Chance, or maybe my subconscious, made me walk just outside the once quaint little restaurant by the name of "To Koutouki tis Evrou" (Το Κουτούκι της Έβρου) on the corner of Evrou and Lykaonias streets, in the general area of the American Embassy in Athens, or the Hippokration Hospital, to those familiar with the area.
It is here, (and also at the "Taverna tou Tzaferi" just pass the rail lines, at the foot of Aghiou Meletiou street), that I spent many a night as a young man, drinking inexpensive house wine from the barrel, along with basic, yet ever so tasty, Greek appetizers (mezedes), smokimg my heart out and having heated arguments with comrades, friends, or acquaintances, on the hot issues of those times. It was the end of the 7-year military dictatorship, the beginning of a new era for the country, and our blood was hot and our heads full of air and ideas.
It has been a long time since "To Koutouki tis Evrou" is out of commission. It now stands abandoned, miserable, void of life. Nothing betrays, not even a forgotten sign, the laughter, the groups of friends, the arguments, but also the passion that once filled the place with life.
Alas, the friends are not here either. Comrades are no more for decades now, friends became nothing but old acquaintances, and acquaintances faded away into nothingness. There is no interest on fruitful arguments, ideologies, graceful thoughts, and missions that do not include our personal interests exist no more.
Where once was "To Koutouki tis Evrou" of my youth.