From Erie to Athens

The highlight of today’s tour was sitting on the bus with two people from Erie, Pa. Not just Erie, but Millcreek, the suburb where I grew up. Oh, we saw the Acropolis, too. And since I had my Pirates hat on, we talked to a couple from Mt. Lebanon.

If you love Pittsburgh and San Francisco, you’ll love Athens. It is hilly bordering on mountainous. The walk up to the Acropolis is steep and rocky. It was 70 and sunny today so weather was not a factor. Being old was a factor. But most anybody can do it if you take your time.

The Parthenon is constantly being restored and cranes blocked the view in certain spots. It must have been a magnificent temple with all the colors they used. It’s from the 5^th century BC and you can see where they have inserted new marble to fill in what is missing from the original.

The entrance to the Acropolis has some of the best columns we’ve seen so far. Since these structures were so far in advance of the Romans, no arches were used. Everything was square, unlike the Coliseum, for instance. Besides the Parthenon, there are other temples on the Acropolis and bases of huge statues, especially of Athena.

The views were unbelievable of the surrounding area. You can easily see all of Athens, and the port city of Piraeus. We could see our ship.

The terrain is treacherous once you are on top. Jagged rocks stick up everywhere. Except for the steps leading up and down, you will never be on flat ground the entire time. But nobody fell and you just have to watch. The summers are extremely hot here and I couldn’t imagine doing that excursion in bad heat. The tour did provide lots of water, even today. But be prepared.

Tomorrow is at sea. I may or may not have photos.

Here is Athens and the Acropolis. Almost forgot; we also drove through Athens and stopped at the Panathenaic Stadium. It was where the first Olympics were held in 1896. Very cool.

 

The Parthenon from the base of the Acropolis. A long climb was ahead.

 

Temple of Athena Nike

 

From the Acropolis with Athens in the background.

 

The Parthenon from between the entrance columns.

 

The Parthenon

 

Looking back at the entrance from the Parthenon.

 

An idea of the terrain. In the center is the base of the largest statute of Athena.

 

A close-up of the base.

 

The Erechtheion

 

The ‘back’ of the Parthenon.

 

Di was here.

 

The stadium where the first Olympics were held in 1896.

 

Inside the stadium. It's the only stadium in the world made entirely of white marble.