Athens, Greece No Dancing at the Parthenon

So I finally got arrested for dancing.

Woke up this morning on a ferry boat to the sound of a guy yelling at me like I was a vagrant.

Looked around, saw an old Indian guy blowing snot out of his nose on the floor next to me. Realized I was a vagrant.

The ferry had come into port at Athens. Literally everyone but the Indian guy disembarked while I slept.

It was 5am. The sun was a long way from rising. I have no guidebook covering Greece – didn’t even know where to tell a cab driver to take me. I wandered the streets for an hour until the first coffee shop opened, then loitered there until it was early enough to get a hotel room without paying for the previous night.

Finding a taxi took half an hour. Turns out the bus drivers are on strike today. When I found a guy and he discovered I’m American, all he wanted to talk about was politics. When he found out I’m from Seattle, all he wanted to talk about was grunge music.

He took me to a reasonably cheap hotel near the Acropolis and I slept for six hours. Waking in the afternoon, I set out on foot for the Parthenon.

Talked to some ancient Greeks.

“Where you from?”
“America.”
“America? Too big.”
“Okay. Um. How about Switzerland?”
“No. America is a big place. In what part do you live?”
“Oh. Seattle.”
“I see. Seattle is very different from Alabama.”
“Yes it is.”
“FUCKING SHIT ALABAMA!”
“Uh.”
“They still hanging blacks in Alabama.”
“Yeah, we stopped doing that in Seattle a while ago.”

Greeks don’t beat around the Bush. People often ask me if I have trouble traveling as an American. The answer is no. I generally get a positive response for stating my nationality – or at least the benefit of the doubt. But I haven’t spent much time in Europe. I’m learning the reception isn’t quite as warm these days.

At least they know the difference between a red state and a blue state.

I don’t like wearing messages on my clothing, but it might save me some trouble while I’m here if I state my political affiliations concisely across my chest.

One thing European attitudes remind me of is how narrow the spectrum for debate is back home. Even the fact that it’s a spectrum is irritating. As Jon Stewart points out, opinions can have a Y-axis.

We’re confined to arguing over stupid crap like gays in the military. If we were to let Europe in, we’d be arguing over gay orgies in the military – which is, to me, a more compelling point of contention.

Even the graffiti in Greece is achingly wishy-washy.

Continued walking up the hill. I seem to have a knack for finding the less trodden entrances to places like this.

Oh, look. An amphitheater.

Ancient amphitheaters are everywhere. How come they stick around so much longer than every other kind of structure?

…hey, you know what? I bet it’s the lack of roofs.

I’m starting to realize there’s a difference between having an interest in history and an interest in really old stuff. Rarely does the really old stuff tell us much about why its creators were important. We think it’s going to, but then we get there and it doesn’t. So we take pictures and we leave.

I’ll admit that as the dancing video goes, standing in front of the ancient stuff is largely obligatory. There are places like Angkor Wat and Abu Simbel that leave me truly astonished. They have a magical quality. But the Taj Mahal? Pyramids? Parthenon? To me, it’s just a pile of rocks that doesn’t say anything worth saying.

The sun goes behind some clouds, so I sit down on the bench, pull out my Sudoku book, and I wait for it to come out again. A short guy in a black leather jacket sits next to me. He pulls out a scratchy AM receiver and starts blasting some Greek talk radio, absolutely crushing my moment of serenity.

The sun begins to go down and a couple Japanese guys are taking pictures of each other. I ask one of them to hold the camera while I dance.

“10 seconds,” I explain.
“Okay. No problem.”

So I start to dance, and the guy in the leather jacket gets up from the bench and walks into the middle of the shot.

“What do you think you’re doing?” he asks.
“I’m dancing.”
“You can’t do that here. You must delete it.”
"You're joking, right?"
"Delete the picture right now!"
“I’m not going to delete anything.”

The Japanese guy senses trouble. “10 seconds,” he says, hands me the camera and leaves.

