Upon Arrival in Athens

It has now been two days since I stepped off the plane, after two long and grueling flights, and landed into sunny Athens, Greece.  After settling in to our hotel, the beautiful Hotel Plaka at the corner of Mytropoleos Street and Kapnikareas, we visited the agora (meeting place and political center of Ancient Athens) where we took notice of the architectural design, and surveyed the collection of pottery, sculpture, and other artifacts.  We then proceeded to visit the Temple of Hephaestus and the Monument of Eponymous Heroes.  Our Greek-speaking director Emily also explained to us the effects which the Greek language has had on English by citing the example of the word "eponymous", which consists of the two Greek words "epi", meaning upon, and "onyma", meaning name.  The Monument of Eponymous Heroes once featured 12 self-made visionaries each from a separate tribe of Athenians, hence the etymology of the word "eponymous", as each hero took it "upon" himself to make his own "name".  After a great trip to the Athens museum were I saw a replication of a carved-out mural depicting Aeneas, the Trojan hero of the Aeneid, fleeing Troy with his father over his shoulder, his son Ascanius by his side, and the household gods in his hand, we had a nice dinner of zucchini balls and Greek salad.

AENEAS FLEEING TROY

  That evening, we went on a scavenger hunt, where we were required to find various items, including a Greek national jersey and a picture with a street performer, all throughout Athens, and the winning team (not mine) received a luxurious prize.  On the following day, we hiked up to the Acropolis, a high citadel overlooking the city of Athens, and saw both the Parthenon and the Erechtheum.  Truly a sight to behold:

 We then finished off the day by learning a few traditional Greek dances, and watching the sunset from our hotel's rooftop garden.  I can't wait for tomorrow when we shall be heading to Mycenae!


Eamus itinere!
Let's go on a journey!


-Jacob Weiss