Friday, April 28, 2006

Wherever I go, Greece keeps haunting me...


Paraphrasing Giorgos Seferis I just have to admit: Leaving behind the beauties of your homeland is a difficult task.

It's been only three days since I came back from Greece, where I spent the Easter holiday and I am already thinking of the islands and the summer vacation.

Maybe because i was born lazy ...

Maybe because laziness (i.e. refusing to think about work apart from when it is only absolutely imperative) is something implicitly natural in all humans ...

Maybe because a friend is already spending a long weekend in Sifnos and keeps sending me sms while I am sitting at my desk ...

...or just maybe because my weekly browsing through the international scientific literature brought me to my knees when this cover of Science magazine appeared on my screen!!!

It is always tough to take a look at a greek island photo without actually being there, but nothing compares to taking part in the sacrilege that puts Santorini beneath such a boring title as "Science". Still it makes you think that even scientists have not yet lost their sense of priorities in life completely. They left the cover clear, unspoiled by any subtitles with disgusting protein acronyms or awful specifications of carbon-dating experiments.

But enough with the whining. Barcelona is nearly as beautiful as a greek island (in her own way of course). I promise to keep making positive thoughts. And the boat that just passed from my window taking some 3000 happy people to Mallorca may be one of them.