World In Crisis... The Tastes Of Eureka & Decisions To Be Made.

Well, it would seems as if the whole world has gone wrong!! You don’t really keep in touch with the real world that much in Tour, although I will occasionally read The Age on line but that only provides a brief snapshot of what’s going on. The first we’ve become aware of this global economic crisis is that Turkey has cancelled. We’re supposed to be heading there after Athens for a week but it’s been on the cards for a little while now that it may not be going ahead and it’s now official.

Another way for us to measure the crisis is how much our per diems have dropped! When you’re on tour you get paid a daily allowance that covers food, drink and incidentals – it’s basically compensation for taking you away from your home. I get mine cash in hand each week but converted into the local currency. We’re yet to tour to a country where the exchange rate works in my favour but getting it in my hand each week is better than having it deposited into my account and then getting a far worse exchange rate and be slugged with ATM fees every time I need money. As it happens, our per diems do fluctuate every week but generally by only a couple of Euro/Pound/US $ here and there... This week it was about 45-50 Euro short...!! I looked over at Toni quizzically and raised an eyebrow to which she said, “The dollars gone to shit!” And it had. We’d lost about 9c to the Euro, 7 pence to the Pound and around 16c to the Greenback...!! Definitely not good when you’re spending the next month or so in the States!! Ideally – and it never happens – you want as close to ‘one for one’ whilst overseas and then for the Aus dollar to crash when you return...! Never happens like that & I can guarantee that when we do return, it will have made up alot of ground!

On a lighter note, we have found a franchise that needs to make it’s way to Aus shores. It is a sandwich style shop called Eureka. They are kind of like Subway but far better. They sell premade sandwiches or you can build your own and the selection of fillings they have by far out ranks any Subway. They also sell savoury pastries – spinach & cheese, cheese pies & other weird but tasty concoctions. On top of this they also do pretty decent coffee and other assortments of beverages. And, and they’re open 24hrs..!! Nice! Myself & Wish have been talking quite seriously about starting one up and have talked about where the first one would be etc. I think Dan & Jacq would just ride our coat tails...!!

Even though Eureka is much hyped - this is the only existing image... Perplexed why Jaq doesn't seemed too thrilled...?!?!

We’ve also managed to pack the theatre out every night! 2,500 odd punters each show! That’s pretty damn decent in my books and maybe the sign of a return visit...?

With Turkey now out of the plan, we’ve got 8 days to kill before we hit the States & Canada – which will also be Dan’s swansong. He’s decided it’s time to hang up his Tango Hat, which is fair enough, it’s been about 2.5yrs for him. He wants to head to Rome for the 8 days but I’m angling towards the Czech Republic. I think Rome would be an overload of ‘old’ stuff given the amount of tourist time we’ve had here in Greece. Also, the Czech Rep is up there on my list of places that I want to explore – and there are direct flights from Athens. That’s another weird point of the world – there are hardly any direct flights to anywhere from Athens!! I would have thought it would have been a fairly major hub but no...! Strange!! That also makes Czech a little cheaper in regards to flights and they’re still operating on the Korun (basically pronounced ‘crown’) which has a better conversion rate to the dollar...!!

I know where I’m heading and it will be interesting to see who follows...

Cemetery Walkabout...!

These are just a selection of the fantastic graceyard that I stumbled upon , quite by accident!

This doorway led into an actual underground chamber. My theory, when travelling, has always been - if a door's open and there is no obvious "Do Not Enter" signs, I'm allowed to enter. But not here, although I was intrigued.

Cats are everywhere in Athens. Dogs are in more abundance but the cats will sit and watch you from a distance.

Roadside concrete decoration balls...!!

The setting for my final dinner in Athens - basking in the nightime glory of the Acropolis!

A Presidential Selection & Going Walkabout

A photo that was taken by mistake when Jacq was handing me back my camera - but I like it!

I am going to toot my own horn for a second and lay claim to one of the best El Presidente decisions of all time. When it’s not a social situation in regards to finding bars as a drink is still a drink, being the President in a tourist sense is far more volatile. Generally you are allowed a longer reign as usually, your ‘people’ haven’t been to the area either. Being left in charge for longer puts more pressure on to deliver & also far bigger chance of being exiled if your leadership turns sour and takes you miles off course...!!

El Presidente y his public...!

There I was, El Presidente and leading his entire country of 9 on a mission to find lunch... Not too hard you say...? But consider this, we were smack bang in tourist land, just off the Acropolis where you have to be naturally suspicious that each vender will sell you a sub standard meal at an exorbitant price. Add on to that we had Wishy & Jacq who were working to backpackers budgets – no bad and actually quite a wise way to travel for even the richest holiday maker, Lynda & Toni – quite fussy vegetarian’s and for all the wrong reasons, then there were the Argy’s who refuse to eat red meat anywhere else in the world unless it’s cooked in Argentina – they truly do believe that they cook steak the best!!

