An age-old myth claims every nation ought to bring forth two cities: its pride and joy. Gutsy pride is destined to become the benchmark, expanding with her power over the land, the central symbol embodying the unity of people. Joy herself is a beam of light that sheds upon the water and mirrors the nation’s soul.
Once you turn your gaze to Greece, one may wonder what cities are its pride and joy.
How did the spirits emerge?
From the ancient Acropolis slopes where civilization once emerged to the tremendous megapolis it appears these days, Athens’ spirit represents the country’s sublimity, its profound heritage, and its economic output that breathes life into the whole country. As the solid framework spurs the nucleation of both intellectual and financial capacity, Athens is proudly incurring its myth through generations.
Meanwhile, Thessaloniki, once a small countryside that evolved into a delightful city has always been a welcoming spot, reflecting the Greek soul. Named after the sister of Alexander the Great (Thessalonica) and also proudly claimed to be the capital of Macedonia as a geographical region, Thessaloniki preserved Greek joy and what it truly stands for.
Locals
Always in the rush, Athenians seem to suppress its Mediterranean peace and tranquillity with their heads dipped in the relentless rat race, constantly striving for financial health above the rest. Once there, you feel its frantic pace of life spurred by no one but its citizens. Always proud of their hometown, Athenians can tirelessly boast of the city’s legends, its cultural patrimony and the influence it had on other cultures.
Thessaloniki citizens, however, smoothly flow in their rhythm. Unbothered, they calmly sip their coffee and marvel at the thrusting sea waves, crashing against the shore. One cannot escape the beauty of local food markets with music and dances accompanying them as an integral part of spirit as well as convoluted labyrinths that draw you in.
The high streets
Once roaming down the street in Athens, you may feel triggered by the rush and disturbed by the constant hustle and bustle. Although Acropolis is likely to peek out from its slope to cast an eye over the city, the city itself absorbed so many cultural colours that one may struggle to recognize the place. Roving over its surroundings, you adore lime red-roofed Greek houses with shutters protecting the owners from the scorching sunlight, nicely sculpted walkways with flesh green alongside and picturesque mountain scenery looming in the background. Greek melody motives hang in the sky, feet slumping wafts from every corner, while cats calmly nap in the shadows.
Thessaloniki’s high street is filled with different melodies, the melody of the sea. The waves bathe the shores and the cool breeze carries the scent of salty water. Here hasty steps concede ambulation at a leisurely pace allowing you to observe the surroundings filled with peace and joy. Moving along the main path, you will lay an eye on the White Tower, once the place of torture for political detainees a long time ago, these days it serves as the best viewpoint from which one can see how the small town stretched out on shaded valleys and rolling hills turning into a massive megapolis. Streets are filled with soft music and lazy chatters people enjoy in local cafes. Once the sunset approaches, local boat tours lower the price for an excursion, some laugh, and some observe the fading beams in silence until the city falls into the night. When lanterns illuminate the streets, the new rhythm begins, one that is filled with Greek cuisine odours, local music and people cherishing the spirit of their city with hearty laughs and merriment.
Two sides of one coin
Apart from this, there are still the infernal number of words that remain unsaid, when one attempts to compare these two wonders. One thing is certain: Athens is Greek pride, glorifying its grand heritage and nourishing the majesty of its spirit, and Thessaloniki is its joy, nourishing the Greek soul in its all glory.