“What you are doing is disrespectful.”
“I don’t think it’s disrespectful.”
“Give me the camera.”
“I’m not going to give you the camera.”
“Then take your things and come with me.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you.”
“Then I will call the police and you will go to jail.”
“Who are you? Show me some identification.”
“I will show you identification later. Come with me right now.”
“I’m not going anywhere until you show me identification.”

So the guy goes and he gets a security guard.

“Show me the video,” says the guard. I show him the video.

“You cannot do that here!”
“Why not?”
“It is against the rules.”
“What rules? Show me the sign that says No Dancing.”
“Remove the video.”
“No.”
“Then come with me.”

The guy grabs me by the arm and starts pulling me down the steps. This is incredible, I think. How far are they willing to go with this? How far am I willing to go with this?

They take me to the front entrance and explain to the head guard, in Greek, what I was doing. The head guard pulls me down a path, around a corner, and behind a building, so no tourists can see.

“Listen to me. The Parthenon may mean nothing to you, but to us it is a HOLY RELIGIOUS SITE!”

Oh really? And when’s the last time you made sacrifice to Athena?

“Give me the camera.”
“I’m not giving you the camera.”
“Give me your passport.”
“I’m not giving you my passport.”
“Then you will spend the night in jail.”
“I’ve slept in worse places.”

I hold my hands out in front of me for cuffing.

He leads me inside to what can vaguely be described as an interrogation room. Maybe it's just for lunch breaks, but in the moment it feels a lot like an interrogation room. He asks a couple more times for the camera. The response doesn’t change.

The guy in the leather jacket who started all this asks, “In your house, do you not have rules?”
“We don’t have any rules against dancing, no.”
“At your work. They do not have rules?”
“As far as I know, I’ve never worked anywhere that had a No Dancing policy.”
“Why do you do this?”
“I’m traveling. I do this everywhere I go.”
“And you do not think it is disrespectful?”
“I think it’s anything but disrespectful.”
“You are American, yes?”

Had to see that one coming.

A policeman walks in and asks what this is all about. They go through it all again. I’m led out the gates to a squad car. More discussion.

Another policeman asks, “What is it that you did?”
“I danced.”
“Show me.”

So I dance for the cop. He shakes his head. “You cannot do this here. Delete the film and you can leave.”

Nope.

And into the car I go. We get to the police station. They take me up the elevator and sit me down with the guy in charge, presumably the precinct chief.

He asks me all the same questions. I give him all the same answers.

“Show me this video.”

I play the Parthenon clip. I also still have Ephesus and Troy on the camera, so I show him those too.

Again I’m asked, “Why do you do this?”
“It’s a memento.”
“Memento?”
“A souvenir.”

He still doesn’t get it. A young female cop who speaks better English translates for him. I notice there are at least eight officers surrounding me, all very interested in what’s going on.

I suddenly want very badly to leave this place, and it strikes me that I can’t. I’m being held for questioning. The situation is new to me.

The chief starts yelling at the cop who brought me in. It’s all Greek to me, but the tone is clearly along the lines of “Why are you wasting my time with this shit?”

A little more yelling and the chief asks for my passport. This time, I give it up.

One of the cops sits down with me. I can see the sides of his mouth curving upward. “We’re going to let you go.” He winks at me discreetly. “We just need to take down your information.”

He has me write my name, my mother’s name, my father’s name, my passport number, my address, and the name of my hotel in Athens.

I get up to leave. The guy in the leather jacket, still standing by my side and clearly a little embarrassed, tries to justify himself to me. “In other countries, the policies are maybe more…elastic…but here, you must not do these things.”

The police chief asks one more time, “Will you delete this video?”
“I’m sorry. I can’t do that.”
“Okay. Get out of here.”

And that’s my story.

I’ve never had any experience with civil disobedience. I think of myself as a spineless wimp and I guess I imagined I’d fold pretty quickly, so it was nice to learn that I can withstand a little intimidation when the matter at hand is truly ridiculous enough.

I don’t know how I would’ve held up if there’d been anything serious at stake, like life or liberty. This was just about the pursuit of happiness, which trails a distant third.