Jacq shoots her mouth off in this cool little market district!

We’d stop at this menu on display and then the next... I’d stay back & hover, comfortable in the fact that I was easy to feed. I’d hear a displeased whisper or a groan and then move the ‘country’ onwards. Then the danger signs started to creep in... cries of being hungry, parched for thirst... As the people gathered around yet another menu, I perused one for a place just around the corner and up a hill slightly... There were tables in the shade and the man was most enthusiastic to get us to sit down... He mentioned that his was not a tourist place, that his prices were fair and his servings good (standard lines) and then he offered 10% discount... There was a call from the People as to what I was doing and I made to leave, fully intending to bring everyone to me but hoping that what did happen would happen... Upon seeing how many people were in my group, I was offered 15% discount and a free beverage for myself – all of which he wrote on one of his business cards!!

The Wiggles Dance on approach to the Top Of The Acrop!

I got to admit, my selling point to the People was going to be the discount if the meal was crap but the food was gold!! Really generous portions with every party satisfied and it was also a genuine 15% off the menu – it wasn’t made up for with surprise hidden extras etc. I immediately resigned my Presidency once the bill was settled, quite proud of the fact that not a scrap of food was left on the table, a true measure as to the success of the G9 Summit – Gastronomic 9!!

The Temple Of Zues The Olympian!

Another great thing about having a week in Athens was I got to ‘Get Lost’!! I can’t remember if I’ve written about them before but when ever I’m travelling and in a new city & the timeframe allows, I like to just put the headphones on and go walking. No destination in mind, just a whole day ahead of me, usually always without a map, to walk around and get away from the destinations & hotspots and actually see the other side, the real side to a city. The rules are, you can’t catch a cab and public transport is a last resort and only used if there are timelines involved eg. a show. I was lucky on this particular day that there were no time ties of any kind and so off I set.

Me thrashing Dan to the finish @ The Temple Of Zues The Olympian!

By doing these explorations I create a soundtrack to the city that is far more of a memory trigger than any one photo. Sometimes months later, I’ll have my music playing and a song will come on and then halfway through this vivid memory of a certain area, a coffee, kids playing in the street, a certain view will come flooding back. It’s quite tangible and reminds me of things that I probably wouldn’t have otherwise.

Dan y I envoke the Gods at the Parthenon!

On this little adventure the highlight was definitely this huge graveyard I found. It was massive and I actually became stuck in there for a good half hour when trying to find an exit! Where about it is in Athens I have no idea, all I know is that I set out at just after 10am and found the graveyard at around 130pm..!!

By about 530pm I was getting pretty tired and looking to find my way home, actually, I had been looking to find my way home for about the last hour!! I will freely admit, I was well & truly lost! Probably more lost than I have ever been before – which is the whole aim of the exercise but it’s always good to be back, nearly on track by mid afternoon or at least have an idea as to which way ‘home’ is... I clearly did not!! Toni & Lynda rang though saying they were heading out for dinner if I wanted to join them. I did but I had no idea where the meeting point (which I knew) was in relation to my present position and it was now starting to get dark which changes the landscape ten fold and makes you miss landmarks you could easily identify in daylight!!

At about 715pm I came up on the opposite side of The Temple Of The Olympian Zeus, knew where I was and quickly made my way to Toni and Lynda, slightly late but in need of a drink!!

Huzzah!

Yet another turtle... who obviously can't read Greek or English!

The streets are littered with these tiny kiosks. All 3 walls facing the streets are like this & they're usually accompainied by drinks fridges. Each one stocks different stuff. Shop around and you'll find your beverage of choice!

On the Rock Of The Acropolis - not sure what's just come out of my nose but I hadn't sneezed...! In all serious, as a weird side note to travel - everywhere in the Northern Hemisphere, commercial airliners leave behind a 'tail'. In both warm & cold weather. That doesn't happen in the Southern Hemisphere and no one can explain to me why...!!

This guy and a mate do their own 'Changing Of The Guard' and it's quite a cute little procession - especially as they have pom-poms on their shoes. The process of finishing the sequence and entering the shade of their litle guard huts is quite entertaining!

No One I Know Will Ever Have Fun At The Acropolis...

Wish & myself recreate 'Creation of Adam' - not really Greek but...

