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Olympic Media Village BEWARE...
Vincent Laforet, Photographer
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New York | NY | USA | Posted: 8:19 PM on 08.04.04 |
->> Not to be too alarmist - but I thought I'd pass this along to those planning on staying in the SELETE media village just accross the MPC...
One of our advance people arrived there yesterday...and well:
There are no working phone lines.
There is no cable television currently available.
There is no laundry service - just a launderette.
The AC is blasting - apparently it feels like a meat locker - and you'll need to bring a warm blanket just to sleep in the chill.
There are no refrigerators.
And the entier building shakes everytime a truck passes by...
Oh -and it seems to be a nightmare to get in and around that area...
That being said - things "might" improve by the time we get there. The 5 of us who were originally scheduled to stay there found accomodations elsewhere because this hotel did not meet even the minimum requirements promised by the IOC. If you can find another place to stay than the SELETE media village - it sounds like it's a good bet that you should go elsewhere. |
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Niko Kallianiotis, Photographer
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Watertown | NY | | Posted: 10:08 PM on 08.04.04 |
->> He he.. I think I will have to defend my country alot in the next month.
Ok lets start
"There are no working phone lines."
That sucks!
"There are no working phone lines."
There is no cable in Greece unless you staying is a suite, cable meaning satelite. All the channels in the Greek TV are cable except for 3. You should get CNN, some Italian, French cgannels, but I am sure in all the years I visit and staying in hotels, no cable. Unless it was suppose to have cause it's Media, I might be wrong.
"There is no laundry service - just a launderette."
That sucks also.
"The AC is blasting - apparently it feels like a meat locker - and you'll need to bring a warm blanket just to sleep in the chill."
Not a serious complaint, I have been in hotels in the States that I just can't sleep from that.
"There are no refrigerators. "
That SUCKS. I know you need cols water..but again, I stayed in some hotels in the states, no refrigirator. And no I did not stay in the cheepest ones :)
"And the entier building shakes everytime a truck passes by.."
Oh come on, athletes in Sydney stayed in mobile homes, atleast this are build.
"Oh -and it seems to be a nightmare to get in and around that area... "
Of course, it's Athens.
Tell us about the good things, great food, nice people, (women) ouzo, the fantastic Metro, if you havent seen it yet Vince, you will love it, it's like a museum.
But no mean I am trying to be bothered ny Vince message an I will be the first one I will point out and admit the bad issues. I might not be there (damn) but I am watching 3 Greek Satelite channels 24/7.
After the Olypmics go to Santorini Island! |
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Jeff Stanton, Photographer
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Tucson | AZ | USA | Posted: 10:15 PM on 08.04.04 |
| ->> The entire project was way behind schedule, according to a report on HBO's Real Sports. So this isn't much of a surprise. |
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Niko Kallianiotis, Photographer
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Watertown | NY | | Posted: 10:23 PM on 08.04.04 |
->> All of the projects were behind schedule and that is the falt of the previous government #&!#!. But I think all the venues are done, some not the way it was suppose to be, like the swimming venue. There has never been such a big event without any fallouts and issues that frustrate media, athletes, etc. After all we do one thing very well, complain!
I was watching the news today (Greek) and they showing the secutiry, I mean come on, it's not serious, they have patriot missles all over Athens and many others. The more interesting is at the Port of Pereaus, there are laser sensor under the sea in the gate of the port so nothing under water can pass. Some people are wathing to much James Bond in our world. But maybe Alliend will attack on opening ceremony and we need all this security, 4 times the first cost, after all it's the "War on Terror" |
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Grace Chiu, Photographer
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Ottawa | ON | CANADA | Posted: 1:26 AM on 08.05.04 |
->> Vince says, "The AC is blasting".
Hey, can I store my beer there?
Apparently, Molson's is the only beer being served at Canada Olympic House, because they're a major sponsor of the Canadian team. Every Molson's brand makes my throat close up, so Mythos beer is on my grocery list when I get there.
