May is the new July in Athens and on the islands

The tour buses for the Acropolis are paralyzing traffic on Amalias Avenue. The crowd of tourists on Dionysiou Areopagitou Street is reminiscent of July. Trash overflows from the bins in the middle of the day. The sidewalks are occupied by tables and chairs. The restaurants are unbearably expensive, and at the open-air cinemas, you have to book a seat because they are among the most popular attractions in the city.

Airbnbs are gentrifying entire neighborhoods, driving out regular tenants. Rents in the center and around it are becoming a social wound. Athens belongs more and more to visitors rather than its residents. On the beaches along the southern coast on weekends, shade costs as much as champagne: 30-90 euros for an umbrella.

Swimming in the sea, even in May, is therefore a luxury for Athenians. The same goes for a short trip to the Cyclades. It's hard to find a...