I wasn’t even going to use it in the video. The lighting’s bad and it’s just not all that interesting. But if I’m willing to go to jail for a thing, I should probably get some use out of it, huh?

Comments

[Kasey]

How odd. We don't mind making bundle loads of money from tourists trampling all over the place just don't get your jig on!!! I think you've been punked Mr Harding.

[Stephan]

Really strange story there, Matt. Never seen any such behaviour, never been in Greece either though.

It should become better as you progress north ;-)

Stephan
PS: the fix for the "map javascript" is in your mailbox. Enjoy...

[Quinn of Vashon]

.....Greece has not changed in 25-30 years...
although I was a long-haired nere-do-well up
to no good according to authorities of the
birthplace of civilization(according to THEM)
...well done,Matt..standing up against
intimidation/civil disobedience...and the Man
..keep doing what you are doing...keep moving!,Matt

[Michiel]

The surreal experiences of traveling. Gotta love it.

"Rarely does the really old stuff tell us much about why its creators were important. We think it’s going to, but then we get there and it doesn’t. So we take pictures and we leave."

Well, I always turn to thoughts about how the things we build can outlast our short lives; and architecture does tell you a lot about the people that lived there once and what they thought was important. The differences and similarities are interesting, at least to me.

[spion]

thanks for being a typical American. makes the rest of us look really good.

i lived in Europe for decades and hate your kind. the asshole American who thinks they can act like an idiot no matter whose house they visit.

just great.

[Jit]

In response to Michiel -- That's a lousy point you make about Matt acting like an idiot. The guy has a thing that he "does". Why should that bother anyone? You're telling me we don't have any Europeans in America making fools of themselves somewhere? The only difference is we don't get the "holier-than-thou" attitude of idiots like yourself. Also, help me remember the last time somebody died by trampling at one of our sporting event here in the states. If you want to go off on a tirade about something, how about looking at moronic Europeans that think violence and death are a good way to demonstrate sportsmanship.

[Jit]

Correction, that was in response to "spion", not Michiel. Sorry for the error.

[raul]

Ironic as ancient worship ceremonies are thought to have had lots of dance involved!

[Blue Patriot]

Spion's comment makes the American in me want to come out and be offensive to him.
What a fucking douchebag.
Oops, that slipped out.
Interesting how he tries to make a point about respect, and then he throws out the word 'hate' in the second sentence. Yep, that's douchebaggery for ya.
I think I'll dance through Europe, too.
In fact, depending on where you are, I think you'll find many Europeans dancing right along with you.
But those people definitely won't be Spion, as he can't dance. So sad.

[John]

Greece is the nation whic arrested some British plane spotters for looking at aircraft so this isn't that surprising.

[Dimitri]

I am greek and I live in rochester NY lately, studying.

I don't believe you danced in front of the Parthenon! You are disrespectful and they should throw you in a greek jail along with other illegal immigrants!

... actually... I don't really care and I am little embarrashed about greek stupidity. If a guy wants to dance let him dance. In the early 20th century we had nude photos of a woman dancing inbetween the columns of the parthenon... I guess you are not hot enough!

A disgusting lowlife semi-religious semi-proud greek with a jacket that has nothing to do with his miserable life spotted you. I hate these guys.

On the other had... what would happen if I were to dance in front of any of US monuments? I am pretty sure it would not be allowed. Has anyone tried with success?

And the rules and policies in the US are far more unreasonable sometimes. I was smoking a cigarette standing on a 3 feet stone fence outside of a bar (perfectly safe even if you are suicidal). And a security guy comes over and asks me to step down. It was NOT ALLOWED. I would not even bother asking why. I take it for lack of reason, common in NYS policies (other states are indeed more relaxed). Or I am ordering a drink with a 50 year old guy in a bar and he is asked to show ID. I have grey hair and people ID me.

Apart from that, I apologize for greek lowlife stupidity.

