Our preconceptions of a busted-arse Athens were a bit presumptuous, as it turned out to be well worth some effort. A spread out city that is easygoing but bustling in a Greek way - fast, frantic traffic but otherwise laidback. Riot police were a fixed but non threatening presence around the Parliament House precinct across the street from our hotel. One small, half-hearted riot was held on our last night, the furniture on the roof of our hotel had not been replaced after having been tossed over the side in a previous riot, a few too many shuttered and graffitied shop fronts - aside from which it was pretty funky and enjoyable.