Good-bye to George and Helen

Thank you George for navigating around sink holes and narrow switch backs to keep us from driving into the gorge.  We will miss Helen's expertise in history and archeology as well as her storytelling and lessons that helped us learn more about Greek mythology, ancient history and the connections between the Greek and English languages.  Thank you for a terrific trip!

Wednesday in Nafplio

Best gelato ever. 

The Fortress of Palamidi, built 1711-1715 by the Venetians but taken over by the Ottomans

Entering one of the inner protected areas, the Bastion of Agios Andreas.  The lion above the door is the Lion of Venice, a symbol of Mark the Evangelist, patron saint of Venice 

Wednesday: Mycenae

Approaching Lions Gate, the entrance to the Mycenaean acropolis.

Hearing stories about Lions Gate and Mycenae from Helen

Mycenaean acropolis, the perfect place for Atreus and his descendants, Agamemnon, Orestes and Teisamenos to rule the Peloponnese and lead the expedition to Troy.

Can you spot the well hidden base of the acropolis with its Cyclopean walls where Amanda, Hudson and Ella stood in the previous photo?

Day 9 Tuesday by David Shaw

Day 9: Arcadia

            Today started like all of the other days we’ve had here: a 7:30 wake up and an 8:30 departure.  This time we were going to some nearby monasteries.  These buildings have been around for centuries and are only inhabited by a handful of monks who have almost no contact with the outside world.  The monasteries sit on opposite sides of a gorge.  The easiest way to get from one to the other is by taking a small path that leads you down one mountain and up the other.

            As usual on our bus rides to new locations, the view was fantastic.  Most of the mountains we passed had towns built on their faces.  We took the road all the way to the first monastery where we were greeted by one of only three monks that inhabit the place.  He was very welcoming and allowed us to come in.  After we entered, he went to do his work, but returned later to give us water to drink and Turkish delight to eat.  I couldn’t help but notice the irony that he was serving a dish that bears the name of a group of people who had terrorized the monks for years.

The main room, which had been in use since the 1700s if I recall, was dimly lit, smelt on incense, and was covered with religious artwork.  The wall was covered in fabulous depictions of scenes from the bible such as the birth of Christ, his baptism, and his eventual death.  It even held a discreet reference to the rivalries between eastern and western churches.  One thing that I found a bit depressing was the fact that the Ottomans had gouged out the eyes of all of the saints depicted on the wall as part of their anti-Greek campaigns.

            After we ate and departed, we started down the path between the monasteries.  Due to the heavy rain that Greece had been experiencing, there were several waterfalls along the cliffs that did a lot to add to the beauty of our surroundings.  At one point, we came to a place where the road split.  We were told that the path on the left led to the other monastery, while the one on the right led to a monastery that had been destroyed years ago by the Ottomans; however, we were told that we didn’t have time to go up there.

            The thought of missing even a single detail on this trip was unbearable, and I asked if I could quickly sprint up there and then catch up with the group.  Jack and Hudson backed me up and we were finally given permission to go.  As the rest of the group set off, the three of us sprinted up the stairs to the ruins.  The outside of the structure was massive, and while our guide had probably not envisioned us actually going inside, the three of us could not resist.  The first thing I did when we entered was turn around and take a picture of Jack and Hudson; Jack looked nice, Hudson stuck his tongue out.

            I turned around and noticed that there were more rooms and though I could already here the rest of the group calling for us, I ran to the next room with the other two right behind.  I did my best to look around each room, though I had to be quick since we were in a rush.  It seemed as though each new area of the monastery led to another one.  Finally, we came to some stairs which led to a balcony.  There were still a few religious works of art up there which I tried to examine further.  I was thwarted when we heard again the group calling to us.  The three of us hurried to rejoin the group, each of us agreeing that the diversion was well worth it.

            Almost as if I was being punished for my rashness, I slipped on a rock only minutes after returning to the group.  There was a pretty steep decline in elevation to my left which, of course, was the direction I fell in.  My knee landed right on a sharp rock, but I still managed to get enough footing to stop myself from falling any further.  When I looked up, I was several feet downhill of the path and hurriedly climbed back up.  My knee was killing me, but after the recent adrenaline rushes, I was in no mood to stop moving.

            We made it up to the next monastery and walked into the courtyard.  All women had to wear dresses in the building and some were supplied by the monks.  All of the girls then tried to make us wear them, which I found less than amusing.  The interior was fairly similar to the previous monastery, though this one was actually built into the rock wall, as opposed to on a flat surface like the other one, and thus many of the rocks of the cliffs actually served as walls to the rooms.  We again went into the room where the services were held.  It was similar to the last room, but this time the eyes of the saints had managed to avoid defilement by the Ottomans.

