“How far is it?” only 65 m to the geocache, but unexpectedly, a major obstacle stood in our Julien Cossette way. On the other side of the street, behind a fence and a large grey retention wall, a cliff 860 m unfolded before our eyes –a mixture of On a warm afternoon of late June orangish rock formations, dry bushes, and 2013, my friend Alexis and I were leaving a heaps of olive trees. I was winded, and my foreign embassy in Athens, Greece. My GPS back and forehead were drenched in sweat. I device in hand, I was pondering the was hesitant to tell Alexis about the bad possibility of searching for a few geocaches news. She had been oblivious of the GPS before returning home. Alexis, in response directions and therefore she was not aware to an invitation to join me in the activity, of the remaining distance. We stopped in the inquired about the distance separating us shade of a wall to rest. It felt like my blood from my goal. As I determined the closest was boiling in my veins. In the unforgiving container to be Attiko Alsos 860 m "down Athenian heat, any shelter from the sun, the road," I naively reassured her that we even if it was just as hot, was a relief. could be there and back in no more than 10– Thirsty, I drew a water bottle out of my bag, 15 minutes. Turning right on the street, and offered some to Alexis, who was sitting however, we realized yet again the reality of on some steps in the shadow of a wall. I told the topography of Athens: far from being her about my GPS-informed estimate of the 860 m "down the road," the GPS geocache location, jokingly laughing at was pointing instead towards the top of a similar obstacles experienced on other steep hill. Proceeding in that direction, we occasions. Perhaps dramatizing this slowly walked up the street, navigating with excursion, we shared our past a necessary agility the narrow and ravaged experiences around the world, as we were sidewalks invaded by tree branches, evaluating our options. Unwilling to walk scooters, and other obstacles, while further away from the subway station to find simultaneously aiming for the route offering a way to the container, she offered to wait the most shade. At an intersection, as we for me while I went for the geocache, but were waiting for an opportunity to safely since I did not know how long it would take, cross the road, we noticed a tall piece of art we agreed to part ways. She went back standing in the middle of a traffic circle, not towards the apartment, while I headed on far from us on our right. We were a little my left towards yet another steep road that dispirited by how slow the distance seemed to lead to the summit. separating us from the geocache seemed to decrease, however, so we ignored our In the end, 860 m turned out to be no curiosity and the desire to appreciate it more mere linear walk in the park. If I ultimately closely. The heat had made us sluggish, and found the geocache on top of the hill about we were self-conscious of each single twenty minutes later, wisely camouflaged movement of our bodies. So, instead, we under a small rock, it had been at the braced ourselves for the last steep climb, expense of several water breaks, much which we assumed would be the last stretch on a number of paths, and of this physically challenging stroll. precarious scrambling on uneven rock formations. In retrospect, this excursion 65 m cannot be epitomized by the finding of the At the top of the street, I took geocache Attiko Alsos, which was instead another look at my GPS device. There were only one element of the journey. In the

79 process, I discovered multiple breath-taking activities such as , possible. In views of the city and a beautiful park, and I the following months and years, geocaching had the opportunity to explore a new developed into a highly popular world-wide neighbourhood off the touristic beaten path. community of participants engaging in this Joined by Alexis, affective and sensory outdoor activity that significantly resembles memories were forged, both in ourselves and treasure hunting. It consists of hiding and the spaces we moved through. We laughed hunting for (usually small) containers, called and grumbled. We recalled past memories “geocaches” or “caches,” placed by other and learned more about each other. We were participants at specific geographic winded, thirsty, and warm. We enjoyed the coordinates posted online. Upon finding a cooling effect of shadows and water. We felt geocache, players are asked to authenticate our calves and thighs tense as we hiked up their discovery by signing the logbook, and the street. We negotiated our direct they may even exchange small artefacts if environment. We enjoyed the view, felt the space is available. They are also encouraged pain of a wiping tree branch, smelled to post a note on the website confirming flowers, and heard the roaring sound of the their finding and, ideally, describing their few automobiles driving past us in that adventures. Today, following the creation of otherwise deserted mid-afternoon a free personal geocaching account online, atmosphere. virtually anyone equipped with a GPS can hide or attempt to find a geocache.2 Unacquainted territories became meaningful places. Geotechnologies are increasingly prominent and accessible. Hand-held N 45° 17.460 W 122° 24.800 devices, such as mobile phones, can track On May 2, 2000, the US government one’s movement and locate one’s abolished “selective availability,” an geographic position with an unsettling intentional accuracy limitation applied to precision. With the emergence of such Global Positioning Systems (GPS), a mapping apparatuses, GPS-informed decision that resulted in a dramatic instant activities and practices have proliferated. improvement to the precision of this Such technologies and their diverse technology (Editors & Staff of applications redefine our engagement with Geocaching.com 2009:8–12).1 As Internet space/place in new ways and present rich forums populated by GPS aficionados ethnographic contexts that anthropologists celebrated the news, a certain Dave Ulmer need to attend to. In this case, geocaching posted online shortly after a brief description presents an example of interest. and the geographical coordinates N 45° Undertheorized in the anthropological 17.460 W 122° 24.800, challenging his literature, the intricacies and possibilities peers to find a container he had hidden and afforded by the game and its practice offer to share their experiences. It became researchers a plethora of topics to explore. effectively the first official geocache ever. In this article, I will engage By making public the access to several ethnographically with some of those satellites, the government had made precise possibilities, specifically in the context of geolocalization, and thus GPS-related

2 In order to obtain the GPS coordinates of one 1 For more information on selective availability, see geocache, a user is required to complete a free http://www.gps.gov/systems/gps/ registration on the official geocaching website. See modernization/sa/ (accessed April 26, 2014). www.geocaching.com (accessed April 26, 2014).

