Friday, we took a class field trip about 30 minutes outside of the city to Eleusis. I probably still haven't quite grasped the importance of this site, but from what I have learned, it was a sacred site in dedication to Demitra and her daughter Persephone; specifically used as a site of cult worship for fertility in celebration of the seasons. However, this site played a key role in the Christianization of Athens and was actually quite hard to eradicate by early Christians. Of course, the site was completely destroyed by the Christians, but the belief lived on into the late 18th century when pilgrims from Britain and France actually found people worshipping a statue of Demetra at the site. It was really neat to be standing in the middle of what was the sacred and secret temple where only the elected were allowed to visit and learn the secret ritual once a year. You have to be imaginative though, as its basically a platform with some of the bases of pillars. See video:
I'm getting better at imagining the ruins and what the city may have looked like. I still have a long way to go, but its getting easier. I couldn't quite grasp it at first from the Parthenon, but from the agora looking to the Parthenon painted a bit clearer picture. I'm becoming quite a fan of the classic studies; today I went to to a professor and requested to join her class which is basically an in depth study of the archaeology of Athens. It made me happy though as she knew the classics professors from Wabash (the Days and Dr. Fischer) - it made me proud, we may be small in number, but not in influence.
The weekend was very laid back - not like the party island last weekend. We did make it out to a club one night, which was fun. I'm still learning the ropes of the city, but fitting in well. My goal was to sort of dive into the classics this semester and take something away from it and so far I'm succeeding. In my philosophy class, we just read the Atomists who amazed me at how close they were to atomic theory and all but still so far away from the chemical truth. However, it only further ingrained my love of the liberal arts deep within me; for even philosophy can be used to explain chemistry - I know I'm a dork, but not ashamed, and found it fascinating.
Coming off an exciting and fun weekend, I was a bit tired Monday morning; especially for 9 AM Latin. However, I have survived and actually gained a lot of respect for ancient Greece this week. First, learning Latin has been pretty neat - definitely in a completely dorky way. I didn't think I would have that much of an interest in it, but already I've really enjoyed the class. It also helps that its just myself and the professor so basically I have a private tutor. I decided to take the class for medical derivatives and such and on the first day we did the verb, terrere, to terrify. Which, in the 3rd person singluar conjugates terret, which happens to be terrets syndrome - which already makes sense. It's just neat to see the language I have spoken for the last 21 years come together. Right: Theatre of Dionosys.
Secondly, in my Athens archaeology course we did some studies around the Acropolis this week. I've gained so much more respect for what Athens was at its height. Not to mention the fact that its incredibly cool to be standing on the spot where the original democracy met. We went and sat by the Theatre of Dionosys and learned it was basically where political criticism originated and where free thought flourished; the site where the original political satires came about. I couldn't help but think to attribute this site to the creation and success of Southpark - ok, maybe thats a bit extreme. But the point is, Athens was the city that gave rise to these ideas of freedom that we know and live today.
We also learned a cool myth. Apparently, Poseidon and Athena fount atop the acropolis for patronage of the city of Athens and Athena won (obviously). However, next to the Parthenon (dedicated to Athena) is a second temple, probably to Poseidon, in ionic style. Next to that, a well which has salt water in the bottom which is rare. So the myth goes that Poseidon left his mark atop the hill or whatever - just thought it was neat. Left: Temple of Poseidon
Finally, in philosophy, we studied Paremenides today including the first time the mention of persuasion and rhetoric is documented. I guess I've just been a bit overwhelmed and fascinated by the fact that I'm standing and learning the most ancient thoughts of man. Even more interesting is how perplexing and valid these thoughts still are today. Point and case: even though its been easy, I'm still learning in the classroom.
I had so much fun this weekend. I literally do not know where to begin or how to elaborate my mood of contentment on the ferry ride back to Athens Sunday night. Friday morning we (myself and 13 other students from my program [4 guys, 9 girls]) caught the subway to the port and boarded a 5 hour ferry to Mykonos departing at 7:30. Once we made it to the island, we were upgraded to villas from our prior Bungalos. The bungalos were supposed to be made of wood and were maybe a little rough - the Villas were much nicer and came at no extra cost not to mention they overlooked the beach. Right: view of the beach from our hotel room (30 seconds to the beach).
