Do you remember?

February 29, 2008 at 19:58 · Filed under Personal

Most of the country is caught up in costumes and recovering from consuming vast quantities of charred meat on Tsiknopempti.

But how many of you remember that this week is the 6-month anniversary of the earth in Greece being charred?

“You let Greece turn to ashes…why?”

Comments (15)

New 2€ coin for 2009 — it’s Greek

February 27, 2008 at 07:17 · Filed under News

This is the winning design for the new 2-euro coin to be issued January 2009 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the European Monetary Union (EMU). Do you like it?

Greek sculptor George Stamatopoulos won 41.48% of 141,675 votes cast; polls were open to all EU citizens and residents, but closed on February 22.

“The euro is the latest step in the long history of trade, from pre-historic barter – evoked by the deliberately primitive design – to economic and monetary union,” according to the artist.

Greece has been in the eurozone since 2001.

The “losers”

Related posts

“Non-EU travelers need 50 euros a day”
“Current EU members and Eurozone countries”
“Current Schengen countries”

* Article updated January 2, 2009

Comments (15)

English language bookstores in Greece

February 26, 2008 at 12:52 · Filed under Shopping in Greece

English language bookstores in Greece are limited in selection, but readily found in more places today than a decade ago. Online shopping is in its infancy and prices remain high, though an occasional convenience or bargain can be found.

In addition to these bookstores, you can find used books by browsing in Monastiraki (center of Athens), a slightly disorganized section at Compendium or swap out your book at a hostel should you only be passing through town. My hairdresser also has a shelf at her salon where expats can trade paperbacks; you might find a similar situation in your neighborhood.

There is no such thing as an American bookstore in Greece. Why? Because the concept behind U.S. bookstores is to sell in volume at a discount, and it simply isn’t possible to do that in Greece where taxes are high and demand is low.

Many use Amazon.co.uk, if money is no object and new books are preferred. I favor used books and inexpensive international shipping, so I use eBay with my American account (some sellers refuse to sell/ship to Greece due to fraud issues) and Better World Books, which sells new and used books by mail and charges only $3.97 for international shipping/post. They also make a small charitable donation per book to literacy.

As always, all underlined text is linked directly to the company website.

*Article last updated July 5, 2010

Best Book Hunters

Solonos 47
Phone/Fax: (210) 360-3473

Lefkados 33 & Evelpidon
Phone/Fax: (210) 825-6728
E-mail: bbh@bestbookhunters.gr

Στα Ελληνικά, κάντε κλικ “Best Book Hunters locations in Athens.”

Compendium (no website)

Athens – Syntagma (New and used)
5 Nikodimou
Tel: (210) 322-1248
Fax: (210) 322-2924
E-mail: compend@ath.forthnet.gr
No website

Eleftheroudakis

Main Store (Biggest selection and a smoke-filled café on one level)
Panepistimiou 17
Phone: (210) 325-8440
M – F: 9:00 – 21:00
Sa: 9:00 – 18:00

Ag. Paraskevi
Gravias 17
Phone/Fax: (210) 608-4525
M/W/Sa: 9:00 – 17:00
T/Th/F: 9:00 – 21:00

Alexandroupoli
Andrianoupoleos 4A
Phone: (25510) 22808
Fax: (25510) 22908
www.alexpolis-books.gr
M – F: 9:00-14:30 & 17:30-21:00
Sa: 9:00-15:00

Ambelokipi
Davaki 3-5
Phone/Fax: (210) 693-0250
M/W/Sa: 09:00 – 17:00
T/Th/F: 9:00 – 21:00

Athens – Syntagma (Next largest selection)
Nikis 20
Phone: (210) 323-1401
M – F: 9:00 – 21:00
Sa: 9:00 – 18:00

Athens Tower
Synopis 2
Phone/Fax: (210) 770-8007
M/W/Sa: 9:00 – 17:00
Tu/Th/F: 9:00 – 21:00