80 my practice of geocaching in Athens, term fieldwork with limited possibilities of Greece. I will ask how specific places, movement outside the Greek capital, previously unknown, become meaningful to studying geocaching excursions with a geocachers through their activities in that particular interest in the body, movement, community. As such, this essay will seek to and the senses inevitably presented some answer Feld and Basso’s (1996) call, in their constraints. edited volume Senses of Place, to “explore in close detail cultural processes and For one thing, while conceiving my practices through which places are rendered project, I realized that most interactions meaningful – through which, one might say, between geocachers happen online. Other places are actively sensed” (7). In particular, asynchronous interactions are usually a special attention will be devoted to the re- mediated through the medium of hidden embodiment of abstract two-dimensional containers –especially logs and objects left and geographical coordinates, and its behind as traces of passage– but rare seems role in place-making. By following my own to be the encounters with unacquainted autobiographical journey through multiple geocachers “on the ground.” This is sites –a methodology I will carefully especially the case, perhaps, in places like unpack– I will explore how people’s Athens where the density of geocaches (and perceptions and experiences of a city as a geocachers) appears lower, so that such an place can be influenced by, and constructed occurrence did not happen to me once 4 through, the practices of geocaching and the during my research. For a short-term sensations and affects they can derive from research, I came to the conclusion that it. In this light, the form of sensory relying on the contingency of such attunement necessary to wayfare across the unplanned meetings would have been risky. sensuous materiality of particular sites and While community geocaching events are to find the geocaches will also be central to held daily throughout the world, none (that I my examination. The paper will add, in part, to the argument that geographic apparatuses involves taking a picture and/or answering relevant may be thought of as cultural technologies, questions about a particular site), and one was a multi-cache (involving more than one location and/or as are the processes and practices by which container, which eventually lead to a final container we use, evaluate, and ultimately translate which has the logbook). them. As some colleagues suggested, by hiding a geocache Methodology I would have been a great opportunity to reciprocate to the “Athenian geocaching community.” In the end, I conducted fieldwork in Athens, I decided to get accustomed to the game first, and Greece from June 4 to 25, 2013, as part of eventually hide some geocaches myself in the future. an assignment for a third-year undergraduate As the game spans across borders, the chosen abroad focusing on anthropological location(s) would not matter in this regard, as I feel research methods. During that period, I that I am indebted to the whole world-wide community, rather than an “Athenian community” searched for a total of 25 geocaches –19 of alone. which I found– but I did not hide any 4 I did meet once, however, street vendors that myself, however.3 In the context of a short- quickly identified me as a geocacher after witnessing my irregular movements near thick bushes and a fence. After purchasing caramelized nuts from them, 3 Out of the 19 geocaches, 17 were traditional caches they explained to me that one man had taken the (a physical container hidden at a particular location), container away a few weeks earlier. Geocachers, as it one was a virtual cache (a geocache focusing on seems, were a common presence in their everyday finding a location rather than a cache; it typically lives.

81 was aware of) happened in Athens during among other things. Selecting from one to my stay.5 In this regard, since the multiple geocaches at once, I would then possibilities for participant observation and upload the coordinates on my GPS device interviews with consultants were (likely to and sometimes locate the area on a . be) limited, I decided to commit to an Since I did not have access to the benefits of experimental autobiographical approach, a premium membership, I would also write multisited and ethnographically-informed by down relevant information about each a derivation of participation observation that geocache, like important details from the anthropologist Elizabeth Hsu (1999) named description and additional hints.8 Once all of “participant experience” (15–17). In what this material was at hand, I would undertake follows, I explain and discuss further this to find the hidden containers, either methodological choice.6 voluntarily by leaving for an excursion or opportunistically on my way to other Autobiographical, my research is a activities. Once a container was found, I reflection of my own, usually solitary, would sign the paper logbook authenticating engagement with the practice of geocaching, my finding, occasionally trade an item (e.g.: and more particularly with the attempts to a Canadian dollar for a Portuguese piece of 7 find hidden containers. A typical excursion one euro), and then hide the geocache back would start with an online survey of the at the same location.9 Later, at my geocaches listed on the official website of apartment, I would write an online log entry the game, based on certain criteria like status to make my finding official, share my (e.g.: “active,” “archived,” “needs experience, and thank the owner. In the case maintenance,” etc.), geographical location, of unfound geocaches, the process would be difficulty level, accessibility, and recent log slightly more complex, however. At times, I entries (e.g.: When was it last found? Have returned to the location once or even twice previous users reported it as presumably to finally find the container. On other missing?). Each geocache has a dedicated occasions, I simply abandoned the hunt. webpage on which participants can find its While there is an option to log an GPS coordinates, a description, potential unsuccessful attempt online, I shied away additional hints and pictures, and a logbook from such proceedings a few times, containing the previous finders' entries, uncomfortable with the thought of confessing my failure.10 Sometimes,

5 Such planned gathering are most often organized by local geocachers or associations to meet and discuss about the game, and sometimes hunting caches as a 8 For a semestrial or annual fee, a basic member can group, among other things. upgrade to a premium membership and obtain a 6 Online interactions are undoubtedly an important series of benefits, such as exclusive geocaches, trip aspect of the practice of geocaching, and call for planners, statistics, custom searches, advanced maps, anthropological attention. Such an analysis falls and detailed information about geocaches directly outside the scope of this research, however. uploadable on one’s GPS device. 7 Far from being an idiosyncratic approach to the 9 Some informal rules govern the asynchronous trade game, it is worthy to note that there was no restriction of objects. The most important is probably the on the number of people engaging in the action of request for exchanged items to be of equal value. If seeking the geocaches I selected. At times, I have the Portuguese euro was worth more than my been joined by a friend. My decision not to interview Canadian dollar at the time, I thought the exchange of her was partially motivated by my commitment to my currency of similar value was an interesting way to methodological choices, but also by the low number track movement of geocachers and things. of times it occurred, and the varying degree of 10 Since silence is a puzzling form (or lack) of (dis)engagement with the game she demonstrated. expression hardly accessible to ethnographers, it is

82 however, I joined wholeheartedly the voices movement could have an effect on its of other users who reported their lack of practitioners’ sense of place. In the spirit of success in searching for a geocache, thus the game, I consistently sought new paths contributing to the user-generated nature of and sites, instead of returning to the same the game.11 places over and over again.

With more than two million active Throughout my fieldwork, a strong hidden containers worldwide (Geocaching commitment to an anthropological study of 2014), geocaching is a transnational activity sense and sensation has underpinned my that unfolds across time and space, and in methodology. In the mid-eighties, Howes both virtual and embodied settings.12 (2005) argues, the discipline of Exploring movement and journeys in anthropology has been the theatre of an relation to the game, my ethnographic emergent sensory revolution. Unhappy with research, though grounded in Athens, has a linguistic approach to the world as a text, been mobile and multi-sited. Multi-sited anthropologists have answered a call for ethnographies, according to Marcus (1995), analyses of sensory ways of knowing with a derogate from conventional ethnographic gradual proliferation of ethnographies methodologies by withdrawing from single focusing on the body and the senses. This sites “to examine the circulation of cultural attention has not been limited to detailed meanings, objects, and identities in diffuse descriptions of embodied lives, however. time-space” (96). This movement of people, Analyses have also focused, and perhaps things, or ideas is at the basis of multi-sited more importantly, “on the social ideologies ethnographies. It is tracked “around chains, conveyed through sensory values and paths, threads, conjunctions, or practices.” (Howes 2005:4) Important juxtapositions of locations” (105) in an ethnographic research presenting historical effort to focus specifically on the “posited and cultural studies of a myriad of diverse logic of association or connection about sensory models –the particular configuration sites” (105). Following rhizomatic journey of the senses in a cultural context, including paths negotiating an assemblage of geocache varying quantity, quality, and hierarchical locations, my aim has been to track peoples ordering– has challenged the putative (myself, in this case) and their practice of universality of a Western ocularcentric five- geocaching as it is manifested in and sense model.14 Some anthropologists were through hidden containers all around the indeed prompt to question their world.13 I wanted to explore how such A (beginning) to point B (end) reflects “a false difficult to know to which extent my behaviour was concept of voyage and movement” (25). Thinking idiosyncratic (see Hine 2000:25 on lurkers). about the rhizome, they write of ways of moving that 11 The unsuccessful attempt entries (“Did not find”) “[proceed] from the middle, through the middle, can be particularly instructive in regards to the status coming and going rather than starting and finishing” of a geocache. During my fieldwork, two geocaches I (25). The rhizome is an interesting figure to think could not find were later declared missing, thanks to about movement in the context of the practice of users’ reports. geocaching. Constantly in motion and becoming, the 12 In fact, that number also includes virtual and earth geocacher’s experience of space is far from being geocaches that do not present a physical container per linear, predictable, or easily trackable from an origin se, but does not record the preliminary containers point. leading to the final cache of a multi-cache, which 14 See Howes 2005 (and the whole Sensory usually holds the logbook. Formations Series published by Berg) for an edited 13 For Deleuze and Guattari (1987), the methodical volume covering a broad range of sensory demarcation of trips as ways of travelling from point ethnographies and theoretical work on the senses.

