Athens tourism: No rest for the weary

It is evident that the wooden benches near the Arch of Hadrian, in the heart of Athens, are not suitable for resting. Most tourists pass them by (thankfully) as they focus on taking photos with the arch in the background, toward Amalias Avenue. They tread on the coarse white pebbles under the August sun and are unlikely to translate the slogans on these dilapidated benches, which reflect contemporary Athenian culture.

A "Golden Dawn" slogan on one of these benches suggests that they have evaded the renovators for several years. They seem rather fitting beside the arch of an emperor who was an ardent admirer of Athens. They symbolically demonstrate that Hadrian's affection was well-deserved and that modern Athenian culture upholds the city's reputation.

These benches, after all, blend seamlessly with the general neglect of the area. The scene is one of widespread...