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August 11, 2004

Athens ready ...

Drifting into a semi-concious sleep-state whilst riding the bus in my NorthWest London neighbourhood the other day - I woke up to find myself in Athens. A city readying itself once again for the Olympic Games. Having never been here before - it was difficult to compare the "before and after" situation that this place has presumably been undergoing lately - but it was fascinating nevertheless to (literally) snapshot the current state.
The site of the original modern Olympic Games in Athens 1896
Click on the MORE below to continue ...
One thing that was very apparent was the emphasis on security. Greek Police and Army are everywhere.
Soldier guarding hotel in downtown Athens
Private cars have been discouraged (and even banned) from the central area of Athens for the duration of the games - the authorities encouraging the use of the public transport system: metro, trams and buses. All the major road arteries through the centre of town between the Airport, Olympic Village and the new Stadium have got dedicated "Olympic" lanes for "official Olympic traffic".
Dedicated "Olympic Games" traffic lanes in downtown Athens
The new Olympic Stadium (and associated stadia) are completed and ready - for what promises to be an historic occasion. Although there are still many signs of ongoing construction and city-cleansing all around town.
The brand-new Olympic Stadium
The leader comment editorial of the local Athens newspaper - "Kathimerini" provides a fascinating insight into how Athens and Athenians view themselves, their history and and their responsibilities with regards to these Olympic Games.
Greek media comment on the Olympic Games: of "Concomitant faults and virtues"
The ruins of the magnificent Acropolis proudly presides over this ancient city - providing a most spectacular backdrop to a place that has been - and will forever be - studied by billions of people for many generations to come.
Acropolis by day ...
Acropolis by night
WARNING: COMMENTS ARE WORKING - BUT YOU MAY GET AN ERROR 500 PAGE (Ignore the error - the comment will still be added - I just haven't got round to fixing the problem yet)

Posted by jag at August 11, 2004 10:56 PM

Comments

Jag.. Nice photos.. Want to ask you something over e-mail. Could you ping me at sam_chakra at yahoo dot com and I'll reply back.. Thanks.

Posted by: Chakra at August 12, 2004 04:42 PM

You made it to the Olym'pics'. Wow! (Bad pun)

Posted by: Anand at August 12, 2004 09:08 PM

I hope the Greeks can dig themselves out of the billion dollar debt they have created with this Olympic Games. I suggest a worldwide fast food store of Greek design that sells Gyros and Souvlak. I'll be their first customer.

Posted by: Fritz at August 12, 2004 10:20 PM

Hi Chakra - thanks! I have emailed you.

Anand: Cheers! Great pun - hadn't thought of that!

Fritz: I hope so too - they just need to sell all the tickets I suppose! And the Greek fast-food concept sounds great! I would add to that: "Big Meze" platter - or perhaps tzatziki and humous (with pitta bread) side dishes too!

By the way - I was killing time at Athens airport and noticed that in addition to "Big Mac" - they serve something called "Greek Mac" - which you can see here:

http://www.mcdonalds.gr/en/g_greekmac.htm?1_0_0_5

But I didn't try lovin'it.

Posted by: Jag at August 12, 2004 10:36 PM

And you went there to see the Olympics alone?

Posted by: sat at August 13, 2004 12:21 AM

Tzatiki,,...Ahhhhh sooo good

Posted by: Fritz at August 13, 2004 01:48 AM

Heh don't they use yogurt as a base for some Indian cooking?

Posted by: Fritz at August 13, 2004 01:51 AM

Hi Sat - no I didn't go to Athens to see the Olympics at all - I was there before the Games started. I went there for totally unconnected reasons.

Fritz: Yes - very gooooood! And yes - many Indians do use yoghurt as a base for cooking certain dishes.

Posted by: Jag at August 17, 2004 11:23 PM

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