the ancient ruins in athens are really spectacular, but the entire time we were there, i could only imagine the comedy of errors that awaits next summer for the olympics. it seems as though the entire city is scrambling to create a tourist infrastructure for the first time. somehow, they have managed to go for years without simple signage, indicating where to go and how to find tourist sites (and on-site explanations at the sites in english or any language for that matter - thank god my mom was smart enough to bring some excellent guide books). once we got to the base of the acropolis mountain (avoid our mistake of following the signs, they only lead to terror - take a cab instead), there began the choose your own adventure to get to the top. follow the road? no! that's only for curators. follow the sidewalk? no! that's under construction. follow the tracks from a bull dozer and leap over random 5,000 year old artifacts? yes! just don't let anyone see you. the ruins themselves are not delineated by any signage and the only way you know where to go and where not to go, is if you take a step in the incorrect direction, a man blows a whistle at you, and then you pick another way up. once you get to the top, whatever your struggle entailed, it is well worth the trip. it was amazing. click here for some photographs from greece.

posted by Hans 3:36 AM