Friday, December 02, 2005

Home of the Muses


Yes, I meant a museum actually. Those who know me well might be smirking at this choice of topic. As everyone knows, I only get up early if it is to catch up the opening hours of a museum (and it's not an easy thing in Athens, given that the state museums close at 2 pm) Anyway, since our topic is museums, why not have a quick review? (entirely my own)





Best: Benaki Museum. Benaki, named after a Mister Benakis, is an unbeliavably rich museum having a collection span from Cycladic art to Greek regional costumes. Open until a surprising 17.00 on most days, it's free and open till midnight on Thursdays!




Most Depressing: National Archaelogical Museum. Even though a state museum, given the amount of material to be seen, open till 19.00 everyday. A must when visiting (or living in) Athens. Putting aside the obvious fact that it is one of the best archaelogical museums in the world; how come it is also the most depressing? My answer is: three whole exhibitions solely for funerary steles with little girls with doves, little boys with puppies and hand-waving mothers. Greeks certainly took death rather tragically.





Most Fun: The War Museum. Tons of portraits picturing men in white skirts and pompons. Watch out for my main man, Kolokotronis (on the right). Not to be missed is a WAR flag in the entrance with a smiling sunshine embroidered on it. I'm not joking.








Most Elusive: National History Museum. After five or more attempts, I have yet to see this jealously preserved museum. Some questions are: Where exactly is it? What times do they open if at all? and Is there actually anything worth to see after all?


Although it doesn't go under any special selection, the Byzantine Museum is one of the first to be seen in Athens too. Reconstructed completely, the museum was Europe's best a few years ago. Even if you're not too keen on Byzantine art, it's worth seeing even if only for the organization of the items and how a museum should be designed. They have a cool gift shop too. (I know that I totally destroyed the intellectual level of my post with that last comment. Ah well)

Saturday, October 29, 2005

It's All Greek to Me!

Har har har! After years of waiting patiently, here I use this (in)famous quote in context at last. It's my 5th week as a resident in this mindbogglingly original country and my 3rd week in Greek classes and yet, it still is all Greek to me (except well known classics like "malaka", "ti kitas?" and of course "den katalaveno" -the last one means "I have no clue about what you're saying" and is used pretty commonly.) Still, some helpful folks have come up with a website for foreigners, who, for some reason have decided to learn this (not so) user-friendly language and as a friendly blogger and fellow Greek learner I am sharing the URL with you.

My Own Little Empire

Not really, it's just countries visited. Neat little map though, looks like I have a Mediterranean Empire with a New World colony. Not a bad idea.



create your own visited countries map
or vertaling Duits Nederlands

Monday, April 04, 2005

Don't believe the monkey lie, kids

For those who aren't familiar with Jack Chick's work, I have two words to say: too bad! You don't know what you're missing, and you'll definitely burn in hell for that too. So go now and check him out. Be saved. Haleluja! Hosanna!

For a little preview from the aforementioned track (see link):



The little girl will no doubt have a lot to share with her therapist in the years to come.

Tuesday, March 01, 2005

How White Trash are You?

Take the test and find out. I myself failed miserably but it's one of those things you'd be happy about miserably failing.

I am 5% White Trash.
Not at all White Trashy!
I, my friend, have class. I am so not white trash. . I am more than likely Democrat, and my place is neat, and there is a good chance I may never drink wine from a box.

Monday, February 21, 2005

Sunday, February 20, 2005

Discworld Quiz

21 questions for 21 years. I scored an unsatisfying 19. It was the names of "The four pigs that pull the Hogfather's sleigh" question that got me (and something else, obviously.)