Friday about 5:00, a beach bar started blairing music, brought out dancers, and drew in a huge crowd by about 8. I've never really done the crazy Spring Break thing; but, I suppose this fit the picture. From there, the group of us caught a quick dinner about 11, and headed to town by midnight to go clubbing. After a quick taxi ride back to our Villa, we laid on the beach for a while under beautiful, shining stars before calling it a night. As a side note, I just wanted to point out none of the girls at any of the clubs could match my dancing. The following morning, we awoke at 10 to catch free breakfast ending at 10:30, then laid on the beach all day until about 5 before repeating. Although, I wasn't an entire bum Saturday as I put in a 2 hour run through the hills which really tore my legs up, it's all up and down there. Left: sunset as we boarded the ferry for Athens - how does that not make you smile after a fun weekend on the beach?
It was really pretty surreal, to just be laying on a Greek Island beach mid-September, with, well, not many worries at all. I thought a lot about the past 2 years on the way home on the ferry and really couldn't stop smiling at the fact that I just had the chance to relax. It always comes back to the less promoted Wabash motto, "Work hard, play hard." Speaking of Wabash, Professor Himsels chapel talk had me ready to fight someone for the sake of Wabash. Haha. It was good though and it makes me nostalgic to wish I were sitting in the front row, sphinx club pot on, surrounded by fellow Wabash men, trying to make sense of where we're headed in life. I really miss the Wabash environment - however, I spent the last weekend on a beautiful Greek island so can't complain too much. =)
This was my first week of classes - nothing too strenuous. My course load this semester is about the complete opposite of last semester. I'm taking an art and archaeology course that meets at a different landmark every week, an ancient greek philosophy course, beginning latin, and beginning Greek. Today for the art course we went to the agora which dates back to what are believed to be the original settlements in Athens. This was the first time I actually felt like I had a decent grasp on what ancient Athens may have looked like. We went to the temple of Theseus who was the mythological founder of Athens across from the agora which gave a good view of the agora, parthenon, and a bunch of ancient ruins. I imagine it was a pretty spectacular thing to see in its day. Right: I had to take it into the sun which is why the sky is white - left side of the shot = agora, middle top = parthenon inbetween the two are scattered ruins from temples and parliamentary houses. It would look really cool with lots of white marble temples and such right?
I am getting more and more comfortable with the city and got to try my hand at cooking this week. I think I would make my mom proud - I also suppose all those years cooking with scouts helped too. Learning Greek is really helping me figure things out, its just difficult retraining my mind to see, for example, the letter v, which is a lowercase n not a v. I'm getting it slowly but surely.
I'll definitely miss the Wabash classroom this semester. Already its very obvious how much more formal the classroom at Wabash is. It's not formal in the sense like you stand to talk, but formal in the way the students act and their general mannerisms in class. I don't think I've had one class without a cell phone going off atleast twice - which is something I don't recall occuring that frequently at Wabash. On top of that, I just feel Wabash is a more interactive environment thats centered on learning; whereas the classroom here reminds me more of what high school was like. I'm not complaining, just will miss that sort of edge that Wabash typically has. It has made me realize yet again, just how different Wabash is. Left: Temple of Theseus
A group of us are headed to Mykonos this weekend - the party island. We'll be staying on the beach in bungalows. I'm not quite sure what bungalow means, but they're cheap and on the beach, so really how bad can it be? Maybe I shouldn't say that. Either way, I'm hoping for another relaxing island getaway on the beach =)
This weekend was an incredibly relaxing and enjoyable time. I've never been to an island before and I think especially being a Greek island where something around 60% of the population is over 60 only makes it more relaxing. The first day was a bit overcast making the beach not such a great time - we still got in though.
Saturday was the best day I've had so far. A small group of us woke up, caught a bus to a small town in the hills, and then a trail to a beach. I went on a run ahead of them for about an hour or so until I caught up with them on one of the beaches. The mountains on the island did work on my legs. Anyways, from there some Greek scuba trainers gave us a boat ride to a beautiful beach where we skipped rocks, swam, and laid in the sun. We had the beach to ourselves. Some smoothies and about an hour later we took a bus ride back to the city where we're staying and went out with the rest of our study abroad group for a great dinner - I got shrimp spaghetti. Right: The beach to which we recieved a ride.
On the ferry ride back, I took about an hour to separate from the group and just watch the sunset with the wind blowing in my face. It's pretty unreal I'll be doing this for the next 3 months and I was unbelieveably content in that moment.
