In November 2007, I was invited to participate in a Conference in Greece. A nice opportunity to get back to Athens!
"ATHENS VIA MADRID - During the flight from Madrid to Athens there are some wonderful views to be seen, weather permitting. The arrival to Athens (which houses mores than 40% of all residents in Greece) is always impressive, as it seems that you see only buildings around..."
"ROOM AT THE ATHENS HILTON"
"ACROPOLIS BY NIGHT - Visitors to this blog know that there is a problem with night shots. This time it's no exception... ;)"
"ACROPOLIS DAYTIME - The Acropolis and Philopappos hills impose themselves in the city centre. There were however too many cranes around, this time..."
"LYCABETUS HILL - At 277 meters above sea level, it's the highest point in Athens"
"ATHLETE"
[Update: After the comment from Tinsie I found everything about it. So, the Athlete is called "DROMEAS II" ("RUNNER II") and was created in 1994 by the Greek artist Costas Varotsos. It has also been called "Marathon Runner" or "Glass Runner". The statue is made of stacked plates of glass and is displayed near the Hilton Hotel, at the end of Vassilissis Sofias Avenue. Varotsos, who was born in Athens in 1955 and studied fine arts and architecture in Italy, works primarily in glass and steel.]
"BENAKI MUSEUM - One of the rich museums in Athens"
"CARIBBEAN ATHENS - This Avenue has an interesting tropical touch..."
"PORTUGUESE EMBASSY"
"EUROPEAN UNION FLAG"
"WAR MUSEUM - From Stone Age to the 1941 German invasion"
"NATIONAL ART GALLERY - From the 14th through the 20th centuries. Outside there are some interesting sculptures, including Antoine Bourdelle's «The Dying Centaur», a statue of Sappho and an amazing contemporary work"
Posts
57 comments:
Hi Folks! Back to Greece in November 2007! A short stroll in Athens, before heading south to the conference location… Anyhow, I managed to take some pictures of the Greek capital; hope you enjoy…
I won’t be able to visit your blogs this weekend; I’ll try to check it out asap!
athens is just classic! And I was shocked by that athelete display! so humungous and extraordinary!
Everything about Greece is just fascinating. Well, all the places you visit are wonderful. I was especially intrigued by the "Athlete" statue. I am big lover of museums. I would spend most of my day looking for art and other such delights. And yes I would love to check out the best local places to eat. The locals always know the best. :o)
I'm hoping someday to visit this lovely place to experience the delights it has to offer. By the way, what material is "athlete" made of? Just curious. :)
In the meantime, you might want to take a look about Taipei 101: The World's Tallest Tower. Have a lovely day. :)
I love Greece! I love your photos!
I have an award for you on my blog. Please stop by when you have a chance.
Paz
Hi Trotter,
Looks like a great trip to Athens--another beautiful city I would like to visit. Have you been there several times?
Rhonda
I love that athlete sculpture - almost like it was taken in "stop motion" photography - very cool!
Wonderful pics, I really would like to visit Athens someday and see the Acropolis.
The world is great through your lens.
nice pics of athens....now i have a clear idea where all the places to visit when i do make a tour to greece....
Marvelous pictures Gil!
The cake goes to the 1st and the 2nd! I also loved the Acropolis daytime, Lycabetus Hill, the Athelete and the second picture of the Benaki Museum!
Thanks for taking me to Greece!
Cheers
Rakesh
welcome back sir - there is a problem with night shots - yours of the acropolis is better than mine: http://organicallycooked.blogspot.com/2008/11/loyia-tis-ploris.html
Just yestreday I was talking to my friend and we were saying it's time to goto Athens and there you are!
GMG, I'm tagging along your next conference!!
It looks lovely. =)
Thanks for the link to the Benaki.
Have you been to Corinth? We're looking to go possibly next Spring.
We are thinking of where to go next year. There are a few places that we want to see..one of them is Greece!
:)
And the other two r Rome and Croatia.
I'm impressed to always see your curiousity and interest in visiting and exploring also during your (this time obviously) professional travelling! That's the right attitude!
The Centaur is probably one of Bourdelle's major works! Didn't know it was in Athens!
The "ATHLETE" is a very nice statue, great shots.
