Αθήνα

π,φ,β,ε, greats like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle were and are still geeky to me. However, the weekend trip to Athens, Greece, made me appreciate 'all things greek. I am still surprised that I managed to spend the weekend in Athens without understanding the language. I could only make sense after reading the English translations mentioned below the greek words. Beyond that, everything looked like a cipher text. It will take me a few more years and a short course in the greek language to sail through my next trip to Greece. Apart from the language, the history, food, overall lifestyle, and even traffic felt familiar. But I struggle to recall the exact dates of all the major historical events that shaped the city and the world. Halfway through the visit, I was confused between Greek and Roman history as there is a lot of overlap. One thing is for sure they shared a lot of wisdom, knowledge, practices, and ways of life.

Athens, named after the goddess Athena is a beautiful city with mountains on the east and a bustling sea port on the west. Although a capital city, it boasts a lot of greenery. I could see trees ripe with olives, oranges, and all other fruits along the marble footpaths. Since most of the newer buildings sit on top of old ruins, it is common to see the ancient mark in the vicinity. I loved how one can view the archaeological site secured in the glass near metro stations, reminding us of the bygone era while commuting. 

No visit to the city is complete without a visit to the famous Acropolis of Athens. Parthenon, the temple of the goddess Athena from 432 B.C. Athenians built it to commemorate Athena as the God of the city. This temple sitting atop the hill is like a citadel overlooking the city for centuries.

Other important sites are the Propylaea - the ceremonial gateway next to it is the temple of Nike and Erechtheion - another ionic temple of Athena. The Theatre of Dionysus on the southern slope was the location for performances in the city back in 6th B.C. There are many more ruins and restored sites around and on the hill slopes. But all have turned a shade of off-white and pink due to the climatic conditions over the centuries. 

The artifacts, found over the years from Acropolis hill, are placed in the new museum across the road. A relatively new building is unique in many ways. It has a splendid view of the Acropolis and other parts of the city from all sides. Built on an ancient archaeological site discovered during its construction and restored afterward sets it apart from most museums I have seen. When you walk in at the entrance on the glass floor, you can see the old site below like you are walking on top of the Old City.

The construction of the new building revealed a lot of artifacts underneath, and later an entire housing area was discovered dating back to B.C. The archaeologists covered the old site with sand and stones to preserve it from modern machinery and construction work. They then redesigned the new building to allow the construction to be complete without impacting the site below. Restoration work commenced on the old site post the new museum opened. It lasted for a decade, opening to the public in 2019. I loved the idea that one could visit the New and the Old site to marvel at the artifacts and appreciate the hard work of restoration. Excellent use of technology and knowledge from the past. No wonder all the greats from the fields of education, science, and even philosophy were born here. 

Other sites worth mentioning are the temple of Zeus and the Panathenaic stadium close to the city center. The Temple of Zeus was built in 470-457 B.C and is probably the oldest in the city. There are only 16 columns left out of 108 and hence needs a little imagination to understand the grandeur. The whole site looks deserted. However, the Hadrian arch near it catches your glimpse immediately.

The Panathenaic stadium, the world's only marble stadium, was and continues to be momentous for the Olympic events. It was the venue for the 2004 Greece Olympics and is the finishing point for Athens Marathons even today. Unfortunately, when I visited, it was closed to tourists as preparations were in full swing for the 39th Athens Marathon. I could sense the enthusiasm of the organizers and the participants practicing for the next day's marathon. 

Lastly, no greek tour is complete without tasting olives, cheese, and all the greek cuisine with dollops of olive oil. The freshness of vegetables and the aroma of the herbs linger in your senses for a long. The bustling cafes and Traven along the small by lanes have a distinct culture and taste. The lunches and evening breaks are laid back, with no rush to return to work. It feels like life is nice and slow, taking in the atmosphere around you. Although the city is charming, it struggles with economic conditions and the post-pandemic world. Many shops and buildings are closed. Large restaurants look deserted even during peak hours. The cost of living is rising like in most parts of the world. I hope in the coming decades' the economy improves and brings more tourists to the country and its many scenic islands.