Belousova, Elise McCarthy, Valerie Olson, Michael Adair-Kriz, Neni Panourgia, Heath
Cabot, Tina Palivos, Elizabeth Davis, Katerina Rozakou, George Marcus, Susan Ossman,
Roland Moore, Theo Alexandridi, Anne Meneley, and Paul Manning. My special thanks
to Aimee Plaças. Aimee made me feel welcome in Houston and then again in Athens.
She was also there for me at a time when I was convinced I would never finish my
dissertation. Aimee, I sincerely appreciate your support over the years.
Most of all, however, I am indebted and deeply grateful to Jim Faubion. Jim gave
me freedom to think about anything I found interesting, and provided guidance when I
got lost along the way. He knew exactly what I needed, and he knew exactly when to
push me. One of the reasons I came to Rice was to be close to the author of Modem
Greek Lessons, a text that changed the way I looked at Athens. I am leaving Rice with a
mentor (as you put it, Jim, in that time-honored and most encompassing sense of the
term), and with the hope that some day I will be able to do for another student what Jim
has done for me.
Also, I offer my humble thanks to the many people who helped me along the way
in Greece, especially my family. I am particularly grateful to George, Mary and the
entire Englezos family. Also, Aliki and Eleni Alexandrakis were our foundation and a
source of inspiration for me. Both sides of the family helped Jordana and me through the
most difficult times we faced in Athens, and reminded us every weekend that family is
where the heart lives. I cannot thank you all enough for your kindness, hospitality, and
boundless support. I also wish to mention Othon Alexandrakis (Sr.), and Aristidi and