Day 1 – Acropolis, Temple of Olympian Zeus, Syndagma, and Cape Sounion

Finally! We’ve reached Athens and started our exploration at the Acropolis, famous for its historic and artistic importance, for it stood for democracy/drama/other morals and was where Athena was worshipped. We learned that Zeus had a massive headache, had his head cracked open (or chopped off according to Lindsey) and out came Athena fully grown! That’s why she is symbolizes war and knowledge. Just a little history: after the battle with the Persians, all of the temples were burned to the ground. However, they found themselves victorious and around 450 BC, Pericles (the leader at the time) decided to rebuild Athens. Pheidas was commissioned to transform the Acropolis into many temples for Athena.

Entering the Acropolis, we started off with Propylaea (Greek for entrance) and learned about the different Greek column styles (Ionic, Doric, and Corinthian). Can you imagine the Prophylaea painted with bright colors and decorated with statues

To the right of us, we had the Temple of Athena Nike (Greek for victory). 

Onward to the Parthenon!

The Parthenon was constructed with many optical illusions in order to bring the building to life. Apparently, if you extended all the columns upwards several miles, they’ll eventually touch (according to Rick Steves’). These columns were Doric on the outside and Ionic on the inside

Parthenon and the other temples are currently being remodeled. One thing I learned: the columns are made from block of marbles stacked on top of one another! Oh how much I've forgotten from art history....-_-

A frieze on the inner wall of the Parthenon

The Parthenon housed a 40 feet tall Athena. Her right hand supposedly held an upturn structure of Nike

Pediment on the east end of the Parthenon

 

Next was the Erechtheum, the spot where Athena and Poseidon fought for naming rights to the city. Supposedly Athena won the battle by “stabbing a rock with her spear, sprouting the olive tree of prosperity. The Erechteum was all ionic. 

 

As you can see on the Erechteum’s south side, there exists the Porch of the Caryatid, which contained maidens who functioned as columns that support the roof. Just like all the other sculptures, freizes, monuments, etc here…all these maidens are replicas! Bummer

Theater of Dionysus – the first theater built!

As we were leaving the Acropolis, we also saw workers in the tourism industry holding a demonstration. It's quite depressing, they only make roughly ~600-750 euros/month. 

We also stopped by the modern day Olympic stadium, which was used during the 2004 Olympics. It was huge!!! Definitely would be a great, awesome workout  =D

Afterwards, we journeyed to The Temple of Zeus, supposedly the biggest temple of all Greece.Visitors would enter through the Arch of Hadrian here...

And then see the large temple with Zeus sitting inside. The columns were craved in the Corinthian style. 

I love to hug. Even do not touch ones. Oops!

Lunch was in a shopping district called Plaka, which was filled with many shops and restaurants. Along the way, we spotted many…shall we say interesting t-shirts. Greeks – sexually open and angry about their government? For your enjoyment:

  

Trying out some new Greek cuisine...

Minced pork mixed with potatoes and wrapped in vine leaves

Kabob

Oh can’t we find a balance?? – Anna looks too grouchy and Lindsey looks too happy

Lindsey loves George Clooney – specifically his watch

Now how can we forget about our profession??

After lunch, we headed to Cape Sounion where we were literally blown away. Actually it was more like we got sandblasted and we got nice facials. The temple of Poseidon (god of the sea) 

Lastly, we met a couple in their 70s who were separated since senior year in high school and recently reunited through facebook. They each led their own separate lives and fate would have it that they would meet again. He messaged her on facebook and asked her out and sparks re-ignited. Now they are traveling the world together and enjoying their lives together. All Anna could think of was “awww how cute”. Maybe fate has its way of finding itself in our lives, even through Facebook. 

Hope you guys enjoyed it!  -Anna and Lindsey