Why I like Athens, part 2:

Yes, it’s dirty, dense and sprawling. Yes, there is graffiti and smog (a pretty pinkish haze, really). But I think this is part of Athens’ charm - it is gritty and real. Raw like NYC, but on top of and next to thousands of years of ancient history. Dirty, modern urban life mixed in with ancient history. A complete contradiction that seems to also make complete sense.

I don’t think Athens cares about impressing you, or gives a shit what you think of it - it doesn’t need anyone’s approval. It knows it is grand.

Maybe the saddest part of that comparison is that NYC, too, lies on top of thousands of years of history - its just indigenous history, not the History that Counts, not the one we are taught to revere.