Greece's turbulent past

After a long period away from big cities, Athen's traffic is overwhelming; congestion, noise, a degree of pollution.

Flying out of Rhodes yesterday afternoon, the coast of Turkey was clearly visible, just an hour's ferry ride away. It, the Turkish coast, is even closer to some of the other Greek Islands.

In Santorini, Greek fighter jets were doing practice runs, a reminder of a not so distant past when Greek and Turkey fought several wars.

One thing you notice in Greece as compared to Australia is simply the juxtaposition of so many different peoples separated by language and culture. This area has had a turbulent and often very violent past. I feel that I can understand that past better now simply because I have a better feel for the geography.