After giving Manuel’s place a test-drive for a week I decided to extend my stay for three more. I spent four expansive weeks there. Manuel’s flat (apartment) is located at the very heart of a very hip and interesting “alternative” neighbourhood – artists and smart young entrepreneurs mixing with a nice traditional history – a real authentic Athenian “scene” which is now experiencing a renaissance economically and culturally. Street food, high food, any food that’s good food. Shops for groceries, shops for jewellery, whatever you need is in the neighbourhood, as they say on Sesame Street. Nightlife is perky and boisterous: music, voices, motorcycles. The people are open and friendly and immersed in a local scene that has all the characteristics of Greeks living with people from other European countries and further out into the discovery zone – which has not yet been fully tapped, so get it while you can. The flat is deep, it burrows through the width of the large building of flats from street-side to back-side, a classy space which has two small but well equipped (tables, chairs) balconies off the Queen Sized bedrooms. The aircon is salvation. It is furnished tastefully with furniture that – especially in the dining room – takes you back in time a bit, at the same time wholly modern. The flat has a safety door and lock and is fully equipped for any remote activities over the internet and online. It has electrical chargers planted around the place for charging your mobile phone, a cool piece of good thinking. Manuel himself is a broad minded and worldly man who lived in the flat himself for four years, which gives him valuable local knowledge which you may avail yourself of freely, at least it was so in my case: he’s a consistent person and talks the Real Talk that comes with a kind of New York spirit and directness. Altogether a great combo. All-Star.