Athens

The day dawned sunny and clear, a perfect day to tour Athens.  We met Maria, our guide in the lobby and headed off for an adventure.  Needless to say, there are many sights to see in Athens.  One of the first things we saw was the changing of the guard at the Parliament and tomb of the unknown soldiers of WWII. These are not just ceremonial guards but actual soldiers.  In Greece, all men must serve, just how long I am not sure.  These guards are firstly volunteers.  They must meet certain height requirements and must be pleasing to the eye — mmmm, eye candy!  They wear traditional dress that includes a type of Fez with a long tassel.  Then they wear long, heavy stockings that extend up their thighs. 

Their shoes are red, pointed and topped with a type of black Pom Pom.  The soles of the shoes traditionally have nails in the heels but the more modern ones use taps.  They wear these so they can make sounds as they walk and other scrapes they make.  I cannot begin to do justice describing how they march but to say they make the “goose step” we see Russian, German and Chinese do look like child’s play. 

They move in precise, slow steps that include raising their legs parallel to the ground while moving their arms backwards parallel to the ground.  This position is held for several seconds before they proceed.  They were amazing to watch.  The guard changes every hour because it is brutal to stand completely still in the heat in heavy, wool clothing.  Another guard dressed in camouflage uniform will go to each of the guards and adjust their stance and wipe their faces of perspiration.  Their uniforms have a heavy jacket and a skirt with a type of slip beneath that has 400 pleats representing the 400 years Greece was under Ottoman rule before finally gaining independence. On Sundays, they are dressed in white.  Each soldier will stand three times in a day and serve in the guard for a period of six months.  Really is a sight to see.

Next we went to see the Parthenon.  In route, we passed the National Gardens that we had visited the day before and other ruins that are under restoration and are encased in scaffolding.  Vehicles can only take people to the parking lot below the Parthenon.  From there, we walked up steep sidewalks and climbed lots and lots of steps all packed with tourists. 

All along the way, Maria explained how this structure was built and the various Gods and Goddesses that were worshiped.  It is such an amazing structure built from marble mostly and carved with so many amazing figures.  Naturally, having stood for hundreds of years they are worn and broken and lots of them missing altogether.  Before Greece won their independence the ruler decided that he wanted to take the best of the carvings back to his palace.  Later, many found their way to the British Museum.  Greece has been trying to get them returned but so far no go.

Just below the Parthenon are the ruins of an open air amphitheater.  In ancient times, it was the place where plays were presented.  Only men were allowed to perform so they wore masks to represent the characters they were portraying.  The structure is still being used today for concerts.  It will hold 4,000 people.

After the Parthenon, we went to the museum that has been built to display and inform people about the Parthenon.  They made the decision to remove all the originals and display them in the museum.  Duplicates were created that are on the site; pretty smart I think.  The museum itself sits atop an active archeological site.  There are glass floors scattered all over the museum so you can see what they have uncovered, amazing.  The upper floor of the museum is designed to mimic the actual structure.  Steel columns are placed to represent the actual columns.  The walls are sectioned in large squares the size of the actual art.  Some squares are white plaster instead of the actual art.  They were able to go to Britain and cast the real pieces so they know exactly what they look like.  Some areas were blank as the art has been lost or destroyed and they do not know exactly how they looked.  The east and west side of the building was open and allowed entry.  Above the openings were a series of statues many of which are missing.  Plaster cast pieces are there so we could see how magnificent they were.  All in all, it was amazing and very educational.

Afterwards, we left our guide and headed off to the Platka or old part of the city shopping area.  We enjoyed roaming through the shops and eateries and picking up a few items to take home.  Of course we got a bit displaced but eventually found our way back to the hotel area.  We were all weary so decided an early dinner was in order.  We dined at a different street cafe from the previous night.  The food was good and the atmosphere pleasant.  Another day gone.  Tomorrow we head out for a ferry ride to Milos.  For now, early to bed, early to rise.