Loco Avocado: The Athens Walkabout - of sights and sounds

The Greek flag billowing in mighty blue splendour next to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Captured on the Acropolis, this picture reminds me of the Iwo Jima memorial in Virgina.
Don't you think the resemblance is quite uncanny?

Poppies are in abundance in Athens, growing freely and wildly especially on slopes of the Acropolis.
Photo credit: Adeline Wong

Checking out lemon trees growing neatly along the sidewalk

And tangerine trees too! All beautifully lining the streets surrounding the National Gardens

Whitewashing the pavement in the Anafiotika neighbourhood next to Plaka. The unique whitewashed houses, terraced walkways and smurf-looking doors afford beautiful views of the city from their prime elevated location on the slope of the Acropolis. Worth millions in real estate these days, Anafiotika was built by stone masons from the island of Anafi in the 1800s.

The Athenians also have a propensity for graphic imagery (aka graffitti) - some of these artistic talents manifest themselves in rather marvelous splashes of colour, paintings and social messages all throughout the walls of Athens. Whilst frowned upon in Singapore, the Greeks seem to thrive on the vibrant colours (although unsanctioned) that scatter across their infrastructure.

And I have to say - whilst being brought up in a squeaky clean environment like Singapore has helped me appreciate the fact that our country is so clean, I can't help but envy the social and cultural identity that such graffitti create. It's like an invisible social bond that glues the fabric of Athenian society together. United in colour. Bound together by images.