We talked some on the island about how different it was there compared to life back in America. When we would sit down at a restaurant for dinner its literally about 15 minutes before the waiter brings you a menu or your drinks then another 10 minutes or so before they place your order. It's just a lot more laid back than what I'm used to. It was just nice to sit beach side eating a delicious club sandwich watching old men play backgammon and drink beer on a Sunday afternoon.
Funny story: We went to dinner across town last night - about a 30 minute walk. After finding the restaurant, we sit down and our waiter approaches us before exclaiming in a very Greek accent, "Wow, you are very well done," in reference to how burnt I was from laying in the sun all afternoon. Left: The harbor where we stayed at Kythnos.
I had 80 emails this morning when I checked, most of them made me miss Wabash. This weekend was LCA's big party and I love looking at the pictures on facebook. I miss those guys and the professors and campus life. I guess I can't complain though - sitting on a beach all weekend was awfully nice.
I made it. It's been a while since I had enough free time to get on here. I've been getting like 40 emails a day from school and having about an hour to check my mail and reply so this has been deprioritized the last few days.
However, I'm having a blast. It's been so much fun so far. I'm learning Greek - slowly but surely and meeting new people and going out at night. Our apartment has 4 single rooms (for 4 guys) a kitchen, small living area, and bathroom. The plumbing in Greece can't handle toilet paper so there is a small bin next to the toilet in which you throw your paper away. Also, the hot water heater must be turned on and off because it will blow up if left on too long. Other than that, it's comfortable.
We've been doing a lot of orientation stuff: learning the transport system, visiting the markets, filling out paperwork, gettting TB tests, the usual stuff. That's occupied most of my days; however, I have managed to fit in some running to my schedule which has been great becuase I've been able to just take off in one direction, run for 20-30 minutes, then run back so I'm seeing things and getting oriented that way. Yesterday we got about 4 hours in the middle of the day and we took a walk up the Acropolis to see the Parthenon and other temples and theatres that are there. It's pretty amazing to see, unfortunately, there is a lot of scaffolding up because they're in the process of restoring everything so I didn't get the best views of the artifacts; still though, its hard to imagine building something on that scale without machinery.
The Greeks live a much slower paced life than in the US. Typically, the families wake up/go to work around 10, close up around 2, open back up around 4-5, work til about 8, then go to dinner about 9 and stay out until 11. It's a lot different than the 9-5 we are used to in America. I'm still getting used to it, but its nice to experience time in a different way. The food is great, I had some delicious lamb last night and learned a Greek salad is more or less a vegetable salad (I tried my best to eat as much as I could). We're going to the island of Kythnos this weekend for a relaxing trip before class that starts Monday. I have class Monday and Wednesday at 9:30 and Tuesday and Thursday from 11-7. Fridays are free =)
Yesterday was busy. I spent all day walking. Yes, walking. I chose not to take the subway anywhere so that way I could see the city. While that was enjoyable, my feet got pretty tired after a while. I went and saw an outdoor museum titled, "Topography of Terror" which highlights the Nazi SA, SS, and propaganda throughout the takeover and end of the war. It was pretty scary stuff to think that something like that could happen so quickly and realitively unhindered. I guess I didn't understand how thorough the Nazi's where with eradicating opposition and quick. After that, I wandered over to checkpoint Charlie and the Berlin wall remnants and got a good history lesson on those. It was pretty interesting to be standing there in the middle of what was a revolution only a generation ago. Maybe it was the first time I paid attention, or maybe its just easier to understand something when you're standing there, but I think I finally got the Cold War and sort of what was going on during that time. Right: Berliner Dom on a sunny day =) Left: Checkpoint Charlie
Today was one of the more insightful days of the trip. I caught an early train out to Oranienberg which is home of Sachenhausen Concentration Camp. I heard about it yesterday evening and made my way there after an hour train ride and 20 minute walk. Visiting a concentration camp has been on my list for quite some time; and it was well worth it. Unfathomable. Literally, its unexplainable how a prison like that could have existed less than 70 years ago. Just walking around was eerie, not to mention walking into the pathology house and seeing the dissecting tables bare and empty glass cabinets. The methods the Nazi's employed are unthinkable, inhuman, and shocking. If you get the chance, you should take time to visit an old camp - there is much to be learned, thought about, and seen. It goes to show what happens when people stop thinking for themselves and let others do the thinking for them. It's been good to live inside my own head on this trip, to have to ponder what I've seen on my own and not have a sort of secondary outlet to help me figure things out - independent thought is priceless.
