Exploring Athens! Part 1

Yassou again! For those of you who haven't had enough pictures of the Acropolis yet, when I got back to the hotel the first night after dinner, I went back out on my balcony and continued to take more pictures. I'm standing on the balcony using the zoom on my camera to get as close as possible. I'm telling you . . I was obsessed!

Even after taking all of these pictures, I still wasn't sure that people would believe that this was the actual view from my balcony. I had to find a way to prove that this was my view. How could I do that? Hmm.  .there's got to be a way, but how? Oh, I've got it!!! See the pics below! Ingenious, right?

See me? See me taking the pic from my room? LOL! I told you I was obsessed!

That night when I went to sleep, I left the curtain to the room open so that whenever I would wake up throughout the night, I could open my eyes and see the Acropolis and the Parthenon. Magical!

The next morning to start off my day exploring Athens, I went downstairs to eat my Greek breakfast included in my hotel stay . . .I was so hungry that I started to take a few bites and then remembered to take a picture. What did I have? Cheese, a croissant, a hard boiled egg, greek yogurt and something kind of like corn flakes to put in the yogurt  .plus coffee and juice of course. Great for energy to start the day exploring Athens.

So, Sarah and I met at Vitro's to start our day. First, we asked directions of a few policemen. Quick cultural observation (well, I think this kind of counts as a cultural observation): How can I say this without sounding like I'm objectifying them? Well, I've started to wonder if modeling agencies cast the police officers in Greece and Spain because they tend to be very very attractive! The first attractive policeman was trying to help us, but then his English wasn't super strong so he asked another police officer to come over to help us. Well, hmmm . .what can I say? I should have taken a picture! Sarah and I were answering his questions without looking at each other. "Where are you from?" "New York and Miami" "How long are you in Athens?" "Just 'til tomorrow." There were a few more questions, but I honestly need Sarah's help remembering. I can't remember all the questions he asked! He was smiling at us as we walked away, and I just remember Sarah and I looking at each other and saying. . ."maybe we need a police escort to our destination!" We laughed and laughed.

Ok, so enough of that . . guess where we decided to go first? Well, I've only taken about 40 pictures of it! We headed to the Acropolis of course! Sarah had a camera phone so she and I traded off taking pics with my camera. That is why I'm actually in these pictures! First, at the lowest level of the Acropolis, we see the Theater of Dionysus, one of the earliest preserved open-air theaters in Athens (I'm not sure of the actual date it was built; some estimates say 500 BC. (WOW!) The theater was dedicated to Dionysus, who is the god of wine and the patron of drama. And, as you can see, I've scored a great seat at the theater, and apparently, I'm early for the show. No, seriously, it was so cool to sit there imagining the early plays that took place there.

Time for a close-up!

And, there's Sarah! She was the smart one wearing a hat. By the end of the day, I was really wishing I was wearing a hat. It was sooo hot!

Check out the stage below. See the sculptures at the front.

Someone came over and tapped me on the shoulder and told me to take one of the VIP seats for the show. Just kidding, but I did have to get a pic in what I considered a VIP seat. Right? It is fancier than the other seats.

Time to start walking up the Acropolis. Oh, look the black flip-flops have made another appearance. Surprise, surprise! Note for future travelers to Athens . . wear tennis shoes when you go to the Acropolis. Do you see how my feet are gripping the unstable ground?

And, then you see Sarah, the smart one with tennis shoes on!

Below is a view of the theater after walking up the stairs.

Below are some pictures of the view of Athens as we walk up the Acropolis.

The next structure you see is called the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. It is another theater. This one was built in 161 AD . . . so, really recent . just a couple of years ago! :) Now, people still perform there which is why you can see the electronic equipment and lights. For example, Bocelli gave a charity concert to raise money for cancer reseach at this theater in September 2010. Sting has also performed there. I would love to see a concert there . . not sure who . .maybe someone like Enya? Her music seems appropriate for this venue.

 In the pictures below, we were at a sort-of midway point going up the Acropolis. Look at the view of Athens behind us. The picture doesn't exactly capture it, but the buildings are mostly white (and you can see the sea from here as well), and I don't know what the sunlight was hitting, but when you look out across Athens, you see things glittering like diamonds. It really is beautiful to see.

