Now would you think we were at an archaeological site?
Would you believe we took both photos in a subway station in Athens?
Work on the new metro began in 2000 and was slowed considerably by the nature if the city--Athens is built on the ruins of thousands of years of inhabitants. Every time the workers ran into a pot or bone, the archaeologists were called in to catalogue and clear the site.
Some of the artifacts are now displayed in cases. One amazing wall is made of glass, allowing a view of the strata under the city. Pots from the time of the Ottoman empire are visible, as well as an early Christian grave with the bones in place.
The subway is clean and fast. It has substantially reduced air pollution in Athens. The first day of operation in 2006, it took 100,000 cars off the streets. The Metro takes you to the airport or to the port of Pireaus to catch a ferry to the many Greek islands.
It is amazing what a city can do when it has the political will. I think of the struggle we have had in the Twin Cities trying to get light rail expanded. Mass transportation is the future. If Athens can do it, so can Minnesotans.
Becky
No comments:
Post a Comment