Blair is: in Athens

September 17-19, 2008



I anxiously peered over Tracy´s shoulder on an airline I´d never heard of (Olympic Air) to see a land I had often read about but neer visited: Greece, the Birthplace of Democracy. And the first glimpse did not disappoint - the islands abruptly jutting out of the sapphire sea, drasticly sharp in contrast to the flat tan plains of Spain. The sea was so blue it was hard to tell where it ended and the sky began! It looked like pointilism - the sea - with its lines of waves undulating towards the shore. After a three hour flight, we landed in Athens, one hour ahead of Madrid. It was so weird to see Greek everywhere! It was familiar, because I could recognize the letters thanks to Greek Life and AEPhi, but the words and their meanings were completely foreign. We boarded our bus to the hotel, taking the scenic route around the outside of Athens ... a city no as beautiful as I had thought it would be. We could see in the distance the 2004 Olympic staduim (Where Michael Phelps had swam!!!) as we sat in traffic - terrible, since half of Greece´s population (6 million people) reside within Athens! At last, e arrived at the Hotel Stanley, our finaldestination. I was assigned to room with Sam Hacker and Vanessa in a room with an itsy bitsy balcony overseeing nothing, but rom the roof there was the most stunning view of the Acropolics, illuminated by golden light at night! After dinner, I returned with Alex, Sam and Rachel to read by the pool and marvel at our view of the Acropolis.

The next day, we were intrduced to Danae, our sixty something year old but fiesty Greek tourguide. In our little tourbus (little meaning that almost all28 of us had our own bench of 2 seats to lay across), we drove around athens, seeing Hadrian´s Arch, the Original Olympic Stadium of 1896, and the Parthenon.

The Parthenon was quite an experience. Unlike the pictures of an empty Acropolis, it was packed with pushy tourists and cruise groups! And our group was easily the youngest people there by 30 year aside from a few kids. And they kept pushing their way to the top, trying to push the entire group of us out of their way! (i guess they just assume that´s ok because they, in theory, have less time to see it than a group of 20 year olds). At one pint, our tour guide shouted, ËXCUSE ME! WE ARE ALLLLLL WAITING!! She was fierce - she even made a 10 year old boy cry! However, once we got onto the acropolis, it was wonderful - the Parthenon, absolutely larger than life. I couldn´t believe I was standing in front of a building more than 3000 years old, a place of myths and ancient civilizations! I hope to someday see the roof, which is in the British Museum, because the British steal everything, haha. I meandered, seeing the other temple of Athena and Athena´s legendary Olive Tree that was planted during her battle with Poseidon for the honor of having the city named after her. (Athena promised protection and bounty, Poseidon protection and water, The women of Athens voted for Athena, the men for Poseidon, but there was 1 more woman then men, so it was named for Athena. And then the women lost the right to vote). Our time there was too short.

We headed to the Plaka, a center of stores in Athens, before heading to Cape Sounion. There really is nothing there, said MariCarmen, JUST BEAUTY.

And Beauty there was.

We arrived shortly before sunset to take pictures and admire the Temple of Poseidon (which Lord Byron grafittied!). Litte by lttle, the sun began to dip, and as if painted by watercolor, the sky turned pastel shdes of red, yellow, and orange, with a tint of purple higher in the sky. The way the light played with the water to create a mirror image of teh sunset in the sky and sea was breathtaking; how the shadows contrasted with the undulating green hills; how the temple was enlightened in the color of gold due to the sun was simply and inexplicably spectacular. It ties for the best sunset ever with the Grand Canyon, however, because they are so different it is hard to pick one over the other. In AZ, it was an explosion of hot colors amplified by the complimentary sand and layers o time. Here, the softer colors were intensified by the water´s reflection, playing hide and go seek with the shdows created by the rocks and ruins of the old temple to Poseidon. Twilight crept upon us with indecent haste, and all I wanted to do was stay there forever. But twilight signifies impending night, and the arrival of days to follow and more sites to explore. But now I have a permanent screensaver in my mind that I can reflect upon and enjoy for the rest of my life.