As we continue walking up the Acropolis, there are more and more people, and you can hear languages from all over the world (including many people from the states). And, guess what? Forgive the John Lennon moment but all these people from all over the world are getting along peacefully, just appreciating history and beauty together.  

Now, we continue walking toward the top of the Acropolis to see the Parthenon. In the pictures below, you will see the structure that you walk under (a sort of gateway to the Parthenon). There were signs all over that said, "Do not touch the marble." You are walking right next to it, and it is quite tempting, but I resisted! (also for all my students, I didn't want to fall prey to simple reactance!)

And then we finally reach the top . . did I mention how hot it is????? It feels even hotter at the top of the Acropolis. But, we finally see the Parthenon up close and personal!

THE PARTHENON! I'm just going to post the pictures of it because what can I write about it? It's amazing!

Now I will show you some pictures of the view of Athens from the top of the Acropolis. When you are at the top of the Acropolis, you get such amazing views of the entire city. The first picture below shows a view of the Temple of Zeus.

Below the view of Athens!

Below is a view of the first theater from the top of the Acropolis.

Below is a pic of Sarah at the top of the Acropolis.

And, me!

When you are at the top of the Acropolis, you walk around the Parthenon, and to one side of the Parthenon, you see an ancient Greek temple called the Erechtheum that was built probably sometime between 421 and 406 BC. Wow!  In the picture below, you can see the famous "Porch of the Maidens". There are six female figures that act as supporting columns.

I haven't discussed the story of how the city of Athens got its name. Many of you may already know this story, and everyone in Athens seems to know this story well. Athena was the goddess of wisdom, war, strength, and justice. Side note: It is refreshing that in ancient Greece, a feminine character had such great qualities, representing strength, justice, and wisdom (not so proud of the fact that she was the goddess of war but I like the other ones!) Poseidon was the god of the seas. And, both Athena and Poseidon wanted Athens for themselves so they started arguing over it. Then, before they started fighting, Athena said whoever gives the people of Athens the best gift would be the winner and the city would be named after that god/goddess.

Poseidon went first; for his gift, he struck the Acropolis and caused water to come pouring out! The people were impressed because water is of course so important, but then the people realized that it was salt water like Poseidon's seas! And, they couldn't drink salt water so it wasn't helpful! Athena went next and she struck the ground, and an olive tree grew out of the ground where she struck it. The people were very pleased with Athena's gift because the olive tree gave them food, oil, and wood! So, Athena won, and thus, the city was named Athens! It is my understanding that this temple in the picture above was dedicated to both Athena and Poseidon. Below is another view of the temple; you can walk around the entire thing.

Then, we start walking back down. It is a long walk up and down the Acropolis. If you visit in the summer, wear a hat, tennis shoes, and bring water! The pictures below are on the way back down.

Then, we made it to the bottom of the Acropolis. Did I mention how hot it was??? Well, I happened to notice a little sign that said, Frozen Lemonade with an arrow pointing to the right. Sarah and I quickly followed the arrow to this small stand that, as advertised, was selling frozen lemonade. It was very busy! A woman asked if I wanted a lemonade? I said yes!, and I didn't even ask how much it was! It could have been 20 euros, and I still would have paid for it. I can't even remember; maybe it was 4 euros, but I didn't care. I just wanted frozen lemonade! Sarah and I sat down to enjoy our frozen lemonades, and we decided that this frozen lemonade stand was the best business plan ever! It had the best location and was selling the perfect product at this location. I think almost everyone who walked down from the Acropolis ordered one of those frozen lemonades! They must be making a fortune. We were wondering if, because of their location, they were giving a portion of their proceeds to the Acropolis restoration projects. I hope so! But, that was maybe the best frozen lemonade I've ever had in my life! 

This is only part 1 of this day in Athens, but posting these pictures takes forever so I'm going to take a break here. Part 2 coming up soon!

Adio Acropolis! It was awesome! I hope you got the feeling that you were sort of there as I went up and down the Acropolis!