Athens at last!

Saturday, October 3rd, 2015

Campgrounds near major cities are generally difficult to find, expensive, and tend to have a lot of traffic noise; often hearing a dull “roar” (for the lack of a better word) in the background during the night.  Like “white noise” only deeper with the occasional backfire of a truck.

The Temple of Olympian Zeus.  Note the fallen column on right. and how it broke in sections
 ( which is how it was constructed )

Norm and Alison in front of Athens Parthanon.  Note:  Our stomachs look bigger in all our photos than they actually are due to the money belts we have on. 

Here in Athens, where motorcycles are king, we were awakened often through the night as these two wheeled beasts raced through the streets, down-shifting as they passed by the campground.  Up until now we have been blessed with only the sounds of winds in the trees or surf rolling to shore.

 We are finally in Athens!  Does it really look like it is portrayed in those Coffee Table books?  My ex-husband’s family was from Greece, so I had been exposed to some of the Greek traditions over the years.  I have long forgotten the few words I had learned.

This is the most intact building left ( the only one with a roof )

We started the morning in our small private tour bus and picked up our wonderful guide along the way.  She explained the history of Athens, and pointed out the various sites as we circled about the city; stopping for those all-important photos of course.

Military service is mandatory here in Greek for a minimum of 9 months.  Here men are going through a ritual
for the "changing of the gurard" at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. 

In ancient times these pompoms hid poison hemlock needles so
the soldiers could kill themselves if captured.
These clogs weigh about 3.3 pounds and have 60 nails studded into the soles
so the Evzones ( soldiers ) do not slip.

One of our first stops was the Parliament building as the “changing of the guard” was happening.  She explained how 9 months of military service is mandatory for men in Greece.  Being assigned the position of guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier here at the Parliament is quite an honor.

For more information about the Guards ( Evzones ) click this link


After a couple of stops our group, along with THOUSANDS of others, climbed up the hill to the Acropolis. As we climbed, she would try to find a shady spot as she explained different facets of history and of the restoration project going on.

Our group listens intently to our private guide

One interesting tidbit of info was that the Acropolis actually is the GROUP of ancient ruin buildings, not just the one we see in all the pictures which is the Parthenon.

What a mob!

 The Acropolis is a UNESCO site because it met the requirements of being at least 2500 years old. We were told how the columns were joined together with lead rods.  When the buildings were destroyed, they used that lead for ammunition.  When they were later restored, they replaced the soft lead with titanium.  Interesting.

After the guide left we had some time to walk around the streets of ancient Athens and take pictures while trying to avoid bumping into all the people and falling on the very slippery limestone walkways.

Incredible detail thousands of years ago

Not all graffiti is ugly here in Athens.  These hands in prayer mural is beautiful.
That guide explained that the ugly graffiti is not created by gangs here but misguided, bored teens.

To answer the question whether it looks how photographers capture it?  Not really. Not today.  I wonder when they actually take those photo’s with no people there.  Do they photo-shop them out?
If I remember, almost all the historic buildings we have seen on this trip have scaffolding surrounding it.  A little disappointing for tourists visiting today, but it great that they are preserving history.

If you have ever seen the Public Television broadcast of "Yanni at the Acropolis" this is where it was performed.
Boy, I would have LOVED to have seen that concert in person!

Potty training?