Modern Greek Myths

Myth #1: Greece is always warm.

Myth #2. The great empires of history were Greek, then Roman, then Tim Horton's.

Myth #3: Polish people are welcome here. Unable to legally keep Poles out due to E.U. legislation, Greeks have found much more subtle ways of discouraging Poles from staying in Greece. How can potatoes really cost more than oranges?















Myth #4: Eating oranges from the street trees will kill you. No, I only wished I was dead. Thanks for nothing, "Rough Guide to Athens", I know I'm not the first that could have used this warning.

Myth #5: I am not an ancient Greek statue.

Greece Rocks!!!

For those of us with imaginations, an interest in history and an academic personality, the ruins of Ancient Greece open a world before our eyes. We are instantly transported to the birthplace of democracy, the origins of philosophy and Western thinking. For the rest of us, me included, we see piles of rubble.

Greece. What a dump.













Who's ready to go look at some rocks!?!? I am! I've got my 12 Euros ready!

There they are! Big rocks, little rocks and even a medium sized rock! Who knew this could be so fun!

What's this?!?!?! It's almost a structure! Uh oh...this is gonna cost me extra!

The nearer rock is ok to touch. But the other rock is on the other side of the barrier and is a special rock and is off limits. Who can explain this and other mysteries of Ancient Greece...?

Move over Elvis. It's the Acropolis, the real King of Rock.



Ahhh..the end of a long day of rock-seeing and the sun goes down over beautiful Athens. Time to go find some rock that's really worth paying for!!
Now that's some good rock!

Berlin II: Back for Brunhilda

Before I left for Greece, I spent a few days again in Berlin and I realize now that I love this city. Everything that Toronto does, Berlin does a bit better.
Cool little shops? Cooler!
Beer? Cheaper!
Donairs? Spicier!
Brunhildas? Bigger!

And, everyone speaks English with a very fashionable German accent. Marry me Berlin.




A sudden impromptu breakdancing battle with the Berlin bear. I didn't even have time to take off my backpack before he was handstanding and doing backflips. Not only this, but afterwards he drank me under the table. I lost a lot of street cred this day.

For a moment I thought it was Rudolph. Only too late did I realize the eyes were glowing red, not the nose. This is the evil reindeer that brings infidels their Christmas presents (ie. HIV, smallpox, flies, famine, beer guts - but no beer).


A monster in an alley. Berlin, you're so cool.

Having a coffee at the '9/11 Conspiracy Bar.' The theme of this bar was conspiracy theories having to do with 9/11: videos, posters, tshirts, websites. I don't really know his this can work, but the coffee was cheap and I got an earful. The bar was located on the former site of the 'Moon Landing Dance Club', the 'JFK Taco Hut', and finally, 'The Jewish Hand is in My Pocket Credit Bureau'.