Blog April 17th

We rose again this morning to the sound of the phone, although this time not quite so early. We left to see the architecture near to our hotel, the national library and the university of fine arts. On high columns were statues of gods who, although being repeatedly told otherwise, Josh thought were Dionysus. We then caught our first metro train, which went smoothly. We then arrived at the Acropolis, and headed for the museum there. Because of the lines, we continued up the Acropolis where we basked in the magnificence of the Parthenon, the Erectheion and other monuments. We then continued down to the Agora where we were quickly told off by a guard and abused by his whistle because we stayed too long and they were closing. We then visited the Acropolis museum, the highlight of which were the Carytids from the Erectheion. This was because we were able to see the metho which they cleaned the statues with. We then had free time, wandering the markets and side streets of Athens and battering with the store owners.  The highlight of the day for me was the bronze statue of Zeus/Poseidon.

Alex Mercer

...

Today we went the National Archeology Museum, which unfortunately was mostly closed due to strike action, but we were still able to see a couple of gems. It is the museum which houses all the treasures found by Heinrich Schliemman at Hissarlick and other Mycenaean sites, some dating back as far as the 16th century BC. Most notable among these is the 'Mask of Agamemnon', a golden funeral mask, although in fact it dates from about 4 centuries before the supposed Trojan war. Also at the museum was a magnificent statue of Zeus or Poseidon (it is unknown which), which is strikingly anatomically accurate and dynamic.

After the museum, we experienced the Greek metro, which was good practice for Paris and Rome.

The Acropolis was next up, and despite the inclement weather, it was spectacular. We saw the Theatre of Dionysus, the same one which hosted the plays of Euripides, Aeschylus and Aristophanes in the 5th century BC. From there, we went up to the Acropolis itself and saw the Parthenon; once an imposing image of Athenian dominance, now still impressive but also roped off and surrounded by scaffolding.

Once again we spent much time walking around the city by foot, and have gained a good sense of its layout. We are able to find our way to most places of interest with the central Syntagma square as our starting point. Because of this, we were given some free time to roam about and shop, and barter with the locals. It is a most interesting city; along with the ancient temples and monuments you see much poverty and bleakness. It is a bizarre contrast. It will be sad to leave tomorrow, as it feels like we only just got here.

Yet in the morning we carry on with the trip: on the agenda are visits to Mycenae and Corinth, and we get on the overnight ferry to Ancona.

Best wishes,

Conall