Athen is a very impressive city! Thanks for sharing your travel to Greece, Gil!
Tout est beau.
J'ai un faible pour la statue de l'athlète en mouvement.
The night shots are beautiful even thoughthey are a little blurry. The colours are good.
Love the night shots. That statue of stacks of stuff looks interesting. Not sure what it is exactly but kinda looks like a tornado.
I remember Athens like a very congersted tomw, so many cars everywhere at every time! But so many treasures everywhere to enjoy...
The aerial shots at the beginning are excellent - nice & clear.
The athlete is very unique! What is it made of?
You did a great job of composition on the building shots, Gil. Nice series!
First I could not understand how the building could be clear and the tree blurr. The tree was in fact the impressive statue of an Athlet!
I think your night shot of the Acropolis is wonderful. All of it is, but I am not sure how much time I would like to spend in such a crowded place. The island from the plane was fabulous.
Acropolis by night is wicked!!! Purely breathtaking - those aerial shots from the plane is amazing as well - the clarity is excellent! Thanks for sharing your wonderful travels!
wow that very first photo just took my breath away its wonderful.
Wonderful photos, especially the ones from above, that really gave me an insight of how Athen is.
...and I love the Athlete statue, so fantastic! Very, very creative!
amazing pictures, specially I liked the first picture the way it was taken :)
No doubt, Athens is a wonderful place.
Have a good day :)
Coucou! je suis en Normandie mais mon esprit est toujours là bas...J'ai fait un voyage merveilleux, avec et chez les Péruviens, j'ai trop de souvenirs à classer, je suis débordée.Je pars à Budapest du 22 au 30 décembre, il faut que je revois tes photos de cette ville.Bises à vous 2.
greece is one of my dream destinations..Im completely into Greek mythology and history that Ive wanted to make a visit to these places..thanks for the virtual tour Gil.If I cant make it in person, Im seeing it through your eyes
Wow, the athens statute is so cool. What is it made of? It's huge and looks really unique. I would also like to be invited for conference in Europe so taht I can be travelling around at the same time. HEhe...
This is another wonderful post that I am impressed with. Photos are great with so many wonderful views of the city and its beautiful buildings and Acropolis and so many beautiful sculptures. Out of all those sculptures I would say that Athlete statue impressed me the most.
another great set...thanks for sharing! i always wish i could just get up and hop on a plane after i see where you've been
sunny pictures are good for this cold weather :)!
Hello Gil. Sorry I'm just now getting around to visiting.
Love the arial and night time shots.
I would love to visit Greece some day.
Have a great week.
Lisa
hello gil,
ahhh...athens...one of those places that i did not expect to like. everyone keeps telling me how dirty, polluted and chaotic it is. and yes, it is all the above. but underneath all those, is a beautiful city set in a beautiful land. the history alone will keep you busy / entertained for many days. here's my take on the city, The Truth About Athen, at Folie a Deux. Thanks for wonderful memories back at Athens!
-Jen
sorry it took me so long to get here. but i am here :)) the athlete sculpture is really something isnt it? never seen anything like it before. and your last post on armenia, wow i never knew the city was so beautiful and modern too. i like the tsar comment ^_^ peace to you
Wonderful views of the city from above and great photos of the Akropolis. Thanks for your visit 'in Cologne'
With such magnificent views of Athens and the sky you should have participated in the Sky Watch Friday!
Gil, You have to tell us what that statue is made of. Amazing! Loved the arial shots. I haven't mastered how to take night shots either. Have a wonderful weekend wherever you are.
That 'athlete' was cool! And that museum looked really interesting.
Thanks for visiting Norwich Daily Photo and leaving your comments. Enjoy the weekend!
joy
A Pinay In England
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I, Woman
what wonderful views ...one day I hope to go there. I loved your pics as always... really enjoyed the "Athlete"
I hope you are out having fun somewhere.
take care
GMG, you're really a jet setter! Now, you're enjoying all the sophiscation in Greece... so beautiful!
Thanks for sharing all these gorgeous photos. I wonder how they made that statue of man running out of glass... ?!
Wow, what great statues you captured, i really like the one with the Athlete that is just amazing.
