Landed in Athens, Greece, at 2:30 pm and then had a 45 minute car ride into the city from the airport. The entire group is staying one night in an airbnb. When we got to the house, they had actual keys to open the door and we struggled to find and open the door to the apartment. When we finally got settled in rooms, we then set out start exploring the city of Athens. Athens is a huge city with 5.5 million people, as our driver explained on the way in. Our house is in the very center of the city almost 6 miles from the coast. I was really hoping to go swimming in the ocean, but it is too far from our house and not enough time. We started our sightseeing of Athens at the temple of Olympian Zeus. As mostly all limestone ruins, it amazes me that they could build these buildings during the time. Next, we set off for the most known place, the Akropolis. They had it gated off, so visitors have to pay to get into the area. So a few of us set off to walk to the top of the hill to buy tickets. When we arrived the line was so damn long that we did not want to wait, but classic me, I walked up to two Americans in front of the line and asked if they would buy me a ticket if I gave them money. The only problem was that now I had a ticket and no one else did. So I set off alone to walk through the Akropolis. I basically ran through because I was going to meet the other girls at the end. I saw what used to be the government buildings, the temple of Hephaestus, the museums, and the old theaters within the ruins. Then I found my way to the meeting point but found myself alone. I walked around for a while
trying to see if I could find my group. I could not. Then 40 minutes later I still could not find my group. I started trying to find WiFi to text because my phone stopped working. No luck with any WiFi. I was starting to freak out so I asked people if they knew English so I could borrow their phones. No such luck. So I started to cry. I was lost in Greece and I wasn’t having it. Then some people saw me and they finally gave me a phone. I was able to get a hold of Amanda - finally! I found of that Amanda and the rest of the group went into the Akropolis as well, so just lack of communication. It did not help that my phone was not working, but it’s all good now. After the group found me, we walked through the downtown shopping street in Athens. It is absolutely adorable! I got some new clothing that I will need for our next two stops. Can’t wait!
Alone and wandering through the Ancient Greek Acropolis is an experience to be treasured. It is a singular masterpiece of ancient architecture. It is the highest point in Athens. It was captured and destroyed by the Persians in 480 B.C. then visited by Megan 2500 years later.