According to the ancient Greek philosophy of pluralism, there are many elements which constitute our existence. These elements are not reducible to one another and are set in motion by the forces of love and strife. This is a philosophy worth noting when observing contemporary Athenian life through a foreign lens.

There are indeed many multifaceted elements that constitute contemporary Athenian life and this is extremely ironic, because as outsiders we only observe Athenian life through one narrow perspective; the misconception of Athens so fervently fabricated by the media at recent events surrounding the Greek economy.

Our ears are filled with nothing but economical statistics and the dark side of mistreated power in politics. We hear the worst of the worst, and this has the most damning effects on our willingness to travel to Athens. But since when did we, as a generation so intellectually free as ours, allow the misconceptions of the media to dictate to us where we should go and what we should experience? With just one visit to Athens, this misconception is quickly defied, and travellers are ultimately left feeling angered at the thought that anyone ever tried to prevent them from making their own decisions to travel.

Overcoming such a misconception is vital for contemporary Athenian life and something that can be done with the most humanitarian of motivations, and what better way to do this than to look through the Athenian eye … to look through the perspective of those who are immersed in what the media portrays as a so-called ‘havoc ridden’ city every day.

To take the single most important aspect of the city, the people, and to consider things from their perspective; from a perspective that we can all empathise with from one point or another.

Streets of Plaka

Athens is an incredible city, home to many who are ecstatic about their culture and passionate about life. These are people who will always welcome you with arms wide open and whose national pride will have you immersed in the city’s culture in no time. They, just like you and I, vie for a life of freedom – intellectually, spiritually and economically. Unfortunately, events surrounding the fall of the Greek economy in 2008 disabled these people from readily achieving such freedoms. And interestingly enough, the most paralysing impact upon these people’s lives was the economy’s amplified projection in the media, which was misconstrued in the minds of many and allowed for a further economical hindrance on Athens and Greece as a whole.

The magnitude to which events at the fall of the Greek economy were displayed in the media was of a dramatic scale, described by local Athenian Katerina Tserno as ‘overdone’ and projected in a wrongful manner. From the first-hand perspective of our Athenian eye, Tserno says that the effects were evident in the people’s psychology more than anything else, and while there were demonstrations, the Athenian city remained as ‘friendly’ as ever.

As you stroll the streets of Athens, you can see just how very dedicated these people are in making a living and in striving for a life of economic freedom. As travellers, it is important we consider such events from a humanitarian perspective and understand just how much the decisions of our travels can change the lives of others.

All things aside, it is extremely refreshing to think that such a heavy economic burdening can be put in the past as Greece and Athens alike now look towards a brighter economic future. While never losing its touch, Athens has definitely revitalised its core, with people from every sector of Athenian society working towards a brighter Athenian future.

Upon returning to Athens this year, Katerina Tserno noticed that the Greek capital was definitely in a more lively state, with people going out more and with her friends attaining jobs – something she considered a rarity before she left Athens. Not to mention, the city’s streets are spiritedly booming with vivacious culture. In an interesting on-flow effect of the crisis, it has been noted that more Athenian artists are creeping out of the woodwork and onto the streets, providing the streets with contemporary artistic flair.

This is not to say that you should ever travel without your wits about your destination or without doing your research first. But do not be too quick to believe all that you hear, and do think about the extremely positive benefits your travels could have on foreign economy and life.

According to the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises (SETE) in 2013, travellers just like you contributed 16.3 per cent to the gross domestic product of Greece and allowed for an indirect generation of 657 jobs. Not only does travelling to Athens, and Greece alike, allow you to contribute to the country’s economy, but you are also promoting a positive projection to other travellers in assuming your freedom as a traveller.

By travelling to Athens, you will witness first-hand that media misconceptions can be quickly defied, and you will get to witness Athens in its beautifully modern vivacity. So don’t miss out, get out there and visit Athens.

View things through the Athenian eye, and be captivated by a city whose charm in the ability to rise from a fall will have you mesmerised.

*Alexandra Manatakis is a writer and the founder of travel website foreignpoint5.com aimed at revolutionising the modern travel experience through exposing the most culturally unique elements of its destinations.