Let's talk about sidewalks...

You'd think in a city where walking is the number one form of transportation, that there would be large sidewalks, sufficient for at least two or three people to walk side by side, right?
HA!

I really don't understand the sidewalk setup. I mean, really, what is the point of a 3 foot wide sidewalk if you're gonna plant a tree in the middle of it every 10 feet? Or clog the remaining area with dumpsters? I question the driving ability of Greeks enough as it is because of their tendency to pass a pedestrian with less than two feet of clearance at 35 mph without blinking an eye. So...when I'm walking down the main road in the neighborhood, I'd much prefer the protection of a sidewalk. It sort of defeats the purpose when I'm having to step off the sidewalk into the street (not to mention that I have to go even further into the street to get around the parked cars) every ten feet. I don't really like the idea of becoming a hood ornament for someones Puegeot or Toyota. Call it my American ignorance, but I just don't understand the logic behind the sidewalk construction here.

Now, I probably sound more frustrated than I am and that's mostly because I'm just confused. So I was trying to figure out the purpose of these trees that block the only safe walking path we have. I have a few ideas:

The first is that maybe these trees are planted there to prevent people from parking on the sidewalks. Most people walk to get around but I have noticed that there is a major lack of parking space and the only way you can hope to park your car is if you're the proud driver of a smart car with an extreme proclivity for parallel parking. Either that or you cheat...

And yes, I have actually seen cars parked like this in Athens. 

My second theory is that perhaps these trees are actually planted for harvesting. If you look around Athens, it doesn't take an expert to realize that the mountainous area and the rocky ground doesn't do much in the way of agriculture. And since the entire valley is occupied by sprawling neighborhoods up to the last inch, any spare, semi-fertile land is more than likely highly appreciated and desired. I guess this shouldn't surprise me either since most of these "nuisance" trees are some sort of citrus, or cherry tree. What does surprise me is that any of the fruit that grows on these trees is up for grabs by anyone and everyone that passes them and has a craving for a nice, juicy orange. So this makes me question my theory...If they're used for harvesting, why would they be free to the public? 

The only other explanation I can think of is that maybe Athenians just like coming home with scratches from tree branches all over them, or would prefer to take a walk on the wild side by risking walking in the street. To me, this is the least likely of explanations, but perhaps it's all in the way that you look at it. 

In reality, the sidewalk situation isn't really a big deal, just a minor annoyance when you're trying to get somewhere. Still, the streets and surrounding landscape of Athens are gorgeous and if I have to push through a few low-hanging tree branches or get close and comfy with an oncoming car to see it, I guess it's worth it.