83 universalistic assumptions. They began to engagements with the world, many have realize how such a model, which had argued that the inherent ocularcentrism of informed their thoughts, approaches, and this research method can suffer from theories for the longest time, did not always perceptual limitations.16 This point also allow to comprehend or to adequately extends to methodological underpinnings as represent the reality of people’s experiences Feld (2005:182), for example, asserts that of the world in various contexts and the ocularcentric Western concept of situations, both within and across cultures landscape has dictated, despite the (Potter 2008:445). Consequently, they undeniable multisensory quality of our lives, demonstrated the sociocultural construction ethnographic research on senses of place. of sensory models. Long considered as mere Since the mid-1980s, however, some biological organs, the senses are now researchers have contributed to the conceptualized less as separate entities than diversification of anthropological fieldwork as a complex synesthetic assemblage that by pushing the limits of participation and affects bodily perception and is culturally- setting beyond its traditional venues, matters influenced (Howes 1991:17; Potter of interest, and methodological and 2008:444). In this, Howes (2005) reads a theoretical approaches (Murchison 2010:8– reciprocal dialogic relationship. He suggests 14).17 Caroline Potter (2008), for example, that as “culture mediates sensation, registered in a professional dance training sensation mediates culture” (ix). Such program in London, UK, for her modelling of the senses in historically- and ethnographic fieldwork on “the process of culturally-specific ways shapes sensory becoming a dancer” (445). Her positionality experience and the meanings attached to allowed her to gain access to her consultants them. As such, “learning a perceptual as “somewhat of an insider” (446) entirely practice,” for Downey (2007), “means sharing the physical (sensory), living, perceiving and coming to know through it” (228, original emphasis), so that 16 While Murchison argues, for example, that people’s experiences of their environment is observation should not be limited to vision and contingent upon their own sensory model. instead rely on "all five senses" (2010:88), he refers elsewhere to observation as "in the background" As Howes (2005) writes, indeed, sensory (2010:87), which pose limitations for the perception models are not just textbook material, but and comprehension of different sensory experiences. rather "something one lives" (3). For Clifford (1986:11), participant observation implies a removed standpoint from where Research methods were at the objectification is possible. Some critiques of forefront of this sensory revolution and its anthropology, he explains, have rejected the form of “visualism” –a cultural emphasis on vision as the somewhat innovative ethnographic highest sense in a hierarchy of perception– reflected approaches. Hallmark of the discipline of in some assumptions inherent to participant anthropology and token of fieldwork since observation. In this light, Murchison’s reference to the pioneering work of Bronislaw the “five senses” is problematically ethnocentric, for Malinowski, participant observation has this sensory model does not make “sense” in all 15 cultural contexts (for a discussion of this realization, recently come under fire (Howes 2009:31). see, for example, Clifford 1986:11; Geurts 2002). In the attempts to understand various 17 In terms of research on specialized knowledge, for people’s ways of knowing and sensory example, Murchison (2010:42) refers to apprenticeship as a productive method for learning more about particular skills and processes of 15 This critique of participant observation is not meant enskillment through the ethnographer’s own to delegitimize such a method, but rather to experiential embodied learning and involvement in contextualize the data it produces in particular ways. the practice.

84 psychological, and emotional experience of new perceptory skills.18 In the process, dance training, for although she was researchers can develop an aptitude for conducting research, her participation in the feeling contrasts between ways of sensing. competitive program still had to be earned Consistently, these methodologies share through the official audition process. In common theoretical beliefs in the inclusion short, during her fieldwork, she of the researcher’s body in the ethnographic simultaneously embodied the identities of an text (see Sklar 2000:71). anthropologist and a soon-to-become professional dancer. While another In the seminal volume Writing researcher could have explored the same Culture, the invisibility of anthropologists in topic through a more traditional form of ethnographies is a preponderant critique participant observation, spending time with (Clifford and Marcus 1986, see also the dancers and observing their classes, Anderson 2006:383). A testament to the Potter argues that Hsu’s (1999) “participant inclusion of the researcher's body in texts, experience” (15–17) better accounts for her participant experience responds to this own “highly participatory methodology” criticism with a high degree of auto- (Potter 2008:446). ethnographical self-reflexivity. Autoethnography is a recent direction in If such approaches emphasizing anthropology. It acknowledges, at the very participation have also received, for least, the inevitable mutually-transformative example, the names of “‘radical relationship that links researchers with their participation’ or ‘participant sensation’” consultants, and its effects upon the data (Howes 2009:31) elsewhere in the literature, collected (Anderson 2006:382; Davies they nevertheless demonstrate the same, or 2002). As such, it recognizes the at least similar, similar methodological impossibility of "a truly uncontaminated commitment. Despite the nomenclatorial point of view" (Young and Meneley 2005:3) discordance, indeed, they all seek to and rejects positivist claims of pure emphasize an undisputable and vicarious objectivity (Anderson 2006; Davies 2002). form of participation through which Since knowledge is always situated anthropologists have the potential to access (Anderson 2006:382-383; Davies 2002; "non-verbal meanings" (Howes 2005:4), Haraway 1988:583), anthropologists must affects and sensations that are not necessarily locate the parameters of their perceptible through observation or easily research –that is, the conditions in which the communicated by consultants during knowledge was produced, which includes interviews. Such methodologies highlight their own personal background and the fact that, in order to relate to the sensory (and affective) experiences of consultants, 18 This notion stems from the argument that the anthropologists must be “attending to and senses can be trained and that sensory models are not with [the] body,” as Csordas argues all learned from birth. Dancers, for example, are (1993:138). Moving away from the status of likely to develop some of their specific sensory skills later in life through training. See also Downey 2007, mere observer to “becom[e] a sensor” and Latour 2004 on becoming a “nose” –a perfumer (Howes 2009:31), they must consequently with an acute sense of smell. Undoubtedly, such a learn a new sensorium, that is, they must process takes practice and time, which is not always learn to sense and feel in new ways, which available to anthropologists. Yet, it would also be a potentially means refining or developing mistake to think that sensory perception is homogenous within a society. An enhanced appreciation of another sensory model, I would argue, even if basic, can be radically insightful.

