public company in Germany. 1920 – Polish–Soviet War: The Battle of Warsaw begins and will last till August 25. The Red Army is defeated. 1937 – Second Sino-Japanese War: The Battle of Shanghai begins. 1942 – Major General Eugene Reybold of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers authorizes the construction of facilities that would house the "Development of Substitute Materials" project, better known as the Manhattan Project. 1944 – World War II: German troops begin the pillage and razing of Anogeia in Crete that would continue until September 5. 1954 – Radio Pakistan broadcasts the "Qaumī Tarāna", the national anthem of Pakistan for the first time. 1960 – The Central African Republic declares independence from France. 1961 – Cold War: East Germany closes the border between the eastern and western sectors of Berlin to thwart its inhabitants' attempts to escape to the West, and construction of the Berlin Wall is started. The day is known as Barbed Wire Sunday. 1964 – Peter Allen and Gwynne Evans are hanged for the murder of John Alan West becoming the last people executed in the United Kingdom. 1967 – Two young women became the first fatal victims of grizzly bear attacks in the 57-year history of Montana's Glacier National Park in separate incidents. 1968 – Alexandros Panagoulis attempts to assassinate the Greek dictator Colonel Georgios Papadopoulos in Varkiza, Athens. 1969 – The Apollo 11 astronauts enjoy a ticker-tape parade in New York City. That evening, at a state dinner in Los Angeles, they are awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by U.S. President Richard Nixon. 1973 – Aviaco Flight 118 crashes on approach to A Coruña Airport in A Coruña, Spain, killing all 85 people on the plane and one other one the ground. 1977 – Members of the British National Front (NF) clash with anti-NF demonstrators in Lewisham, London, resulting in 214 arrests and at least 111 injuries. 1978 – One hundred fifty Palestinians in Beirut are killed in a terrorist attack during the second phase of the Lebanese Civil War. 1990 – A mainland Chinese fishing boat Min Ping Yu No. 5202 is hit by a Taiwanese naval vessel and sinks in a repatriation operation of mainland Chinese immigrants, resulting in 21 deaths. This is the second tragedy less than a month after Min Ping Yu No. 5540 incident. 2004 – One hundred fifty-six Congolese Tutsi refugees are massacred at the Gatumba refugee camp in Burundi. 2008 – Russo-Georgian War: Russian units occupy the Georgian city of Gori. 2015 – At least 76 people are killed and 212 others are wounded in a truck bombing in Baghdad, Iraq. 2014 – A Cessna Citation Excel crashes in Santos, São Paulo, Brazil killing all seven people aboard, including Brazilian Socialist Party presidential candidate Eduardo Campos. 2020 – Israel–United Arab Emirates relations are formally established.

[hello-there]

Communities are a new way to connect with the people on Tumblr who care about the things you care about! Browse Communities to find the perfect one for your interests or create a new one and invite your friends and mutuals!

[wetladss]

Day 40

We woke up and had a nice breakfast in town which consisted of coffee and croissants. We found Airbnb host advertise breakfast in there offers even though it is a very small meal. The town was a lot more lively with what looked like the all the retirees catching up for the morning and sitting on all the park benches. We chilled out for a bit and had a small walk before heading back to Naples on the train. We arrived and headed to the accommodation and checked our stuff in. We had some lunch then Thalia went off for pole and I did a home workout. Afterwards we got ragu takeaway. Delicious as always.

Day 41 - Athens

We woke up and had another croissant and coffee breakfast before catching a bus to the airport. Our flight got delayed a tad so we watched some avatar on the laptop before the plane arrived and we flew out to Greece. We arrived in Athens and it was really fucken hot. 42 degrees so we caught a taxi to our accommodation to avoid any walking in the heat. Once we settled in we explored the area. We had a Gyros which was cheap and really delicious. 3.50 euros for a feed. That marked the beginning of many. Athens was a pretty cool city. A lot of trendy restaurants and bars in the area we stayed in that was called Exarchia. After lunch we went back to the apartment to escape the midday heat. We did a workout and rested and then went out at night when it had slightly cooled off. Still mid 30s. We met up with a friend of Thalias for dinner. Seems to be Greeks like eating late as we had dinner around 9.30 and finished up at 11.30. Nice food.

