Pireaus

The complex can be found in the simple. Or vice versa. In any case, Piraeus encompasses both. A stroll through the port and the surrounding areas reveals images in their unfiltered form. It is a hub for tourists, but also a quick, obligatory stop for day trips. Poor neighborhoods alternate with cruise ships. Fishing boats and small vessels wave to the tankers. The monuments exist and are often showcased, the taverns hold their ground and are frequently sung about. The mark of displacement is vivid in both past and present. Those passing through the port for work and errands are surrounded by seagulls. The suffocating pulse of the port is in stark contrast with the tranquility and simplicity one encounters in almost every alley. History and tradition blend into every home. The old clashes with the modern. The deprived meet the profitable. The frantic pulse gives way to the freezing of time. Manual labor hasn’t died yet. The core of the port is sustained by simple people. The gears of Piraeus never take a break.