85 identities– for all accounts are “inherently contradictory, ways by different individuals partial –committed and incomplete” within the same group. In this regard, as (Clifford 1986:7) and must be Panourgia (1995) reminds us, being an conceptualized as such. From a simple insider does “not automatically guarantee recognition of one's positionality to a infinite and interminable self-knowledge” thoughtful evaluation of one's own (11), as one’s positionality is always a experiences in the field in dialogue with “partial vantage point” (Anderson consultants, auto-ethnography encompasses 2006:381), a figure of the researcher’s a variety of reflexive possibilities (Davies background, identities, experiences, actions, 2002). While participant experience does not encounters, consultants met, and more. have to be reflexive to the extent that I envisioned it, I have adopted an By being my own key consultant, autobiographical approach for this research, both researcher and researched, my aim has possibly the highest form of auto- not been to seek the ‘truth’ or enter a quest ethnographical self-reflexivity and for the grail of all knowledge. Instead, this involvement in anthropological writing. essay seeks to explore possibilities. It reflects my own experience of geocaching. Ethnographic fieldwork does not While it focuses on my perspective, entail anymore an exile to some “exotic” or however, it still tries to unearth certain “bounded” locations. As research closer to commonalities and patterns that may be home grew in significance, however, the shared by others. Undoubtedly, an extended possibilities of a deep familiarity with the fieldwork would have produced a very cultural processes at hand became different ethnography. For example, access inevitable. The accessibility of geocaching – to consultants for interviews would allow for that is, it’s apparent openness to any new a methodological diversification of my registered member– has allowed me to claim methodology. In this regard, and in a status of “somewhat of an insider” (Potter retrospect, I think of this month of fieldwork 2008: 446), even as a beginner with little as exploratory. The acquired embodied (practical) knowledge or experience of the understandings of some of the intricacies activity. But, unquestionably, my insider’s and possibilities afforded by the game could knowledge, and consequently this eventually allow a better sympathetic ethnographic article, was limited to my relation with consultants. This point should particular perspective of a beginner not delegitimize the present work; however, geocacher.19 Communities are rarely, if ever, as I think that participant experience and homogenous, and geocaching is no autobiographical vignettes can be productive exception. Despite some assumed shared methodological tools in particular contexts commonalities, “group members seldom such as this one. “Autoethnography”, writes exhibit a uniform set of beliefs, values, and Anderson (2006), “does contribute to a levels of commitment... [, and] significant spiralling refinement, elaboration, extension, variation may [indeed] exist even among and revision of theoretical understanding” members in similar position” (2006:381), (388), a contribution that, I hope, I have not writes Anderson. In other words, one event escaped from in this present essay. can be interpreted in varying, or even Arguably still radical as a genre, autobiography faces limitations and is subject to criticisms, like any other 19 This is not different, however, from the information collected through the method of participant methodology (Anderson 2006:390). Davies observation. (2002:179) warns that that the most acerbic

86 commentators are likely to ridicule such a certain people.20 For example, Potter’s method as "self-indulgent and narcissistic"; (2008) relationship with her teachers was this is a serious concern that must be kept in restricted, even as a researcher, because of mind. Yet, when well-thought, an her involvement in the dance program (447). autobiographical ethnography is not just an She just could not remove herself from her autobiography; it must instead "embrace a official status of a student. The participatory traditional ethnographic agenda of seeking character of participant experience and to understand the topic under study by autobiographical ethnographies, moreover, placing it within a solid analytic context" poses a higher risk of a naturalization of (Anderson 2006:378; see also Davies 2002, one’s experiences, making the familiar “too Young and Meneley 2005:2–3). It has no familiar” over time, and thus impeding interest in the sole narration of personal reflexivity. As Young and Meneley (2005) stories (Davies 2002), and rather focuses on argue, it can be undoubtedly challenging, for experiences to combine micro- and macro- it requires the application of the same form analysis, in an effort to "seek connections to of critical analysis reminiscent of participant broader social theory" (Anderson 2006:378). observation to oneself and one’s most In this regard, it is similar to a form of intimate world (2–3). This primacy of participant observation with privileged participation also renders note-taking (otherwise inaccessible) insights, "the interruptive, at best.21 While those pitfalls ultimate participant in a dual participant- can hardly be avoided, they can usually be observer role" (Davies 2002), or in this case engaged with and countered by diversifying participant experience. Carried and written one’s methods (adding interviews, for as such, autobiography can avoid example), multiplying “reflexive days,” and accusations of excessive self-absorption training and developing of one’s own (Davies 2002) and "solipsistic dwelling on memory and visualisation skills. For this one's own experience" (Young and Meneley research, however, such a diversification has 2005:7). For Anderson (2006), been limited. Occasionally, geocache log anthropologists are also "constrained from entries from other users have been integrated self-absorption by the ethnographic into my research, but although it could offer imperative of dialogic engagement with a valuable source of data for further others in the social worlds they seek to research, it did not constitute the bulk of my understand" (385). While our lives are methodology. In fact, a discursive analysis inherently social, it should be noted that this of geocaching log entries online could easily "dialogic engagement" does not have to be stand on its own as an anthropological limited to "others" understood as human research topic. beings. Material environments, animals, and other non-human things, I would argue, also On Obstacles present a dialogic, though non-verbal, “My desire is to illuminate a potential with researchers, as exemplified in doubly reciprocal motion: this essay through my interaction with that as place is sensed, environments and things. senses are placed; as places Participant experience might also result in limited access to particular groups 20 because of the researcher’s recognized Such a difficulty is not necessarily limited to participant experience, however, as participant engagement in a specific activity or with observers can also face similar challenges. 21 As a result, my fieldnotes were written post-facto, upon my return to my apartment.