-D

[Mantari Damacy]

You used the wrong verb. That is what it all comes down to. You were "freedomizing" the Parthenon. Now who could object to that?

[Darren]

I'm of two minds on this. Would you dance anywhere? Would you dance in Notre Dame? Would you dance at the Vietnam Memorial? Would you dance in Flanders Fields?

I'm not arguing for or against the law--clearly that was an overreaction by the Greeks.

I am arguing for being a respectful visitor. This is the question you should ask, and find an answer to before you indugle any, well, unorthodox behaviour:

"Would a majority of locals consider my actions disrespectful?"

If the answer is yes, and you proceed with your behaviour anyway, that doesn't reflect very well on you, does it? And I'm afraid that, like it or not (and particularly when you're American), when you travel, you're also a representative of your country.

I don't know what the answer is in this case. I've been to the Parthenon, and (despite being there when it was largely empty, on Christmas eve), I was struck by the contemporary spirituality of the place. But, then, I'm not Greek, so I have no say in the matter.

[Darren]

Sorry, that sentence in the final paragraph should read "I wasn't struck by the contemporary spirituality..."

[Ant]

This doesn't quite match up to your story, but when visiting a museum in Greece I was told by a security guard -- in no uncertain terms -- that I wasn't to have my photograph taken while mirroring the poses of the statues.

Must be a 'cultural' thing I guess. Or maybe some people just lack a sense or humour...

[Josh]

Perhaps it's because I'm a boorish American, but I don't follow how the examples several people cites are offensive. Darren wrote, "Would you dance in Notre Dame? Would you dance at the Vietnam Memorial? Would you dance in Flanders Fields?"

Sure, why not? That's a lot less disrespectful than other things that have happened in those arenas.

Of course, I don't have much of a sense of pride about these things. Perhaps I need to be prouder. And be prepared to defend my honor against those that would accidentally besmirch it.

[Janet]

Thirty five years ago I had to kneel at the entrance to every church I visited throughout Italy to ensure my skirt touched the floor. You can wear jeans or anything now. In defense of Matt, he mentioned he had no travel book. A travel book may have discussed the "rules" around the Parthenon and maybe he wouldn't have danced. Any traveler should respect the customs of the country, but it helps if you know them ahead of time. My mini-skirts became hip huggers because I didn't know the rules ahead of time. If Matt was considered disrespectful,I don't believe it was done intentionally or knowingly. Guess he's gonna have to keep a new log....dancing....no dancing...dancing...no dancing...

[fred]

I suspect you had a better feel of the situation actually being there, but is it possible that things could have turned out differently? What if the guy in the black jacket turned out to be a fascist punk with no compunction against smashing your camera and leaving you bleeding on the ground? What if the police chief turned out to be a sadist with power issues and a bad hangover?...

Personally, I feel that some things are more worth standing up for than others. You want to abuse someone? I might be brave enough to get in your face. You have issues with my idea of fun? It may piss me off, but I don't see it being worth the trouble.

[Darren]

Josh: "That's a lot less disrespectful than other things that have happened in those arenas." Is that really your criteria for how you comport yourself outside your own country: "worse things have been done here, so I can do whatever I like"?

[Phil Renaud]

Story of the week. Printing it, sticking it to my ceiling, and reading it again and again every night before I go to sleep.

Thank you for making life awesome.

[nomad]

Have just photoblogged the dancing, please let me know if you would like the image to be removed.
Otherwise - good going! ;)

[Zesty Pete]

If you think dancing in front of the ancient ruins prompted a bad reaction, try touching one of them. You'll be screamed at, if not tackled violently, within seconds by yet another angry citizen/security guard/policeman/small old woman wearing black. And I'm frankly amazed they didn't call a priest in to rebuke you. There are priests everywhere in Athens, and they are consulted on everything. Watch the news in Greece and every story includes the opinion of at least one priest.

In fact, next time, screw the Parthenon, try dancing in front of a Greek priest. Bet you really do get arrested then.

[Mantari Damacy]

Kevin Bacon called. He wants at least six degrees of separation between your footloose dancing and the Parthenon, you filthy ugly American!

