Iconic Ionic (and Doric and Corinthian)

Alex woke me up at 6:30, ready to check out the Acropolis. It took us (mostly me) a while to get up and moving, but we were out the door by 7:15 and hiking up the hill that leads to the most famous historical ruins in the world. I've studied art history since the age of 18, when I took my first introductory course at Wash U. So I know a thing or two about Ancient Greek architecture. And I was ready to see it in person. We were among the first folks there and the weather cooperated with us with cloudy skies and mild morning temperatures. Greek soldiers raised the flag atop the Acropolis, stood staring up at it for a good 5 minutes and then marched down the hill we'd just climbed. I actually noticed for the first time in Greece an increased presence of security at the Acropolis. It reminded me of the real world, where troubles are intractable and worries are abundant. It's weird that after only a bit more than a week away, I'd managed to put many cares aside. 

The Parthenon was a beautiful gem in the morning light. It's having a bunch of restoration work being done on it, so there was scaffolding and cranes and workers all around, but it didn't at all ruin the experience for me. I've seen its image so many times in books, have studied its structure and design, know the names of the different segments (capitals, entablatures and columns anyone??). I could still ace that test. Alex and I spent a great while sitting on a marble bench by the Parthenon, talking and watching the crowds take pictures of themselves and the relic.

Next to the grand girl was the lovely Erechtheion (had to look up that spelling) with her six maidens watching over the temple. They are replicas, of course, and we were able to see all but one of them in the Acropolis museum after we finished our tour. 

Speaking of the Acropolis museum, they serve a terrible breakfast. I'm sure the museum is great at many things, but one of them is not making omelettes. Alex's prosciutto and eggs looked not so savory as well. We are looking forward to the amazing breakfasts to come in both Italy and especially France. We toured the museum after breakfast and I enjoyed it quite a bit. Alex was kind of antiquitied out and my feet were tired, so we trekked home for a change of clothes and showers before beginning the rest of our day. This was at about 11:15 AM.

What happened after 11:15? Only Alex and I will ever know. We've decided to keep it to ourselves, not because it was epic or interesting, but because it was, um, not. We are off to the overnight ferry that will take us to Italy in our next installment. Stay tuned.