Day 42 - Serifos

The next day we got up late and checked out just before lunch. We headed into the city and had some Greek yogurt and eggs for breakfast. The yogurt was really nice. We headed to Thalia's Greek office branch and were able to leave our bags there while we walked around and explored the area. Saw the acropolis for the first time which looked pretty epic and had another gyros. We had a look at the markets and then had another gyros before collecting our bags and heading off to catch a train to the ferry. The ferry ended up being one made by incat which was pretty cool to see. We then caught the 2ish hour ferry to the island. It was pretty nice area with a small town at the port and then a town on one of the hills/mountains that over looked it. Nice white building and had beaches either side of the town which was nice. We checked in to a lovely accommodation and got given a cold face towel which was nice coming from 30+ degrees with bags after walking up a hill. We then headed out for dinner and had a meal on the water front. It was ok food but a bit pricy. Afterwards we walked along the beach for sunset before heading back to the accommodation.

Day 43 -

Woke up for an awesome breakfast. Buffet with savory and sweets. Big bowl of yogurt fruit and peanut butter then some savouries to finish off. We then headed to the beach and relaxed there. It was hot but there were trees that grew in the sand that you could rest under which worked perfectly. There was also a beach restaurant where we got bacon, eggs and pancakes from during the day. The water was really nice to swim in and a perfect temperature. Refreshing and a little crisp but you didn’t get cold staying in it. We spent most of the day there and then got gyros for dinner and having another beach walk for sunset. We grabbed some donuts covered in honey and walnuts called loukoumades with ice cream on the way back which was delicious and checked out some of the yachts in the area that were docked. We then headed back to the accommodation and grabbed our swimmers and went for a sunset swim before heading back for the night.

Day 44

Same as yesterday, big breaky then off to the beach. Had gyros for lunch and then stayed at the beach again. Swimming, sleeping and reading. We then caught the bus up to the mountain town to have dinner and spend the night. It was a pretty epic little town nestled into the mountain. There was a church at the summit and they had squished in a town square just down from it. The colors were really nice as well. In the square there was a yellow restaurant and a blue restaurant. We had an ice cream and mojito at the blue one. There was also a wedding happening which was interesting to see happening in another church next to the town square. We then headed up to the top to watch the sun set and see the view of everything around. You get a good view of all the coastline and the port town below. After that we headed to a restaurant on the side of the mountain that overlooked the ocean which didn’t look like much on the inside but the food was incredible. Honey roast lamb, fennel pie and Greek salad. One of the best meals on the trip. We called it Thalias birthday dinner. We then walked back down to our accolades afterwards and surprisingly only took 30 minutes. Crashed after that walk as the next day we planned to walk up the hill for sunrise.

Day 45

We woke up just before 5 to start the walk up to the top of the mountain to see the sunrise. It was a bit of a mission and Thalia wanted to stop before we got to the top but we got there and it was a pretty epic. It was also a lot cooler than it was during the day which was nice even though we got pretty hot walking up. Nice walk between the old white building on the way up and caught a beautiful sunrise. We made it back to the hotel by 7 so we slept another hour and then had another delicious brekky. They let us have a late checkout so we headed to the beach and read our books and then showered before getting the ferry back to Athens. We had some takeaway gyros for lunch. We the planned to catch up with Thalias friend again but we were pretty exhausted so we had a nap. We got up and went into town, had a really good gelato and then found a cool little Mexican place with hand made tacos for dinner. Also frozen margaritas. Then off to bed.

Day 46

We got pancakes, eggs and bacon for brekky. Was delicious. Then we head to the ancient agora which Thalia was keen to do instead of the acropolis as she had been before. It was really cool and we did an audio tour that we found on Soundcloud which explained the ruins and got you to imagine Socrates, Plato and Aristotle living there and other interesting characters. We had a Greek lunch at a little restaurant near our Airbnb. On the way there we saw some guy shoot up and around the corner saw a lady peeing on a pillar, there were heaps of needles on the ground everywhere too. We found out Athens gives out free needles to avoid infections but it is pretty hectic. Not that the people seemed intimidating, just weird to see that so public but we did find out we where staying in a known dodgy area. We chilled for a while because it was still extremely hot. Thalia went to pole and I went up to the acropolis which was awesome. Pretty crazy overlooking the whole city and thinking how far it’s come but also a bit sad seeing it’s all worn down and a bit destroyed. Also got to see the London philharmonic orchestra doing their warm ups in the theatre below the acropolis which was pretty sick. We met up with Thalias friend, Iro, for dinner in a very pretty square full of restaurants. I got a gelato from nearby before dinner, then we had a spread of things to share. The lemon slow cooked beef was great. Thalia was really happy to see Iro again before leaving.