[Johnny Sapphire]

Good for you, dude. When you look back in 20 years at all the places you have danced, you'll be grateful.

[Rich]

OMG, this has been the best comment section ever!

"Kevin Bacon called. He wants at least six degrees of separation between your footloose dancing and the Parthenon, you filthy ugly American!" LMFAO!!!

Classic!!!

You, spineless? You have Titanium balls the size of the world's largest ball of yarn!
This isn't the first time either. I've read your other blog entries...

As far as what you did being right or wrong I'm not going to comment. Someone mentioned dancing at the Vietnam Memorial... I don't know how that would go over. I certainly don't think you would have any police problems, but it would be considered inappropriate by many.

Anyway, as a person you kick ass Matt. I know where your heart is and the world needs more people like you! :)

[fellowamercian]

i don't care what you guys say, if i think it's right, even if i'm not from around here, i'll keep doing it! way to go.

[trevor]

I wonder if in fact what you ran up against wasn't so much religious fervor as concentrated nationalism. The Greek government is involved in an ongoing legal and political battle with the British government over the "Elgin" or Parthenon Marbles, stone reliefs that were rescued from destruction and taken to England in 1806 by the British ambassador, Thomas Bruce, 7th Earl of Elgin. Since then, the British Museum has steadfastly refused to give them back, and the whole issue has become a focus point for Greek national pride. The sight of an American doing a jig in front of it might tweak some people. I still think the guy in the leather jacket was an a-hole.

Oh and to spion: I've lived in Europe for lengthy amounts of time as well, and the people that really bug me are the holier-than-thou Americans convinced that living in Europe makes them morally superior, or that Americans have a lock on ugly tourist behavior. Do I need to provide a list of Europeans behaving badly in America? Ozzy Osbourne pissed on the Alamo in the 80's and the Texans still forgave him.

[crizazy]

Dancing flashmob @ the Parthenon! Let's do it!

[d3m0dis]

yeah, i know that for u dancing in some place that need respect dosen't mean anything, just think... is it possible to dance in a church? yeah why not? and if is the funeral of your parents? still right dancing?maybe there is a limit to things? probably, and u just passed over it, slowly i understand why people hate americans..not all, just the methality of practical people and no ethics.

[Rin]

Part of me can't get over that /dancing/ offends people. It's not like you're mooning or flipping off the Parthenon. You're dancing. Holy lack of perspective people...

'You appear to be expressing merriment, please leave.'

[asianfan999]

i think the partenon has become a local folk religious symbol over the centuries even if it was a government building at one point. What you are probably seeing is some folks who grew up giving this building high significance privately...it is not the opinion of the government or its propoganda at play here... it is simply the locals not wanting you to do that and will try their best to get revenge for your "disrespecting" their symbol. to the government, it is but a ruins and a landmark.

[como mierdda eduardo arcos]

usted comento el alt1040 o alt1040 uso su comentario. en alt1040 no tenemos derecho de replica, es la democracia blogera de este extranjero de sshhhhttttttt
eduardo arcos nuestra comida
te molesto el estomago pobre WWEeeeeyyy. largate a comer mierddaaa a tu pais, y para de hablar mal de mexicanos y de mexico. o de personas que tratan de salir adelate sin pedirte nada tu estar Hablando mal de todos los mexicanos. esto si es una amenaza cuidate por que si la comida de guatos no te mato la banda….si te va a dar un susto .....
disculpe la replica pero ya estamos cansados de este maldito que solo habla mal de mexico y de los mexicanos y no estamos de acuerdo con muchas personas que le dan la palmada solo por tener enlaces de alt1040 a sus blog sin trafico GRacias

[ady]

Oh man... I laughed so hard when I was reading this post.

[gaby de wilde]

What an interesting thread. I want to explain but it's going to be really hard.

Please note that English is not my native language and that I'm doing the best I can to explain. If you don't understand it's all your error because you can't speak proper Dutch.

