Living and working in Athens: the start of Kaat's new challenge!

D-Day

Tuesday, January 11th, that was my D-Day. I would take a flight to Athens to make Greece my new home. Since January 1st, my suitcases were ready, and I was so excited! In the following days, I repacked them about twenty times, finally ending up with two perfectly balanced suitcases. Hopefully filled with everything I would need while living and working in Athens. Of course, it's always a bit of a gamble. But no worries, if I forgot something, my dear mom would be happy to bring it to me! It was also time to say goodbye to my friends and family. This wasn't easy during the pandemic, but we made the best of it! Armed with an unexpected load of practical (and slightly less practical) farewell gifts, I was fully prepared to embark on my great adventure.

Finally, the day had come: January 11th. My flight was not until 6:30 pm, so I had plenty of time to double-check everything. My luggage was all ready, and all the necessary documents were printed and neatly packed in my bag. I had already checked in for my flight, which was booked and paid for by my employer in Athens. I said goodbye to my dogs (because I would miss them the most), and before I knew it, I was at Zaventem saying goodbye to my parents. Off I went!

A warm, Greek welcome

After a smooth flight, a cheerful Greek was waiting for me with their taxi, and less than an hour later, I was safely in my hotel room. At no point did I have to carry my luggage myself: that's Greek courtesy. What a fantastic start! The materials I would need for training were already waiting for me in my room. I optimistically wanted to leave them in the box, hoping to take them with me to my new apartment, but unfortunately, that turned out to be a bigger challenge than expected. About three months in advance, I started searching for my own place, but getting hold of a Greek real estate agency from another country was difficult, let alone scheduling an appointment! The apartment I had found online turned out not to be what I needed after visiting it. So I began scouring websites again and calling Greek numbers. So far, I've mostly received "not available" responses, but I kept trying. Somewhere in this bustling city, there must be a place for me, right? I remain hopeful!

Exploring and enjoying Athens

Besides the search for apartment, I've been busy in the past few days with exploring and enjoying Athens. Especially the Greek food! Breakfast in Plaka with delicious Greek yogurt and honey, lunch in Psiri with a wonderfully tasty Greek salad, and dinner with a view of the Temple of Hephaestus. In this blog you'll find the 8 best food hotspots in Athens!

During the first few days, you have to embrace your inner tourist, right? I've taken photos of the Acropolis from at least twelve different angles, I couldn't help it! Every time I see those sun-drenched columns towering above the city, I have to capture it on camera. My favorite spot so far is the top of Filopappou Hill, one of the hills surrounding the Acropolis. I didn't encounter a single person on the entire hike up (only cats), and once you reach the top, you have an amazing view: the city on one side and the Mediterranean Sea on the other. Breathtaking! Both literally and figuratively, since it was quite a challenge for someone with my fitness level! ;)

For me Athens is the perfect city to live and work in. It has a vibrant city life with numerous terraces, bars and squares. For those who occasionally want to take it easy, there are plenty of parks, forests, and hills to escape the hustle and city life. Don't hesitate to chill out at one of Athens' many beaches to cool off. The people in Athens are incredibly friendly, the food is dream-worthy, and thanks to the assistance of both Yobbers and the employer in Greece, the transition has been super smooth.

To anyone who is still unsure, just go for it. I can recommend it to anyone! 🧡