Crete – Irakleio
Odos 1821 – No. 10
Phone: 2810-227500
Fax: 2810-227501
M/W/Sa: 9:00-14:30, T/Th/F: 9:00-14:00 & 17:30-21:00

xFilothei
Malamatianou Square
City Hall of Filothei
Kalliga 31
Phone/Fax: (210) 683-0748
M/W/Sa: 9:00 – 17:00
Tu/Th/F: 9:00 – 21:00

Glyfada
Lazaraki 27
Phone/Fax: (210) 894-3892
M – F: 9:00 – 21:00
Sa: 9:00 – 18:00

Ioannina
Sp. Katsadima 7
Phone: (26510) 75880
Fax: (26510) 75138
T/Th/F: 9:00-15:00 & 17:30-21:00, M/W/Sa 9:00-15:00

xKifissia
Panagitsas 3
Phone/Fax: (210) 808-3764
M/W/Sa: 9:00 – 17:00
Tu/Th/F: 9:00 – 21:00

Kifissia
Kifissias Avenue 268
Phone/Fax: (210) 623-6677
M – F: 9:00 – 21:00
Sa: 9:00 – 18:00

Maroussi
Golden Hall
Spyro Louis 37A
Phone/Fax: (210) 6836070
M-F: 10:00 – 21:00
Sa: 10:00 – 20:00

Maroussi
“MITERA” Maternity Ward
Er. Stavrou Street 6
Phone/Fax: (210) 689-7072
M – F: 9:00 – 20:00
Sa: 9:00 – 17:00

Mykonos
New Regional Road of Mykonos
Drafaki Area
Phone/Fax: (2289) 28992
M/T/Th/F: 10:00 – 14:00, 17:30 – 20:30, W: 10:00 – 14:00, Sa: 10:00 – 14:30

Nea Smyrni
K. Palaiologou 2
Phone/Fax: (210) 9329983
M-F: 9:00 – 21:00
Sa: 9:00 – 18:00

Neo Psychiko
Shopping Mall of Psychiko
Kifissias 294
Phone/Fax: (210) 677-8350
M/W/Sa: 09:00 – 16:00
T/Th/F: 9:00 – 14:00, 17:30 – 21:00

Patra
Ermou 42
Phone: (2610) 622180
Fax: (2610) 624981
M/W/Sa: 9:00-16:00, T/Th/F: 9:00-21:00

Piraeus
Kon. Palaiologou 13
Plateia Terpsithea
Phone: (210) 429-6433
M/W: 9:00 – 15:00
T/Th/F: 9:00-14:30, 17:30-21:00
Sa: 9:00 – 16:00

Thessaloniki (Center)
Nikis 73 & Gounari 1
Phone/Fax: (2310) 256406
M – F: 9:00 – 21:00
Sa: 9:00 – 20:00

Village Park
Thivon Avenue 228
Phone/Fax: (210) 4256800
M/Sa: 11:00 – 20:00
T-F: 10:30 – 21:00

Στα Ελληνικά, κάντε κλικ “Eleftheroudakis locations in Greece.”

FNAC

FNAC originally announced expansion at the rate of two outlets per year until 2012, until they reached eight to 10 branches. However, the French company has instead decided to withdraw from Greece, citing poor sales. It agreed to let Public take over the Maroussi and Glyfada; the Monastiraki store is likely to close permanently.

The Mall of Athens (will become a Public store)
Andrea Papandreou 35
Marousi
Main: (210) 630-5555
Customer Service: 800 111 36 22
M – F: 9:00-21:00
Sa: 9:00-20:00

Glyfada (will become a Public store)
S. Karagiorga 4 & Lazaraki
Main: (210) 898-4300
M – F: 9:00-21:00
Sa: 9:00-20:00

Monastiraki (fate unknown)
Aiolou & Mitropoleos
M-F: 09:00-21:00, Sa: 09:00-20:00
Tel: (210) 3731100

Στα Ελληνικά and to see relevant maps, κάντε κλικ “FNAC locations in Greece.”