Of course a guest should act like one. It's to bad you didn't know that. Very common in the us, but not my point. People have crazy habits all over the world, why should you be any different? (humm, that's not my point either)

You say you only see a pile of rocks. And that it means nothing to you. Now ask yourself to what extend you've tried to find out what it means? I think you are unaware that you could learn this?

Notice how they didn't fail to explain their views in your language. You just didn't know there was anything to feel about it. The meaning of the Parthenon rock pile is in peoples heads. I'm sure your skull isn't to thick to understand that. I just know you can get your head all the way around this. :)

Now, do you seriously think anyone could explain about what is dear to him to a charlatan? It successfully prevented you from getting an answer to the question you didn't know existed.

But you didn't leave it to that, in stead they should learn from you how it's one big pile of nothing. They should accept your ignorant view about their monument before you even try to understand theirs. Now that means you didn't show the least interest in the actual thing you was visiting. Which obviously made it a waist of your visit. You just wouldn't find out behaving that way.

In stead of adding some color to the canvas of your life you try to remove it from others. I'm sorry to say it makes you the pile of rocks.

I even understand that you just wanted to dance. It was funny but it wasn't worth insulting anyone. Why do you think the Japanese guy walked away the moment you got disrespectful?

If you look at the amount of text here, you can understand why they just let you go. It's almost impossible to explain. And very unlikely that you understand. Then again this reply is all that you gained from the trip.(haha) And yes I know I've waisted my time buy hey,

I probably suck to much at this language of yours, or it's the language it self I don't know. At least I tried right?

Look how you even complain about getting attention for being an American. We all speak English because we want to know what people think. Americans on the other hand don't show the least of interest in what anyone thinks. Respect is pretty foreign. At least this should explain why US-europeans are better people as Euroamericans. *ads pun*

To put it quantum mechanically, try to observe something without disturbing it or you wont get to see it.

[Mantari Damacy]

I have no idea what the lunatic about just said. But I have this urge that tells me that my lack of understanding it is somehow connected to my lack of understanding the Parthenon. I just know it!

[Gareth]

"I’ll admit that as the dancing video goes, standing in front of the ancient stuff is largely obligatory. There are places like Angkor Wat and Abu Simbel that leave me truly astonished. They have a magical quality. But the Taj Mahal? Pyramids? Parthenon? To me, it’s just a pile of rocks that doesn’t say anything worth saying."

This seems like a pretty rash comment Matt? I wonder whether it simply reflects the fact that the Taj Mahal, Pyramids and Parthenon are so well known (mainstream tourist attractions?) whereas perhaps places like Angkor Wat and Abu Simbel are a little more obscure, less well known (part of the alternative tourist trail?).

So I guess what I am trying to say is: maybe you get that "magical" feeling from things that are wholly new experiences based on their novelty? Maybe this is even the essence of the joy of travel? and perhaps it has been removed from some great sites by their commercialism and common place in PC desktop wallpapers? I dunno...

But I do think that there is a danger in trying to be a "cool" traveller who only enjoys the alternative/different/less frequently visited parts of the world. Are you missing out on some of the magic of the unfortunately well trodden but equally astonishing sites? And where do you go once all the alternative routes become mainstream?

[gaby de wilde]

it is somehow connected to my lack of understanding the Parthenon. I just know it!

It's that you didn't try to find out.

[Phoat]

I'm a Greek living in Greece. Your experience sounds very interesting and very odd. I think I'm going to investigate as to why dancing in front of the Parthenon is illegal. Probably someone being an idiot trying to make his day less dull. I wouldn't have a problem with it. I might have a problem if it was, let's say, in front of the tomb of the "Unknown Soldier." A monument for those Greeks who have died defending our country. But then again, you probably wouldn't be able to get too close as it's guarded by Tsoliades (those armed guards in dresses).