On the train ride I did a bit of reflecting about the trip. I guess the first thing was that I don't know if it would have been possible without Wabash. Not only because of the Givens Award, but because intellectually, I don't know that I would be where I am today without Wabash. It was funny watching some of the other kids my age in art galleries and museums sort of just glimpsing at pieces and snapping a picture of something that caught there eye, but never really giving it a lasting thought. I know I can accredit an awful lot to the classroom at Wabash over the last 2 years. Right: Siegessaule Monument
The other big concept that has sort of been slapping me in the face over and over again is how much there is left for me to learn. I feel like if I were a student my entire life I would still be left with an endless list of ideas, languages, and arts to study. I want to learn French, German, study Hegel, Marx, Des Cartes, paint, sculpt, learn Greek mythology and medieval chivalry, etc etc. There are literally about a million ideas being thrown about my head, each one serving as a valid starting point for study leading its own way down a path only to intersect one of the other paths somewhere along the way which makes it incredibly hard to know where to start; since it all sort of interlocks and interplays upon another. I guess I've always said I could be completely happy going to college for the rest of my life and this has only reaffirmed that, traveling has only opened my eyes to how much there is left for me to learn and how fascinating the world, history, and whats to come truly is. Left: Entry gate to Sachenhausen (Work Brings Freedom)
I suppose if I could do it again I would go with a friend. Not that I regret anything I've done, but I've just not been to many bars on my travels and thats mostly in part with not having a "clubbing buddy." It's been good, don't get me wrong, I got to see probably 3x as many things because of it, but next time, I'll do more of the social side of Europe - maybe I'm just kidding myself as I've always been a nerd at heart. See more pictures from the past two days: www2.wabash.edu/blog/photo_album/home.cfm
I doubt I'll continue blogging everyday like I have as I'll be in Athens tomorrow afternoon and then studying there for a semester. I'll probably resort back to my 2-3 times a week and work from there.
I caught a night train to Berlin. It was ok. I guess I would have taken the advice given to me the first time but chose not to follow - pay the extra money to upgrade your ticket to get a bed. It's not that Icouldn't sleep, it was a little more comfortable than an airplane, but that the train stops periodically to let people on/off so I would get jarred awake. Still, it was smooth and I would recommend it, especially for $50. Right: Nefertes (sp) head, supposedly what the Atles Museum is most famous for. Left: another cool painting from the museum with social themes and such being satired.
Once in Berlin, it took me a bit to figure out the subway system. Once I did I made my way to the Museum Sinsel which I take to mean Museum Island - I don't speak a word of German. But its basically 5 museums each one with its own unique collection. I got through most of the antiquities stuff and the 19th century art before calling it quits due to hunger, being dirty, and simply tired of being in museums; especially since about everything falls short of the British Museum and Louvre.
Dinner was at a pretty traditional German restaurant where I ordered snitzel that came with peas and carrots. I tried to force down some of them, but didn't make it very far. I don't think I'm far from bed now, I think I may try to just roam a bit tomorrow and see a few things but I'd like to hop in and out of some shops I suppose. I've heard things are cheap in Berlin. Left: A painting I liked in the 19th century art museum
On a side note, I'm wearing out. I think I'm about ready to get to Athens and settle in. Two weeks of living out of a backpack and leaving for a new city every 3 days will about wear you out. I leave Sunday morning for Athens.
Yesterday was very hectic, long day. I woke up at 6 to catch a train to Normandy - and sort of jumped off a stop early then had to wait an hour for an hour busride to the right place; the joys of traveling alone. Once there I caught another bus out to Le Pointe du Hoc. If you ever come to France and have an extra day, I would say this is a must see.