87 make sense, senses make northeast. I paused for a moment. At that place.” (Feld 2005:179) location, the vegetation was denser and a line of thick bushes and trees was restraining “Thus, I had to choose: left my ability to move forward. On my right, a or right?” (Fieldnotes on shed was surrounded on three sides by searching for The Runner, construction fences. A few kittens had found June 14, 2013) refuge underneath the structure and were silently staring at me, in a tense stillness. Obstacles encountered along the way, like Uncertain if the bushes hid a metal fence, I the cliff described in the opening vignette of moved forward and squeezed in. this article, were common occurrences. I Unexpectedly, I reached an open space, narrate here two other moments that finding myself right in the middle of a small strikingly defied, in different ways, the soccer field where some kids were testing direction suggested by my GPS compass. their skills with a ball. Not far from there, two police officers eating lunch on a park **** bench looked at me with puzzlement, but swiftly returned to their conversation. I had On an afternoon of mid-June, as I little idea of where I was, except that I was was increasingly accustomed with the game, inappropriately occupying the soccer pitch, I had optimistically set out to find a dozen but the distance displayed on my device was geocaches. The fourth on my list was named shrinking. Parko Eleftherias, located about 2 km away from my apartment. Unlike other parks I had Trying to get closer to the geocache, visited, the space was dominated by an I promptly left the playing surface to move unobstructed hilly grass field, with only a straight ahead, before bypassing a yellow few trees and bushes scattered around. In the building. With fences blocking the way on middle of the park stood the large statue of a my right, I faced yet another cliff. I followed man on whose head a pigeon had elected a road out of the area and back to the park, office. Here and there, a few people were with the idea to attempt to reach the gathered in the shade of the trees, while two geocache by another route. From then on, women were sun bathing. the following hour was a tale of innumerable obstacles. Turning left past the park, I Following the direction of the GPS walked up a road and turned left again. A compass, I walked up the hill. In the heat of series of fenced buildings (including the that Athenian summer, shade had a 22 U.S. embassy) protected by security guards welcoming cooling effect on me. The were restricting my access, however. I found grass, slightly spongy compared to the myself wandering on different sites, sidewalk cement, felt soft and relaxing, yet questioning myself about the legitimacy of my calves were tensing in reaction to the my presence and drawing puzzled facial change in ground density. As I kept walking, expressions from the rare people I I reached an apparent dead-end, while the encountered. For a while, I literally walked device still indicated a distance of 64 m around a 200–300 m radius half-circle inaccessible without a security check. 22 In fact, chasing shade, and thus sometimes Finally finding a narrow park between a wall deviating from the direction of my goal, was perhaps and an apartment block, I followed a path one of the defining experiences of my geocaching journeys in Athens, a figure of the particular and reached the site of a hospital. Tracking environment or space I found myself in. the indications of my GPS compass, I

88 walked on the site and bypassed buildings cold beer, water, food, and some rest, but with the hope of finding an entrance on the there was no apparent restaurant around. We other side. I encountered a tiny chapel and a were at a walking distance from our decayed school, but no gate, however, so respective apartments, maybe three or four that I remained captive. Remembering a kilometers, but the temperature impaired our user’s log entry posted two weeks earlier, I perception of that fact. In search for the decided to temporarily abandon this geocache named National Glyptoteque, we geocache, and I returned to my apartment.23 left the National Technical University of Athens campus where we had been looking **** for another container, and crossed the street. A few meters down the road, we saw the On a Saturday towards the end of my likely entrance of a large park. A black fieldwork, Otylia and I were walking on the metal fence surrounded its perimeters, and sidewalk of an avenue, in a previously army officers were patrolling the main road. unvisited part of the city. The weather was Since the geocache was essentially 600 m hot, the sun was burning our skin, and I straight ahead, we followed the GPS could feel the tiny drops of warm sweat directions and entered the park. The shade of forming on my forehead. I was craving for a the trees was greeted with feelings of relief and enjoyment. About 175 m before the 23 On June 9, 2013, Orangetree-Turtles posted "No container, however, we met a major obstacle idea how to get into the park!?" Other insightful and which impeded our ability to move forward. reflexive log entries were also posted on the geocache Unexpectedly, the park, which displayed a webpage. For example: monument commemorating the Olympic - On February 15, 2013, Sqic wrote “My GPS didn't Committee Members of the 2004 Athens really show where the park entrance was so I ended up walking around the entire naval hospital before I Summer Olympics, was smaller than we found a way in. thought: a fence and a ravine stood in our - On September 15, 2012, Faxesyd wrote “Coming way. Slightly annoyed to turn around and down from Lycabetus Top [another geocache] we retrace our steps in such a heat, we followed turned into the park. Just 30 meters from the cache the fence to find the closest exit, but finally there was a big fence! Out again to the street, finding another approach.” found ourselves back at the main entrance. - On May 8, 2012, BeSmi wrote “The whole day Ultimately, after bypassing the previous walking and caching through Athens, slowly the legs park and finding an unadvertised entrance in are hurting, but this one has to be found! the fence further down the road, we found Unfortunately we took the wrong intrance, the National Glyptoteque –a national fortunately we found an amazing view from this artistic building NEXT to this location but museum surrounded by a gigantic sculpture unfortunately there is a WALL between us and our garden– and the geocaches located on its cache! F...! So Be says: Let's jump down the wall!" grounds. We had to walk and wander and Smi says: "NO! Don't do this! That's too high! " around, however, much longer than we had but Be says: "No! That's NOT to high!" and jumps initially hoped for. and Smi jumps, too, only the left leg of Be gets a big egg...” - On March 15, 2012, Geospaap wrote “Getting here **** from Petraki Monastery –NIMTS [another geocache] was the most difficult. I thought I could cross the Never in my life had I been so hospital terrain, but there was only one way in and no conscious of fences and other obstacles. way ouut at the other side (in the evening). So I had Such an awakening to the three-dimensional to walk around.” sensuous materiality and spatial arrangement (The spelling and grammar mistakes were preserved as they were published.) of places was visceral. Also rooted in the

89 impatience, frustration, ironic laughter, words, they were more like “history exhaustion, or even excitement of book[s]” than “geographical map[s]” as we unexpected and forced detours, this deep know them today; they were “a awareness is reminiscent of the affective memorandum prescribing actions” (120). states of anthropological astonishment Drawing medieval maps as an example, de described by Shweder (1991:1): productive Certeau (1984) explains that they only ethnographic moments that shed light on included paths and routes, “the rectilinear otherwise unnoticed social organization or marking out of itineraries (performative relations, and I would argue, spatial and/or indications chiefly concerning pilgrimages), sensory configurations. Geocaching is a along with the stops one was to make” cultural practice that relies on visual (120). This may have included rest stops, geotechnologies such as maps, coordinates, religious duties, and important information satellite imagery, and GPS devices. about the direct territory one had to move Participants work their way from through, for example. Distances, he adds, coordinates –a set of abstract numbers were “calculated in hours or in days, that is, referring to a precise point on Earth– to an in terms of the time it would take to cover indexed location, with the ultimate goal of them on foot” (120). finding a hidden container. However, the role of GPS devices in the activity should Maps and geographic representations not be overstated, for it would risk the of space have drastically changed over the failure to account for the sensory experience last five centuries, however (de Certeau of geocachers that must mediate, “on the 1984). The birth and rise of modern science ground,” a device–environment dialectic. resulted in the erasure of “the itineraries that That is, they must constantly verify the were the condition of [their] possibility” indications of the device against their direct (120). In modern maps, texture is lost as the environment. Geocaching, I would like to social and sensory practices at the basis of argue, presents a potential for the their production are suppressed or limited to reconnection of body, mind, and a distanced form of vision (Ingold environment, an interplay generally lost or 2000:230). But life in the streets, notes de forgotten in the development and use of Certeau (1984), happens “below the abstract geographical apparatuses. In the thresholds at which visibility begins” (93); process, places acquire meanings for the poetic spatializing practices of walking participants as they interact with the “elude legibility” (93). This form of vision dynamic sensuousness and unfolding social that both Ingold and de Certeau refer to is and natural histories of chosen paths and the so-called “bird’s-eye” perspective of sites. maps, obtained through one’s figurative or literal elevation (such as on top of a Virtually essential for the practice of skyscraper) and removal from a scene.24 In geocaching, modern maps are disassociated from bodily movement and sensory involvement, argues Ingold (2000:233-234). 24 Marks (2004:82) cautions against a positivist This was not always the case, however. It discarding of such scientific practices. As she points used to be that maps were predominantly out, “optical visuality,” or detached vision, is helpful, stories; they comprised and represented if not necessary, in many situations (80). After all, as events, “fragments of stories, mark[ing]... highlighted by its history, geocaching would be virtually impossible without such technologies. For the historical operations from which it Marks, what is important is instead “a lively dialectic resulted” (de Certeau 1984:121). In other or mutual deterritorialization” (82) of both

