Nightlife in the Hood

View from our apartment balcony

I have been very surprised by the night life in our quiet neighborhood.  

It all began with the last week of school.  We didn't know it was the last week of school but it became obvious when everyone stopped coming to school at 8:15 each morning and all the announcements on the outdoor intercom were no more. 

The last week there were programs every night.  The first evening it was raining.  Everyone stood around in the late afternoon visiting under umbrellas.  It was probably cut short because of the rain. The next night, there was a live band, food and dancing until almost midnight.  The final evening of celebrations, there were balloons let off, a talent show, students playing electric guitars, dancing, singing,  presentations and fireworks. It lasted until midnight.  The most interesting feature is the sound system.  It was very good.  You could hear everything very clearly.

Fireworks in the Evenings

Last night while taking our garbage to the bins at the end of the street, I saw that there were many children and their parents at the school being entertained by a couple that were making huge bubbles and doing tricks with them.  I walked further to the glass recycle bin and went past a small outdoor café where a group of men were seated around a table with guitars and other instruments that I don't know the name of and they were singing as others sat at their tables drinking and eating.  It was lovely.  They have had movies outdoors at the school that start at 9 p.m.  Athens comes alive at night time.  Even for the little kiddies. 

Here are a few more interesting observations from our neighborhood.

Trees pruned in the Fall...how will they look in Spring

Just right for our narrow sidewalk.

Construction on the Top Floor

Our apartment building

They have been working on the floor above it.  They jack hammered the floor and sent the debris down the chutes into a garbage bin and then hauled the bin off.  It was not easy to move a big truck around on our narrow road.  It provided great entertainment.  

Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3).

I have been so impressed with the all the families I see walking, biking, and eating together.  Every night, families gather at the school.  While the parents visit, the kids are playing soccer, volleyball, basketball, roller blading, biking, and tonight I saw hover boards.  The Greeks have so many things right.  Now, if they would just get a Costco.