Ego.Eimai.Kanadian |
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Robert Deutsch, Photographer
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NY | NY | USA | Posted: 3:02 AM on 08.05.04 |
->> ok, I'll jump in here since I'm here already:)
I'm in Maroussi village, which is NOT next to the MPC :(
AC here is fine, we have a fridge. Gotta bus to mpc. 8 to a apt. Promised restaurant not here. no food, cept for stale bread for breakfast. No other food. No bar:( Promises to keep our staff together not met).
Airlines lost all our bags, but got them back next day (at 4am)
Bus from airport dropped us at wrong village and refused to take us anywhere else.
BUT, everyone (except the bus driver) is really trying to be helpful. Great attitudes, just no infrastructure. Everything is downsized, too little, too slow for an olympics. For example, we have dsl in all venues (we paid for it)...but dsl here is 26kb, without anyone sharing the pipe. Thats 26kb not 26kB, meaning half dial up speed (which, btw, taps out at 3k!). So transmitting will be...shall we say...selective? So bring a smile, most of all bring patience. They are trying, but this is going to be like doing an Olympics in 1968:) Oh, and we have TV:) in greek:) |
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Eileen Blass, Photographer
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Kennett Square | PA | USA | Posted: 6:57 AM on 08.05.04 |
->> So, Bob, I guess I have to repack all those powerbars that I thought I wouldn't need? Don't suppose there's a starbucks there, eh? Right NEXT to my room? I heard Greek coffee is pretty wonderful, so I'm not worried :)
I'm most surprised by the speed of the dsl line. That's gonna be a tough. So I guess it's good we have a 7 hour time difference. |
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Charles Mann, Photographer
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Adelphi | MD | USA | Posted: 8:27 AM on 08.05.04 |
->> I was wondering if there is anybody at the Agios Andreas Media Village? I don't get in till Tuesday, so I have time to get needed supplies.
Thanks, |
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Michael Hickey, Photographer
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Muncie | IN | USA | Posted: 9:11 AM on 08.05.04 |
| ->> These are the exact reasons for which I was blasted for saying that I have no desire to ever shoot the olympics. Too many stupid distractions to keep you from concentrating on what you are supposed to be doing there. What a mess. |
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Robert Dall, Photographer, Assistant
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Portage la Prairie | MB | Canada | Posted: 12:02 PM on 08.05.04 |
->> Robert. . . Yikes, even the Arctic Winter Games had a T1 connection in the frozen fjords of Nuuk, Greenland, thanks mainly to major sponsors IBM and Tele-post.
26kb is just scarry, best of luck. |
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Robert Hanashiro, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | USA | Posted: 12:39 PM on 08.05.04 |
->> Vince --- Don't go into this with a negative attitude or it'll make your stay here a lot worse.
My motto always is go with the flow ...
Nuff Said. |
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Robert Hanashiro, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | USA | Posted: 12:40 PM on 08.05.04 |
->> Also on the DSL speed ... further tests today show that it is considerably FASTER than we first thought. Bob will up date this when he's done transmitting tonight.
Robert Hanashiro. |
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Zack Podell, Photographer, Assistant
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Marina Del Rey | CA | USA | Posted: 12:55 PM on 08.05.04 |
->> Bob, Bert,
If the dsl is not up to par, I know most of europe has the new high speed GSM service. You may wanna look into the cellular aircards, if you need the higher speeds. I can't speak for greece, but London, Paris, Munich, and most of europe, (including Turkey) have service faster than our aircards here. They also have prepaid cells with reasonable x-fer speeds. |
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John Kavouris, Photographer
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Bartlett | IL | US | Posted: 1:02 PM on 08.05.04 |
->> For anyone who complains: I'd be glad to take your place.
By the way, you've never partied 'till you party with a bunch of drunken Greeks. Have fun in Athens everyone! |
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Robert Hanashiro, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | USA | Posted: 1:10 PM on 08.05.04 |
->> Why waste space on bringing food from the U.S.???
This is NOT some 3rd world country ... you can buy just about anything you can here that you can back home (well, except a blown a power supply for a G4 desktop!) ...
Save the space in your baggage and just buy your snacks and stuff here. There is a HUGE super market / appliance store / department store right next door to the MPC.
