Watching the detectives (Athens)

An Elvis Costello song to kick us off today. Sorry no pictures, just the meanderings of our last day in Athens.

After another good sleep it was time to report the theft of my phone. We made a vain attempt to do this last evening, studiously following the incorrect directions provided by the staff at the hotel. However, we found the police all by ourselves and they, well, they weren’t interested. We needed to report to the Tourist Police – now that is specialisation. Again we were provided with directions that, as it turned out, were incorrect.

Map consulted, pack on back (with nothing in the outside pocket, thanks for reminding me) we set out for the Tourist Police office. It was actually in the area near the Plaka where we were yesterday. Although it was not sign posted in any way and carefully camouflaged in the back of an arcade. Well, you wouldn’t want to encourage business.

I have heard many people (including some of my Greek friends) criticise the Greeks for their lack of work culture. Sometimes it is justified. The store where we purchased Jayne’s dress yesterday had four shop assistants – they out numbered the customers. Our favourite taverna managed to employ two men to stand and chat up women as they passed by. They also smoked numerous cigarettes. Hard work for all I say.  And today we are watching the detectives.

The tourist policeman (with three stripes) and his superior, the ‘real’ policeman were the only officials in the office. Neither appeared to be in a rush and neither appeared to particularly enjoy their work.  We walked up to the desk where the real policeman was working and we were ignored. After a few minutes the pretend policeman came over (he was the only one in uniform) and asked what we wanted. We informed him that we wanted to report a robbery so he gave us two pieces of paper to fill in. One contained all the information that I had just written on the first form.

Then we waited and watched. Eventually we called to the desk of the tourism policeman. Slowly, tediously, we reviewed the form I filled in and he translated the English into Greek. This process was only interrupted by his mobile phone and a loud, lengthy fight with his wife (I assume). Children could be heard squawking in the background. Interview over, we waited, again.

The real policeman called us over to inform me that if they catch the thief I would have to return to Athens to go to court.  He then asked all the questions that tourist policeman had asked to verify the information I had written on the page that was then re-written by the tourist policeman. Wow, this bureaucracy rocks.

During this last interview, pretend policeman lit up a cigarette and paced the floor. Given his expanding waistline he save his energy for the gym. Occasionally he tended to the other victims but he spent more time arguing with his wife. It’s a living after all.

In the 90 minutes we were there, two other couples came in to report similar robberies and the driver who picked us up at the airport said how safe Athens is! Robbery report in hand we started back for the hotel until I was distracted by a clothing store. Two shirts, two T-shirts and a pair of shorts later we re-commenced our journey. Retail therapy always helps and I only spent 91Euro. Any little bit helps the Greek economy.

We dropped the shopping at the hotel, spoke with the staff about the bus trip to Koroni and the return trip to Athens and collectively decided it best to go to the bus terminal and book in person. Trips all sorted, back into another cab and back to the hotel. It was by this time after 2pm the day was shot - nothing left to do but burn the afternoon hours in traditional Greek style – in a taverna.

Back to the main tourist area we walked to the taverna where we initially sort refuge coming down from the Acropolis. It was cooler today so we opted for a table outside near the mist fan. Beers to begin with and then we ordered a series of four starters, haloumi, meatballs, spicy pork and a spring roll like tube filled with ham and cheese. Before the real food arrived out came some grilled bread with olive tapenade – YUM. We struggled to eat all the food and then came a plate of watermelon, no charge. When we thought it time to leave they wanted us to stay and offered free beer. Both if us were too full to give it serious contemplation. What we needed was the walk back to the hotel and to collapse on the bed for a while. We struggled to our feet and waddled back to the hotel.

Upon recovery we went up to the roof top bar to enjoy the afternoon breeze as the sun went down. It was a pleasant way to spend a pretty average day – aside from the last few hours at the taverna. A glass of wine in the cool of the day would do it. Early to bed because we have a 5:30am start to get to Koroni. Five hours on a bus should ensure I catch up with my blog even if they won’t be posted until Athens airport wifi.