Alright fine. I'll post the least flattering one in her honor. She'd kill me if she knew I put this one up :P
But she doesn't have my blog address... hahaha... (obviously).
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
Delphi
I went to Delphi on what was possibly one of the worst tours I have ever taken (and most expensive). Our guide was so amateur; she had me thinking I could do better. The tour was done through the hostel in Athens and after much debate I decided to do it (even though my friends had opted otherwise). Once she started reading from a piece of paper pulled off the net and began handing out similar materials, I knew we were in trouble. She knew jack shit. But that’s just the beginning...
Part of the reason I went on the tour was due to a rather attractive English girl that was urging me to come along. Big mistake. On the two hour bus down, I soon realized that she is possibly one of the stupidest people I’ve ever met- and she was a high school teacher (big surprise, eh?). I tried so hard to find some substance, but all I got was Facebook and social anecdotes. She couldn’t even talk about music, all she listened to was the stuff her friends put on her ipod. Sorry, I’m a little bitter because she would not stop asking me to take pictures of sights, namely with ‘Her’ in them. Jebus H… and here I am being led by my other brain until halfway through the tour we are SO far behind that we get lost for nearly an hour. I had tried to stay calm and prayed we wouldn’t miss the friggin’ bus as she wants to go to the museum instead of waiting around by the entrance for our group… initially I refused, and then conceded. Ultimately, we missed a huge portion of our tour –namely, the Sanctuary of Athena- and I was horribly disillusioned. I will never forget you, stupid English girl.
Delphi was still cool. I loved all the ruins: the temple of Apollo, the theatre of Dionysus and the old gymnasium. The ‘Sacred Way’ leads up to the site of the old oracle and apparently there’s a fault right under the city where they say fumes came up to intoxicate the oracle (among other ingested drugs and chemicals). This beautiful, holy city lies out in the middle of nowhere but dictated so much of the politics and religion during these ancient times.
On a random note- one of the coolest things I saw at Delphi was two house cats getting it on. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’ve never seen that. Dogs: of course. Animal planet: all kinds of stuff. But plain old ordinary house cats? Never…
Part of the reason I went on the tour was due to a rather attractive English girl that was urging me to come along. Big mistake. On the two hour bus down, I soon realized that she is possibly one of the stupidest people I’ve ever met- and she was a high school teacher (big surprise, eh?). I tried so hard to find some substance, but all I got was Facebook and social anecdotes. She couldn’t even talk about music, all she listened to was the stuff her friends put on her ipod. Sorry, I’m a little bitter because she would not stop asking me to take pictures of sights, namely with ‘Her’ in them. Jebus H… and here I am being led by my other brain until halfway through the tour we are SO far behind that we get lost for nearly an hour. I had tried to stay calm and prayed we wouldn’t miss the friggin’ bus as she wants to go to the museum instead of waiting around by the entrance for our group… initially I refused, and then conceded. Ultimately, we missed a huge portion of our tour –namely, the Sanctuary of Athena- and I was horribly disillusioned. I will never forget you, stupid English girl.
Delphi was still cool. I loved all the ruins: the temple of Apollo, the theatre of Dionysus and the old gymnasium. The ‘Sacred Way’ leads up to the site of the old oracle and apparently there’s a fault right under the city where they say fumes came up to intoxicate the oracle (among other ingested drugs and chemicals). This beautiful, holy city lies out in the middle of nowhere but dictated so much of the politics and religion during these ancient times.
On a random note- one of the coolest things I saw at Delphi was two house cats getting it on. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’ve never seen that. Dogs: of course. Animal planet: all kinds of stuff. But plain old ordinary house cats? Never…
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Athens
I’m quite a few blogs behind here. Wireless is somewhat scarce, internet is a mite pricey and my funds have been running low so bear with me the next couple days and I'll try to catch up~
Athens is quite charming. I spent a few days in the city, took a tour, ran around and pretty much had a great time. The climate here is so much like San Diego, just a little greener scenery. I stayed in a hostel just beside the Acropolis, which made for a nice view, especially at night. There are more stray dogs in this city than I have ever seen. But the beautiful thing is that the dogs LOVE tourists and hate the Greeks. The Greeks are mean to the dogs whilst the tourists are nice and stop to pet them, etc. Each night, I went out with a group of people and every time 2-3 dogs followed us, nay- escorted us to the restaurant, discotech- wherever. And every time they sat and waited (sometimes hours) to escort us back home to the hostel. They bark at passing cars and Greeks whenever they’re in close proximity. It’s fabulous. My favorite dog was one- Zeus; he had one eye and was burly, but absolutely friendly!
