Everyone knows that Greece produces beautiful ladies. Is it true? Well, let's see some proof. Here are my examples (I know, I know, it's a cliche, but I could not resist).
Athens Flea Market
This is the modern flea market, not the interesting and organic one that my dad explored in the 1950s. I think much of the merchandise in the modern market is from China, made for the tourist trade. But a few vendors sell military uniforms, and at least two vendors sell LP records and CDs. I bought some Maria Callas CDs in 2023 to take on my cross-country drive.
Let's look at the lovelies of the market.
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| The nautical look, ready for a shipowner to come along with his yacht (or oil tanker) |
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| The scooter look, when a shipowner is not available. |
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| The Little Red Riding Hood look? |
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| The mysterious look |
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| The Soviet nostalgia look. I saw this odd phenomena in Cartagena, Columbia, as well. |
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| A wolverine ruff for those brutal Arctic winter days in Athens |
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| Oops, wrong outfit. Just a fur ruff atop a sheer blouse and tights. |
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| Here's looking at you, kid. I may try yellow frames the next time I renew my glasses. |
Nea Ionia
Nea Ionia is a suburb about 7 km north of the Athens city center. It is a vibrant commercial area originally settled by refugees from the defeat in Anatolia in 1923. Today, it features great restaurants and a large Pakistani community.
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| That is a tough and sassy lady. But her guy does not look too tough to me. |
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| Well, this guy does not look much tougher, either. She is putting him in his place. |
Halandri
Halandri (sometimes written as Chalandri) is a hip and trendy suburb about 12 km north of the downtown. Some of the streets in the central area have been converted into pedestrian walkways. I have eaten in some excellent restaurants in Halandri. My elementary school is still has its Halandri campus, but the former surrounding farm fields are now an urban sprawl. But Halandri has its beauties, too.
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| Blond in the wind |
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| Brunette in the wind. |
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| Hat as large as a sail or parachute |
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| Forgot to trim my bangs |
Pireaus
Piraeus is the port of Athens. It is a bustling marine and commercial/industrial city. Although still a separate city, today the urban sprawl covers all the land between Athens and Piraeus. It is always interesting to explore. The original 1970s Metro line will take you there, as will the newer tram. I have written about Piraeus before.
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| It must be warm in the showcase |
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| Ready to party |
I captured many of these lovelies with my Olympus E-330 digital camera. It was "only" 7.5 megapixels, but for web display or printing 11×14 inch paper prints, that is more than adequate data. These digital files were easy to manipulate. The E-330 is gone, but I should revise my Fuji X-E1 camera soon.
