Acropolis

Today, we visited the Acropolis. Since the metro station was on strike until 4 PM due to the political demonstrations that have been going on (the Greek government is simultaneously lowering wages and increasing taxes...brilliant), we had to walk to the Acropolis. As we ascended the steps to the Propylaia (the entrance gate), I couldn't help but be amazed at the spectacle that laid before my eyes. Even though I had seen the Acropolis last summer, I was still dumbfounded with awe and amazement at the awesomeness of what stood before me. My awe was quickly curtailed, however, by a crazy British jogger, who thought it was a genius idea to train on the Acropolis. An altercation arose between him and a Greek security officer. I won't get into too much detail about how funny this was but I will say that when the security officer told him to "shush himself", I about lost it. Anyway, the group, witnessing this moment of epic hilariousness, was completely taken aback. After a few moments, we recollected ourselves anad proceeded to the Parthenon, where we had a chance to do something that is usually reserved for only graduate archaeology students and members of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture; a private tour of the inside of the Parthenon! We were given a guest lecture by an archaeologist/architect about the restoration efforts. Then, we walked around the inside and even climbed the medieval bell tower to have a bird's eye view on the inside from above. Then, we saw the Erechtheion, the religious center which held shrines to many gods, goddesses and mythological Athenian kings. Many people mistake the Parthenon to be the main building because of its size, but in actuality the Erechtheion was held in higher regard in antiquity, because of its religious significance. As we descended down the acropolis, we noticed the Areopagus Hill where crimes were tried and punishments enacted. Afterwards, we walked up the Nymphs Hill to see the burial monument of Philopappos, a man who was both a Roman consul and Greek archon in the 2nd century AD. Finally, we walked up the Pynx Hill to see the location of where Athenian democracy took place. Politicians would speak there and citizens would vote on bills that were finalized in the Agora. The day was just so long and so hot, but it was entirely worth it. Then, I came back and rested until we had lecture at 7 PM. The topic was Archaic and Classical Athens. Unfortunately, afterwards I came down with an illness and was bed-ridden for the rest of the evening, probably due to the amount of sun exposure and incredible amount of food I had devoured today.