Greek Scrabble

Now I knew when traveling here it was going to be tough to read the signs. Perhaps I was a little naive as to how hard.

When you combine the constanants from the English alphabet which are worth more then one point in Scrabble you're not going to get a word. Everyone knows you're struggling if you're left with J, P, M, H and X.

In Greece though it's a whole new ballgame. I'm sure X is only worth one point. And then just to make it tougher to read they then insert all the mathematical symbols like Beta and Gamma. You might as well just insert the symbol for Pi I say. The words here either contain no vowels, or the whole alphabet. The result. The poor kids roam the streets unable to spell their name. Although this last point is unconfirmed as I couldn't speak one word of Greek to confirm this issue.


And the result set upon me. I was there in the middle of Athens central at 3am in the morning trying to figure out which direction I should be walking to get to the hostel after my flight had been delayed in Frankfurt. Shaking your head at the street signs doesn't make any difference. Resorting to reading the hostel directions instructions which say head downhill did though suffice in the end.

The first day I did what every tourist seems to do. I headed straight to the Acropolis. A fine bunch of ruins really. And well after seeing them, ruins of several sites they become just more rocks. Not a good sign for the appreciation of history if you find yourself at this stage.


Athens is unique. And well that's sadly how I'd explain it. It's not the prettiest city. The drivers are maniacs, the footpaths don't exist, motorcyclists mow down pedestrians, dogs roam everywhere, and its not cheap. But still there are highlights. Greek Food. There's Greek Salad, Halumi and Feta Cheese, Stuffed Tomatos, Roast Lamb, Lemon Potatoes, Slouvaki, and then some. This all worked out well as I like it all but for olives.

They also have their own version of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Guarded day in and out by soldiers from the Ministry of Silly Walks. And for good measure they where shoes with Pom-Poms on the front. I'm sure the outfits have some sort of significant meaning, but for an ignorant tourist like myself that meaning was missed.