THE-OUT-OF-TOWNERS
The Out-of-Towners: Birgit Rudolph
Birgit Rudolph is a German Athenian who lives near the sea in southern Athens and works successfully in the capital as an energy healer and physiotherapist. She is this week’s features Out-of-Towner, offering us personalized views, insider experiences and know-how of Greek life.
Name
Birgit (Carola) Rudolph
Profession
Physiotherapist / Energy Therapist / Mum.
Life status
Divorced but in a relationship.
Where on earth I am from
Born in Kassel, Germany, and raised in a verdant small town near Bonn.
Rate your homeland vs Greece
I can’t compare! I was always surrounded by green landscapes and low-rise houses, in the village of Dohr/Cochem with 700 inhabitants. My life revolved around cycling and hiking around the mountains and forests in and around the village, where you could spot deer just outside our garden.
I came to Greece because…
I was working as a physiotherapist at a rehabilitation clinic for spinal cord injuries where I treated a tetraplegic Greek woman. When she was due to return home, she invited me to accompany her to Athens to help her resettle into her life.
I’ve fallen in love with…
The Greek climate: when I first arrived, I lived in Paleo Faliro where, almost every afternoon, I enjoyed long, barefoot walks along the shore. Doing this in December was amazing, after endless winters in freezing cold Germany! I also love the busy energy of central Athens.
I get mad because…
I see how reckless people can be nationwide when it comes to nature and the environment – from the way they dump their garbage anywhere they go to the ill treatment of animals.
If I knew then what I know now…
I would have caught the first flight back to my fairytale land! I’m glad I didn’t, because staying made me the person I am now and I’m proud of what I’ve achieved.
Greece in the palm of my hand…
A delicious souvlaki, a piece of white marble collected from the beach, a freshly picked lemon, amongst many other things!
MY FAVORITE PLACE TO:
eat : Savvas souvlaki restaurant (86 Mitropoleos St, Monastiraki), or for something more high-end, modern Greek cuisine prepared by chef Stelios Koutrouvelis at Elia Restaurant (85 Geroulanou St, Argiroupouli).
watch the sun set: I live on the 6th and 7th floors of a building with views to Piraeus and the island of Aegina so my balcony, of course.
party all night: These days I prefer to go to bed early and wake up fresh.
swim: With the beach only minutes from my house, offseason I like Batis beach in Paleo Faliro (73 Poseidonos Ave), or a hidden cove off Vouliagmeni beach. During summer I prefer the islands, such as Chios and Limnos.
shop: I never miss the weekly open market (laiki agora) in our neighborhood with its smells, shouting farmers and the towers of fruit and vegetables sold at really good prices. It makes me feel safe, rich and alive.
watch the world go by: High on the peer of the Marina Flisvos harbor.
read peacefully: Curled up on my balcony sunbed soaking up the rays.
connect with Greek culture: The Onassis Cultural Center (107109, Syngrou Ave) Poems and Crimes (17 Agias Irinis Sq, Monastiraki), The Michael Cacoyiannis Foundation (206 Pireos St), various little bars around Kerameikos that host live events. I also take long walks around the Acropolis, Filopappou and Anafiotika.
workout: Walking and aquaaerobics on the beach, yoga at home.
escape to: The top of Lycabettus hill or Mt Hymettus for walks.
feel like a local: Shopping on Ermou St, followed by coffee and a cigarette at an open-air coffee shop.
Photos by Nikos Kokkas
