The Parthenon, The First Rule, and The Gyro

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Breakfast time rolled around. You want to know what I ate? Yogurt with honey. Our first morning was dedicated to the acropolis. We were going to get up early but our late night up top of the hotel made Greg change the time until later. The journey up was pretty short as our hotel was so close. Today it became extremely clear that there was a huge graffiti problem. Everywhere there was something on the walls, buildings, and every other flat surface. You couldn't walk ten feet without running into something sprayed. We followed a road up that was paved on the right and had stone on the left. The stone was the original road. It was tiny. Maybe enough room for three people abreast. The closer we got the larger the Parthenon grew and the larger the city seemed to become as we gained a better vantage point of the city. Walking up to the first building we were greeted by the noise of a jackhammer. These guys were taking apart some concrete reinforced with rebar. No idea what it was, but it was disconcerting to have people destroying something right next to the ancient building. It was pretty impressive with all the marble pillars. Walking through this building we were greeted by the view of the Parthenon...with scaffolding.

Apparently for the last 12 years or so they have been trying to restore the building to its past grandeur. Even with all the pipes and men working it was a sight to see. There was another building, the one I could see from my hotel room, but I never heard its name either. The backside of it was closest to the Parthenon had four statues as pillars. They were women in long dresses with a cylinder something sitting on there heads. All along the edge of the acropolis stood a tall wall. The wall was at least forty feet tall. Four feet of that wall went up to make sure we didn’t fall off the edge of the acropolis. The view was spectacular. It felt like we could see almost everything - city sprawl as the buildings climbed up the hillsides and even the compact buildings down by our hotel. It was neat that we could pick out our hotel. Made me found of the view we had once again. We went down to the theater of H something...which was impressive in itself. This theater would've had a spectacular view if it wasn't for the columns and structure that served as the changing area for the actors. I actually found a postcard where the theater was in use, but it wasn’t open for us to walk to. We kept going until we hit the theater of Dionysus. This one was smaller but was great because we could walk amount the seating. We weren't allowed into the orchestra spot, the half circle that was left open at the bottom level, probably in an attempt to help protect the sculptures in the front stage area carved into this short wall that served as the back of the orchestra. We passed ruins and more ruins on our way down hill.
We eventually turned around and headed back up. Our group accidentally split, a huge portion heading to the right and another small group with me headed to the left. My small group went to the Roman agora. The Roman’s had built it in an effort to try to get everyone to shop there instead of the old agora that had been used for centuries. The ground was mostly dirt now but it used to be completely lined with stone. A few pieces could be seen, conveying what an impressive sight it would be to see completely covered in marble. There were only a few columns that had been put back up on one side. The rest were in ruins. A few statues, and the two big column and triangular topped entrance buildings stood as well.

My group came back to the hotel. I thought everyone was going to keep on going to the temple of Zeus as several people had stated an interest in going. Boy, was I ever wrong. I asked the group if anyone wanted to keep going or at lest get food. Carianna was the only one to respond back an. Saying she would be willing to get food in a little bit. I asked her how long a little bit was. I loved that she was honest with me - she said a few hours. Its better to have information than to have no idea what is going on.

I can't pretend that I was a little annoyed. I was starting to really hate rule number one - don't go off alone anywhere. It makes sense, but I still feel like I am an adult. When it comes to ethical choices what should we choose: Free will or safety? What did Greg value the most? Safety. When it comes to ethics I think that Greg had the right decision. I love being able to go do what I want and when I want, especially when people are just vegging out, but this freedom is obviously a bit crucial to make people happy and the trip enjoyable. Had I been able to go off by myself I would've been able to have a better cultural experience. But what is happiness, and freedom, if you can't live to have it? Its not highly likely that I would get seriously injured, die or get kidnapped - but what is that risk worth? Greg’s rule insures one thing, that we don't get it trouble and that our safety is not endangered. If we are endangered in some way, at least we have someone to help us out when we are with a buddy. Revoking that freedom I have for the value of safety, in this instance, is ethical. I would rather have a short-term unhappiness than a long-term expense or consequence. (Does death count as long term?) I could totally see myself being hit by a moped in thon the sidewalk if I was by myself and going to the hospital would've been fun. I would’ve hated to have to call the hotel to pass on a message to Greg.

A car in Greece actually hit my aunt when she was younger. Now you can see why I am a bit weary of the cars and even the bus divers. I definitively understand why it is Greek law to be buckled up in buses.

One classmate arrived while I was sitting in the lobby reading my book in an attempt to distract myself from the desire to just run out because of my annoyance. I picked this spot so that I could go out with the first classmate heading out of the hotel. I waited downstairs for them to get some more money from their room. Then we went and wondered up to our meeting place for tours, which was next to a post office and looked at a sandwich shop that Greg had suggested. Almost got one, but then we decided to keep moving because it was a bit crazy in there. I know I wasn’t sure how I was going to order and the chaos of it all didn’t really make me want to blunder my way through. I had been starving when we first got to the hotel but it seemed my digestive system was shutting down since I hadn't fed it. We almost bought oranges from this little fruit cart in a little square but you had to buy it by the kilo. As good as I hear the oranges are, I didn't want 2.2 pounds of fruit. We wondered down the flea market that started right at the corner of the square. There were lots of places with clothes, Greek pottery and the other touristy shops. There were also shops dedicated just to backgammon boards that doubled as chessboards. I really liked them. I am still trying to decide if I want to get one. As we made our way back to the hotel I found a gift for my sister but she will have to wait to find out what that is.

Once at the hotel and I took my spot on the couch again, waiting once more for the next person on their way out. I joined Professor Johnson on his trip to get a gyro (euro). The best food in Greece is the gyro. I don't know what it is about them that makes them so good but...ok I lied. I do. I loved the hot pita bread. America 's pita bread is too thick and tough. These things here are soft, pliable, and oh so pleasantly hot. The pork and tzatziki sauce coupled nicely with the slices of tomato. The pork juice, tomato, and melted tzatziki drip just a bit at the bottom of the pita and the tzatziki tends to get stuck to one side so you have to bite one side in a large clump. Other than that, perfect. We passed a group on their way back. Everyone had a gyro. We told everyone we would meet them back on top of the hotel. After ordering we realized that we had started at the wrong end of the Gyro line. The guy gave us our orders and then told us to go pay. The man at the cash register was annoyed with the guy who served us and said something in Greek. It was only then that we noticed people giving their receipts to the guy serving food. Felt slightly guilty about making a stupid American mistake that showed a lack of culture awareness. The day was beautiful on top of the hotel. The acropolis was just as neat looking in the day as the night, but I felt like it was more majestic in the night. I wonder what it used to look like when it was lit up by fires instead of large floodlights. I ended up doing some of my reading in the sun. Eventually smoke from people and the cooling day drove me back below to my room to type. We met up for dinner and headed off to some place that Greg had gone before. Don't remember the name at all, I ordered the night’s special of chicken in wine sauce. The chicken was nothing spectacular, but it was good. It had a great golden brown color and the skin was the perfect mix of crisp and moist. I actually pulled the leg off when I was trying to just get the drumstick. The meat was tender and moist. The rice that came along with my dish was flavored - I think it was cooked with tomatoes, mushroom, and bell pepper. Not really sure what else. It also had a fair share of grease at the bottom of it. Maybe it had some sort of meat too it as well. All I know is that I enjoyed it a lot. We gathered once again on the rooftop. It wasn't until the smoke from all the cigars started to be blown my way that I left my beautiful view.