90 such position, the “voyeur” is anesthetized, GPS compass thus disregards the “disentangle[d]... from the murky topography and composition of terrains, and intertwining daily behaviors and ma[de]... the movements of their occupants. In this alien to them” (de Certeau 1984:93). In this regard, faithfully following my device could sense, de Certeau (1984) asserts that maps have been dangerous, as I could have are the result of acts of forgetting (97). They walked into walls, fences, or people; tripped are reductive. The unlimited potentialities of on rocks (it happened a few times); fallen walking simply “cannot be reduced to their off cliffs; crossed busy roads at undesirable graphic trail” (99) without suffering from moments; or even slipped on the wet rocks considerable representational limits, he of a spring, for example. Fittingly, a popular argues. As Robinson and Petchenik (1976) t-shirt sold on the official geocaching write, modern maps, in the distanced vision website alluded to the dangerous possibility they allow, represent “spatial ‘reality’ only of one’s inattention to one’s immediate by agreement, not by sensory testability” surroundings. Reading “Focus,” it displayed (53). In other words, they are alienated from a walking stickman, distracted by its GPS, the worldliness of everyday lived experience on the verge of falling over a cliff. (Ingold 2000:210). Yet, in the use of this functionality When surveying potential geocaches for geocaching purposes, I simultaneously online, I rarely knew what to expect on the “reposition[ed] [myself] in relationship to ground, despite the support of background the sensuous materiality of the world” information such as satellite imagery, user (Howes 2005:7). As a technological support, comments, and map visualization.25 An it provided a general overview of the element of tangibility, or sensory immersion, direction and distance of a desired goal, but was simply inaccessible. This displacement it did not dictate my way. As exemplified of life from the environment, a earlier in the ethnographic vignettes, it has “disconnect[ion] from one’s physical and been fairly common in my experience to social environment... [,or] existence in an face obstacles and to have to find a way to immaterial world of abstraction... a bypass them, sometimes even ironically desensualized world” (Howes 2005:7), walking in the opposite direction from a culminated in the compass function of my geocache, because of a cliff, a building, a device.26 A simple design indicating the fence, or a public gathering, for example, to direction of a selected geographical eventually find a way to get closer to it. In coordinate and one’s distance from it (from the end, this emplacement, an interaction a bird’s-eye view perspective), it represents with the sensuous materiality of my Earth as a static, lifeless, and flat planet. The surroundings, necessarily prevailed over the GPS displacement. embodiment and disembodiment. Geocaching may be An emergent paradigm in the social considered as an example of such commitment. sciences, the concept of “emplacement” 25 Some users had visibly put exceptional efforts in the description of the geocaches they had hidden. posits the “sensuous interrelationship of This would include, for example, visual body-mind-environment” (Howes 2005:7, representation, some written contextualization or Feld 2005:181). Feld (2005) further argues history, and/or a description of the container. that “because motion can draw upon the 26 It is important to note that while there might be kinesthetic interplay of tactile, sonic, and other ways to engage in geocaching, I have always visual senses, emplacement always relied on my GPS compass, thus locating my research in relation to this functionality. implicates the intertwined nature of sensual

91 bodily presence and perceptual engagement” accounted for the sensuous materiality of (181). It contextualizes the notion of environments and my experience of them. embodiment by highlighting the necessary Such a map encompassing my journey from positioning of one’s body-mind in settings sites to sites differ from conventional “birds- that are both material, historical, and eye view” representations. Experienced from sociocultural (Howes 2005:7). The practice the ground, knowledge of places does not of geocaching, particularly in its negotiation grow expansively in the manner of the wave of a device-environment dialectic, reflects effect of a pebble thrown in a pond. Rather, this paradigm. As participants build on life it evolves as a matrix, a web of experience and sensory attunement to “‘feel interconnected paths and journeys that [their] way’ towards [their] goal[s], become something, and that is marked not continually adjusting [their] movements in by destinations or focal points, but response to an on-going perceptual movement. monitoring of [their] surroundings” (Ingold 2000:220), wayfinding skills are indeed The negotiation of the contrast necessary. Rather than assuming a straight emerging between the indications of my line to a destination, wayfinding, “a skilled GPS compass and the materiality of my performance,” accounts for the nonlinear surroundings also stimulated the sensory immersion of “actor-perceiver[s]” in development of a new form of sensory their environment –their emplacement attunement. My enhanced bodily awareness (Ingold 2000:220). of my environment, developed through the practice of geocaching, played a major role Wayfinding produces trajectories and in the transformation of unknown spaces thrives in their potentialities. For Deleuze into meaningful places in particular ways (1997), milieu, which he defines as an (Howes 2005:144). As mentioned earlier, assemblage “of qualities, substances, Feld (2005) asserts that “emplacement powers, and events" (61), are dynamically always implicates the intertwined nature of explored by means of such trajectories and sensual bodily presence and perceptual movement. He writes that “the trajectory engagement” (181). Since sensory merges not only with the subjectivity of perception is culturally-specific, variation in those who travel through a milieu, but also people’s perception of the environment and with the subjectivity of the milieu itself, the meanings they attached to it appears insofar as it is reflected in those who travel inevitable. Undeniably, my awareness and through it.” (61) For him, “the map experience of parts of Athens would have expresses the identity of the journey and different without geocaching. what one journeys through. It merges with its object, when the object itself is In this regard, Feld (2005) proposes a movement” (61). In line with Deleuze’s mutually constitutive relationship between thoughts, Ingold (2000) argues that our places and the senses: “as place is sensed, perception of the environment arises during senses are placed; as places make sense, “the passage from place to place, and in senses make place” (179). In other words, histories of movement and changing one’s sensory model both embeds and is horizons along the way” (227). Through my embedded in one’s sense of place. Moving movements as a geocacher, places acquired away from the ocularcentric concept of (new) meanings –memories, interactions, landscape, he suggests the notion of sense- and sensory experiences– as a different kind scape, which can encompass the of cognitive map was produced, one that multisensory potential of places. Sense-

