On Tuesday, June 5th, the group walked to the entrance to the Acropolis, the "High City" that was the religious center of the ancient Athenians. There we saw the military guard march down to their truck, then met our local guide, Faye, an archaeologist with connections to the University of Minnesota. We looked down on the Theater of Dionysus (where the great Greek tragedies and comedies were premiered back in the fifth century B.C.), and the later, Roman-era musical theater, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, where open-air concerts are now held. Then we walked up through the Propylaea ("Fore-Gate") past the Temple of Nike ("Victory").
After being shown the Parthenon (the great Temple of Athena) and the Erectheon, with its Caryatids (columns in the shape of women), we were given time to wander around on our own.
Afterwards, we met again below and walked to the Acropolis Museum, a big, wonderful space built in 2009, after our last visit to Athens. Its interior was designed to be the size and shape of the Parthenon, so as to show off to advantage that temple's friezes, if the British ever give them back (we saw the Parthenon or Elgin Marbles in the British Museum two years ago). Unfortunately, I misunderstood a sign that said "No Photography" (it only meant that you couldn't take pictures on part of the ground floor) and left my camera inside my daypack in the cloakroom.
We had the rest of the day to ourselves. Mary Joy and I ate lunch at the museum restaurant (okay), then wandered through the Plaka and Monastiraki neighborhoods, visiting some churches old and new, including the 19th-century Orthodox Cathedral. We went to the Agora, which we didn't find impressive, though some others in our group went to the museum in the restored Stoa of Attalos and found that fascinating.
We met Kate, one of our group, in the Agora, and from there we went together around the Acropolis to Filopappos Hill, which we climbed for some good views. Then we found our way back down to the hotel, having completed our circumnavigation of the Acropolis.
We wanted to eat dinner just up the street, at the highly-recommended Mani Mani, but they were completely full, so we went back to Dio Dekares i Oka, where we had a delightful dinner while watching in awe as the hostess/waitress went at lightning speed from showing patrons the various dishes to taking their orders to settling their accounts, over the whole busy restaurant. It took our breath away, but was never frantic.
After being shown the Parthenon (the great Temple of Athena) and the Erectheon, with its Caryatids (columns in the shape of women), we were given time to wander around on our own.
Afterwards, we met again below and walked to the Acropolis Museum, a big, wonderful space built in 2009, after our last visit to Athens. Its interior was designed to be the size and shape of the Parthenon, so as to show off to advantage that temple's friezes, if the British ever give them back (we saw the Parthenon or Elgin Marbles in the British Museum two years ago). Unfortunately, I misunderstood a sign that said "No Photography" (it only meant that you couldn't take pictures on part of the ground floor) and left my camera inside my daypack in the cloakroom.
We had the rest of the day to ourselves. Mary Joy and I ate lunch at the museum restaurant (okay), then wandered through the Plaka and Monastiraki neighborhoods, visiting some churches old and new, including the 19th-century Orthodox Cathedral. We went to the Agora, which we didn't find impressive, though some others in our group went to the museum in the restored Stoa of Attalos and found that fascinating.
We met Kate, one of our group, in the Agora, and from there we went together around the Acropolis to Filopappos Hill, which we climbed for some good views. Then we found our way back down to the hotel, having completed our circumnavigation of the Acropolis.
We wanted to eat dinner just up the street, at the highly-recommended Mani Mani, but they were completely full, so we went back to Dio Dekares i Oka, where we had a delightful dinner while watching in awe as the hostess/waitress went at lightning speed from showing patrons the various dishes to taking their orders to settling their accounts, over the whole busy restaurant. It took our breath away, but was never frantic.
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