I am back!

Hello everyone from all reaches of the world (well, maybe!)

I am back in Athens after by quick tour of Greece. I had a great time. I left Athens early Monday morning and we drove to the Peloponnese via Corinth. The Corinth Canal was pretty cool - it is only 25 meters wide!

Then we drove to Epidaurus and saw the ancient Theatre. It is so well preserved and in the summer they still hold performances in the theatre (bringing a cushion is definatey required!). I climbed all the way up to the top and the view was spectacular and the acoustics were great!

Then we headed of to Mycenae, the ancient site of King Agamemnon. It was great to see the Treasury of Atreus, a large beehive tomb which is amazingly well preserved and much bigger that I had thought, and the magnificent views from the top of the citadel. It was a bit of a hike and boy do I feel out of shape (maybe I shouldn't be eating so much!). But I had such a good time walking up to the top and trying to remember all the stories and history that I learned. I guess it is right - if you don't use it, you lose it! I have remembered a lot and it has been great to finally see these places that captured my attention years ago when I wanted to major in Classics. The citadel of Mycenae was an amazingly protected city as the strategic location reveals all surrounding areas.

Anyways, then we drove to Olympia. The following day we went to the site of Olympia and saw the entire complex which includes Temples to Hera and Zeus, gymnasium and the stadium. It was very cool to see the first Olympic stadium. It was also a great time of year to travel because the tour groups have not overrun the sites. I had the space and time to rum in the stadium. Okay, I didn't do a lot but I did jog down half the length of the stadium! Check out my form - I am ready to compete.

The temples of Olympia are not that well preserved but the remains are scattered around which helps visitors imagine the size and magnificence of these ancient sites.

On our way out of the Peloponnese we passed through Patra, the port city and the place I will leave Greece on my way to Italy. It was amazing to see the landscape of the Peloponnese. I didn't know what to expect and was shocked to see so many mountains with snow on them! The landscape is varied - we passed through mountains, olive groves, orange trees and drove along the sea. It was beautiful and alive (green everywhere). But we were still able to see the destruction from the Greek fires two years ago.

We then arrived in Delphi, a beautiful town built into the side of the mountain. It was so amazing to walk up the streets and to look out over the mountains and the plain below. I found it was a very relaxing place and I could just sit and process what I have been experiencing.

The site of Delphi was large and impressive. We climbed up the Sacred Way to the Temple of Apollo and then continued on to the Theatre and Stadium. Again, a lot of climbing and a lot of feeling like I was going to pass out! But it was worth it. In order to make it to the Temple of Athena which is below the site for Apollo, we had to practically run down the mountain. It was great and the museum was nice.

On this trip, I have felt that we were rushed through the sites and we didn't have a lot of time to spend exploring. But I guess when you are on a 4 day tour which covers 1350 km, you can't spend hours walking around. I am glad that I was able to see the places I have and I hope I have absorbed as mch as possible.

After Delphi, we headed north in Thessaly to the town of Kalambaka. It is situated at the base of Meteora, a collection of rock mountains where there are a number of Greek Orthodox Monasteries built onto the tops. The day we went to Meteora, it was raining and there was a lot of fog. But it was very magical and mysterious. We could barely see the monasteries from below but once we drove up, we could see the monasteries behind a backdrop of fog. It was very cool. I felt fortunate to see the site on a foggy day as that is not what is depicted on postcards and in books. The Monasteries with the churches were beautiful to explore. But it was the views of Kalambaka below that were great!

So overall, I had a great time on the Greece Tour. I saw a lot and had fun hanging out with Emmy, a girl from Illinois who is studying in Rome.

I am now in Athens and have decided to spend 3 extra days here. I do not want to travel on Sundays as most places are closed. So I have a few days to relax in a city that I know and feel comfortable in before I head off to Italy. So I will post later about more specific topics - like the food!

Love you all, Lisa