MetaChat - OMG ATHENS!

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11 January 2007

OMG ATHENS! Whoah, bunnies - it seems like my knight in shining armor has found us a place in Athens, and I think I'm kind of very thrilled. Check this out (long! w/preliminary piccies)... →[More:]

The neighborhood is called "Mets" (or "Metz": very nice little write-up of this "secret neighborhood" here), and apparently, it's a tiny, quaint, charming, quiet, green little haven tucked away right in the center of the city.

It's bounded by the ancient Olympic stadium on one side, the Temple of Zeus, Hadrian's Arch, and the National Gardens and Zappeion on top (more photos of the gardens), and the "First Cemetery" at the bottom (more photos of the cemetery). I haven't seen the neighborhood, but it's home to the top jazz club in town (The Half Note) and apparently it is well furnished with small groceries, shops, cafes, etc... and it's an easy walk to the Acropolis, Monasteraki square, the markets, and everything downtown.

post by: taz at: 08:51 | 52 comments

The house is on a tiny two-block street, so no traffic at all, nearly twice the size of our current apartment (I think), and it has a small back yard (*boggle* - I mean, that's like having a back yard in downtown NY or Tokyo or something).

Here's a screenshot from google earth where I've circled the street in bright red. All those things with the little stars are the landmarks I've mentioned; the cemetery is at the bottom. Only about half of the National Gardens, at the top, is visible, and only about half the cemetery, at the bottom, is visible:

≡ Click to see image ≡

Here's a pic of the area taken from the Acroplis; see that big green hill? We are right freaking next to it. That little group of streets to the right of the hill ("right" in this photo anyway) is Mets (click to see much larger):

≡ Click to see image ≡

It's an actual stand-alone house (instead of an apartment building - and I have the impression the neighborhood is like that - like a teeny village wrapped inside the city) with either two or three apartments (I didn't quite get which on the phone today). We would have the whole bottom with the little yard. High ceilings, big rooms... That's about all I know. We have a "handshake" agreement that we're taking it. The landlady wasn't even planning on putting it on the market 'til April, but mr. taz found it through the friends network. What I hear is that it's the sort of place that people are amazed to find in the city.

I asked him "what did it feel like; I mean how did you feel when you were inside?". He said, "I felt like, 'what do I have to say to this lady to get this place right now'. :) He's not the kind of guy to go overboard about stuff, so it must be good.

He took some shots with his camera phone I think, so if they come out, I'll show you tomorrow. I'll probably go down in a couple of weeks to check it out, and if it's all "go" I'll take tons of pics of the place and the neighborhood.

posted by taz 11 January | 08:51

I can't wait to find out if it's really yours. So cool! More photos!

posted by iconomy 11 January | 08:55

I didn't know you were moving to Athens! That's great news.

*Checks Olympic Airways website*

posted by essexjan 11 January | 08:57

Wow! Good luck sealing the deal!

posted by PlanetKyoto 11 January | 09:10

Vangelis (no - not that Vangelis!) has been working on a tv series in Athens since July (to finish in Feb.), and that's the place for his kind of work - so we decided that, yeah, we might as well go for it. We really, really, really love it here, so it's tough.

We were thinking of getting a small, cheap furnished place there and keeping this (current) place, but this place he saw seems too good to pass up. The rent is exactly the same as here (very low for where we are now; also very low for anyplace nice in Athens), so there's no way we can keep both. It looks like we'll be taking the full plunge if it works out. V. wanted to pay her a month's rent just to lock it in, but she said it wasn't necessary. It does make me a bit anxious though, so I'd like to go as soon as possible and have it settled.

posted by taz 11 January | 09:11

That sounds and looks SO exciting. Good luck, taz!

posted by BoringPostcards 11 January | 09:12

Wow, sounds so neat. It's really hard (for a USian) to imagine living in place with so much history.

posted by danostuporstar 11 January | 09:25

Holy shit, taz, that sounds phenomenal.

*books tickets to come visit*

posted by gaspode 11 January | 09:41

A fun photo from the National Gardens:

≡ Click to see image ≡

Yay! Art!