            After receiving more water, Turkish delight, and this time coffee from the monks, we departed up a long, winding road back into town.  We were driven to a restaurant where the chefs brought us in and had us make Moussaka, which we would then eat later that night.  It was mostly simple work that mainly involved cutting fruit and stirring food as it cooked, but when it was done, the food received a warm reception by the group.  After we cooked, but before dinner, we were also given some time to shop.  We had stopped in another village to shop earlier in the day, so I had a chance to see a lot of different Greek products.  That’s all for now.

3/4/14 by Emma Forester

3/4/14

       Today we woke up and headed to a monastery. I wasn't very excited for this trip because my throat was on fire and my nose was at a constant run toward the floor. We got on to the bus and I put my ear buds in and the next thing I remembered was David tapping my shoulder and waking me up. I was a little confused where I was at first but then I remembered that we where going to the monastery. I thought I knew what to expect. I mean I watched Wendy Woo Homecoming Worrier and thought the monks would be just like that. I thought that they would be bald and Asian. I was so awfully wrong. We got to the first monastery and a man with all black clothing on and a black and white beard greeted us. Helen told us that that was one of the monks. We didn't waste anytime and we all filed into the church. It was a small church with beautiful old paintings, many of Jesus Christ. He was on the ceiling, on the alter, in the corner, he was everywhere. This monastery was dedicated to Saint John. 
We jumped out of the church and the monk with the soft eyes and the black and white beard invited us inside for some water and Turkish delights. We all had a glass of water while some of the boys picked at the Turkish delights. The monk asked us where we were all from. The monk told us to take a message back to our president. He told us to tell him that we should keep your soldiers out of war. He told us that there is no need for violence. Helen asked him if he knew what the weather was going to be like and he told us that only god knows the weather. 
Next, we had an hour hike to the other monastery. The first 15 minutes were fine. The next 15 minutes I started to feel a burn in my upper calf. The next 15 minutes with every step I took my hips jolted out of place and then back into place.  The next 15 minutes my body was tight. Every step was a thought process. Do I want to step? Should I stop moving? Every step was worth it. We finally got the monastery. This monastery girls had to wear skirts so even the guys slipped skirts over there jeans. Most of the guys protested but we got a funny picture of all of use in the skirts. In this monastery we could light candles for people, things, or wishes so I lit 4. One for my brother, my father, my mother, and another for my grandfather in heaven. We got back on the road and went to a restaurant where we made our dinner. I was a photographer because I was too sick to touch the food. All the smells in the kitchen seemed to clear my sniffles until we went back outside and the cold won. I learned a lot of things today. I'm so glad I was able to have this experience. I don't want it to end.

Tuesday: Greek Cooking Lesson Hotel Lagadia Resort in Lagkadia Village

Lagkadia Village where we stayed two nights in Arcadia

Cutting eggplant, zucchini, and potato for moussaka

Amanda learns to fry the zucchini

David fries the eggplant and zucchini

Eating our own Moussaka

Tuesday: Arcadia & Monasteries

an unexpected waterfall in the Lousios Gorge due to so much rainfall

Amanda, Grant & Hudson entering the second Monastery.  Note Amanda's required skirt.

Hiking through the Lousios gorge from the Monastery of Philosophos
 to the Monastery of Agios Prodromos

Inside Monastery of Agios Prodromos

After an hour hike through the very wet gorge, we arrived at the second Monastery.

Olympic Stadium Races

At the original 6th century BC Olympic stadium getting ready to race.

Standing on the original starting line....on your mark, get set, go! The girls look ready.

Exiting the stadium through what remains of the vaulted passageway or crypt.

Delphi & Carnival: photos & captions by Amanda Berger

 This is a two hundred meter field or stadium where men competed while at Delphi.

After leaving Itea, we traveled along the coast and stopped at a
small port town where the water was turquoise.

Our first stop in Patras was Saint Andrew's Eastern Orthodox cathedral
where we saw beautiful murals and mosaics.

The murals and mosaics were all very detailed.

We then walked to the festival parade where everyone was dressed up in costumes. Many people were dressed up with a partner or in groups. The Carnival prepares people for Lent and welcomes Spring.

Each little town or organization had their own floats or theme.
There was lots of music, whistles, streamers and energy.

Emma and I purchased masks to take part in the carnival.  