Day 47

I watched the tv show the boys while thalia went to her favourite cafe in Exarchia. I had started to feel a bit sick again which I think was due to the huge day yesterday and the hot dry air agitating my airways. She brought back some yoghurt , honey and walnuts and a spinach pastry for brekky. Then we head to a new hostel which was pretty cheap. We couldn’t check in yet so we just dumped our bags and head to a park to get some shade. We had to watch out laying in the grass because there were some needles. Then we went and got a delicious lunch - chicken in a creamy bacon sauce and a fig and cheese salad with an orange juice dressing. Thalia said this was her birthday lunch. We checked into the hotel and then Thalia went to poke while I watched the diplomat. We went out to a burger place and their menu had just two options, one or 2 patties and were really cheap. They were delicious. We got an early nights sleep because we had a pretty early flight to Berlin the next day.

[katarh-mest]

In Georgia it is awful. My city, Athens, is an hour east of Atlanta.

We have been begging for 30 years to have a short rail connection to the MARTA station 50 miles away in Doraville. It would let us get to the ATL airport without having to take a bus, car, or van. It would let us go to museums, the zoo and the aquarium, and to visit family and friends, without having to use a car. It would free up thousands of cars of traffic from people who commute along that corridor daily.

And the NIMBYs in Gwinnett county keep saying no.

The good news is we're now part of a long term high speed rail plan, finally, but this train line probably won't be built before I'm dead. (This particular line would also let me visit my in-laws in SC without having to use a car on I-85; they could pick us up at the Greenville-Spartanburg airport 5 miles from their house. It would be a bidirectional train for us from Athens at least twice a month, and that's not even touching on being able to go to Charlotte for a weekend!)

I want this so bad. The gas to get to Dunwoody Station (to take the train to the airport) in my car is about $30 round trip. The parking at Dunwoody station is $5 a day. MARTA from Dunwoody to the airport is $5 round trip, per person. So a weekend trip that involves a plane flight is at minimum $50 for two people by car, and goes up from there if we stay longer. That's the cheapest, most hassle option. There are more expensive, less hassle options (van ride to the airport for $120 round trip per person, or airport parking itself for $10/day minimum.)

NOT TO MENTION THAT I HAVE TO DRIVE ON I-85 AND/OR I-285 HELLSCAPES IN THE CURRENT CHEAP SCENARIOS.

If I could get a train ticket to the airport, round trip, for a reasonable rate ($50-75 per person would be swell for high speed) and it could get me there in about an hour, and I could avoid I-85 entirely, I'd pay it in a heartbeat.

I don't think people in the Northeast realize how bad the transit is outside the Northeast. Like let's say you live in Cincinnati and want to visit a friend in Louisville. These 2 cities are about 90 miles apart as the crow flys. Your only options are to drive, take one of 3 daily busses from Greyhound and Baron busses, or fly.

In comparison, if you wanted to get from Baltimore to Philadelphia which are about the same distance, you get 17 daily busses from Flixbus, Megabus, Greyhound, and Peterpan Busses as well as 36 amtraks

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[gkathleenk]

PANAMA

DAY ONE

Because of the time zone difference from Belize to Panama, I landed at 6:20 PM at the Tocumen International Airport located in the capital, Panama City, Panama. I chose to stay at La Cubana Hotel, located in the heart of Colón, Panama. After my flight, I drove the hour and 9 minutes to Colón, making it around 7:30 when I checked in. I wasn't planning on doing anything for the rest of the night, so I just went to bed. At La Cubana it is 29 Panamanian Balboa per night and since I'll be staying 2 nights, it will end up being 66. Panama Balboa is their currency, and it is equal to the US Dollar.