This is a fabulous country with unbelieveably nice and helpful people ... as long as you're patient and have a proper frame of mind, you'll have a good time here.
Hanashiro. |
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Robert Deutsch, Photographer
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NY | NY | USA | Posted: 1:11 PM on 08.05.04 |
->> ok, update: we re tested at a venue today and got MUCH better speeds... more like normal usa dsl. That may slow down when lots of are there, but for now it's ok. whew:)
still no food at village:) |
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Chris Faytok, Photographer
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FORDS | NJ | USA | Posted: 1:31 PM on 08.05.04 |
| ->> I am going to be at SELETE. Sounds like a lovely place... Think we can assume that they are still working on it, or is that it? Personally, I can do my own laundry if I have to, but a phone would be nice... is it atleast close to the mpc? |
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Eileen Blass, Photographer
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Kennett Square | PA | USA | Posted: 1:41 PM on 08.05.04 |
->> ->> Why waste space on bringing food from the U.S.???
Well, the powerbars will come in handy anyway. They're packed, and I'm under 50 lbs on the bag. So.....I'm gonna go with the flow. |
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Robert Deutsch, Photographer
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NY | NY | USA | Posted: 2:04 PM on 08.05.04 |
->> All I can say about Selete is our reporters love it. It's next to MPC, AND next to Oly stadium. Very short walk. and food. and a bar. Beer is 2 euro. Your mileage may very:)
Now, our hacks say that there are signs that you cannot put any paper (yes, any paper) in the toilets. They go in the "bin" next to the toilet. yes. and when the wind is right, well, the beer garden is , well, ripe:) You cannot make this stuff up. |
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William J. Crane, Photographer
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Philadelphia | PA | United States | Posted: 2:43 PM on 08.05.04 |
| ->> I hope you all have a blast, paper bins aside! I am still jealous!!! Stay safe, drink with crazy Greeks and enjoy the food! Powerbars could come in handy, so if you get hungry look for Eileen Blass. She has them! Just be glad you are in Greece and not trying to keep up with Marine groundpounders! That thought should keep things in perspective. Eileen, take them some of Pat's Steaks!!! Happy Shooting!! |
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John Kavouris, Photographer
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Bartlett | IL | US | Posted: 3:29 PM on 08.05.04 |
->> And remember after a meal, it's custom to break your dish against the nearest wall to show your appreciation to the cook. :)
ANd if you donlt like the water, you can always drink Ouzo! |
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Jean Finley, Student/Intern
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Iowa City | IA | USA | Posted: 3:53 PM on 08.05.04 |
| ->> Wow, what an adventure. I'd trade places with any of you in a heartbeat! |
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Vincent Laforet, Photographer
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New York | NY | USA | Posted: 4:17 PM on 08.05.04 |
->> Bert - no worries.
Whether the worries of our first person to visit Selete were right or not... we're now staying at a very nice hotel... w/ 24 hr room service which will help after those long nights... I'm looking at all these little surprises with a sense of humour... our office didn't though... and decided to move us out.
See you guys there! P.S. Bert, Bob and Faytok - pls e-mail me your cell numbers out there! v |
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Brendan Moran, Photographer
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Dublin | IRELAND | Ireland | Posted: 6:28 PM on 08.05.04 |
->> I, like Charles, am staying in the Agios Andreas Media Village and hope it'll be ok, but as Robert says, just go with the flow, nothing much can be done at this late stage and if you let it get to you, it'll just drive you mad and your work will suffer.
As an ss.com member not is the US, i look forward to meeting up with a few of ye while over there.
Brendan |
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Michael Conroy, Photographer
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Indianapolis | IN | USA | Posted: 8:58 PM on 08.05.04 |
->> Vince
Guess I'm happy not being in the village but in a hotel about 100 meters from the Med. with easy beach access, guess that the prize for covering the beleaguered US basketball team. Send me your cell and I'll give you a shout when I get there Tuesday.
Cheers
Mike |
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Doug Pizac, Photographer
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Sandy | UT | USA | Posted: 11:52 PM on 08.05.04 |
->> Bert and Robert...