Well, you’ve no doubt heard of the Fashion Police and all sorts of variations on a theme but I’m here to tell you, the No Fun Police are alive and well at the Acropolis..!!

But before we delve into that, did you know that the Acropolis means ‘highest part of the city’..? I thought that the Acropolis was the name of the building, mostly due to the printed image that accompanies the name Acropolis...! No, that’s the Parthenon – although I knew the Parthenon existed, I expected it to be standing next to the Acropolis!! Not to be! Most towns/cities in Greece have an Acropolis but Athens definitely has the ‘famous’ one. It’s the place in the city where everyone evacuates to in time of invasion. The ancient Athenians were once being invaded by the Turks (from memory) & the Turks had basically run out of bullets so the Athenians started throwing down their own supply of bullets in order to stop the Turks from melting down statues to make more bullets! Crazy!

Wish & I picturing how Ancient Greeks would have reacted on Opening Night of a new play at the Theatre Of Dionysus.

Along the way up the Acropolis there is quite a number of sights to see and none that affected me more than the Theatre Of Dionysus, the God of Wine. It was this small amphitheatre that was mostly intact and a place where some of the first plays by Socrates, Plato, Euripides and the like were performed. I was able to sit on ancient seats where the first audiences watched the industry I now work in get started – and I’ll admit, it was quite humbling, even more so by the fact I was sitting at such a place because of the industry that was created there...!! Granted, there has always been types of theatre throughout many cultures & periods of history but the Greeks are the ones who made theatre ‘public’ & it’s widely thought & taught as the beginning of it all. It was quite an interesting feeling just to sit there and ponder and ‘feel’...

Hard to tell but this is Wish & I doing the Dr. Ziodberg "whoop, whoop, whoop, whoop" run around from Futurama...! Yes, we're idiots!

Once at the top of the Acrop we ran into a bunch of the Argy’s which now swelled our numbers to around 15 or so, quite a big group but not enough to rival some of the organised tour groups that were there but we were the only ones who were in trouble... Stationed along the climb and then all around the Parthenon were what appeared to be volunteer ‘guards’, urging you not to touch things, to stay inside the barriers etc. As is the Tango way, when ever the kids are out & about, at a tourist site or not, they’ll take photos of themselves in Tango poses. Not in any costume or show make-up, just them doing their things in various world locations. It seems to be like their ‘standard look’ that everyone has... you know the one that you do everywhere...? I’m quite lucky in that I have a number of various ‘looks’ that I can call upon but I definitely have my favourites..!!

Socrates prison.

Anyhoo, it would appear as if Tango poses are a big no-no whilst atop the Acropolis... As are any number of other poses! It’s not like there were tripods set up, that the kids were dressed in elaborate costumes – that we were doing a professional shoot. We were just being tourists doing our thing... but apparently not..!! The first we were aware of our wrong doing was hearing a whistle blowing (something we’d heard throughout the day) & assuming it wasn’t for us as we weren’t touching or climbing on anything, we carried on as we were... Then the whistling became shriller as another joined & became more urgent and voices were heard... loud yelling voices... We of course stopped and turned to see who was about to cop it, only to find two older Greek women baring down on us... One covering our left flank, one our right... Our only means of escape was to jump a chain barrier and flee through the Parthenon....!!!

Vicki, myself, Nelson, Jolly y Cristan strike a pose!

The first one who reached us stopped & commenced panting for breath, moving her arms in the ‘stop/cut/no more bets’ motion (obviously the first whistle blower & chase giver – even though we’d been stationary the whole time!!) The 2nd lady stopped running and approached us, possibly cautiously, and stated, quite clearly, “No funny. Only serious.” Our obviously ‘What?” expressions only caused her to repeat it again... The Argy’s, thinking we’d be able to set the record straight, turned to us and asked “Que pasa...?” (What happened..?) Now I can’t speak for Dan, Toni, Wishy, Lynda or Jacq (the English speakers amongst the group) but my mind was searching all files to interpret what was being told to us... Unable to come up with a match I uttered “No se!” (Don’t know) and the others shrugged their shoulders, shook their heads and looked on quizzically... Then the Argy’s did something that is at the core of why I love them as I do – having played dumb & put the “I speaka no English” card on the table, sensing no immediate danger or threat, they defiantly re-posed and started taking more photos... Which promptly stopped when both women blasted us on their whistles, causing us all, & those around us, to cover our ears with our hands!!

