01 April, 2010

Athens in Spring 1

From this Monday, the Holy Week started. Although those who practice Lenten fasting
to the letters are absolute minority in Greece, not a few do some effort not to eat meat at least. There are church service every evening (and other times, but I am hazy how often are they) and many go to the church to receive communion. TV keep on showing biblical and Christian films to remind us why we celebrate the Easter at all!

Even a show window of clothes shop (this is Prince Oliver in Piraeus) has religious theme.


Prince Oliver

Christ and Book of Triodion!


Yesterday it was very warm. I went to Athens to smell the air of spring and Easter.
Butterfly


I took 040 bus to go to Athens. Contrary to what it was said before, the works of Ilektriko (Metro No 1) won't finish by the Easter and will continue into the autumn. According to a friend of mine who read on a newspaper, the section Faliro-Kallithea won't open - at the earliest they should add - until May. It is so annoying. Personally it is more annoying than the rise of value added tax.

In Syntagma. This old souvlatzidiko on Odos Apollonos, just in front of Furin Kazan Japanese restaurant, is under renewal work. (I actually ate here once).
Souvlaki

I hope they finish before the completion of Ilektriko renewal. (But of course!)

Then I went to Panepistimiou Street to check out the new French bakery Paul. Its opening was announced many months ago and the building looks complete, but every time I pass in front, it is closed, although the light was on inside. Has it opened at all?

The people (a family of three) in the photo looked at a loss. I waited for them to leave to take a photo, but they didn't and kept on muttering something going to and fro in front of the shop. Were they disappointed customers?

Then I walked toward the Panepistimio and then turned to the north. There I found the patisserie Asimakopouloi.
Asimakopouloi

It is one of the oldest pastry shops in Athens (since 1915) and pretty famous, but I have never understood where it was. Now I know. There was quite a lot of people who were buying Tsoureki (Easter sweet bread) and other sweets.

And in front, there was this shop. Do you see what they sell?


This is a candle shop.


They are not normal candles, but lambadas!
No, it isn't a Latin dance. ;)
Lambada is a candle that the Godparent gives to the Godchild at the baptism, and later on they have to give a new one on every Easter while the Godchild grows up (until when, I don't know, but at certain point it stops) together with Easter presents. It is quite a big and long-term responsibility to be a Godparent.
By the way, Hubby said that he had seen Julia Alexandratou lambada on TV. Has anyone seen it? (No, he did not say it today, i.e. 1st April).

(To be continued.... if I want to)

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