DAY TWO

I woke up around 10 and decided to get some lunch. I took an 11-minute walk to McDonald's to get some breakfast. I know, I know, eating at McDonald's in a country full of food from different cultures, but I was craving a Sausage Egg McMuffin. In Panama, the McMuffin costs 5.59 and a hash brown cost 3.89, making my total 9.48. When you compare to the price of the same items in the US (which is 6.81), you can see that the price in Panama is much higher. The reason for the higher prices is that it's more expensive to deliver the products used in the meal. The price of shipping has gone up in the past few years due to inflation.

After my familiar breakfast, I decided to travel to the Skatepark De Colón 6-minute drive away from the McDonald's. I've never skateboarded before, but I felt like it would be the best time to learn. The skate park has the ability for people to list themselves as a teacher of skating, no one has currently signed up, but the option is available. Skatepark De Colón features 24 different obstacles such as a quarter pipe, flat rail, mini ramp, stairs, a bowl, and others. I started my skateboard career by using the flat rail, which is a flat metal pole you jump on with your skateboard and ride across the top. It is all about balance, which I do not have, so I don't know why I would start with this. While grinding across the rail, I lost complete balance and fell straight onto my back. Even though I didn't break a bone, it wouldn't matter because public hospitals in Panama are almost free to everyone, including tourists. When I fell on my back, many people came up to ask if I was okay, even though I don't speak the countries main language of Spanish, I could still sense the friendliness and concern in their voices. Even though I was only at the skate park for a short amount of time, I decided to leave. I was filled with embarrassment and my back hurt like hell.

It was around 1 PM now, and since the climate in Panama is unbelievably hot, I decided to go indoors. Luckily, a 5-minute drive would lead me to the Colón 2000 Mall. Once I got in the mall, I started off at a gift shop, La Esquina, to buy souvenirs for my dad back home. I ended up not buying anything because the cheapest notebook was 72 Balboa and the cheapest candle was 85. After looking at the prices for a few items, I quickly realized that this was not the place for me, and I left. After La Esquina, I went to go get lunch in the mall. The restaurant I chose was Athen's Pizza. I ordered a Dyple Wrap which is a tortilla with feta, mozzarella, and my choice of chicken. I got papitasl al horno (baked potatoes) on the side, brining my total to 10 Balboa. Pretty cheap honestly for a good meal. After my wrap and potatoes, I decided I want some dessert to wash it all down. I headed over to More Amore, and I purchased a Cheesecake Maracuya (pictured below). Since maracuya translates to "passion fruit", I was very intrigued. I have never had passion fruit before, and if I'm being honest, I don't plan on getting it again. Not for me. I can see why someone would like cheesecake, but it did not sit well with my stomach and I needed to get back to the hotel immediately.

I drove that 4-minute drive as fast as I can to get back to my hotel room. I wasn't feeling sick at all, I just had the craziest stomach ache I've had in a while. Once in my room, I immediately fell asleep on my bed. By the time I woke up, it was 7 PM, and I completely slept through the complimentary dinner offered by La Cubana Hotel. The silver lining is that I would be able to appreciate the nightlife in Colón. Across the street from my hotel was NightClub La Flor, open 24 hours. Since I am only 17, I was not allowed entry as you have to be 18 to get in. Due to that rejection, I just walked around the city of Colón at night. I was very scared the entire time, and I regret not going back to my hotel early in the night. Even though Panama is one of the safest countries in Latin America, Colón is one of the most dangerous cities in Panama. There are extreme levels of crime from tourists and natives alike. While walking down the street, you will see drug deals along with street violence, but since Colón is a touristy city, most of it is hidden away from the public. Since it was getting later, and I have some driving to do tomorrow, I decided to start walking back to my hotel room around 9 PM.

DAY THREE

I woke up at 9 still feeling full from yesterday, so I decided not to eat breakfast. Today, before leaving to Panama City, I decided to visit the Park of Youthfulness located right on the coast. The Park of Youthfulness is just your average park located on the beach. After taking the 19-minute walk there, I started my time by joining a random group of people playing volleyball. Everyone in Panama is very friendly and welcoming. My team ended up winning the first game, so the other team demanded a rematch, but in basketball instead. My team absolutely failed at the game of basketball. After losing, I decided to quit the games and go swinging at one of the multiple playgrounds located in the Park of Youthfulness. After swinging for a bit, I sat by the coast and watched the water.