“No funny. Only serious” was basically screamed at us now, from both flanks & it finally dawned on us... We weren’t allowed to take ‘posed’ photos... only ‘tourist’ photos... The Argy’s were now looking at us for some kind of explanation to which we all started throwing out Spanish phrases such as “Nada Tango mas” (No more Tango), “Pare! Pare!” (Stop! Stop!), “Chica habla ‘nada mas’” (She says ‘no more’) This also involved us moving our hand in front of our face to take away the ‘happy’ face & replace it with a ‘sad’ face...

No more fun for you...!

Well, being one who enjoys instigating something in the name of humour if I can (though never through violence) and to also push the boundaries a little (as long as no one could get arrested or shot) and making up a huge part of why I get along with those on tour as I do - we all stopped as one, stood in a line (as neutral as possible) and put the most blank, un-fun expression on our face as we could whilst one of the bunch took a photo... And it was allowed...!! The two ladies watched us sternly, causing us to only pose for more ‘No funny’ photos before they were satisfied that we’d gotten the message and wondered off, stern glances thrown our way with their hands still itching to grab their whistles and blast us again...!!

The Parthenon which is on top of the Acropolis..!

Lesson learnt, we carried on around the Acropolis, sometimes even posing for a photo with actual smiles but not hugging or interacting... Until it had become too much to bear and another Tango pose was done... I kid you not, the same, original lady came bearing down on us yelling & whistling!! She had been following us for at least half an hour (that’s how good we’d been before we broke rank!) We immediately did our en mass ‘No Fun’ pose and she stopped, still watching us but advancing no more... her point proved... the fear instilled...

If only she could see some of the photos taken before she discovered us...

My desk (that has no glass!) and my view of the stage! (this was actually loaded up by mistake...!)

Athens – A Chance To Play Tourist & Walk Around... & Around... & Around!

My standard grafitti shot... Don't know why I take 'em but I do!

Wow! That’s all I can say really about Athens. It is quite amazing. It’s also nice to be ‘stuck’ here for a week. I haven’t really played ‘tourist’ since we were in New York and even then I didn’t really hit the tourist side that hard. I think another factor in being a tourist is that Wishy & Jacq are here. Not that I think I would have enjoyed it less with Dan but with two other fun people around it makes a difference as they are here as backpackers, not for work so their enthusiasm to go out & explore is definitely catching.

Yes, I live in the corner of.. em.. er..well, you see... it's pronounced...

It’s really hard to explain the feel of Athens – it’s different to any other city I’ve visited. I think part of it is that it’s prob the oldest city I’ve ever seen... but then again, I’ve seen Angkor Watt in Cambodia... maybe because what’s old is so close/surrounded by what’s modern... but that’s the same as the Cairo & the Pyramids of Giza... I don’t know what it is but there is definitely a different ‘edge’ to Athens. I think it is a slow realisation that you know more about Ancient Greece than you are first aware of. Alot of drama (as in the theatrical kind) stems from Greek tragedy... as does alot of the basis for modern day plot lines etc. As you walk around and absorb what you can you are more filling in the gaps of your knowledge rather than taking it on board as new.

Atop the Rock Of The Acropolis where Zues was trialed and Peter (I think) spoke on the gospel...

A big part of that is Rob, a friend of Dan’s who is Greek and lived over in Aus through the later part of high school before moving back to Greece to perform his role in active, mandatory service. Rob is full of stories of Ancient Greece & I think that the way that he tells them is part of what makes Athens so unique. He doesn’t tell them as a myth or a legend, they’re told as fact. Also, he doesn’t speak in that monotone way that tour guides can - he get’s right into the story and puts it in everyday language that is far more understandable and enthusiastic & waves his arms about quite dramatically. He also starts them by asking a direct question, “Do you know how Athens got its name?”, not “Do you know the story behind how Athens is supposed to have gotten it’s name?” The way he tells it is as if there is no other way Athens could have gotten it’s name & it came around because...

Chancho volante...!!

The two God’s, Athena & Poseidon, gathered the people around and both wanted to please the people. Athena struck the ground and produced an olive tree, Poseidon did the same and clear, drinking water burst forth. The people were asked to decide whose gift they liked most. The people eventually chose the olive tree and as such, the city was named Athens, after the Goddess who had provided them with such a great gift. So sore was Poseidon that his gift of fresh drinking water was rejected, that Athens, to this very day, remains dry and must have water pumped in from far away.

Giz encouunters a real turtle, as in it walked right by us! We encountered a few whilst in Athens. I had never known turtles to be Greek or had seen one in the wild before!

Try and find a Greek who will tell you a more ‘factual’ based reason as to why/how Athens is called as it is and you will get the same story. I doubt you could find another reason as to why... You know how with most history that there is the native belief/legend as to how it happened and then a more factual reasoning...? - try and find that in Ancient Greek History...!!

