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!

Preparations & Research

Preparations are underway!  Greek Odyssey Winterim students are researching specific cities and sites that our group will visit.  Tomorrow they will present their findings to the group giving each other a preview of our adventures to come.