Things that you pay attention to… in the street…
№1.
Crossing the street
Greek people are usually fearless in the streets. If you
have ever thought that Moscow roads are full of crazy drivers then you haven’t
been to Greece. I am not saying that Greeks are crazy. The only rule that exists
in the streets is that the one who is the first is right. Don’t expect that any
driver will give you the road on his own not unless you make a step and be in
the middle of the road.
An important hint for crossing the street is to be calm with
a confident face. Walk slowly. I mean it, don’t try to run. That is not a GREEK
STYLE.
№2.
SIESTA
I have never heard this word in Greece but the pause in the
middle of the day is definitely called siesta. The magic sound of this word
brings my imagination to the sunny Spanish coasts, but here this phenomenon
also exists. Don’t think that it is connected with scalding sun burning your
skin and bones in the middle of the summer. This pause exists all the year
round. This time means silence in your apartment not to disturb your dreaming
neighbors. It means that shops are also closed. And everybody who is doing some
noisy stuff should stop it immediately. OMG, IT’S ALREADY 2 p.m., you are
typing too loud STOP IT RIGHT NOW!
№ 3.
Opening hours
I suppose that №3
is connected with №2
as shops are usually closed at siesta. As a Moscow citizen, I am used to shops
working at least 10 hours a day and being open on Saturdays and Sundays. Sunday
in Greece is definitely not a day for shops being open so if your fridge is
empty you will be saved only in creperies or restaurants. As for the other days
shops are usually open in the evening three times a day being closed for siesta
thing. The first several months you should have a planner or a crib somewhere
on the backside of your sleeve telling you that today you woke up too late to
buy anything.
№ 4.
Distances
If somebody tells you in Greece that it’s too far
(especially in Thessaloniki) don’t believe it (vice versa thing usually happens
in Moscow). Everything is close to whatever you want unless you take a bus! A
15 minutes drive, an hour walk can turn into a fabulous excursion round the
city if you take a bus (at least some of them).
№5.
Cultural attraction road signs
So you are now right in the place where history was made,
the place known for its great philosophers, writers, rulers etc., certainly you
will be seduced to see the history, to breathe the historic dust. If you think
that road signs are supposed to help you with this mission – WRONG! Forget
about the road signs unless you have a verified guide with you, a read in
advance Wikipedia page or a Greek guy/girl knowing each spot of the place where
you want to go. These road signs can bring you in the middle of nowhere with
fences and locks around some bunch of stones with discolored inscription
“Ancient Agora” or something.
№6.
Road signs
So you are certain that you are on the main road and this
guy has to give you the road. Ha-ha, false. Haven’t you seen that sign hidden
right behind that bush?
Are you still sure that you go in right direction, maybe the
arrow sign was upside down?
№7.
Food is growing in the streets
Mandarins, oranges, berries of all colors – no, you are not
in paradise yet. I have no clue why nobody hasn't gathered anything yet. This
juicy orange is right in front of me. Mouthwatering.
№8.
You’ll never be lost in Thessaloniki
If you don’t know where the sea is - Just go down, you’ll never make a mistake.
All the other streets are more or less parallel.
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