Olympics: Athens Update

Written by: Sierra Shea Brasher (aka "Brashopoulis")

As construction workers scurry the crowded streets of Athens, like ants quickly trying to rebuild their mound, this city is almost ready to host the Summer Olympics. But these worker ants have brushed aside their duties for far too long. There's no time for eating olives and Gyros in Plaka, sipping NesCafe frappes with the rest of their friends in the outdoor cafes..or even getting the standard 10-hour night of Greek beauty sleep. Enjoying a relaxing day at the beach is out of the question, even with the newly renovated coastal tram "up and running" (and I use the term "up and running" loosely-more on this later). The countdown has begun. The Opening Ceremonies are in nine days, and the city of procrastination has surpassed the threshold of delay.

Things have certainly improved in Athens, and every single day, I step outside my apartment to discover something about this city that is just slightly different than the day before. A perfect example of these seemingly small changes is the outward helpfulness of the people in the Metro station.

Yesterday, I was confused and lost in the underground tunnel of transportation (which has become an all-too-familiar feeling that I choose to ignore for lack of acceptance) when I did my usual pit-stop to check out the map posted next to the ticket stand. Every single day since I have been in Athens, I stare at this map for at least two full minutes, in hopes that I will suddenly have a revelation and know exactly where I want to go and exactly how to get there. Secretly, I have always dreamed that some helpful Greek transportation expert will tap me on the shoulder and ask (in perfect English, of course), "Can I help you find something? Oh, you are trying to get to ____? Well, let me just point you in the right direction so you don't strain your eyes." Then, he would show me which line I needed to take, where I would need to exit in order to change lines and how to get to my final destination once I left the Metro station. Well, to my surprise and disbelief, this is the exact scenario that happened to me yesterday!

I went up to the window to purchase my Metro ticket, and in broken Greek, requested one ticket, please ("Ena, paragalo," for those of you brushing up before the Olympics). The man responded, in English(!), "Sure. Where are you trying to go? Can I offer you assistance on the best way to get there?" I literally almost fainted right then and there. Where has this guy been for the past two months? I would have traded a tofu souvlaki (no, this still does not exist-things haven't changed that much) for this type of help when I first arrived in Athens. I thanked him genuinely for his help, and I set off with the proud feeling that my city was really cleaning up its act. It's the little things in life that really count.

Is the city rich in greenery and sparse in road construction today? No. But English speakers around the world can rejoice in knowing that no matter how lost and confused you are during the Summer 2004 Games, some friendly face will be there to help point you in the general direction. And that is proof enough for me that this city is ready. Bring it on.

Sierra@ludussports.com.