If I remember correctly, the statue is called "The Runner" and it's made of glass. Originally it was placed in the middle of Omonia Square and every Athenian hated it, then it was taken to a patch of grass near the Athens Hilton and noone pays much attention to it any more. I have to say, it has grown on me over the years...
Hi folks! I’m repeating myself, but wouldn’t feel OK without replying to your comments or without commenting when visiting your blogs… It surely takes a while most of the times, since free time is at a premium nowadays, but anyhow here are my replies… ;)
Kyh,
I think that athlete is new; probably a consequence of the 2004 Olympic Games…
Tawnya,
The Athlete is also a mystery. I didn’t find any information on it, so can’t help; unless Vaggelis knows something about it…
Locals and truck drivers were usually a great sign for good country food… ;)
Asian Traveler,
It’s amazing that sculpture. I was astounded to see it! I thought it’s made of some kind of juxtaposed synthetic material (plastic?) plaques… But Tinsie says it’s called «The Runner» and is made out of glass…
And then I found that actually we are facing The Runner (Ο Δρομέας) a glass art sculpture by Costas Varotsos (Κώστας Βαρώτσος).
Paz,
Thanks! You were too kind! I’m honoured and delighted!!
Rhonda,
It’s a quite interesting town; several millenniums of history…
My first time there was in 1976, then in 1999, 2002, 2003, and several times in 2007, but mostly only at the airport… ;))
Piika,
So glad to see you back here! I’m thrilled!!
The athlete is actually in fast motion… Usain Bolt… ;))
Ron,
The Acropolis, though Lord Elgin took the marbles to the British Museum, is an absolutely must!!
Shooting Star,
Hold on, there are many other places still to be seen in Greece… ;))
Rakesh,
Planes are always an amazing spot to catch some nice pictures; provided that the weather permits… ;)
That picture of the Benaki Museum took me some time… ;))
MKiwi,
There is always trouble with the night shots… but now that Ming the Merciless (from NYC) has a Canon G9, I’ll ask him how to do it (without tripod… ;))
Kim,
Come on, for you Athens it’s just around the corner… ;)
Mariposa,
Some years ago, you would be running around the world tagging meetings and conferences; nowadays you have one every ten years… ;))
Julie,
I was in Corinth in 1976, seeing the Channel and the ruins, and actually my next post is from a resort there: the Poseidon Resort, where my conference was held!!
Stella Bella,
Greece, Rome, Croatia… I’m afraid you’re missing the best: Portugal!! ;)
Peter,
One evening and next morning in Athens, that was the free time I had…
I wonder whether the Dying Centaur outside the Museum is the original or a copy… It seemed that all those were sculptures were originals, but…
Dick,
Thanks!
Sue,
The most impressive is that roughly 40 to 45% of the population of Greece lives in Athens!!
Daniel,
Je crois que l’Athlète est une coqueluche d’Athènes… ;))
Hélène,
Always blurred my night shots… Anyhow, I don’t think I’m going to buy a tripod…
Barb,
It looks like an athlete running quite fast… ;)
Alice,
That’s true that the traffic used to be a nightmare; but now that there is a «metro» maybe things are running better… ;))
Paul,
This time the sky was pretty clear! The material of the statue seems to be glass…
It took me some time to catch those buildings… ;)
Therese,
Fast motion runner, that’s your tree… ;) Amazing!
Louise,
That’s because you’re too kind… My night shots are almost always blurred…
It’s not that crowded, at least in November… ;)
Kala,
This time I was lucky to get some nice shots from the plane; quite clear skies…
Travelphilippines,
I knew that an island photo would call your attention… ;)
Lifecruiser,
The statue is stunning, I agree! As far as Athens is concerned, I don’t think we get a true insight from this post only; a bit too short the time I had to stroll around… ;))
Alok,
The first one was taken from the plane…
Lyliane,
Dis donc, finalement tu es de retour! Il semble que tu as pris un mois de vacances au Pérou… Je t’envie tellement… ;))
Et maintenant tu pars vers Budapest ; ce n’est pas possible… ;))
Lakshmi,
You’re welcome! But it’s not that difficult to get to Athens from India… ;))
Cutie,
Some kind of synthetic material…
As for the invitation to conferences, I think you deserve that I adapt the answer to the young Singaporean – Clarence – who was also willing to travel around the world... ;))
«OK. Let’s try some “Rules to Improve a Young Lady’s Capabilities to Travel”:
1. Begin with the reading: “Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man (Lady)” or better “Portrait of the Artist as a Young Dog” will do;
2. Choose a career which allows you to travel a lot – concierge is not recommended! ;)
3. Start hitch-hiking – see references at “Blogtrotter Revival” or, safer nowadays, embark on a Student’s Exchange Programme;
4. Get an occupation where you get paid for travelling – for the purpose of enjoying trips, working as a travel agent seems to be only a last instance’s option;
5. Build your Travellers’ image: Marco Polo, Fernão Mendes Pinto, Vasco da Gama, Cabral, Magalhães – aka Magellan -, Columbus...
