Athens - the controversial host of the ...
Trip Start
Jun 01, 2002
1
20
Trip End
Aug 22, 2002
Athens,
Greece
Tuesday, July 23, 2002
One thing I have realised is that I don't have to like every place that I visit. Athens is a city that I am not going to wax lyrical about and these are not just Sydney-sider taunts being made at the beleagured olympic hosts. Honestly, exactly where are they going to host the Olympics amidst all these buildings and smog? Admittedly the metro is fantastic, but it only runs from one end of the city centre to the other. It's a nice idea to host it in Athens, but logistically, I think they are a little too ambitious. I hope they prove me wrong.
I decided to take time out to visit the Greek Isles extensively another summer but as for Athens in July - simply, don't go there. No respite from the heat and plagued with troops of American college students on archaeological field trips for their summer break. So much for preservation, these kids stood wherever they felt like in order to get the 'perfect' photo. I can just imagine the discussion when showing these at home, 'Here's me standing on a piece of the ancient Acropolis. That rock that is like, a thousand years old!' It seems that education doesn't buy respect for historic places or common sense. Nothing like hot weather and loud, obnoxious people to make me cranky. Sometimes I can really relate to Bill Bryson and his rants about the things that niggle him when travelling. Ugly buildings and obnoxious people at the top of the list.
The Acropolis is fantastic though undergoing major preservation work. I spent most of my time wandering the backstreets and discovering little places that I would never, ever be able to find again. I can see how some people would love Athens, particularly those keen on visiting archaeological sites, but it was one of those places that just didn't 'click' for me. Give me Krakow, Dubrovnik, or Istanbul any day. Maybe Athens deserves another visit, another time.
Still, it was interesting to finally see the Greek capital and reach the finishing point of this trip. Yes, I crossed the finishing line and headed back to the bustling streets of London, the pretend working life hotos and most importantly, saving up for another trip.
I hope you have enjoyed the journey as much as I have and thank you for putting up with my mishaps, loud thoughts, occasional lurches on and off the soapbox and sweeping generalisations.
To all the people I met along the way, I had a fantastic time travelling with you.
I promise, promise, promise that I will email notification when I eventually manage to upload some to this site. (One day.) Until then, back to catmoj@ekno.com
Finally, the bridal offer came through. This time not eighty Tunisian camels but an offer for my hand in marriage to a Turkish man for three beers and one rum&coke. I know this was The Vodka to Vino Tour, but I told him he was dreaming!
xx Catherine xx
