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First Visit To Athens Don t Be Put Off By Dogs Taxis And Traffic
hen first-time visitors extreme and anyone who believes
to Athens are asked about this surely cannot be a true
their criticisms of the animal lover. Of course one of
city, they often mention the same the reasons why there are many of
three things: a perceived high the dogs on the street is that
number of stray dogs; the service they have been abandoned, but
provided by Greek taxi drivers; this happens in every city. The
and, the traffic. However, there word "stray" has connotations of
is so much to discover and enjoy an animal that is malnourished
about this fantastic city that and in poor health, however, it
with a little background is very rare to come across
knowledge and advice, these animals in this condition in
things can just be seen as some Athens. Stray animals, although
of the many characteristics that without a "home", are often taken
add to its uniqueness. care of by various people and
therefore live much longer than
Stray dogs and cats they otherwise would - this
contributes to the increased
The number of stray dogs and cats visibility of stray animals in
wandering around the city can the city. For example, in the
surprise visitors to Athens, who coastal suburb of Glyfada, quite
back home may only used to seeing a number of stores along the
animals accompanied by a human popular main shopping street have
owner. I have come across one or adopted a stray dog. The staff
two people who actually cannot provide food and water every day
stand to see a dog or cat alone and in turn the dogs feel a
in the street because they loyalty towards them and often
believe "it must be unhappy" and sit in front of the store all day
would rather have it put to sleep long, lazing around in the sun,
by a vet. This seems a little sometimes even completely
blocking the store entrance so Taxis
that customers have to step over
them! Through informal networks Visitors to the city sometimes
of animal lovers in many complain about taxi drivers. It
neighbourhoods, strays often find can sometimes be difficult to
their way to new homes - most find a taxi because taxi drivers
people I know have never bought a are quite picky about whether
pet, but instead just wait for a they are prepared to take you -
stray dog or cat to wander into your destination needs to suit
their circle of friends and them as well as yourself. When
neighbours. The Greek attitude to you are standing on the street
stray animals can perhaps be waiting for a taxi, they will
summed up by what happened during reduce their speed and you are
the preparations for the Athens expected to shout your
Olympics in 2004. There was a destination to them. If they like
significant outcry among the the sound of it, they will stop
city's population when there were the taxi so that you can get in;
rumoured plans to round up stray if not, they will gesture to you
dogs in Athens and put them to in the negative (see my article
sleep. What happened in the end on Greek hand and facial gestures
was that many were rounded up, or you might miss it!) and speed
but instead were given any up again. Another thing that
necessary veterinary care, and bothers people, particularly
then released. If you live in visitors to Athens, is that once
Athens and you want a dog or cat, you have found a taxi and are on
rather than buying one, just put your way to your destination, the
the word around and a grateful driver will sometimes look for
furry friend will find it's way and take on other passengers
to your door in no time. heading in the same direction. If
you take advantage of this
practice yourself and get into an journeys. So if taxi drivers do
already occupied taxi, just make what they can to make a living
a note of the meter reading when (short of ripping you off of
you get in. You will pay the course) what harm can it do? Your
driver the difference between the driver or your fellow passengers
amount on the meter when you get may even have an interesting tale
in and the final amount shown at to tell, to while away your
the end of your journey. For journey.
example, if the meter reads 4
Euros when you get in and 10 Traffic
Euros at the end of your journey,
you owe the driver 6 Euros. These Yes there is a traffic problem in
two unorthodox practices are not Athens, but most capital cities
officially permitted and may have one these days. It seems
shock some people, but they must that the problem is going to get
be seen in the context of what it worse before it gets better. By
actually costs to use a taxi. some estimates, the number of
Since the introduction of the cars in Athens is set to increase
Euro, the cost of living in by some 40% by 2010. There are
Athens has rocketed, but using a some measures in place to try to
taxi is one of the few things tackle the problem, but in
that have not increased in price. stereotypical Greek style, people
Taxis are still so cheap that a bend the rules. For example, you
much larger proportion of the can only travel into the centre
city's population use them to go of Athens by car on alternate
about their daily business than week days, determined by whether
in other European capitals, such your car licence plate ends in an
as London, where taxis are odd or even number. However, many
prohibitively expensive for use people get around this by buying
by most people on non-essential a second car or by holding onto
an old car, whereas they would and is now becoming a viable and
otherwise have sent it to the pleasant mode of transport. Until
scrap heap. Public transport is more radical traffic management
improving though. The metro policies are put in place, do not
system introduced a few years ago let this spoil your time in the
is excellent and there are plans city. Just put a little thought
to extend it. The new tram system into when and how you travel in
put in place just before the order to avoid any significant
Olympics, appears to have delays to your journey.
overcome its teething problems
About the Author:
Emmanuel Mendonca moved from the UK to Athens in 2004 and is getting to grips with life in Greece. Emmanuel publishes Greece travel and living articles at http://www.athensroom.com/greece_travel_guide.html.
Source: www.isnare.com
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