I don't know what this key and many others like it operate but they are throughout the Metro system...

Another piece of ‘history’, although quite modern is that Athens used to have no metro/rail system – the one they now have was constructed specifically for the Olympic Games..!! It must have been a nightmare to build as it’s all underground and the amount of heritage & historic sites it weaves itself around and under is astounding. I wonder if they unearthed any ‘new’ finds or if there was meticulous planning done before a shovel full of earth was broken...? It’s still slowly expanding now that Athenians are getting used to the ease of a rail system. They have a bus network but it doesn’t seem to be that extensive. Rob doesn’t seem to like the Metro as “Everyone used to walk and see & learn about the City as they went, now everyone needs to get everywhere as quick as possible and soon people will forget what they are starting to take for granted.”

I take a quick break as part of The Marathon...

On a slightly lighter side... The night we ended up learning the above lesson was when we were off to a “cool district” to meet up with some of Rob’s friends. He’d said we could take the Metro but that it was also within walking distance – with which we were happy with. We’d all had a few drinks at the hotel and had a slight buzz going on and were all ready to carry on at a bar & meet some new people. As it was the 5 of us (Dan, Wish, Jacq, Rob & I) trooped of in slightly high spirits that, unfortunately quickly faded...! We set out at around 1045pm and got to the bar where Rob’s friends were just before 2am..!!! No, I’m not kidding & the last 1/2hr was walked in this rather nice, dampening, drizzly rain..! And not too pick on the situation too much but the drinks were f*cking (sorry, I’ve tried to avoid using expletives when writing entries for this Blog but this situation warranted it) expensive – approx 9 Euro each...!! We quickly did a survey of what drinks the bar sold and then went to the local kiosk & bought them out of the drinks they sold at the bar and then hid the bag of goodies under our table...!! I have a feeling that the staff knew what we’d done but luckily, stayed mute!!

That's Rob, top right.

I’m very appreciative of Rob’s generosity as a Tour Guide & the information he imparted on us but that night we were supposed to be heading out and he appeared to, I can’t be certain but myself & Jacq are positive, walk us out of our way to show us something made of wood and then would lead off again...!! The worst being was, about 2hrs into the walk, we stopped at this groovy looking bar/cafe section (we thought we’d reached the destination) where he told us a quick story and then led us back the way we’d come...! We didn’t even stop off for a refreshing ale to quench our parched & by now sober throats!!

Basically, it was like having a quiet few at the bottom end of Acland Street, St Kilda and then walking all the way to Sydney Road, Brunswick for the next round without stopping at any of the pubs & bars that presented

themselves along the way...!!

Funnily enough, we still end up having a good night!

In Need Of A Drink Or Some..!!

Chancho, Yani y Nico

The show went pretty well. It didn’t have anywhere near the finesse of the normal show but it also didn’t look too sloppy. Granted, I had about 3.5 pages of notes (mostly minor adjustments) at the end and had made adjustments as the show progressed but overall, I was happy with what appeared on stage, given the extreme conditions it was produced in!

Gigi, Chancho, Conche y Chica Pollo

I was even happier upon heading to the bar at the Function (luckily there was one!) and ordered a beer, when one of the Dancers came up and ordered a Jack Daniels and coke... When they didn’t have to pay for it (usually beer & wine is free) I chased Cardinal down and he said, “For us, todos gracias...!!” Done & done! Needless to say, I switched to something a little more stronger for the remainder of the evening!!

My 'theme' for the night was 'Silly Faces" - managed to get one with everyone in the company. Here, Jolly y Vicki share the limelight.

Upon leaving the Function (we all, um... may have loaded up any available carry space with bottles of beer...) We hadn’t stolen them & it’s not our standard practice to leave with take-aways but when you’re offered!) & getting back to our hotel, we found that it had been over run with masses of Swiss people who were wildly celebrating their win over Greece in a World Cup Qualifying match! Needless to say, our night continued far longer than it should of. But the night effortlessly and quickly washed away the stress of prob the most unique & absurd moment I’ve ever had in theatre!!

I have a moment away from the crowds!

Pianst Gabby y I.

Me & me Greek Techs - with Singer Cardinal 3rd form left.

I take Nico for a ride..!!

Cristian y I make a point... of showing we're possibly drunk!

Will the real pissed idot please stand up...

Jacq y I bite off more than we can chew...

Lynda sports what all wining Swiss football supporters are wearing these days!

Wish proudly displays his Tango Fire colours & was named 'Honourary Stage Manager' for the Athens Season & assisted with all manner of duites.

What better way to end the eve than with a self portrait that includes some tricky mirror work..!!