AH Greece Trip 2015: Ashley Hall Takes Athens

Today we completed an extensive walking tour of the Acropolis area in Athens. We began our day at the New Acropolis Museum, where we learned about the history of the Acropolis from its inception. We examined Archaic and Classical artifacts found on the Acropolis during its numerous excavations, learned the unique history of the Parthenon, and discussed the ethical discussions surrounding the procurement of the controversial Elgin Marbles. Then we made our way to the entrance of the Acropolis, after stopping at the Theatre of Dionysus, in which we know that the drama Antigone (which students read in the eighth grade) was originally performed. We trekked up from the theatre through the monumental entrance to the Acropolis, the Propylaea. We then had time to explore the Acropolis and its extensive Classical building program, which includes the Parthenon, Temple of Athena Nike, and the Erechtheion. Once we made our way down the Acropolis and past the remains of the Roman Forum and Library of Hadrian, we had lunch in the Plaka. We then continued to the Greek Agora, where we enjoyed seeing a museum in the reconstructed stoa and the still- standing Temple dedicated to Hephaestus. Afterwards, we had free time to enjoy the Plaka, and to experience the marketplace. The girls took full advantage of what the Plaka had to offer and made several purchases, including the leather sandals that Athens is known for. We had dinner at the same restaurant we visited last night and enjoyed a delicious dinner of eggplant dip, stuffed grape leaves, and pasta. After the movie we had the opportunity to watch a movie under the stars in an open-air, rooftop movie theatre where we ate gelato and watched a Katharine Hepburn film. Tomorrow we take to the sea for our island cruise.