We set off a group of bedraggled Pittsburghers who didn’t quite know what to expect upon arriving in the bustling metropolis of Athens. The street graffiti no longer bore the slogans of local soccer teams or political parties but the yearnings of an end to economic stagnation and depression. After moving upward from the graffiti one’s eyes view this green city that sprawls across the hills as far as you can see, down little streets with cafes and shops. From the airport we didn’t go to the hotel but to Athens’ most famous hill, on which sits its most famous symbol- the Acropolis.
Trekking the steps and marble to the top we were in awe of the architectural wonder of the the ancient world. As your eyes focused upward one had to watch the marble steps that seemed polished with the ages of travelers. Above all the temples, one is drawn immediately to the vastness of the Parthenon. It’s a symbol of the Greek pursuit to impose order on a chaotic world, but we learned how deeply tied it was to the pantheon of Greek gods and goddesses that they both revered and feared.
Leaving Athens and crossing the Corinthian canal to the Peloponnese we traveled back in time to the Mycenaean era of 4000 years ago. At Mycenae, we hiked through the ruins of a city that was possibly the seat of Agamemnon’s kingdom. We heard the tale of Helen of Troy and stories of passion and power that still resonate today.
This idea of unity is a difficult thing to comprehend for the ancient Greeks. The topography and geography of this mountainous country created independent city-states, which developed varied governmental structure and military prowess. Jagged mountains dividing the country were evident on our drive from ancient Olympia to Ioannina. After a long bus ride, we shared a table with Avi discussing current events in Greece, Israel, and the United States all while enjoying classic Greek fare at a spectacular oasis hotel.
