Friday, 29 November 2013

“Birds and aircraft in parallel flights” - Hellenic Ornithological Society - exhibition at Athens Airport

“Birds and aircraft in parallel flights” - Hellenic Ornithological Society

An excellent exhibition at Athens airport, on the second floor on the way to the olive Tree and McDonalds.

"The Athens International Airport and the Hellenic Ornithological society welcome the public to a new photo exhibition of environmental and artistic awareness, titled “Birds and aircraft in parallel flights” from the 6th of September till the 31st of December.
 
Through 30 snapshots of birds and aircraft captured by Greek and foreign photographers, and accompanying printed and audiovisual material, visitors will have the opportunity to come closer to the world of birds of the Greek nature, focusing on their similarities in shape and motion with different types of modern aircraft."

Sunday, 17 November 2013

Homer's Odyssey - eating tzatziki


I've been reading the Puffin Classics edition of Homer's Odyssey, retold by Geraldine McCaughrean.  I was intrigued to read:
"She gave him fresh warm bread and bowls of tzatziki, with whey to drink, and peeled fruit, and parsley in soft cheese.  At least, it looked rather like parsley, that sprikling of green."

And


 "The meal she laid before him - tzatziki and olives, peeled fruit and cheeses, wine, honey and fresh warm bread ....................."

 Homer was probably born about 725 B.C.  Eating tzatziki?

I've looked in Samuel Butler's translation of 1900 and haven't yet found the passages mentioning anything like tzatziki.......................

 

Thursday, 7 November 2013

Some of my recent photos of cats on the Greek island of Amorgos

I often go to the Greek island of Amorgos.  Here are some of my latest cat photos. 

Three staring kittens




Posing prettily!















 

Wednesday, 6 November 2013

BBC News - General strike against cuts brings Greece to a halt

BBC News - General strike against cuts brings Greece to a halt

Is Acropolis Museum Losing the Numbers Game? | Greece.GreekReporter.com Latest News from Greece

Is Acropolis Museum Losing the Numbers Game? | Greece.GreekReporter.com Latest News from Greece

"Unfortunately, however, it has become painfully clear that the Museum has failed to attract anywhere near the numbers of visitors that were confidently predicted in the run-up to its inauguration."

The new Acropolis Museum is an excellent museum, I enjoy going there, and I wish it well.   But I'd say that the problem is one of access.   The old museum was on the Acropolis and next to the Parthenon.  You could go to the Acropolis and the old museum in one visit.  I have never been from the Parthenon to the new Acropolis Museum, but I have recently been to Anafiotiki on the lower slopes of the Acropolis and don't remember seeing signs showing the way to the new Acropolis Mueum.  I've been to the new Acropolis Museum several times, and reach it by walking from Plaka.    There is a metro station near the new Acropolis Museum, but that's no use to you if you are on the Acropolis.  There are interesting things to see walking from the Acropolis to the new Acropolis Museum (e.g. the University Museum and Anafiotiki) but you don't want to arrive at the new acropolis Museum so foot-weary that you can't enjoy the museum. 

So for many visitors the choice may be either  / or.  Either go to the acroplis or to the new Acropolis Museum.  I bet most people, if on a first time visit, would choose the Acropolis.

Saturday, 2 November 2013

Works of Art in the National Garden | Greece.GreekReporter.com Latest News from Greece

Works of Art in the National Garden | Greece.GreekReporter.com Latest News from Greece

The National Garden is one of my favourite places in Athens.  I usually stay in the Plaka, and like to meander through the National Garden on my way to the Benaki Museum or the Cycladic Museum.  As well as the plants, there is a lake and a small zoo.