I'm leaving for Athens Monday, arriving Tuesday. Is there anything I can bring you? Beef jerkey, AA batteries?
Also, is the Canon venue close by? I'm staying at the Marrousi.
...Doug |
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Robert Deutsch, Photographer
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NY | NY | USA | Posted: 5:23 AM on 08.06.04 |
->> Doug, thanks, we are good to go and shopping is no problemo.
Canon is in the MPC, next to Kodak, downstairs. If you are in Maroussi 2, you are next door. If you are in Maroussi 1, like me, it is a 3/4 mile walk or quick bus ride to the MPC. Canon is not open yet, will open Monday if I remember correctly.
Bert is writing a full report, should be on line asap.
see ya here... |
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Eileen Blass, Photographer
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Kennett Square | PA | USA | Posted: 6:38 PM on 08.06.04 |
| ->> Arrived today in Athens. No problems, no lost luggage, room at the Maroussi is just fine. It was a whole lot easier than I thought, thanks to Deutsch and Hanashiro who babysitted my gear at the media village while I had to deal with getting a crednetial (THANK YOU GUYS!!!). The only weirdness was when I found out that a roommate assigned me was some cute Aussie guy I didn't know. Can you spell "distraction"? Well, that was altered and I'm rooming with one of my colleagues as planned. But, I think I must be polite and at least go say hello to the nice Aussie bloke :) Safe trip to those of you coming over. |
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Charles Mann, Photographer
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Adelphi | MD | USA | Posted: 7:58 AM on 08.07.04 |
->> Hi to everybody in Athens. Thanks for all the info. Did any of you send in an application to use your radio remotes?
I have been reading the e-spectrum web site and it does not address Radio Remotes directly, but does say all wireless devices must be approved to be used in the Olympic venues and might have a fee associated with using them.
Thanks again,
PS Bob Deutsch thanks again for letting me set up my remote in front of you during Reagan's funeral. |
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Ben Burgeson, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Poway | CA | USA | Posted: 11:36 AM on 08.07.04 |
->> Yo Bert.
have you checked out the venues yet? frakes said in Sacramento that the wells were like 40 yards away from the finishline on the track.....Are they?! Also How is the weather at night besides the chilly AC. anyway, I leave tomorrow, anyone need anything from Brussles? See you
fellas there.
Oh here's a phrase I learned in my Greek class that everyone should know....
Catalavenete Aglica? it means do you speak english.
Ben |
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Bill Frakes, Photographer
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New York | NY | USA | Posted: 1:48 PM on 08.07.04 |
->> Ben:
Quote me accurately. I said nothing about wells . What I did say is that it appears the main photo positions are that about far from the finish line.
When you get to Athens we can measure the distance in METERS.
Bill |
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Robert Deutsch, Photographer
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NY | NY | USA | Posted: 5:57 PM on 08.07.04 |
->> Hi all, been at Olympia all day, 10 hrs in a bus:(
anyone covering the shotput in Olympia (and the creds are severely restricted) needs to do some serious planning...it's a LONG ride there and back. It will be a 24 hour day start to return.
As for remotes, you register them in MPC and you are good to go. I have not had time to do it yet but expect no issues, but you do need to register them. |
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Ben Burgeson, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Poway | CA | USA | Posted: 6:25 PM on 08.07.04 |
->> Bill,
you're right you did say position, sorry. I was just wondering exactly how far, I knew you said they were 40 yards away, I just wanted to know exactly how far. sorry if I confused. Just wondering.
ben |
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Christopher Pike, Photographer
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Toronto | ON | Canada | Posted: 2:07 AM on 08.09.04 |
->> Hey there,
I head out of Toronto with a stop in Montreal leaving tom. (aug 9) at 16:00 arriving on the 10th at 10:00. Hoping all goes well and its great to hear from all you already there in Athens.
