Step into the Way Back Machine

 

 

Ah to be in Athens, the city where ancient history appears along side bustling modern life. We started the day with a trip to the Panathinaikon (Athens) Stadium, site of the first modern Olympics in the late 1800's. From there we headed down to the colossal Temple of Olympian Zeus, with its 15 remaining columns of marble glistening in the sun. Below are the grounds of houses that were built by Romans after they invaded the city.

In the searing heat of the midday sun we made our way up the hills to the top of the Acropolis with the Parthenon, Theater of Herodes Atticus and Temple of Athena Nike. What a sight to behold! The temples are largely encased on scaffolds as the 25 year restoration proceeds, but it takes your breath away to see the scale and contemplate the centuries of human history that have passed through this very spot before you. It is, at times, heartbreaking to uncover the story of these sacred places and the destruction that mas been visited upon them in the name of war, religion and conquerers. But yet so much still stands as a testament to the human story....

We made our way down (after drinking gallons of cold water to stave off dehydration!) to the New Acropolois Museum and viewed the fraises and statues that remained in the area and/or we uncovered in archeological digs. Under the museum is a settlement uncovered during building which is visible through many glass floors around the interior and exterior of the museum.

After having our fill of marble statues, we walked back toward the hotel and stumbled on the Roman Bath site uncovered during the Metro construction of the 90's. There were channels and water heating rooms along with divided bathing rooms full of pillars. I couldn't help but think it must be very challenging to do any construction in Athens that requires digging, as chances are very high you'll hit a significant find! We found some shady refuge in the national garden and tried our best to stay cool and avoid a nice sunburn.

As day passed into evening, we viewed the Parthenon and Temple of Zeus bathed in light against the moonlit sky. We enjoyed some Greek food in another open air restuarant and took in a bit of traditional music at the Syntagma Square just down from our hotel.

In the morning we head out to Delphi, site of the famous Oracle and the Temple of Apollo. Enjoy the pictures!

Proost!

Before we begin, I forgot one key learning from yesterday... There was a profession known as the 'piss profits' who claimed to determine all that ails you by examining your urine. Lucky for us they were discredited by the 17th century, but how did this ever come into fashion in the first place...

Moving right along then. We started off this morning at the Van Gogh Museum and I discovered I am a big fan of Odilon Redon lithographs housed in the museum, especially the very science fiction-esque "As In a Dream" series. In short, Van Gogh was passionate, talented and tragic. Very interesting to see the chronological progression of his works aligned with his life experiences.

Next we headed off to the Heinekin Experience, where you see me in rare form with an actual *gasp* beer in my hand. Gwen is not a beer drinker, and try as they might, the good folks at Heinekin were unable to change this. We did go on a little 'brew you' ride where they 'bottled' us and we got to taste beer ingredients in their pure form, wort form and as a finished product.

We settled in to a canal cruise and learned about the building of the canals and the bridges throughout the city. The evening breeze started to cool off as we finished our ride and headed for the Anne Frank house.

That was truely an amazing place to see, to try to understand what it must have been like to live in this hidden place with eight people and no chance to ever see the sun. I am always moved by small glimpses into Europe during WWII and her short life is tragic and touching - you can feel her presence in each of the rooms.

Tomorrow morning we bid Amsterdam farefell and fly off to Athens for the next leg of our journey. More then!