Enjoying the view, leaving a mess behind

With a refreshing breeze and the slowly sinking sun casting its deepening colors over the Attica basin, it was a enchanting afternoon on Ai-Yiannis Hill, an area on the border between the municipalities of Athens and Dafni-Ymittos. There, a clearing beside the 8th Elementary School - with a stunning view of the Acropolis, Philopappou and Lycabettus - has become a popular local hangout after authorities recently paved it to create a "balcony" overlooking the city. Groups of teens, starry-eyed couples, solitary walkers, children, and youths in cars and on motorcycles flood the area every day, especially at sunset.

They sit on the low stone wall on the edge of the clearing or stand around in small groups, chatting. They drink coffee, soda or beer, and nibble on chips and candy bars until the sun goes down behind Mount Aegaleo to the west. It's become a daily ritual, this...