6. Like Bruce Chatwin, make choices: Sotheby’s/Sunday Times Magazine or “Have gone to Patagonia”? Buy or travel?
7. Choose your motto: “Navigare necesse est; vivere non est necesse” (Gnaeus Pompeius – 108/46 BC - aka Pompey the younger, commanding frightened sailors during a severe storm – “to sail is necessary; to live is not necessary”);
8. It works? You will be able to quote Benjamin Disraeli: “Like all great travellers, I have seen more than I remember, and remember more than I have seen”;
9. Doesn’t work? Why not trying to join the Salvation Army?…» ;))) lol, hehehe!
Medam,
Thank you! You’re not that far from Athens in Sarajevo…
b.c.,
I also agree with you: wish I could just get up and hop on a plane… ;))
Lara,
It has been a gorgeous sunny week here in Lisbon; you better chose a nice city to live at… ;))
Lisa,
Thanks! It seems you have been quite busy these last weeks!
Jen,
You shouldn’t believe in everything people say to you; dirty, polluted, chaotic? OK, but where else do you have a Parthenon, an Acropolis, and all the mythology around? ;))
Will check your views of Athens!!
Leo,
Thanks for taking your time to drop by and comment!
That sculpture is amazing!! And of course I adore the quote from the Tsar… ;))
Ingrid,
Thanks for the Award you passed to me on your blog!!
Marie,
That would mean that I would have to post on Fridays, which isn’t certain at all… ;))
Thanks for the compliment, anyway!!
Lynn,
After the information from Tinsie, I found everything about it: it’s a glass sculpture called The Runner!
Joy,
Athens is an open air museum, and after the Olympics improved quality of life a lot…
Jo,
Great to see that you survived Halloween and seem to be in good shape!
Bridge,
Jetsetter is what I definitely am not… ;))
Glass indeed…
Lilli,
Great to se you back here! That Athlete is a hit, at least on this blog… ;))
Tinsie,
Thanks! Now that you named it, I found everything about it… ;))
And it’s not that hateful… ;))
Hehe, there's no accounting for taste ;-)))
Glad you were able to find all about it. It does seem to be a hit amongst your readers, and like I said, I don't mind it so much any more either.
Tinsie,
That's it! We have a saying: «gostos não se discutem...» (you don't argue on tastes...). Otherwise, what would happen to the yellow colour... ;)))
In this fabulous trip I notice the nice statue "Athlete": we have one similar here in Turin, I must look at the author. I like all the photographs, the Acropolis is so attractive both by night and in daytime. Thanks for sharing these beautiful views!
Pietro,
It's Runner II, so I assume there must be a Runner I somewhere... ;))
The "marathon runner" sculpture is fantastic. I love it.
Ming,
I think it's a great achievement, though Tinsie (and it seems some other Atheniens) hated it when located at Omonia Square. It was perhaps just a bad location... ;))
I especiallyl ove the aerial shots, and the glass athlete sculpture is amazing. There's a Futurist sculpture (by Duchamp???) that looks a bit like this.
Ted,
Duchamp could be; in fact he has some kinetic works with glass...
I finally have some down time - although I really should be doing laundry, visiting your blog is much more appealing! I'm enjoying catcihng up on all the posts I've missed. The views of the Acropolis are stunning, and I love the Runner II sculpture.
Ashira,
Glad to see you managed to get some free time... ;)
The Acropolis is gorgeous, but the Runner II seeems to be far from achieving consensus in Athens...
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