The sites of Athens close at 7:45 p.m. Plenty of time! Unless you leave your home at 3:30 p.m…
Good thing many of the site’s we were looking forward to seeing are within a two or three mile radius. The first thing on our list? Not surprisingly, The Acropolis. Overlooking Athens from a high plateau The Acropolis is a grand structure. At least I think it is… It was covered by scaffolding and contained cranes on it’s interior. Which is a bummer as far as photos go but delightful as far as brain teasers go. Do you need a crane to lift the crane that goes inside the Acropolis? If so, how many cranes does it take? These are the important questions in life. Also on top of this large plateau rests the Erchtheion a temple dedicated to Athena and Poseidon. Though much smaller, it stood out due to it’s columns carved into the shape of woman.
From the western side of the plateau we were treated a beautiful view of Athens with Mount Lycabettes shooting out of the city below.
Easily my favorite moment of our trip so far happened upon returning to Mars Hill. This is not due to the fact that we actually knew what it this time but due to some great pre-planning on Bethany’s part. Bethany, who thought to bring her travel Bible from high school, gave it to me to read Acts 17 as we stood on top of Mars Hill. When you’re standing there looking up at the Acropolis and over the city it’s easy to see why then minds of Paul’s day met there to discuss ideas. I’m telling you… context is everything. Reading the Bible without the context of the original culture it took place in is detrimental. Sorry… Off my soapbox I do step.
For our money our favorite historical section of Athen’s as been The Ancient Agora Market. A space covering roughly a square mile, The Agora Market contains ruins that are close enough to touch. Walk through Agora, I long building lined with Columns and 2,000 year old statues. Stop in the museum as well if that’s your thing.
After that you can walk through the remnants of the market place which would have been a center of Greek culture and commerce under the watchful eye of the Acropolis. Pass by the headless statue of Emperor Hadrian on your way up to the Temple of Hephestus and be delighted by… the turtles? Yeah! There were a lot of turtles there, why? I’m not sure? But they sure were cute! Look at them with their little turtle legs, eating with their little turtle mouths. So cute… Maybe they were drawn their by… the cats?
It was nearing 7:45, closing time for the sites, and we were getting hungry. We chose a roof top restaurant called Taratsa overlooking the Acropolis for our dinner. Best decision ever… Not only was the view fantastic, just pretend I photoshopped out that crane, but the food was amazing. We both got various forms of Pork Kebab’s that caused me to do that overly pretentious eye roll back move with each bite. Not sure what I’m talking about? Find someone who describes themselves as a “foodie” and watch them eat, I’m sure they’ll do it.
We ended our day walking through the Plaka, several streets of shops in the shadow of the Acropolis Platuea, looking for gifts for friends and family.
Not a long day, but a good day. We’re going to the beach tomorrow, time for bed.
Cheers,
B&B