Day 6 Apollo's Temple & Delphi Ruins by Grant Oslan

• We woke up early at 7:00am.
• We all left around 8:00am on the bus for a couple hour drive to see the temple.
• We walked up the mountain and there was a beautiful view.
• We saw a stadium way up in the mountain that was interesting to see.
• Lucky it started to rain later when we went down to the museum.
• For lunch we went to a small restaurant after searching for a long time and the waitress barely spoke English so it was a struggle. We got a sandwich that was amazing and they gave us homemade fries that were made right when we ordered them.
• We walked back to the hotel and watched a movie or took a nap.
• We went to the Carnival that night and it was fun.  The people were dressed up as monsters or death because winter-death is leaving and spring is coming which is life. People's faces were painted black and they were wearing animal skins.  It was pouring but they were still dancing and everything.
• A lot of people were dancing in a circle and celebrating
• I thought the masks the men were wore were very detailed and interesting.
• We all stood in the pouring rain as the celebration was happening.

Saturday Carnival Festivities near Itea

Despite the continuing rain, Saturday after dinner we loaded onto the bus and traveled 15 minutes to the next town to see what carnival activities were still taking place.  Here is a short video of what we found.  Most people where elaborately dressed in animal skins, some fake and some real, with masks, wigs, hats, horns or painted faces. Some characters represented darkness or death, while others with cow bells and whistles represented goodness and life.  According to legend, their bells keep the evil spirits away and defeat darkness/winter to welcome light/spring. Most of our students were approached by dancers and received ceremonial painted black marks on their faces.

Saturday: Sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi

Entering the Sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi with the Phaidriades in background

Wall along main entrance of Sanctuary where worshippers made note of their visit to honor Apollo

The navel stone "omphalos"- center of the earth at Delphi

Temple of Apollo

a little drama in the theatre at Delphi

more drama

Day 4, Friday, February 28th By Alex Martin

Our lunch (Meat Market Athens)

Friday was definitely the most adventurous day yet.  I could have sworn we walked almost 10 miles by the end of the day from going to the Acropolis Museum to even visiting the Acropolis itself.  But that wasn't my favorite journey of the day, the meat market was.  Even though I'm a vegetarian, I was still amazed by the people and the culture.  They had eyeballs lined up in a row ready to be sold and different types of animals hanging with sale signs on them. I will admit that I did gag when I saw that.  People would throw dead animals in your face like it's something that happens everyday.  The meat market was our first stop, then we went to visit the Temple of Zeus.  There are only 16 columns left of what would be a magnificent temple, but it was still worth seeing.  Then we took a long hike to the Acropolis.  Everything about the Acropolis was amazing including the view of Greece and learning the history of the artifacts there.  That definitely would have been a great way to end the day, but the best way was the dessert the group tried, a cupful of Greek yogurt submerged in honey.

Athens - The Acropolis

On our way up to the Acropolis with the Odeum of Herodes Atticus music hall behind us
and the city of Athens down below

Departing Acropolis through the gate with Athens in the background

The Parthenon

Learning about the Parthenon with our Greek guide Helen

Athens

Roman Bath discovered under the city when Athens expanded the subway metro system.

The Temple of Zeus 

Amanda and Emma on Mars Hill (Arios Pagos) with the Acropolis behind them.

resting before heading up to the Acropolis

Finally Here by Ella Cox

It has been a very long day, so long that both Wednesday and Thursday cannot be separated in my mind so I will combine them in one journal.  We left campus around 11am on Wednesday to JFK.  Our flight wasn't until 7pm so we had lots of time to waste in the airport, but better safe than sorry I guess. The first flight was about 6 hours to Paris.  I tried to sleep, to very little result.  Instead I watched Paranoia and the The Great Gatsby.  The next flight was 2.5 hours to Athens, I was so exhausted from the one before that sleeping on this one seemed a breeze.  I woke up to an announcement on the loudspeaker, "we will be on the ground shortly," first in French, then in English.  I looked out the window and there it was, the country I had been waiting to go to for 12 years now, the green of the islands and the glistening blue water below. One of the most memorable things that happened was today on Thursday, we had finished dinner, we were out in Athens on the city center exploring and trying to locate the lit up Acropolis perched on a hill nearby.  Hudson lead the way up a narrow sidewalk up a hill that reached some stairs to a clearing, but there was nothing there, just a park and some apartment buildings.  Then David said, "hey guys, turn around," so we looked back and there it was down the hill on a perch adjacent to ours, and although we didn't get to see it that close up, I have to say it was a pretty good view for such a silly mistake. We are going on a tour there tomorrow anyway I believe.  All in all it still doesn't feel like I am really here, but that should come with time.  I am also quite sleep deprived and have a long day tomorrow so 'till next time, adios.

Amanda and Hudson- students of Greek culture

Our focus today was completing research and presenting individual findings to the entire group.  

Stay tuned for travel photos.  Our estimated time of departure: tomorrow 11:00am

Emma and Alex report on Mycenae. Note how they created a PG version of the Perseus and Medussa sculpture.

Grant presents Patras and Olympia

David and Jack educate us about the history of Athens

Ella, Alex and Emma.....We love Hercules!