Catch you on the filp side of things
-pike- |
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Christopher Pike, Photographer
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Toronto | ON | Canada | Posted: 11:49 AM on 08.10.04 |
->> arrived today, went through airport and everything pretty smooth in about 5 hours, working pretty well over here, not that hot at 37 C, the cool breeze is nice . . .
thanks to SS member Charles Mann for keeping me company while waiting for the bus out to the media village
talk to you later
-pike- |
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Gavin Werbeloff, Photographer, Student/Intern
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La Jolla | CA | | Posted: 7:11 PM on 08.10.04 |
| ->> For those headed to Athens with Powerbooks, Apple makes a world wide adapter kit that will fit on all apple power supplies that are white cubes (newer TiBooks, Aluminum 12, 15 and 17, as well as white iBooks). The AC adaptors are all dual voltage (110/220) and this plug kit makes it pretty convenient. You can buy them at the Apple Store. Hope everyone has a good time |
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Michael Hickey, Photographer
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Muncie | IN | USA | Posted: 9:06 PM on 08.10.04 |
| ->> Why on earth is a shotput venue so far away!!!!?????? |
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Bill Frakes, Photographer
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New York | NY | USA | Posted: 12:34 PM on 08.11.04 |
| ->> Hey Michael, know anything about the history of the Olympics? |
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Bob Ford, Photographer
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Lehighton | Pa | USA | Posted: 1:20 PM on 08.11.04 |
| ->> At this year's Olympics the qualification and finals for both the men’s and women’s Olympic Shot Put competitions will take place in the original Olympic stadium. |
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Randy Chow, Photographer
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Long Beach | CA | United States | Posted: 1:32 PM on 08.11.04 |
->> Bob
You mean in Olympia?? If so, then that *is* a long haul! Egads! |
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Bob Ford, Photographer
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Lehighton | Pa | USA | Posted: 1:41 PM on 08.11.04 |
| ->> Yes, in Olympia. Robert Deutsch posted above that it's a 10 hour bus trip. Not sure if that was one-way or round trip. |
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Michael Hickey, Photographer
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Muncie | IN | USA | Posted: 1:48 PM on 08.11.04 |
| ->> Good point, Bill |
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Keith Simonian, Photographer
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Lafayette | CA | USA | Posted: 3:35 PM on 08.11.04 |
| ->> Just read Robert Hanashiro's letter home to Jack Gruber. All I knows is, if somebody who grew up in Fresno, CA thinks its hot, it must be ugly HOT. |
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Jonathan Daniel, Photographer
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Riverside | IL | USA | Posted: 3:44 PM on 08.11.04 |
| ->> Vinnie: NO CABLE TV? How the heck are you supposed to watch the Cubbies battle for the wild card? |
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Christopher Pike, Photographer
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Toronto | ON | Canada | Posted: 3:44 PM on 08.11.04 |
| ->> 10:43pm right now and the temp that reads outside of the MPC is 30C (something like 90F). |
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Robert Deutsch, Photographer
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NY | NY | USA | Posted: 4:55 PM on 08.11.04 |
| ->> 10 hour round trip to Olympia. Bus was about 4 1/2 hrs each way, plus pit stops. Car would be less, but not much. |
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Niko Kallianiotis, Photographer
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Watertown | NY | | Posted: 7:34 PM on 08.11.04 |
| ->> 10 hour trip to Olympia????? Are you driving the American way? 55mph on a straight shot? :) |
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Niko Kallianiotis, Photographer
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Watertown | NY | | Posted: 7:40 PM on 08.11.04 |
->> One more thing, go to the night clubs ny the shore of Athens, a bit $$ but it is worth it. Don't go to the tourist clubs, although they not many. If you go to the clubs DO NOT wear shorts, T-shirt, sandals, hats. Oh and don't carry any guns explosives, etc. I think Privilege is one of the best ones if I remember correctly. Get out of the Plaka and the souvlaki, Athens has some best food in the world. Greek food is not only souvlaki, mousaka and spinach pie.
Have fun. |
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Jonathan Daniel, Photographer
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Riverside | IL | USA | Posted: 12:13 AM on 08.12.04 |
| ->> Vinnie: The Cubs beat the Padres tonight. Just thought you'd like to have some really important information. |
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