My foray into the cradle of Western civilization didn't start out so auspiciously. When I arrived in Athens on May 11, the Greeks were in the midst of a full-blown strike -- over what, no one could tell us -- and I have to say, it was ten times crazier than anything I ever saw in France (or Berkeley). People were flooding the streets, shouting and waving flags and incomprehensible signs (being in Greece gave me a small taste of what it must be like to be illiterate). At one point we almost had to dodge the rocks and full water bottles being flung at the riot police. The metro was closed and so was the archeological museum, and when tear gas began to permeate the air, stinging our noses and eyes, we had no choice but to make for the hostel just to get out of the mess.
It got better, though. Though the city of Athens itself is kind of a concrete jungle, standing atop the Acropolis and looking through the sky-windows of the Parthenon isn't really an experience you can replicate anywhere else.
And though walking amidst milennia-old ruins and beholding the the birthplace of democracy before you can certainly make you feel insignificant, the beauty and grandeur of it all is enough to inspire you to go and do something great.
The Greek islands of Hydra and Poros weren't bad, either.
And finally, the food.
Souvlaki pork and the best potatoes I've ever had.
Grilled octopus tentacle.
Olives from Kalamata.
A Greek salad. Check out that brick of feta cheese.