92 scape “is the idea that the experience of the practice of geocaching open new environment, and of the other persons and possibilities in an ocularcentric society. things which inhabit that environment, is Senses are modulated in specific ways and, produced by the particular mode of in consequence, places come to make sense distinguishing, valuing and combining the in relation to such dynamics, they become senses in the culture under study” (Howes meaningful to participants in new ways. 2005:143). Through wayfinding, geocaching appeals to a form of sensory attunement that For Casey, “place is the most is not strictly visual. In walking, avoiding fundamental form of embodied experience – obstacles, or even crawling in bushes, the site of a powerful fusion of self, space, tactility, proprioception, and kinesthesia and time” (Feld and Basso 1996:9). In this were inevitable aspects in my sensory regard, places have the potential to become experience of places, but other senses were meaningful not only socioculturally, but also also involved. Take the geocache named individually, since perception has an DIN V 4131, for example. Making my way inevitable individual component. As up to the radio antenna that concealed the Bergson writes, “there is no perception container, my sense of balance was essential which is not full of memories” (Feld as I jumped from rock to rock near the cliff. 2005:181). Developing on this idea, Casey Or imagine the smell of lilacs that perfumed adds that my journey along the neighbourhood of Anafiotika in search of the geocache of the “moving in or through a same name. Think of the sounds of guitar given place, the body and piano notes, and classical singing at the imports its own emplaced Athens Conservatoire, or even the taste of past into its present the sandwich and cookie sundae that experience: its local history impregnated my experience of the square is literally a history of hosting the geocache named Foka Negra, as locales. This very we were having lunch at a restaurant close- importation of past places by to freshen our geocaching searching occurs simultaneously with skills. If we tend to think of landscapes and the body’s ongoing emplacement mostly in visual and tangible establishment of terms in the Western world, our experience directionality, level and and knowledge of places –“the idea of place distance, and indeed as sensed, place as sensation” (Feld influences these latter in 2005:185)– have, nevertheless, the potential myriad ways. Orientation in to involve a larger complex meshwork of place (which is what is senses (Howes 2005:8). Indeed, while the established by these three prominence of sight in our society appears factors) cannot be overarching, “it is still knotted into the fibers continually effected de of our multisensory existence,” writes novo but arises within the Howes (2005:12), and most importantly it ever-lengthening shadow of does not reflect the sensory experience of our bodily past.” (Casey everyone. After all, as he warns us, “no 1987:194) sensory model can tell the whole story” (12). The particular forms of sensory attunement Hinting at the socioculturally- and that have the potential to emerge from the individually-influenced ways of place- making, such an understanding of perception

93 pervades Ingold’s (2002) argument that place (becomes meaningful) in various ways “places do not have locations but histories” for different people. (219). Those histories may contrast from individuals to individuals and groups to The particular form of sensory groups, as their purposes and identities may attunement typical of geocaching does not be different. While geocaching, I often had only result from a device-environment the feeling that my particular use of the dialectic. Inasmuch as the current accuracy space differed, at least to an extent, from of most GPS devices is often limited to a 3– others’. In some cases, I was the target of 5 m radius, it is suggested to abandon them curious stares. At some other times, at the final stage of the search to focus 28 misunderstandings emerged from such entirely on the surroundings. Once in the contrast. For example, on an afternoon of vicinity of a geocache, it provides indeed early June, I was looking for the geocache little support to find the hidden container. named Temple of Olympian Zeus. On its For example, a variety of hiding strategies official webpage, the additional hint, once and locations were used by the geocache decrypted, read “not 200 m but 2 m.”27 owners of the 18 physical containers found Walking along the external fence enclosing during my fieldwork. Some were found in the archaeological site of the temple, the the cracks of a wall; in the metallic sidewalk opened to a small square at the structures of a bridge or a banister; or under base of the Arch of Hadrian. Observing a a rock, a radio antenna, streetlamps, park series of trees, a large path leading to the benches, or a large piece of art. Some site, and a fence blocking that entrance, I containers were nano (less than 10ml, e.g.: a noticed a large blue sign indicating in both lip balm stick), while others were micro English and Greek the distance of the (less than 100 mL, e.g.: a 35 mm film official entrance (200 m), complemented by canister) or small (between 100 mL and 1 L, an arrow pointing to the left. Walking e.g.: a sandwich-sized container). Some towards the sign, I stopped for a second to were magnetically-attached, while others allow a tourist, located on the other side of were wisely camouflaged. Since the fence, to complete her shot of the arch. geographical coordinates refer to the Her camera focus was peeking between the location (as a point in two-dimensional metal bars. Noticing my act of courtesy, the space) of geocaches, rather than their three- man accompanying her told me that I had to dimensional emplacement, the GPS compass walk down the sidewalk to find the entrance did not account for the altitude of the and visit the site. Smiling, I thanked him containers, regardless of whether it was at before quitting, reflecting on the assumption one, three, or twenty meters above ground 29 that our intentions must had been quite level. In fact, none of the above different, though not necessarily 28 incompatible. As mentioned earlier, Deleuze In my experience, the precision of my GPS was (1997) thought that the identity of a journey regularly better. It did happen a few times, however, that the signal was either completely off-track or and the perception of a particular bouncing around irregularly. It must be noted here environment reflected the identity of the that the precision of the GPS information in relation traveller. Consequently, space becomes to the position of a particular geocache also relies on the precision of the initial coordinates, collected by the device of the user that hid the cache in the first place. 27 Additional hints, to avoid undesired spoilers, 29 While most GPS can account for altitude, the needed to be decrypted to be read, by following a information provided by the geocache owners simple key or clicking on a button. (including the coordinates) rarely include it. In a