And the Zappeion:

≡ Click to see image ≡

Also the Gardens:

≡ Click to see image ≡

posted by taz 11 January | 09:43

MEETUP!

posted by danf 11 January | 09:46

What a fantastic looking place. It's nice to see pics of someplace I've only heard or read about - and realize it really is on the planet somewhere. Looks beautiful and ancient and full of stories.

posted by chewatadistance 11 January | 09:49

You guys! We should so do an international meetup in Athens!

posted by taz 11 January | 09:52

That sounds like an awesome place taz! I will try super hardcore to be there for an international meetup. I've never been to Europe so it would be a great excuse to go! Hopefully sciurus could come too!

posted by LunaticFringe 11 January | 09:56

oh, wow. That would be... totally ... OMG!

posted by taz 11 January | 10:00

Wow, sounds fantastic. Good luck and fingers crossed!

posted by dodgygeezer 11 January | 10:10

In all seriousness and seriosity - mr g and I were talking about a Europe trip in the second half of this year...

posted by gaspode 11 January | 10:11

So, that would be, like maybe Autumn? Because that would be a good time here. I like spring, early summer, and autumn best; it gets too hot in July and August.

Hm... I'm just thinking... I also know someone with a really nice house in Andros that some of us could go together to rent for a few days or whatever. Not sure how many it sleeps, but she would also know of other places.

≡ Click to see image ≡

posted by taz 11 January | 10:20

In fact, I'm going to be doing a site for her place, so i'll have pix and stuff soon. I can't do the site in exchange for rent though, since mr. taz has been staying in her Athens house for free the whole time he's been working there. :) (well, he asked to pay, but she wouldn't hear of it...)

posted by taz 11 January | 10:22

Yay!!!!!

taz, Mets is one of my favorite neighborhoods in Athens. My mom was raised in Plaka (the part that is nearest to you). In all seriousness it is very central which means you can actually walk to a lot of stuff or just use the metro. Plus you can get the tram to go to the beach!!!! Yoohoo! I just love it.

In fact I was just telling people that if I end up moving back to Athens (which seems quite probable, sigh, although I don't want to leave NY) I want to live there or Psiri/Plaka or Exarhia. I will definitely stay in the center. You are VERY LUCKY to have gotten the place for low rent. I thought its a sort of upsy neighborhood...

You can WALK to the Acropolis promenade. It is going to be fantastic. I love you.

BTW and WRT to a meetup in Greece, fall is the best time of year (Sept) and if I am there I can put a few ppl up!!! We can all go island-hopping, just as we are going bar-hoping here!

OMG! Yay!

posted by carmina 11 January | 10:42

Carmina... if you move to Athens, we'll be actual neighbors if you move to any of those neighborhoods! That would be amazing. (Those were the places we've been looking at, too:) )

Seriously. We must do it. It could be like, maybe, Athens, then possibly Andros, then whoever wanted to go on to other islands could do that. Wow. That would be so very, very bunny.

posted by taz 11 January | 10:48

Of course, this is all assuming that we do actually get it... *bites nails*

posted by taz 11 January | 10:49

I will cross bits for you taz!

posted by LunaticFringe 11 January | 10:52

Beautiful! I hope you get it!

posted by LoriFLA 11 January | 11:05

tazio, an exciting thing about me moving back to Athens right now is hanging out with you! I promise you we will be cooking Thanksgiving dinners together! ;)

I so totally root for ya baby. There are a lot of nice little neighborhoods in the center that you will love. People preferred to move to suburbs (massively) but fortunately lots of young people move back in. A neighborhood I adore is Mavromihali Str in Exarhia befow Strefi Hill. If you can find a small penthouse there it will be equally awesome. Dontcha worry, you are looking at all the right places. OMFG!

posted by carmina 11 January | 11:17

Holy COW! I too, root for you!

posted by Specklet 11 January | 12:39

That's amazing!

posted by brujita 11 January | 13:01

Yay, taz and the mr.! That sounds so wonderful.

*crosses fingers, toes, cat's paws for you*

posted by elizard 11 January | 13:06

Thank you my darlings! Crossed bits always help! I'll keep you updated on when I'm going and anything I learn. If vangelis can upload whatever shots he got tomorrow, I'll post 'em. I feel like a cat on a hot tin roof.

Also, carmina, I have a friend who bought a space in Psiri - basically the top of a sort of industrial building, and designed the renovation herself. I tell you that you would absolutely fall over if you saw that place... just. fucking. fantastic.

posted by taz 11 January | 13:23

I'm actually thinking about visiting Greece & Bulgaria in September or October...