Leader Books

Five bookstores closed. Inquires at:
Koniari 60
115 21 Athens
Tel: (210) 6452825

Email: info@leaderbooks.com

Papasotiriou

Limited English-language selection; good selection of technical and computer books.

Agrinio: Sp. Tsiknia (Tsaldari 52)
Tel/Fax: 26410-45677
E-mail: agrinio@papasotiriou.gr
M-F: 9.00-14.00, 17.30-21.00, Sa: 9.00-16.00

Alexandroupoli: Venizelou 41
Phone: 25510-23050
Fax: 25510-28929
E-mail: alexpoli@papasotiriou.gr
M/W/Sa: 09:00-14:00, T/Th/F: 09:00-14:00 & 17:30-20:30 (Winter)
M/W/Sa: 09:00-14:00, T/Th/F: 09:00-14:00 & 18:00-21:00 (Summer)

Athens: Stournari 23
Phone: (210) 384-8234
Fax: (210) 384-8254
E-mail: pap23@papasotiriou.gr
M/F: 09:00-16:30, Tu/W/Th: 09:00-20:30 (Winter)
M/W: 09:00-16:30, Tu/Th/F: 09:00-21:00, Sa: 09:00-16:30 (Summer)

Athens: Stournari 35 & George
Phone: (210) 332-3300
Fax: (210) 380-4397
E-mail: economics@papasotiriou.gr
M-F: 09:00-21:00, Sa: 09:00-18:00

Athens: Stournari 49 & Patision
Phone/Fax: (210) 3816996
E-mail: cdsales@papasotiriou.gr
M-F: 09:00-21:00, Sa: 09:00-18:00

Athens: Panepistimiou 37 & Korai
Phone: (210) 325-3232
Fax: (210) 325-3222
panepistimiou@papasotiriou.gr
M-F: 09:00-21:00, Sa: 09:00-18:00

Athens: Ermou 39 – Hondos Center
Phone: (210) 372-2988
E-mail: hcermou@papasotiriou.gr
M-F: 09:00-21:00, Sa: 09:00-18:00

Crete – Irakleio
Korai 17
Phone/Fax: 2810-300880
E-mail: iraklio@papasotiriou.gr
M/F: 09:00-16:00, T/W/Th: 09:00-21:00

Glyfada
A. Papandreou 13
Phone/Fax: (210) 894-2745
E-mail: glyfada@papasotiriou.gr
M-F: 09:00-21:00, Sa: 09:00-18:00

Ioannina
Mix. Aggelou 6
Phone: 26510-64000
Fax: 26510-64001
E-mail: ioanina@papasotiriou.gr
M/W/Sa: 08:30-14:30, T/Th/F: 08:30-14:00 & 17:00-20:30 (Winter)
M/W/Sa: 08:30-14:00, T/Th/F: 08:30-14:00 & 17:30-21:00 (Summer)

Kifissia
Kolokotroni 10
Phone/Fax: (210) 623-1854
E-mail: kifisia@papasotiriou.gr
M-F: 09:00-21:00, Sa: 09:00-18:00

Komotini
Orpheus 21
Phone: 25310 81181
Fax: 25310 81182
E-mail: komotini@papasotiriou.gr

Korinthos
Apostolou Pavlou 51
Phone: 27410-73740
E-mail: korinthos@papasotiriou.gr
M-F: 9.00-14.00& 18.00-21.00
Sa: 9.00-16.00

Larissa
Papanastasiou 57
Phone: 2410-549326
Fax: 2410-549327
E-mail: larisa@papasotiriou.gr
M/W/F: 08:30-13:30 & 16:30-20:00, T/Th/F: 08:30-14:00 (Winter)
M/W/F: 08:30-13:30 & 17:30-21:00, T/Th/F: 08:30-14:00 (Summer)