[Stavros]

Hey Matt...it is Stavros. I am Greek and i am a little bit embarassed of what happened to you.
You know, we are proud of our history which goes back to times when other countries had not yet been discovered(:-)) but what the policemen did to you was totally inacceptable.
Due to the fact that you dance like a chimpanzee(which i like it very much) the leather guy thought that you are being disrespectful to the monument.Probably if you could be more polite and explain them that you are doing this all over the world bla bla bla you wouldn't get in the police station in the first place.
Waiting for your new video...
(IF You could just email me you wouldn't have to stay in a hotel)
by by

[Brenna]

Maybe you should have turned in the leather jacket guy for disrespectfully playing loud Greek radio at the Parthenon. To me that is worse than dancing. Dancing at least is a celebration.

Good for you for sticking to your guns. Must have been crapping your pants the whole time, but you definately have balls.

[Joe]

I would have implicated the leather-jacket nazi, pointed out that he had the stereo, started dancing first, you just joined in at his request, and that he went telling tales when you rejected his sexual advances.

[Alex]

matt = my hero!!!!!!

:D

<3<3<3<3

[Fivos]

Hey! I totally agree with Stavros (3 posts before me).

[Fotis Evangelou]

Dear Matt,

Although you are probably enjoying the amount of confusion that you have caused amongst your readers with your actions in front of the Parthenon, it is very sad for me to say that people like you are the "new face" of America.

Disrespectful, ignorant, arrogant, stupid.

It would be nice if you tried to do what you did somewhere else... say in Turkey. The police over there would have probably given you "the midnight express" if you now what I mean...

Funny thing is I read about this post in a web standards/css related blog and that is terrifying...

And sad.

[GreenDay said everything..]

American idiot..go go home :p

[iamfromgreece]

In a civilized country like Greece certain things have to be respected. I understand that you can't understand this since you are from a country that has only 100-200 years of history.

Hope you don't tell your president that we support terrorism and he bombs down the Parthenon.

However, you are welcome to come to Greece again.Don't take what i wrote to harsh i didn't mean it that way. Just think about this : The fact that you cant understand a few things in Greece because its different in your country doesn't mean that things in your country are ok and the way the Greeks thing is wrong... maybe you are wrong

[parthenon]

Well... what can i say. You american people are so stupid.. but how can i blame you.. your history starts 500 years ago.. it's like saying yesterday.. so how is it possible to respect history. anyway i really don't blame you. i feel pity for you. i wonder what would happen if you do the same in Iraq in front of a local sight.. 200 milion useless people less on this planet would make it lighter and a better place to live..

Bastards

[Zangetsu]

Dude, you are talking about police there and the policy etc etc, and you say in America there are no such things.. but as I have seen in videos on the internet, there is SO much racism, AND MANY OTHER THINGS.

"We’re confined to arguing over stupid crap like gays in the military. If we were to let Europe in, we’d be arguing over gay orgies in the military"

I think you have something in mind in order to prove it ah? he-he

A pile of rocks? When Greeks built these structures other civilizations hadn't even discovered fire.. rofl. As for the amphitheaters etc.. you know the word "maintenance" ?

If you had had a guide, he would have explained to you. Or even..you could have tried to read some texts that are in some specific places in order to make people understand what they see.

I'm not going to analyse your whole entry anyway.. I agree that in Greece there are some idiots but same goes with the other countries(more and more).

Oh and you say that you told "souvenir" to a police-man and he didn't understand.. It's weird because for these things in Greece we use the same word, souvenir =)

Yes, I am from Greece. I am not even an adult but that's the way I see things.

That's all folks =)

PS: graffiti in public places -> by dorks
PS2: Joe? He's your hero? WTF ..

[Zangetsu]

Oh and forgot to tell you, yes it's disrespectful to dance in places like these. I don't know what you do at your country but I would never do "funny-dances"(as I guess you did) in a site like this.

[ulisse]

hmmm...nobody asks people like you to visit greece or any other country.You can stay home and dance in front of your own ancient monuments...I forgot...you can go to saudi arabia. People there, are more friendly to americans like you...but if you go against their rules you risk a bit more...Try that, and then write about your experience (if you still have hands)...