At noon, I decided it was time to leave Colón, and head to Panama City! I walked back to the La Cubana Hotel, packed up, and hit the road to my next hotel: The Westin Panama. For my room, I chose the deluxe guest room which cost me 259 Balboa a night, and since I will be staying 2 nights, it will be 518 Balboa. Pricey! I started my hour and 4-minute drive to The Westin Panama, and I got settled in around 1:40 PM. My first thought was to get lunch. I chose to stop at Restaurante Waikiki, which was a 9-minute drive from my new hotel. I purchased one of their specials, the Makai Burger. A burger featuring a potato bread with sea bass fillet and vegetables that cost me 7.75 Balboa. I tipped my waitress 2 Balboa, since that is the norm in Panama.

After lunch, I decided to check out the Kart Center Panama, which is a Go-Kart Track located in Panama City. It is a giant indoor and outdoor racing circle where you can race with random strangers. There are 3 different packages you can get: 1 ride (14 Balboa), 2 rides (25 Balboa), or the 3 rides (34 Balboa). I chose the 3 rides option.

It was around 6 PM when I finished Go-Karting and I decided it was time to head back to the hotel and get some sleep because I was absolutely winded from all the travelling today.

DAY FOUR

Today, I decided I wanted to learn some history on what made this country what it is today. I felt like taking an 8-minute drive to the historical landmark, Panamá Viejo. It cost 15 Balboa to get in. Made a World Heritage Site in 1997, the Panamá Viejo is the only remaining part of the original Panama City, destroyed in 1671.

In August 1519, Pedro Arias Dávila and 100 other people made a settlement in current day Panama City. This was the first ever permanent European settlement on the Pacific Ocean. In 1521, the settlement became a city and was given a coat of arms by the Archduke of Spain at the time. Fast-forward to 1563, Panama was facing a bunch of fires that were slowly destroying the small city that they were trying to build there. In the 17th century, the population took a boom to over 5,000. At that same time, the city started being attacked by pirates and earthquakes started to hit. The town had hit a struck of bad luck. In February 1644, one fire destroyed 83 different religious buildings. In January 1671, colonies of New Spain were getting aggressive and started attacking random countries around them to try and gain power. They set the original Panama City on fire and destroyed almost all the buildings, meaning that the remaining citizens would have to rebuild their town. From 1671 to now, only one building remained, and that is the Panamá Viejo.

I had a wonderful time visiting Panamá Viejo and learning about the fascinating backstory behind such a historical landmark.

After visiting the Viejo, I still had an itching to learn about the history of Panama. Which is why I decided to travel to the Museo Saapiens art museum, a 4-minute drive away from Panamá Viejo. The Museo Saapiens showcases both current and past famous art pieces by the people of Panama. The museum often has special gallery nights where there will be a theme to the pieces that they decide to show off that night. At the Museo Saapiens, I learned about the mola which is one of the most recognizable piece of Panamanian art in all history. Made by Kuna women, it is a patterned cloth panel that can be worn. Example:

All this learning about history and culture has made me hungry! On my way back to the hotel, I passed Ciao Bella and thought it would make a perfect place to go eat. Ciao Bella is an Italian restaurant and from there I Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken which cost me 13.50 Balboa and I decided to treat myself and get a little dessert. I got the Tiramisu for 8 Balboa. My meal was absolutely delicious, and I highly recommend coming to Panama City just for that beautiful Tiramisu. Once dinner ended, it was 9 o'clock and I felt as if it was time to hit the hay to prepare for my day of flying tomorrow.

DAY FIVE

My last morning in my Americas Adventure! I won't get into the boring nitty gritty on how I travelled back into the states and all that, who cares! But, I would love to reflect on my time in the Americas. I though Belize was extremely stunning and truly opened my eyes to different cultures, and reminded me of my distaste to high athletic journeys. Panama was way more of a laid back trip. I mostly just tried to blend in with the people of Panama and try not to do as much touristy things, to really feel the culture. Overall, I think I enjoyed my time in Panama way more and I highly recommend for everyone if they have the chance.