Lesvos – Mytilini
Ermou 211-213
Phone: 22510 23388
Fax: 22510 23317
E-mail: mitilini@papasotiriou.gr

Marousi
The Mall of Athens
A. Papandreou 35
Phone: (210) 610-0266
Fax: (210) 610-0265
E-mail: marousi@papasotiriou.gr
M-F: 09:00-21:00, Sa: 09:00-20:00

Oropos
Georgiou Drosini 7
(Paralia)
Phone: 22950-30094
Fax: None
E-mail: oropos@papasotiriou.gr
M-Su: 7:00-23.00

Patra
Patreos 30
Phone: 2610-624916, 2610-624918
Fax: 2610-624917
E-mail: patra@papasotiriou.gr
M/W: 09:00-14:00 & 18:00-21:00, Sa: 09:00-15:00,
T/Th/F: 09:00-14:00 & 17:00-21:00

Patra
Patra University
Phone: 2610-995455
Fax: 2610-995456
E-mail: adamop@upatras.gr
M – F: 09:00-18:00

Peristeri
Ethnikis Antistaseos 55
Phone: (210) 574-0888
Fax: (210) 574-8777
E-mail: None
M-F: 09:00-21:00, Sa: 09:00-18:00

Thessaloniki
Tsimiski 87 & Gr. Palama 3
Phone: 2310-250808
Fax: 2310-234965
E-mail: thesaloniki2@papasotiriou.gr
M-F: 09:00-21:00, Sa 09:00-15:30 (Winter)
M-F: 09:00-21:00, Sa 09:00-15:30 (Summer)

Thessaloniki
Makedonia Center (Carrefour)
Phone: 2310-473104
Fax: 2310-473415
E-mail: thesaloniki3@papasotiriou.gr
M-F: 09:00-20:00, Sa: 09:00-18:30 (Winter)
M-F: 08:30-21:00, Sa: 08:30-18:00 (Summer)

Volos
Dimitriados & Koumoundourou
Phone: 24210-76210-2
Fax: 24210-76213
E-mail: volos@papasotiriou.gr
M/W/Sa: 08:30-14:00, T/Th/F: 08:30-14:00 & 17:00-20:00 (Winter)
M/W/Sa: 08:30-13:00, T/Th/F: 08:30-14:00 & 17:30-21:00 (Summer)

Xanthi
Vas. Sofias 8
Phone: 25410-84085
Fax: 25410-84087
E-mail: xanthi@papasotiriou.gr

Zografou
EM Polytechneio
Phone/Fax: (210) 748-2548
E-mail: zografou@papasotiriou.gr
M-F: 09:00-17:00

* Στα Ελληνικά and to see relevant maps, κάντε κλικ “Papasotiriou locations in Greece.”

Public

Athens – Syntagma
Karageorgi Servias 1
(210) 324-6210
M-F: 09.00-21.00, Sa: 09.00-20.00

Ioannina
Pyrsinella 4 & G. Melanidi
Tel: 26510 70087
Fax: 26510 70840
M-F: 09:00-21:00, Sa: 09:00-20:00

Piraeus
Griforiou Lampraki 152-154
Tel: (210) 4126400
M-F: 09.00-21.00, Sa: 09.00-20.00

Thessaloniki (Thermi)
Mediterranean Kosmos Shopping Center
11οth km Ε.Ο. Thes./Neon Moudanion
(2310) 472633,
Fax: (2310) 475984
M-F: 10.00-21.00, Sa: 10.00-20.00

Volos
Oyl. 28 & Ι. Kontaratou 9
(24210) 22904
Fax: (24210) 24530
M-F: 9.00-21.00, Sa: 9.00-20.00

Στα Ελληνικά and to see relevant maps, κάντε κλικ “Public locations in Greece.”

Reymondos (no website)

Athens
18 Voukourestiou
Phone: (210) 364-8189

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