I’d heard a lot of horror stories about Athens in terms of crime, drugs, poverty. But, I think I chose wisely when I decided to stay in the central, more upscale part of the city because my experience was only positive. I did see one heroine junky who kept collapsing on a street corner, but that's about it. Aside from that, I visited the old ruins of the temple of Zeus, the original stadium of the ancient Olympic Games, walked the Agora and the old streets of Socrates and Plato (something that was really significant and important to me). And of course, I went up to the Acropolis and saw the Parthenon, which is under heavy restoration but still so freaking cool!
The food in Athens was divine. I never knew gyros could be so damn good, or so much better than what I’ve had in the States. Upon coming to Greece, I eat at least a gyro a day (that’s y-e-r-o, Mom, not Jiro) partially because they are so cheap- under 2 euros, mang- but also because they are so insanely addictive, healthy, wholesome, Godlike... however you want to describe ‘em. Greek Salads are awesome. They are served without lettuce, only: tomato, cucumber, onion, olive and oh the feta- which is totally different from feta in the states, not crumbly but served solid and somewhat creamier. Greek olives are really tasty too. You were right Dad, when you said that one day I would come to like raw onions. I was so defiant, and I never would’ve believed it, but almost everything here is served with raw onions and I’ll admit I’ve become a fan. How very much alike we are; it scares me.
Athens is quite charming. I spent a few days in the city, took a tour, ran around and pretty much had a great time. The climate here is so much like San Diego, just a little greener scenery. I stayed in a hostel just beside the Acropolis, which made for a nice view, especially at night. There are more stray dogs in this city than I have ever seen. But the beautiful thing is that the dogs LOVE tourists and hate the Greeks. The Greeks are mean to the dogs whilst the tourists are nice and stop to pet them, etc. Each night, I went out with a group of people and every time 2-3 dogs followed us, nay- escorted us to the restaurant, discotech- wherever. And every time they sat and waited (sometimes hours) to escort us back home to the hostel. They bark at passing cars and Greeks whenever they’re in close proximity. It’s fabulous. My favorite dog was one- Zeus; he had one eye and was burly, but absolutely friendly!
I’d heard a lot of horror stories about Athens in terms of crime, drugs, poverty. But, I think I chose wisely when I decided to stay in the central, more upscale part of the city because my experience was only positive. I did see one heroine junky who kept collapsing on a street corner, but that's about it. Aside from that, I visited the old ruins of the temple of Zeus, the original stadium of the ancient Olympic Games, walked the Agora and the old streets of Socrates and Plato (something that was really significant and important to me). And of course, I went up to the Acropolis and saw the Parthenon, which is under heavy restoration but still so freaking cool!
The food in Athens was divine. I never knew gyros could be so damn good, or so much better than what I’ve had in the States. Upon coming to Greece, I eat at least a gyro a day (that’s y-e-r-o, Mom, not Jiro) partially because they are so cheap- under 2 euros, mang- but also because they are so insanely addictive, healthy, wholesome, Godlike... however you want to describe ‘em. Greek Salads are awesome. They are served without lettuce, only: tomato, cucumber, onion, olive and oh the feta- which is totally different from feta in the states, not crumbly but served solid and somewhat creamier. Greek olives are really tasty too. You were right Dad, when you said that one day I would come to like raw onions. I was so defiant, and I never would’ve believed it, but almost everything here is served with raw onions and I’ll admit I’ve become a fan. How very much alike we are; it scares me.
Nice view of Athens.
Changing of the guard. And I thought the English had funny outfits...
Olympic stadium, fixed up of course.
The 'Original' Greek salad.
Some random dog, not Zeus but they are all over the place just like this, laying like they're dead.
Some night life.
That's my good friend Ariel and me. He's from SD, Del Mar area and we really hit it off but more on him later..
A little surrealist coke advertisement I saw on the streets and, well, I kinda dig it. 
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
A Few Words for Russ
I just want to make a quick post on behalf of my friend Russell. He recently passed and I am devastated here on the other side of the world. Russ was wholly supportive of my trip here to Europe and inspired me countless ways. We were childhood friends and he died so young. Why, he posted here not long ago- always positive and enthusiastic. So, I’ve been carrying this Cuban cigar around with me for a while waiting for the right time… well tonight I smoked it and then I poured out a lil’ liquor for my friend- remembering the triangle. My heart goes out to Russ, his spirit or whatever. I love you and we'll miss you, man. RIP bro.
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