Some days you have to really prep for. You know that you will see amazing things, but you know that you will be exhausted at the end of it. A port stop in Athens is one of those days. We had two couples that we were traveling with and a busy itinerary. Of course, we were doing everything on our own, and I had it planned to the tee. We met up before sunrise at 7:15 and walked to the train station. (Complete info on how to do Athens on your own is coming)
First, we hit the Acropolis Museum which houses some of the original sculpture and frieze from the Parthenon. Back in the day (awhile ago) Lord Elgin from Great Britain took all the best sculpture from the Parthenon and toted it off to London, where it remains at the British Museum. They have refused to give them back to Greece, continually stating that Greece has nowhere to house them. This is the museum that was built in response, and it is a beautiful place to showcase the ruins. Of course, the British Museum is now skittish about giving them back, afraid of similar requests from other counties. The museum does have the ruins that Lord Elgin didn't deem worthy to take, as well as sculpture from temples which predated the Parthenon. An accompanying movie really helps to understand and picture the original structure.
Next was the Acropolis itself. I was acting as tour guide, and of course James scurried up the hill ahead of the rest of us. At the top, we took the obligatory pictures and reviewed the history. It really is crazy to see buildings that stood in the 4th century BC. We went down, toured the Agora, and tried to imagine Socrates and Plato walking the streets. After a few more old rocks, we were getting tired of ruins and ready for lunch.
Greek food has been superb this trip. Sometimes I worry about the real version of something being a little too authentic for me, but so far the real version of Greek food has been superior in every way to Americanized Greek food.
Greek food has been superb this trip. Sometimes I worry about the real version of something being a little too authentic for me, but so far the real version of Greek food has been superior in every way to Americanized Greek food.
After some yummy gyros and feta, we did a little shopping and recharged our batteries for one last push: the National Archaeology Museum. Items from Troy, statues that are 1500 years old, and an array of items which would astound in most situations fill this museum, but after an entire day of ancient ruins, it begins to blend together. That is why you take photos.
A quick train and bus got us back to the ship, and we had successfully conquered Athens.
A quick train and bus got us back to the ship, and we had successfully conquered Athens.
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