I hope you get the place!

posted by cmonkey 11 January | 13:36

who bought a space in Psiri - basically the top of a sort of industrial building, and designed the renovation herself.

I am slowly dying, this is the kind of dream place for me...

BTW, jrossi4r was planning/thinking of coming to Ithaca sometime in the summer. I have not heard more about this, so I am shouting: hey! yo! update! (where is she, really?)

posted by carmina 11 January | 13:55

I'm rooting for you too! Yay tazoula!

posted by languagehat 11 January | 14:22

Hi, mr. hat! So are you coming to visit, then?

posted by taz 11 January | 14:26

cmonkey! I didn't even see that comment for a moment there. Obviously we have to do meetup. It's a must-must do-do (don't be scared of the doodoo!).

posted by taz 11 January | 14:37

Yes, we will definitely do a meetup. I've stepped in dog poop in four different countries now, so the doodoo does not scare me!

posted by cmonkey 11 January | 14:57

I love a man who gets around, especially one who can deal suavely with random doodoo. Though, I have to warn you, if you come, we might try to keep you. You might fall in love with a Greek person (apparently, it happens all the time...). You might be like Odysseus trying to return to the U.S.

posted by taz 11 January | 15:01

Congratulations on finding a place that you like, and lots of crossed fingers on it working out for y'all!

posted by occhiblu 11 January | 15:02

You might be like Odysseus trying to return to the U.S.

Needs more hair.

posted by mudpuppie 11 January | 15:02

You know what they say: "hair today, gone tomorrow - but here, eat this lotus first - Sirens, Circe, Scylla, RahRah!"

isn't that what they say?

posted by taz 11 January | 15:09

Yes. All of them.

posted by occhiblu 11 January | 15:13

Tradition, it means a lot to Greeks. Boo!

posted by carmina 11 January | 15:20

OMG TAZ! Crossing all my bits for you too (ouch!). I really, really hope this works out for you. An autumn meetup in Greece would be so totally awesome. I know I'd do my bestest to get there with or without the mister (I'm still really irked Vegas didn't work out for us).

It's a good thing cmonkey doesn't have any hair; the better to see those purdy eyes of his.

posted by deborah 11 January | 15:23

:) Don't worry, carmina, siga-siga, we'll have you back here, too. You can cry on my shoulder about the traditions... for... five minutes each week. The rest of the time, we'll be hanging out at the tavernas drinking too much wine and laughing 'til we cry. See? It's circular!

Deborah, that would be amazing! But make the mister come with... it's very romantic here. At least I think so. Second honeymoon?

posted by taz 11 January | 15:26

drat taz, I was joking. That tradition I'd be happy to keep.

posted by carmina 11 January | 15:41

heh... I knew that. I'm just poking you. Seriously, as far as other traditions, etc., go, just be a butthead, like me. I HIGHLY recommend it. It's only awkward the first few times, then, once everyone knows you're a total and complete butthead, they stop bugging you to do things you don't want to do (or to stop doing things you want to do), and - most of the time - it means everyone has a much nicer time together.

posted by taz 11 January | 15:51

Hey, if Greece wants to keep me, I won't put up a fight!

Aww shucks, deborah.

posted by cmonkey 11 January | 15:57

Awesome news, taz! I'm still holding out hope for a Greece visit this summer. All depends on whether or not I can bring myself to leave a 4 month old.

posted by jrossi4r 11 January | 17:08

aw, jrossi! It would be so cool if you came... but I totally understand the dilemma there.

I would totally melt into a puddle on the Grecian plain (or even fancy!) if the rossi came to town.

posted by taz 11 January | 17:26

Ooo, good for you!!!!! I can't wait to see pictures! Congrats!

posted by redvixen 11 January | 19:40

next year in Iliou Melathron, Ms. Schliemann

hugs taz

posted by matteo 11 January | 21:19

Crazy delicious.

posted by stilicho 11 January | 23:10

Grecian Meetup! Grecian Meetup!
This is my new goal: to be in fit enough overall shape to incur the debt of an autumnal grecian meetup.
Must
Renew
Passport.

short italian hillside side trip?

posted by ethylene 11 January | 23:17

*crosses fingers* hmm, I think I'll be coming to Paris in October--my uncle's lending his lumias for an exhibit at the Pompidou; I'm sure I could make it to Greece too even though I've always told myself I would want to be involved with someone before I did.

posted by brujita 08 February | 02:35

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