Pointe du Hoc is the eastern point of Normandy beach were on June 6th, 1944 (D-Day) 225 Army Rangers scaled 150 foot cliffs using grappling hooks and ladders while recieving and returning fire. Its literally unfathomable how something like that could be successful. I was reading some quotes about the day at a memorial and that was just before the point and I wasn't sure what it would be like/was mad I got off early on the train/hadn't seen anything really cool yet except a huge beach (it spans 40 miles); but I turn this corner of tall grass and there are huge craters and mounds and concrete chunks 10' x 4' x 4' flown all over and remnants of bunkers plus barbed wire. It literally is torn apart. I was simply amazed at the battle scene before me. The cliffs the Rangers scaled would be hard with a belay team and ropes. It was an incredibly humbling experience and I cannot elaborate enough how thought provoking it was to see something like that. GO SEE IT for yourself! Left: Looks like a femur to me (in Notre Dame)
On another note, it was nice to see the French countryside and learn not everyone in France lives in Paris. Shocking, I know. I guess it is kind of like saying you could go to New York, but what does that tell you about the other 90% of America? Not much especially us Indianans. I caught the train back in, all the way this time. Then hopped on the metro to see the Arc de Triomphe, Arc de la Defense, and the Eiffel Tower at night. Those were all neat I suppose, you can't quite fathom the arches til you see them, they are gigantic. Right: Sainte Chapelle
Today was my last day in Paris, so I got up early, packed up, and went to the laundromat. I did figure it out and didn't do anything terribly wrong while I was there. After that I got back on the metro to go see Sainte Chapelle which was built by King Louis to hold the relics of Christ. It's amazingly pretty and unfortunately being cleaned so a large portion of the stained glass was covered. It depicts 1,113 scenes from the Bible on its stained glass - yeah, its amazing. Left: From right to left: Arc de la Defense, Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe
After that I saw Notre Dame which was also pretty neat. I wish I knew more history about the building or legends that go along with the Cathedral, but, that just gives me something more to learn. After that? More art. I took a quick walk along the Siene to Musee d'Orsay which I suppose is well known for its collection of Monet and von Gough. I was impressed with some of it. I still like sculptures the best but I really think von Gough is the real deal - I liked his stuff. Its just neat to step back and ask yourself, "OK what is the artist trying to tell me here?" and pick apart a work of art until it means something, atleast I enjoy that. Right: von Gough
I catch a night bus to Berlin in about 2 hours. Au Revoir Paris.
looking to the Parthenon painted a bit clearer picture. I'm becoming quite a fan of the classic studies; today I went to to a professor and requested to join her class which is basically an in depth study of the archaeology of Athens. It made me happy though as she knew the classics professors from Wabash (the Days and Dr. Fischer) - it made me proud, we may be small in number, but not in influence.
learning Latin has been pretty neat - definitely in a completely dorky way. I didn't think I would have that much of an interest in it, but already I've really enjoyed the class. It also helps that its just myself and the professor so basically I have a private tutor. I decided to take the class for medical derivatives and such and on the first day we did the verb, terrere, to terrify. Which, in the 3rd person singluar conjugates terret, which happens to be terrets syndrome - which already makes sense. It's just neat to see the language I have spoken for the last 21 years come together. Right: Theatre of Dionosys.
thought flourished; the site where the original political satires came about. I couldn't help but think to attribute this site to the creation and success of Southpark - ok, maybe thats a bit extreme. But the point is, Athens was the city that gave rise to these ideas of freedom that we know and live today.
other students from my program [4 guys, 9 girls]) caught the subway to the port and boarded a 5 hour ferry to Mykonos departing at 7:30. Once we made it to the island, we were upgraded to villas from our prior Bungalos. The bungalos were supposed to be made of wood and were maybe a little rough - the Villas were much nicer and came at no extra cost not to mention they overlooked the beach. Right: view of the beach from our hotel room (30 seconds to the beach).
entire bum Saturday as I put in a 2 hour run through the hills which really tore my legs up, it's all up and down there. Left: sunset as we boarded the ferry for Athens - how does that not make you smile after a fun weekend on the beach?
different landmark every week, an ancient greek philosophy course, beginning latin, and beginning Greek. Today for the art course we went to the agora which dates back to what are believed to be the original settlements in Athens. This was the first time I actually felt like I had a decent grasp on what ancient Athens may have looked like. We went to the temple of Theseus who was the mythological founder of Athens across from the agora which gave a good view of the agora, parthenon, and a bunch of ancient ruins. I imagine it was a pretty spectacular thing to see in its day. Right: I had to take it into the sun which is why the sky is white - left side of the shot = agora, middle top = parthenon inbetween the two are scattered ruins from temples and parliamentary houses. It would look really cool with lots of white marble temples and such right?
formal the classroom at Wabash is. It's not formal in the sense like you stand to talk, but formal in the way the students act and their general mannerisms in class. I don't think I've had one class without a cell phone going off atleast twice - which is something I don't recall occuring that frequently at Wabash. On top of that, I just feel Wabash is a more interactive environment thats centered on learning; whereas the classroom here reminds me more of what high school was like. I'm not complaining, just will miss that sort of edge that Wabash typically has. It has made me realize yet again, just how different Wabash is. Left: Temple of Theseus
only makes it more relaxing. The first day was a bit overcast making the beach not such a great time - we still got in though.