94 characteristics cited as examples could be detect potential hiding locations and/or uncovered by my device. For example, in decipher additional hints. search for the geocache Katechaki Bridge, I was exploring the structure at street-level. On Emotional Geographies Although my GPS compass was indicating “The view, along the way, that I found myself at “ground zero,” I could especially of the Acropolis not find any container.30 Knowing that it and our neighbourhood, fed a was a magnetic cache from the information sense of accomplishment, provided on the website, I was carefully adventure, and pride, examining all metallic structure, but my particularly for it felt like most attempts were in vain. Slightly of the hike was now behind uncomfortable with the idea of inadvertently us.” (fieldnotes about my waking up the naked homeless man sleeping journey to Lycabetus Hill and under the bridge, I decided to abandon. Just my search of the geocache as I was about to leave, however, I raised my Lycabetus Top, June 17, 2013) head and the realization that the geocache could actually be hidden on the pedestrian “Felt like childhood again by bridge dawned on me. The geographical jumping from rock to rock and coordinates used for geocaching are two navigating challenging dimensional. In this regard, a cache could be terrains.” (own log entry on hidden anywhere on a hypothetical vertical finding DIN V 4131, June 17, line of possibilities stemming from the 2013) ground and share the same reference points. In other words, while I found myself at I took the direction of the neighbourhoods of ground zero, it would also be the case on the Plaka and Anafiotika with a vague notion of bridge at the same point-location. the location of the cache. Walking around Accordingly, I immediately caught sight of for a while, I was alternating between busy the magnetic micro0cache as I walked up the streets full of tourists, restaurants, and street stairs. The film container, tapped in white vendors, and desert streets up a few set of for camouflage matching the color of the stairs: two neighbouring, but totally different structure, was magnetically attached under a worlds. The streets were so quiet that I was handrail, located exactly at ground zero. As wondering about the legitimacy of my represented in this example, one must rely presence, as if I was walking in someone’s on an interplay of sensory attunement and backyard. The tranquility of the place (no cognitive skills upon arrival on site, an car or motorcycle traffic, almost no embodied “sense of geocaching,” as I would pedestrian), especially in relation to the call it. Places also have the potential to bustling streets below (arguably the busiest become meaningful for geocachers through tourist hubs of Athens) was astonishing. I this practice of sensing the environment to really had the feeling that solely a tiny number of travellers actually trickle to those streets. Since I could not find anything similar to the pictures posted on the sense, this may well be part of the pleasure many find geocache webpage, I took my GPS out of in searching geocaches or hiding them wittily. my bag and followed the direction. Stopping 30 The term “ground zero” corresponds to the perimeter within which the GPS device is not helpful on my way to observe things that caught my anymore, typically when it indicates a distance to attention and take a few pictures, I finally destination of 0 or 5 meter.

95 reached a set of stairs hidden behind trees my narrative as was my journey to get there, and overgrown bushes, and covered in and what I discovered along the way.” To be crushed blackberries-like fruits eaten by sure, all excursions were remembered, but flies. After hesitating for a moment, I some more than others, and it is this engaged on the path, being very careful not discrepancy that can be enlightening and to step in the insects’ feast. The stairs were deserves further attention. connecting with a tiny narrow street, in appearance the lower entrance to the My fieldnotes, however, were no remains of Anafiotika. As promised in the more explicit (if they were at all) about geocache description, a (stereo)typical affective states during my excursion. In image of Greek islands unfolded before my retrospective, nonetheless, it was undeniably eyes: white houses and perfumed lilacs, remembered as exhilarating and fulfilling. It narrow passages and staircases, and blue appealed to a sense of accomplishment, shutters. The place, with its streets virtually adventure, pride, and vibrancy. The drastic empty of people (I only encountered a change in architectural aesthetics was family of three during the 10 minutes spent unsettling, and the place felt truly special, so on that street), was idyllic. I was surprised, much that it marked me and entertained yet blissful, of the inexistent tourist traffic, conversations for a few days. as it rendered the place even more special to me. Near the cache I found under a rock In some other cases, nostalgia has sitting in a flowerbed, I could hear clinging also been a factor, developing connections cutlery and people chattering in a backyard with past memorable experiences. For hidden by tall walls. I signed the log book, example, the excursion that brought me to took a few pictures, and then continued to the top of Lycabettus Hill reminded me of explore the area. the joy and freedom I felt when hiking in the United States. Similarly, as mentioned above **** in the epigraph of this section, the path that led me to the neighbouring hill to find DIN It was only more than halfway V 4131 evoked childhood memories. In both through my fieldwork that I realized how cases, I felt transcended by those affective affect, in my exploration of territories states, and it positively affected my through geocaching, had been closely tied to perception of those places. However, my my perception of places. Some excursions excursions were not all memorable. Despite had left a stronger trace in my memory than the lack of elaboration in my fieldnotes, it is others, often, but not always, as a figure of clear that, in some cases, I felt frustrated, my success of failure at finding my way and disappointed, and/or unmotivated. In turn, the geocache. There is more to be said, those affective states, often resulting from however, but my fieldnotes rarely dwelled my inability to find a geocache, also and elaborated on the subject. There were influenced (negatively) my perception of excerpts, nevertheless, that hinted in that places. direction. For example, on June 8, I wrote that “undoubtedly, the journey to a geocache If my perspective on the topic is has the potential to be memorable. Days limited, partially due to the late realization after my discovery of Anafiotika, I am still of its possibilities, it seems clear to me that talking about the neighbourhood [to friends, place-making has the potential to be about family members, etc]. The geocache and/or more than just materiality. Intermingled with its exact location were not as important in sensations in the perception of places,

96 affects –which I understand here as water bottle was dangerously empty in the individual or collective feelings, emotions, afternoon heat. and dispositions, named or unnamed intensities felt in relation to the experience Thriving in that level of of a worldly environment (including all sorts unpredictability and nonlinearity, my of interactions with its occupants)– form experience of geocaching has fostered my “emotional geograph[ies]” (Alexandrakis discovery of the city of Athens. Prior to my 2013:85). Such geographies are fluid, as fieldwork, I had visited the area only once, Alexandrakis (2013) argues, for they can see with a group of students, on two days of “new experiences... and interpretations... April 2006. Our experience had been superimpose a new understanding of the city limited, however, to the traditional touristic on the old, revealing in the process new circuit encompassing Syntagma Square, the trajectories of various kinds” (86). In other Acropolis, the National Archaeological words, the practice of geocaching also has Museum, the neighbourhood of Plaka, and the potential to change participants’ other archaeological sites around the city. understandings of places they already knew. This time, my experience has been very This would explain why the journeys and different. locations of particularly difficult geocaches became much more pleasant and memorable In this essay, I explored the upon finding the hidden containers. intricacies of the game of geocaching, and more particularly the part of the game that Concluding Remarks involves attempting to find hidden “Such a beautiful place. containers. Adopting an uncommon, Thanks for the cache, and autobiographical approach, which I carefully especially for bringing me unpacked, that was simultaneously multi- there.” (own log entry on sited and ethnographically-informed by finding Anafiotika, participant experience, I gained an embodied June 7, 2013) understanding of the possibilities afforded by this cultural practice. I highlighted how On that mid-afternoon of late June 2013, places acquired meanings through my nearly an hour after the departure of my sensory and affective engagement with friend Alexis, I was walking on a trail at the specific environments. More than being just top of a hill overlooking Athens. Most of the about the embodiment of a destination, I Attica plain was unfolding before my eyes, showed how journeys to the geocaches also and I could discern Lycabettus Hill and the have the potential to become meaningful, port of Piraeus on the horizon. The dirt trail, resulting in the development of a matrix of along dry scrubs and pine trees on interconnected paths that are marked by one side, and a cliff on the other, was movement, rather than destinations. I also virtually empty from people. A loud argued that emplacement, that is a situated symphony of crickets filled the air. Sitting body-mind-environment relationship, can on a tree stump, I was enjoying the view, a result from the negotiation of a device- pleasurable reward after the physical environment dialectic. To this end, I challenge of the excursion that had resulted sketched a critique of geotechnologies, in the finding of two geocaches outside the informed by the ironic double-bind touristic areas. It had proven to last much geocachers must navigate: while they longer than expected, so much so that my require GPS devices to situate the approximate location of a geocache, they

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