Classic Athens
Trip Start
Jun 06, 2012
1
15
34
Trip End
Jun 30, 2012
What I did
Athens, Attica, Greece
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Thespis' first play was performed in 530BC.
Next was the brand new (2009) Acropolis Museum, at the base of the acropolis (the hill that the Parthenon sits on). Knox and I were both impressed beyond words, especially with the upper gallery, which reproduces the exact size and orientation of the Parthenon and loads the space with information and many of the original pieces of the metopes (just above the columns), the frieze (above that), and the pediments (the sculptures at both ends of the Parthenon). Not surprisingly, the museum takes occasional shots at the British and Lord Elgin, who stole many pieces of the parthenon in the 19th century and which the Brits refuse to return. Well, it wouldn't be Greece without a bit of drama...
We decided to venture out into the 90-degree-plus heat yet again (well, without much choice) and head up the hill to the Acropolis. After a warm jaunt, we found ourselves walking up the stairs to the nearly 2500-year-old temple. To be completely honest, there is an "overrated" quality to the Acropolis (and the Parthenon in particular) as it's somewhat underwhelming. Still, in light of history and that it has survived as long as it has, one must have some respect for this icon of classic Greece and our own civilization.
After traipsing through the grounds, we headed down for a snack (Mythos for me, apple pie for Knox--very adventurous young eater). As we started our walk around the base of the acropolis, we entertained ourselves with conversation about the various tourist trinkets for sale in the Plaka (area to the north of the acropolis, chock-full of tourists and traps). You'll have to ask Knox about some of the things he saw for sale.
Needless to say, we sauntered past the Vouli (once the palace of the last Greek King and now the Parliament), through the National Garden, and down to the Arch of Hadrian (whatever) and the Temple of Olympian Zeus (no comparison to the Lady's on the hill...).
A traditional dinner of grilled sea bream (mediterranean fish) and veggies for me and beef with tomatoes and traditional Greek pasta for Knox put the finish on our stomachs. However, it was our conversation with our server, Giorgios, a 25-year-old communist, and fellow server Achilles, which gave our dinner its flavor.
When I asked what he felt was going to happen on Sunday (another election here in Greece, and what most consider "crucial" to its continued participation in the European Community and the euro), his answer ("4 things: uncontrolled chaos, controlled chaos, 90% of our debt forgiven, or whatever the EU wants") led to a discussion on economics and why capitalistic democracy doesn't work (world hunger, AIDS in Africa, rich get richer, etc.). While I admired his passion, what I think was best about the whole discussion (fellow server Achilles enjoyed biting at Giorgio's heel about how communism doesn't work "in reality") was how Knox witnessed the regular exchange of ideas that is common in much of Europe but sometimes lacking in American culture (indeed, Giorgios noted that most Americans he meets seem to lack an opinion about politics/economics, etc.).
Interestingly, after this Giorgios thought I had been telling Knox what was "wrong" with communism and Giorgios' ideas (I'm sure he gets that a lot). In fact, Knox was full of questions about communism, socialism, democracy, capitalism--all great things for a 14-year-old to express interest in (what teacher wouldn't want that?). In fact, I had been merely answering his questions, and I encouraged Giorgios that while in America it would be quite brave (dangerous?) to admit his communist beliefs, I was only educating my son about what it actually was. Giorgios then recounted how when he told his father he wanted to vote, his father sat him down and educated him on all the various parties and philosophies before he actually got to vote. This is how Giorgios became a communist, and I have to say that I hope Knox, in the same way, does some digging of his own.
Comments
I'm glad you two are having a great time and good stories to recount, down the road.
Pictures are incredible! Loved your dining conversations!