The Out-of-Towners: Mehran Khalili

Mehran Khalili is a British-Iranian Political Communications Consultant and talented photographer who loves exploring the center of town. He is this week’s featured Out-of-Towner, offering us personalized views, insider experiences and know­-how of Greek life.

Name
Mehran Khalili

Profession
Political Communications Consultant

Life status
Alive

Where on earth I am from
I’m British-Iranian and grew up in Luxembourg.

Rate your homeland vs Greece
Greece is more alive than the UK, and more beautiful than Iran. Compared to Luxembourg, well… Greece is another planet.

I came here because…
Because of my wife, who’s Greek.

I’ve fallen in love with…
Pasteli (sesame bars)

I get mad because…
Some people don’t let you off the metro before they try to board.

Greece in the palm of my hand
A cup of Greek coffee (even if no one outside Greece thinks it’s Greek).

If I knew then what I know now…
I would have moved here sooner.

MY FAVORITE PLACE TO:

eat: Fabrika tou Efrosynou in Koukaki (34 An. Zinni St, Koukaki)

watch the sun set: The top of Filopappou Hill.

party all night: Any bar in the commercial triangle.

swim: Only on the islands

shop: SousSol (6 Veikou St, Koukaki) for beautiful things; Ellinika Kaloudia (8 Hatzichristou, Acropolis) for food.

watch the world go by: The front seats at Meatropoleos 3 on Syntagma Square.

read peacefully: The tiny park near the entrance to Anafiotika.

connect with Greek culture: Any open-air traditional music concert.

work out: A jog around the Acropolis.

escape: The slopes of Mt Hymettus overlooking Athens. It’s another world, minutes’ drive from the city centre.

feel like a local: People-watching from a corner table in any cafe.

Photo by Mehran Khalili