When we would sit down at a restaurant for dinner its literally about 15 minutes before the waiter brings you a menu or your drinks then another 10 minutes or so before they place your order. It's just a lot more laid back than what I'm used to. It was just nice to sit beach side eating a delicious club sandwich watching old men play backgammon and drink beer on a Sunday afternoon.
deprioritized the last few days.
see, unfortunately, there is a lot of scaffolding up because they're in the process of restoring everything so I didn't get the best views of the artifacts; still though, its hard to imagine building something on that scale without machinery.
so that way I could see the city. While that was enjoyable, my feet got pretty tired after a while. I went and saw an outdoor museum titled, "Topography of Terror" which highlights the Nazi SA, SS, and propaganda throughout the takeover and end of the war. It was pretty scary stuff to think that something like that could happen so quickly and realitively unhindered. I guess I didn't understand how thorough the Nazi's where with eradicating opposition and quick. After that, I wandered over to checkpoint Charlie and the Berlin wall remnants and got a good history lesson on those. It was pretty interesting to be standing there in the middle of what was a revolution only a generation ago. Maybe it was the first time I paid attention, or maybe its just easier to understand something when you're standing there, 
but I think I finally got the Cold War and sort of what was going on during that time. Right: Berliner Dom on a sunny day =) Left: Checkpoint Charlie
figure things out - independent thought is priceless.
etc etc. There are literally about a million ideas being thrown about my head, each one serving as a valid starting point for study leading its own way down a path only to intersect one of the other paths somewhere along the way which makes it incredibly hard to know where to start; since it all sort of interlocks and interplays upon another. I guess I've always said I could be completely happy going to college for the rest of my life and this has only reaffirmed that, traveling has only opened my eyes to how much there is left for me to learn and how fascinating the world, history, and whats to come truly is. Left: Entry gate to Sachenhausen (Work Brings Freedom)
couldn't sleep, it was a little more comfortable than an airplane, but that the train stops periodically to let people on/off so I would get jarred awake. Still, it was smooth and I would recommend it, especially for $50. Right: Nefertes (sp) head, supposedly what the Atles Museum is most famous for. Left: another cool painting from the museum with social themes and such being satired.
Dinner was at a pretty traditional German restaurant where I ordered snitzel that came with peas and carrots. I tried to force down some of them, but didn't make it very far. I don't think I'm far from bed now, I think I may try to just roam a bit tomorrow and see a few things but I'd like to hop in and out of some shops I suppose. I've heard things are cheap in Berlin. Left: A painting I liked in the 19th century art museum
Rangers scaled 150 foot cliffs using grappling hooks and ladders while recieving and returning fire. Its literally unfathomable how something like that could be successful. I was reading some quotes about the day at a memorial and that was just before the point and I wasn't sure what it would be like/was mad I got off early on the train/hadn't seen anything really cool yet except a huge beach (it spans 40 miles); but I turn this corner of tall grass and there are huge craters and mounds and concrete chunks 10' x 4' x 4' flown all over and remnants of bunkers plus barbed wire. It literally is torn apart. I was simply amazed at the battle scene before me. The cliffs the Rangers scaled would be hard with a belay team and ropes. It was an incredibly humbling experience and I cannot elaborate enough how thought provoking it was to see something like that. GO SEE IT for yourself!
Left: Looks like a femur to me (in Notre Dame)
scenes from the Bible on its stained glass - yeah, its amazing. Left: From right to left: Arc de la Defense, Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe
known for its collection of Monet and von Gough. I was impressed with some of it. I still like sculptures the best but I really think von Gough is the real deal - I liked his stuff. Its just neat to step back and ask yourself, "OK what is the artist trying to tell me here?" and pick apart a work of art until it means something, atleast I enjoy that. Right: von Gough