Street Signage - When I told my aunt about my days' adventures with the detours and optimistic directions and lack of signs she told me that earlier in the year a number of signs pointing the way to the stadium and other venues had to be covered up and eventually removed because they pointed the wrong way! So maybe nothing is better than something....

But to be fair, there is a wonderful map called the Olympic Public Transport Network that is given free at all information booths. Had I followed my usual habit of obsessively carrying a map it would have made my journey as clear as the beautiful blue Mediterranean for which Greece is famous.

In addition, I found lots of helpful people to ask directions. In one day I spoke with one tram and two train attendants, several volunteers, three city employees, two military police, two special police, and one regular cop and everyone was helpful and smiley.

City Transit - Naively I bought separate tickets for each trolley, tram, train and subway ride. I won't have that problem again because volunteers can use their credentials to ride for free through September 6, but for others venturing into Athens, daily, weekly and monthly passes can be purchased that are viable on all transport systems. In addition please note that event tickets also serve as "free passes" on the transit system on the day of the event.

Greek transit works as an 'honor' system meaning it is up to the rider to validate the ticket. This might tempt gate jumpers but please remember that Greece is a poor country whose citizens' grandchildren will still be paying for this Olympics. They need every bit of revenue they can get. If that doesn't convince you to pay the measly 60 cent fare, keep in mind that they fine gate jumpers and those who don't validate tickets. On the day of my mini odyssey I was checked twice!